The simple truth in life is that things change.
For a variety of reasons, George was certain he did not want children. He was so certain of it, in fact, that he underwent the procedure known as a vasectomy, which is meant to permanently render a man unable to father children.
However, five years later he met and fell deeply in love with Linda. For the first time in his life, George wanted to be a father. He went to see his doctor to find out if his vasectomy could indeed be reversed. He had some tests done, underwent a vasectomy reversal, and a few months later he and Linda were in another doctor’s office, nervously waiting to hear some very important results.
Vasectomy Reversal Can be an Emotional Ride.
People can, and do, change their minds. Sometimes it’s easier than others to undo or redo something different. Changing your minor in college, for example, might tend to be a lot easier than undergoing a surgery to reverse your ability to become a biological father of a child.
The success of a vasectomy reversal is not assured, and this can lead to a lot of anxiety. Couples who are trying to get pregnant often report feelings of stress, anxiety and even guilt and depression. It can take a toll on the relationship, so patience and even counseling may be a good idea.
Make sure to keep the lines of communication open and support one another as you seek to become pregnant. Joining a support group might help too. Working together can make your relationship stronger, even during the stress of trying to conceive. Even if you cannot conceive normally, fertility treatment may be an option. Adopting or fostering may also be a fulfilling route to pursue parenthood.
Other medical Factors to be Aware of
Success is largely dependent on several factors, including the length of time since the vasectomy was originally performed. The longer the wait, there is a decreased chance that the surgeon can successfully reconnect the tiny tubes, known as vas deferens, that carry the sperm. If your vasectomy was performed less than a decade ago, your chances of pregnancy are greater than 50%. The best odds occur when the reversal is less than three years from the time you had the vasectomy, although it is still possible in many cases.
Before you have the reversal, your doctor is going to want to test your fertility. Certain fertility tests, such as ones that detect antibodies to sperm will need to be run. Not all men who have had a vasectomy develop antibodies to sperm, but some do. Those that do are sometimes less likely to be able to father a child. There may be other blockages or issues as well. Your doctor can explain all of the risks as well as your odds of success. The reversal procedure itself takes only a few hours and is done on an outpatient basis, with recovery in one to two weeks.
And as for George, when his twin boys call him daddy, his face just lights up the room.
To learn more about a vasectomy reversal in the Phoenix area, visit Desiderio Avila, Jr., MD, a specialist in men’s health. If you, or a loved one have questions about men’s health, please contact Dr. Avila and Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment online today.
