Sperm Retrieval for IVF: What to Expect

After a vasectomy, in some cases, men who want to start a family are better candidates for sperm retrieval than a vasectomy reversal. Sperm retrieval is performed as part of in-vitro fertilization, or IVF. This option is necessary in the case of azoospermia, which means that there is no sperm present in the ejaculate. During sperm retrieval, sperm is removed directly from the epididymis so that it can be used in IVF procedures. If your vasectomy reversal surgeon recommends this procedure, here is what you can expect.  

Sperm Retrieval Through MESA 

Sperm retrieval is performed using the MESA procedure, or Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration. It is performed using an operating microscope, so your surgeon can see exactly where sperm is located in the epididymal tubules. Through the use of the operating microscope, it is possible for your surgeon to remove the sperm with as little damage as possible to the surrounding structures and with as little blood and other fluid as possible. This increases the chances of success during IVF. 

Local Anesthesia  

MESA is usually performed under local anesthesia, though some patients receive spinal blocks or general anesthesia. During the procedure, once you receive the anesthesia that the surgeon deems appropriate for you, he or she will make a series of small incisions in order to access the epididymal tubes. Using the microscope, he or she will remove the sperm from the tubes and frozen for use in future IVF sessions. Generally, it is possible to get enough sperm for multiple rounds of IVF during one MESA procedure.  

Recovery 

MESA is a minimally invasive procedure, and recovery is usually fast. It’s normal to have some swelling and tenderness for a few days after MESA that is easily controlled with pain medications. Most people return to normal activities within a few days.  

MESA is one of the procedures offered at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota. Dr. Green can help you decide if vasectomy reversal or another procedure, such as MESA, is the best fit for you. Schedule an appointment today by calling (941) 894-6428. 

It’s Been a Long Time Since My Vasectomy. Can I Still Get a Reversal?

Most men who have vasectomies do so because they feel sure that they no longer want to have children. However, life can change in unexpected ways, even long after a vasectomy procedure. If this happens to you, you may be wondering if it has simply been too long since your original procedure to consider a vasectomy reversal. How long is too long to wait to change your mind? 

Vasectomy reversals have the highest rates of success when they are performed soon after the original procedure. That doesn’t mean that reversals can’t be successful even decades later. Dr. Green has seen patients have successful reversals more than 20 years after their vasectomies since men produce sperm for their entire lives. If a vasectomy reversal is not possible, sperm retrieval for IVF is another option.  

The best way to decide if a vasectomy reversal is right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal. To learn more about having a vasectomy reversal in Sarasota, call (941) 894-6428 today. 

Would You Use Social Media to Choose a Baby Name? 

Picking a baby name is one of the most exciting parts of growing your family. After a vasectomy reversal, if your partner conceives, would you ever use social media to help pick your baby’s name? 

Watch this video to hear how social media is shaping the way that some people pick names for their babies. Some people check social media handles and change the names that they had in mind of their chosen name is already taken, while others conduct social media polls to narrow down a name.  

Are you ready to start picking baby names? Call the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and learn more about vasectomy reversal procedures with Dr. Green in Sarasota. For more information, call (941) 894-6428.  

Caring for Yourself at Home After Your Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversals are generally well-tolerated procedures. In most cases, patients return home on the same day as their surgeries and recover over the course of the next few weeks. Before you leave the surgery center, you will receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself at home and avoid complications. Here is what you need to know.  

Anesthesia Recovery 

Before your surgery, your doctor will decide what kind of anesthesia is right for you. Some patients have the procedure using local anesthesia or a spinal block along with a sedative to prevent them from moving during the surgery. Others undergo vasectomy reversals with general anesthesia. After the procedure, you may still feel some of the effects of the anesthesia when you leave the surgery center, including numbness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. This is normal and will gradually ease. Most people feel like they have fully recovered from anesthesia after 24 hours.  

Surgical Site Care 

After the surgery, you will have two small drains in your scrotum. These will be removed the day after the surgery. You will need to wear supportive underwear or an athletic supporter continuously for about a month after your surgery, which will give you the appropriate amount of support as you heal. The incision itself should heal within about two weeks, and the stitches will be absorbed, so they do not need to be removed.  

Return to Normal Activities 

Most people are able to return to work within a week of their surgeries, but it is recommended that you refrain from heavy lifting or sexual intercourse for about four weeks after your procedure. Most men say that the recovery process from their vasectomy reversals is similar to the recovery from their original vasectomy procedures.  

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, our team will support you both before and after your surgery, so you have the healthiest, most comfortable recovery possible. Are you considering a vasectomy reversal? Call Dr. Green in Sarasota at (941) 894-6428.