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However, a vasectomy is not an immediate means for birth control as
it takes up to 12 weeks for the procedure to become permanent and not
have sperm traveling through the vans deferens to the penis. After this
period a vasectomy is a safe way to have sex and not risk pregnancy.
There are over 600,000 men in the United States who have had this procedure
in order to become sterile and not allow their significant other to
become pregnant.
If you have had this surgery performed, there is always an option of
having it reversed. Vasectomy reversal has become a popular surgery,
especially in the past twenty-five years. There are several reasons
why one may wish to have a vasectomy reversal. These include getting
a divorce and then remarrying a woman who wants to have a child, the
unexpected loss of a child, being in a situation where your economic
status has improved and you can afford having another baby or a family
decision to have another child. There are also some cases where the
vasectomy causes pain due to congestion following the original vasectomy.
If you choose to have a vasectomy reversal, you have an 85 to 97% percent
chance it will be successful due to the technology used. Of course,
there are some situations where the reversal is not successful, but
these are minimal. Over 50% of individuals are able to impregnate their
wives or partners after the procedure.
There are two main types of vasectomy reversals, which allows the sperm
to enter the penis again. One is known as the vasovasostomy and the
other is vasoepididymostomy and while they may be difficult to pronounce,
they are not difficult to understand. The difference between the two
is based on where the tube is reconnected. Usually the vasovasotomy
is the preferred reversal surgery because it reconnects the vans deferens
where it was originally cut. However, if there is inflammation, blockage,
or scarring in the tubes, the reconnection is not between the two tubes,
but rather from the tube to the epididymis. This technique basically
reroutes the vans deferens. This second procedure usually takes longer
and is not the recommended reversal technique unless there is no other
option.
Because of microsurgical techniques, most vasectomy reversals are successful
and not complicated procedures. The use of a powerful microscope allows
surgeons to connect the ends of each tube with accurate precision. When
it comes to a vasectomy reversal two microsurgical techniques are used.
The first is known as a single layer approximation. This procedure uses
one suture to sew the inner and outer layers of the tube together using
6-8 sutures. Occasionally the sutures leave gaps that must be closed
and the surgeon will do so using modified single layer approximation.
The second type of reversal is known as the multi-layer technique. This
technique connects the inner and outer tubes separately. Sutures connect
the inner layer to an opening in the epididymal tubal and then the outer
layer is connected in order to complete the procedure. The single layer
surgery is more successful, less expensive, takes less time, requires
less anesthesia, and has better results for a subsequent pregnancy.
Despite the success of most vasectomy reversals, it is also good to
note problems that may occur during the surgery. If the vasectomy reversal
is not successful the main reason is due to blockage. This is due to
ruptures or obstructions that might occur during the length of time
between the vasectomy and reversal. The pressure that builds up can
sometimes cause a leak, like a pipe leaking when pressure is high. However,
if this does happen, there can still be a reversal, however a second
surgery, a vasoepididymostomy, is necessary for the reversal to be successful.
The outcome of the reversal may also be affected by the initial vasectomy.
When the vans deferens tube is cut in the beginning, it can either be
cut close to or far away from the epididymis. If the cut was close to
the epididymis then a higher chance of scarring and obstruction exists
before the decision is made for a reversal. The scarring and/or obstruction
makes for a more complicated reversal procedure and the success rate
drops significantly when these are present. Another reason why the vasectomy
reversal may not work is from shrunken testicles. If shrunken testicles
exist the vasectomy is irreversible and the chances to reconnect the
tubes for fertility are slim to none. There is also a possibility that
varicoceles, a complication involving the testicular veins, damaged
the testicles and vans deferens. Your doctor will give conduct a full
examination and inform you of any risk factors you might have and whether
surgery is a good option for you.
If you have a vasectomy reversal and it is unsuccessful, there is a
chance that you can go back and try a second reversal. However, the
success rate is decreased significantly the second time around. If the
second vasectomy reversal is successful, it usually takes about 12 to
24 months for everything to work normally again.
Since the procedure is not complicated, it will only be a day surgery,
the actual surgery time lasting two to three hours. General anesthesia
is given to patients who decide to have the surgery. There may be swelling,
discoloration or bruising afterwards, but nothing too severe. The anesthesia
may also have some side-effects. None of these symptoms should last
more than a few days. It is important to not engage in any strenuous
activities for at least four days after the surgery.
If you have a desire to have a family or have gone through changes
in your life, a vasectomy reversal is a successful way to help you make
those changes. However, keep in mind there are risks involving a vasectomy
reversal and it is not always successful, and even when it is it takes
time for the body to function normally again. Despite all of this, a
reversal gives men the opportunity to regain their fertility.
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