A Surgery Preparation Guide for Out-of-Town Patients

It’s more common than you might think for patients to travel for surgery, particularly when the surgery is a very delicate procedure like a vasectomy reversal. It’s important to choose a vasectomy reversal surgeon who has an excellent track record of success and plenty of experience in the various surgical approaches. Patients often decide that the skill of the surgeon is more important than the distance. 

Coordinate the scheduling with your partner. 

You must be accompanied by a responsible adult when you leave the surgical center. Because of this, you and your partner will both need to travel for the surgery. Ask the surgeon’s office about the available surgery dates, and coordinate with your partner to pick the best one. 

Pack comfortable clothing. 

After having any surgery, comfort will likely be your top priority. Pack an assortment of comfortable clothing that is easy to put on and take off. You’ll be resting in your hotel room after the surgery, so consider bringing sweatpants and a robe. Remember that you’ll also need to wear a jock strap for a while after the surgery to minimize swelling and support the surgical area. 

Choose a hotel with room service. 

If you were planning a typical vacation, you’d probably research good restaurants in the area. But for a trip for surgery, it’s more convenient to order room service. When booking your hotel, you should check out the room service menus and policies in advance, such as how late you can order. Remember that you’ll need to refrain from eating and drinking anything prior to surgery. Typically, patients are asked to fast beginning at midnight the night before. 

Thanks to Dr. Joshua Green’s renowned expertise, patients travel from far and wide to undergo medical procedures at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal. Our office makes it as easy as possible for our out-of-town patients to complete many of the pre-operative necessities before they arrive in Sarasota for a vasectomy reversal. If you have questions about traveling for surgery, we’ll be happy to help you at (941) 894-6428. 

Will You Need Pre-Surgery Testing?

Before you have any type of surgery, including a vasectomy reversal, it’s crucial to inform the doctor of your full medical history. The vasectomy reversal surgeon needs to know about your pre-existing medical conditions, prior history of surgeries, and the medications and supplements you may be taking, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. In some cases, patients may be asked to undergo pre-surgery medical testing. 

It’s particularly important to inform the doctor if you take medications for high blood pressure. The surgeon may need you to have a simple blood test. And if you are in poor overall health, you may need to see your primary physician in order to get medically cleared for surgery. Medical clearance means that it’s generally safe for you to undergo surgery, despite the presence of medical conditions. 

Receive the personalized guidance and medical advice you need when you become a patient at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota. Call (941) 894-6428 to request an appointment with Dr. Green.

Re-Do Vasectomy Reversal Surgeries: What You Need to Know

Vasectomy reversals are performed to reconnect the vas deferens and make pregnancy possible after men have had vasectomies. Vasectomy reversals have a high rate of success, as defined by the presence of sperm in the semen within 12 months of the procedure. However, some men do experience failed vasectomy reversals, which may lead them to consider getting a re-do procedure. You may be a good candidate for a re-do operation, but only a vasectomy reversal surgeon can determine this.  

What Causes Failed Vasectomy Reversals 

There are a number of possible causes for a failed reversal. One potential reason is that scar tissue has built up at the surgical site. The body naturally produces scar tissue as part of the healing response. When there is too much scar tissue around the vas deferens, it can block the sperm from passing through this narrow tube. During a re-do procedure, the surgeon can remove the scar tissue. Other possibilities to consider include: 

• Surgical site infection 
• Post-surgical trauma in the scrotal area 
• Presence of anti-sperm antibodies 
• Improper use of the vasovasostomy instead of another surgical technique 

What Other Factors Contribute to Infertility  

A failed vasectomy reversal can be defined in two main ways: The failure of the sperm to travel through the vas deferens, or the failure to conceive a child naturally. In other words, even if the original procedure did result in the presence of sperm in the semen, there may be other underlying issues causing male or female infertility. Before considering a re-do reversal, it’s advisable for you and your partner to undergo a medical evaluation to assess fertility. 

Why You Might Consider Sperm Aspiration 

Even if the vasectomy reversal surgeon determines that a re-do procedure isn’t likely to succeed, you do have another option for having biological children. The surgeon can aspirate sperm from the epididymis. This is known as the MESA procedure. You and your partner may then decide to use the sperm for an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. 

Dr. Joshua Green has considerable expertise in re-do vasectomy reversals and has performed many of them successfully. Every patient has unique circumstances to consider, and so you should consult Dr. Green in Sarasota directly to find out if a repeat reversal might be right for you. Call the Center for Vasectomy Reversal at (941) 894-6428 to request a consult. 

Understanding the Vasectomy Reversal Procedure

The vasectomy reversal is a highly delicate, complex procedure. The goal is to reconnect the vas deferens, which is the tiny tube that carries sperm from the testicle to the semen. This can enable a couple to get pregnant. The vas deferens is about one-third of a millimeter in diameter. The surgeon places several tiny stitches around that tube to reconnect the severed ends. 

You can learn more about vasectomy reversals by watching the accompanying video clip of “The Doctors” TV show. It features a couple who underwent the procedure and their vasectomy reversal surgeon. You’ll hear about success rates, semen analysis, and other options, such as IVF. 

Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal looks forward to meeting you and your partner. Call (941) 894-6428 to begin the process of exploring infertility procedures available in Sarasota.