Natural Remedies to Aid in Recovery after Surgery

Are you planning to have a vasectomy reversal? Vasectomies are a popular form of birth control because the surgery involved is less invasive than a tubal ligation is for a woman. Many men look at vasectomy as a way to gain control over their reproduction, but up to 10% of those men later change their minds and opt for a vasectomy reversal. If this is your decision, it’s important to choose a skilled surgeon to perform the procedure, and it’s also important to take care of yourself during your recovery period so that you can recuperate and heal.  

To understand the best practices for recovery, you should have an understanding of the vasectomy reversal procedure itself. Because a vasectomy involves severing the vas deferens, a vasectomy reversal uses microsurgical techniques to reattach it. It’s a more complicated surgery than a vasectomy, but it usually achieves good results, allowing the vas deferens to carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. There are two types of vasectomy reversals:  

• Vasovasostomy is performed when the surgeon finds sperm in the fluid in the vas tube end nearest to the testis. In this case, the doctor re-attaches the vas deferens as before. For about 85 percent of men, this approach proves effective. 
• If there is no sperm present, a vasoepididymostomy is the other option. This is a more time consuming and complicated procedure, in which the surgeon bypasses the blockage and connects the vas deferens to the epididymis, which is located in the back of the testicles.  

Whichever procedure you undergo, you’ll need to rest in bed and apply ice packs to the testicles for the first day after your vasectomy reversal. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication and will give you specific instructions, which you should strictly follow. Your testicles will be very sensitive, and if you strain them, you could experience complications. It’s important to take it easy and avoid lifting anything heavy for a while right after your procedure, but after about four weeks you should be able to resume normal sexual activity, as long as the surgery was uncomplicated. As you recover, you might want to try some of these natural remedies to aid healing and promote fertility.  

• A male fertility diet, full of high-quality protein foods and nutrient-dense fruit and vegetables, can help reduce inflammation. It’s best to avoid foods that are known to cause inflammation, like highly-processed foods, refined flour, fried food, sugar and artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and caffeine. To help rebuild your collagen after surgery, eat foods rich in vitamin C, dark greens, papaya, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. 
• Consider liver cleansing herbs, which can help clear drug residues from your liver after your procedure. These herbs include milk thistle seed extract, dandelion root, and burdock root.  
• Systemic Enzyme Therapy may be helpful post-surgery. It aids in fighting inflammation and can even help normalize adhesions or scar tissue.  
• Make healthy circulation a priority, by exercising regularly as soon as your doctor allows it, and using circulation-boosting herbs like cayenne, ginger, and turmeric.  
• Think about using male fertility herbs like Ginkgo Biloba, Maca, Tribulus, and American Ginseng, to support circulation, improve energy and endurance, fight stress, and boost your libido.  

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal in Tampa or Orlando, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.  

Does a Vasectomy or a Vasectomy Reversal Affect Your Sex Drive?

A vasectomy is a very popular form of birth control, and each year, about 500,000 men in the United States undergo this procedure in order to gain control over their reproduction. It’s safe and effective, and it’s permanent unless you choose to have it surgically reversed. Additionally, it’s cost effective and less invasive than a tubal ligation is for a woman. It’s easy to see why it’s a popular option, but many men have questions about their sex drive after they undergo a vasectomy.  

If you are concerned about this, there’s no need to worry. Experts have determined that there is no negative relationship between a vasectomy and sex drive because nothing in your body changes physiologically. The blood vessels and nerves that are involved in erections and ejaculation are intact after a vasectomy, so there’s no risk of impotence or a lowered ability to maintain an erection. Post-vasectomy, you should have the same libido and sex drive, and you’ll be able to have and maintain erections, ejaculate, and have an orgasm. There may be a small reduction in the volume of your ejaculate because vasectomy prevents sperm from being released into the semen. You’ll still have the same male hormones, though, and in addition to having the same sex drive, you’ll also have the same voice and be able to grow facial hair.  

In the first couple of months after a vasectomy, some men to report occasional mild aching in their testicles during arousal. But in fact, having a vasectomy can actually increase sexual satisfaction because men have less anxiety during lovemaking. This is because there’s no longer anxiety over a potential unplanned pregnancy. Because men have more control over their own reproductive function, they report more having intense, pleasurable, and spontaneous sex, more frequently.  

So what if a man decides to reverse his vasectomy? About ten percent of men decide later that they would like to have children and decide to have surgery to return sperm to the ejaculate. Does this reversal have a negative impact on the sex drive?  

Again, the answer is no. In fact, before a vasectomy, after a vasectomy, and after a vasectomy reversal, the testicles still produce testosterone, which stimulates the sex drive. Because a vasectomy reversal does not involve any of the structures that have an impact on a man’s libido or his ability to achieve and maintain an erection, neither the sex drive nor the erections are affected. After a vasectomy, fertility is restored sometime in the next year, and the drive to conceive can even boost the sex drive.  

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal in Tampa or Orlando, Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.  

Facts Women Want to Know About Vasectomy Reversals

Men are the ones who have vasectomies and vasectomy reversals, but the decision to undergo these procedures is usually made by a man and woman together. Interestingly, when men are considering having a vasectomy reversed, it’s often the women who have the most questions about the procedure. To address these concerns, we’ve compiled a list of questions women typically ask about vasectomy reversals, along with the answers to these questions.  

• What’s involved in a vasectomy reversal? A microsurgical procedure, a vasectomy reversal is intended to reattach the vans deferens, allowing it to transport sperm from the testicles to the penis. This is done in one of two ways: 
• If there’s sperm in the vas deferens, a vasovasostomy is used to reconnect the two cut ends of the vas deferens.  
• The other option is an epididymovasostomy, in which the surgeon sutures the ends of the vas deferens to the epididymis, bypassing a blockage on the vasectomy site.  
• Is it dangerous? The risks and complications of a vasectomy reversal are similar to those posed by a vasectomy. These include pain and swelling during the first few days, and a slight risk of infection, which can be treated with an antibiotic. Sometimes, men experience issues like nausea, headache, constipation, or muscle aches, and there’s a possibility that blood will accumulate in the scrotum as a hematoma. If that happens, the doctor can drain the hematoma.  
• How long does the procedure take? It depends on what type of surgery is needed. A vasovasostomy takes between two and five hours, but an epididymovasostomy takes an hour or two longer.  
• Does a vasectomy reversal affect libido? No! None of the structures that are involved in arousal or getting and maintaining an erection are impacted by vasectomy reversal. Therefore, just as with a vasectomy, a vasectomy reversal does not have an effect on the sex drive.  
• How long is the recovery time after a vasectomy reversal? A vasectomy reversal is typically performed in an outpatient or office setting, and men can go home after a short while, as long as they feel well enough to travel. For at least the first 24 hours, bed rest will be required. After that, it’s important to restrict activities for about four or five days. For the first three to four weeks, all heavy lifting and physical exertion should be avoided. To alleviate discomfort in the first 48 hours or so, an ice pack can be used to minimize swelling, and pain relievers can relieve discomfort. Sexual activity should be avoided for about 30 days.  
• What’s the success rate of vasectomy reversals? Overall, the success rate for a vasectomy reversal within ten years of the vasectomy can reach 97 percent, and after 15 years it drops to about 70 percent. The type of surgery affects the success rate, with epididymovasostomy at a lower rate of about 50-60 percent.  
• How long does it take for fertility to return after a vasectomy is reversed? Usually, it takes several months for fertility to return, and sometimes it can take up to a year. Once fertility is restored, a vasectomy reversal results in pregnancy in 40 to 75 percent of cases.  
• If the procedure doesn’t work, what are some other options? The good news is that there are several options available. If it’s not successful, you can always try a repeat vasectomy. Another possibility is to use Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which includes approaches like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). 
• How can I choose the best doctor for vasectomy reversal? Ask your family doctor or urologist for referrals, or search the internet for qualified vasectomy reversal microsurgeons. Once you have compiled a list of possible surgeons, check their websites and arrange for consultations with the most promising. Ask questions about the doctor’s educational background and whether he or she completed a specialized fellowship, as well as questions about the doctor’s success rate and how many vasectomies have been performed. Ask for credentials and recommendations, compiling your list of questions before you go. 

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal in Tampa or Orlando, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.  

Father’s Day Guide for the New Father

Is your husband a new father? What an exciting time in a man’s life! Being a first–time parent is a wonderful experience, and the first Father’s Day is a major milestone. If you’re looking for a way to truly celebrate the new dad, we have some suggestions.  

• Plan a fun date night. What does he really like to do? Whether he’s a movie buff, a golfer, or someone who likes sports, you can easily find a way to create a date that incorporates some of his favorite activities and foods. It might be fun to recreate your first date or to do something you’ve never done before, like an escape room or laser tag.  
• Dress him like his mini-me. Whether he’s a sports nut or a music buff, it can be fun to choose matching outfits reflecting his interests for Dad and the baby.  
• Get him a book he can read to his child. Children benefit when parents read to them, and reading to a baby can be a fun task for a new father. Choose a book that you loved as a child, or a book about dads and kids, to give even more meaning to this special time together.  
• Create a memorable keepsake. If you have a little one already, it’s easy to find creative ways to make a father’s day gift from the child. Little kids’ handprints and footprints can be used artistically to make a gift he’ll treasure, and children a little bit older can answer questions to create a funny interview all about dad. Baby isn’t born yet? There are prints that can translate your baby’s heartbeat and the sound of your voice into sound waves, which can be made into interesting artwork, especially appealing if the new dad is into science.  
• Celebrate the person he is outside of fatherhood. Spoil him a little bit, with an Apple watch, a GoPro, or some other gift he’s been wanting but hasn’t allowed himself to get. A new camera might be a good idea, especially now that he’s got a little one to photograph.  
• Choose a gift that will make him laugh. A funny onesie for the baby or t-shirt for the dad can be a good gift for a dad with a sense of humor. You might also look for a humorous book, perhaps a book about fatherhood or a collection of dad jokes, to give him a chuckle.  
• Plan a treat that makes him feel like royalty. Let him sleep in and then bring him breakfast in bed. Cook his favorite meal. Do something just for him, to show him that you think he’s special. 
• Use photos to make a meaningful gift. Frame a photo, create a custom photo book, or make a slideshow or movie that shows the highlights of your pregnancy or adoption journey. If your child has already arrived, you could do the same thing with milestones your baby has already hit.  

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we’re committed to helping men pursue their dreams of fatherhood, even after a vasectomy. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our caring and skilled team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men, in Tampa and Orlando, who need reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just have questions and want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.