Advice Every Dad Should Know

Are you about to become a first–time dad? How exciting! If you’re like most dads, you probably want to know everything possible about being a father, so that you can be ready for your new little one. You may have been reading parenting books and surfing the net to gather all the information you can, but when it comes right down to it, advice from real dads is the best way to go. Here, you’ll find some words of wisdom from experienced fathers, given to help you be the best dad you can be.  

• Read, read, read! Even before your child is old enough to understand, read to him or her. Listening to someone reading helps a child develop listening skills and, eventually, verbal skills and a love of reading. What’s more, the time you spend reading to your child is precious and will help you to bond.  
• Never say you’re babysitting your child. This is a thing that many dads say, but it’s inaccurate. When mom is with her child, she’s parenting, and the same goes for a dad caring for his child.  
• Man up and change diapers. Ultimately, it’s not really a big deal. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s important for you to do your fair share.  
• Realize that for the first few months, you’ll be a supporting player in your home life. The mom and the baby will take center stage for a while, and you’ll need to ease the stress on your partner by doing everything you can to keep the household running smoothly.  
• Make the most of the hospital stay. Even if your partner says she’s ready to get out of there and head home, encourage a second night. The nurses can help you, and you’ll be able to get some rest before handling all the middle of the night feedings and new parent anxiety on your own.  
• Appreciate good help. A good babysitter is invaluable, so take your time finding one, and then stick with that person. 
• Don’t worry if you don’t fall in love at first sight with your new baby. Not everyone is into newborns, and some parents find that it takes a little while to form that strong connection.  
• Skip the buttons. Baby clothes with buttons may be oh so cute, but all those tiny buttons are a pain. Go for zippers or even Velcro to make your life easier.  
• Sing to your baby, and find a song to be “your song.” It can be a nursery rhyme or just a favorite song of yours, but when you sing it to your baby often enough for it to become familiar, it can distract and soothe them.  
• Step up without being asked. Your partner will appreciate it if you take the initiative to do the things that need to be done, without constantly asking for permission. Don’t worry, taking care of a baby is easier than you think; they’re not made of glass.  
• Routines are the key to a smooth home life. Eating, napping, going to bed at night, waking- all of these things need to be on a schedule. At first, it may feel like you’re being too rigid, but kids thrive on routine and it will make your life less stressful.  
• Don’t use your job as an excuse to slack off at home. If your significant other stays home with the baby while you work a full-time job, it does not absolve you from child-related responsibilities after work. Being at home all day with a baby is exhausting, and help from the other parent is extremely important.  
• Take tons of pictures. They don’t have to be high-quality shots, but the pictures you take will help you remember this time with your baby. Babies grow and change quickly, and the days are so hectic that it’s easy to forget things if you don’t take photos.  
• Remember one thing: the days are long, but the years are short. Try to live in the moment as much as you can, because even though this time is exhausting, you’ll be astonished at how quickly it flies by. When you take the time to appreciate your child as he or she grows into a person, you’ll have those memories to cherish later.  

When you’re ready to become a dad, don’t let a vasectomy stand in your way. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

Your Sperm Count After a Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversals have a high success rate, and many men and their partners are able to conceive naturally after having a vasectomy reversed. However, reaching optimal sperm production after having the surgery can take as long as six to twelve months. Why so long? More importantly, is there anything that can be done to optimize your sperm count after a vasectomy reversal?  

To understand sperm count, it’s helpful to know a little bit about sperm production. A sperm cycle is usually about 90 days. That’s the amount of time it takes for your body to produce new sperm and get rid of the old sperm through ejaculation. After a vasectomy reversal, when a man goes in for his six–week postoperative semen analysis, the sperm motility is typically still low, because the man is still working on getting rid of old, dead, sperm found in the ejaculate. For most men, it takes about two sperm cycles, or six months, to achieve good sperm quality.  

If your vasectomy reversal was done by an experienced, well-qualified, specially trained microsurgeon, you can rest assured that your sperm counts will eventually rise as your body returns to optimal sperm production. It’s important to be patient, though, and understand that this process will take some time. While you wait, there are some things you can do to help boost your sperm count.  

• Take your recovery seriously. For a couple of weeks after your surgery, it’s important to take it easy, minimizing straining, pulling, lifting, and stretching. Even everyday actions like getting in and out of a car can cause strain, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter.  
• Don’t rush back into sex. After a vasectomy reversal, wait three to four weeks before resuming sexual activity. Once the waiting period is over, though, frequent ejaculation is a great way to keep the sperm flowing through your tubes, which helps keep them open.  
• Eat a nutrient-dense diet. While vitamin and antioxidants in supplement form may help, there’s really no substitute for a well-balanced diet that’s packed with vegetables and fruits.  
• Take anti-inflammatories if your doctor recommends them. At the post-operative check, your doctor can tell you whether there is scarring at the surgical site, which can be improved with anti-inflammatory medications.  
• Stay out of the hot tub. High water temperatures can kill healthy sperm, so avoid excessive heat.  
• Watch your alcohol consumption, and don’t smoke. Alcohol can impair sperm production, and smoking slows wound healing.  
• Follow up with your doctor. It’s important to keep all the recommended follow-up appointments so that your doctor can monitor your progress and make sure you’re healing correctly.  

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

Things that can Harm Male Fertility

For some couples, conceiving a child is a simple and straightforward process. For others, though, fertility can be a complicated situation. For nearly fifteen percent of American couples who haven’t conceived after trying for a year, the label of infertility becomes their reality. Many factors come into play when it comes to fertility, and about half of the couples who are unable to conceive face this problem because of male infertility. Why is it harder for some men to conceive with a partner?  

Men usually face infertility due to low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that inhibit the delivery of sperm. Sometimes, these problems arise because of underlying health issues. However, a man’s lifestyle also has an impact on his fertility. In fact, if you’re struggling with infertility, it could even be due to your job.  

A recent study of 456 men in their early 30s found that men in physically demanding jobs were more than twice as likely to have low sperm counts. In fact, 13 percent of the men in those types of jobs had low sperm counts, as opposed to just 6 percent of men whose work was not as strenuous. Researchers even looked at other factors like late-night shifts, heat, noise, and prolonged sitting, and found that the physical aspect of the job was the only one of these factors that impacted semen quality.  

Of course, just because that’s the only one of those particular factors to have an effect, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other factors at play. High blood pressure, for instance, is also associated with fertility issues, including abnormally shaped sperm. The data isn’t conclusive as to whether the high blood pressure itself is the problem, or if the problem is caused by the treatment used to combat the high blood pressure, though it was noted that men who took multiple medications were more prone to low sperm counts.  

If you’re struggling with infertility, it may be helpful to know that there are other lifestyle factors that have an impact as well. These include: 

• Smoking tobacco. 
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or smoking marijuana.  
• Taking drugs, including steroids and cocaine.  
• Being overweight.  
• Stress, particularly emotional stress.  
• Overheating the testicles by using saunas or hot tubs, or by wearing tight clothing or working long hours on a laptop.  
• Exposure to toxic chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and benzenes.  
• Current or past exposure to STIs, like chlamydia or gonorrhea.  
• Biking or horseback riding for long periods of time.  

Of course, infertility can also have a medical cause. Hormonal imbalances, sperm duct defects, undescended testicles, and tumors all come into play. One common, reversible cause of male infertility is a varicocele, which is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicles. This can prevent normal cooling, but it’s typically asymptomatic. Sometimes, it causes the testicles to swell. It can, in rare cases, cause pain. Varicoceles are typically treated surgically.  

One major roadblock to a man’s fertility is a vasectomy, but even that can be overcome with new microsurgery techniques for reconnecting the vas deferens. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

Parenting Tips for New Dads

You’re a father? Congratulations! Welcome to the wonderful, disorienting, panic-inducing, stressful, euphoric world of parenthood. Being a new dad is exciting, but at the same time, you might feel like your world has been turned upside down. How will you manage with this little person who is suddenly depending on you? Relax- you’ve got this, and here’s some advice that may help you feel more confident.  

• Remember, the baby is not the only baby in this situation. If you think about it, you’re so new at parenting, it’s like you’re a baby too. It can be overwhelming to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, but this is one job where you’ll absolutely learn as you go along. You do not have to have everything figured out right out of the gate, you just have to love your child and invest time in getting to know this new little person.  
• Embrace the chaos. Raising children is a messy business, and it’s wise to recognize that you don’t have total control over the situation. Learn to laugh at the crazy, and appreciate your new normal.  
• Read the books, but study your child. Parenting books can teach you some best practices, but not every technique works for every child. Because each person is different, it’s important to learn what works and what doesn’t with your own unique child.  

• Create routines. Babies usually cry for one of three reasons: a need for food, a need for sleep, or a need to be cleaned. One of the biggest secrets to parenting success in the days of early childhood is to be proactive about setting up an eating and sleeping schedule. When your life has some sort of structure, it will be easier for you to find time to rest. What’s more, children thrive when there are boundaries in their lives.  
• Sleep as much as you can. Switch off middle of the night feedings with your partner, and do the same with getting up with the baby in the morning. Look at it as giving each other the gift of sleep, because sleep can be hard to come by in those early days.  

If you’re a man who has already had a vasectomy, and you think you’ve lost your chance at becoming a father, take heart! The Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help, with safe, effective vasectomy reversal, performed using the most up-to-date microsurgery techniques. 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

How Age Affects Vasectomy Reversal

Sometimes, men undergo vasectomies fairly early in their adulthood. It could be that the man feels he’ll never want children, or it might be that he and his partner decide they’re finished having a family, or it may be another, personal reason. Whatever compels the decision, there may come a time when he regrets having made it. Sometimes, it’s because he’s entered into a relationship with a new partner, and now they as a couple have decided they want more children. This may be much later in the man’s life, long after he had the vasectomy. Is it still possible, many years later, to have a vasectomy reversal?  

Yes, it’s still possible. A vasectomy can be successfully reversed years or even decades after the initial surgery. Is there a time at which a man is too old to have a vasectomy reversal?  

For women, the time of fertility is well-defined. Because women are born with a fixed number of eggs, conception becomes challenging by the time a woman is in her early to mid–40s. The eggs that have not been lost with ovulation over the course of her life have begun to age and decline in quality. While there are women who become pregnant in their 40s or even 50s, it’s not very common. For most women, it’s not easy to conceive at an older age, which is why women seeking fertility treatment often use donor eggs.  

For men, fertility is completely different. Men don’t start making sperm until they reach puberty, and they constantly make new sperm, turning their sperm reserve over completely every three to four months. The implications for fertility are simple: men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s typically have normal sperm production, and they’re making fresh sperm all the time, no matter their age. It’s only until a man reaches his 70’s or 80’s that sperm production falters, resulting in a lower sperm count.  

What does this mean for vasectomy reversal? Even in their 50s and 60s, men can successfully undergo vasectomy reversal. Many men have their vasectomies reversed in this age range and are able to conceive naturally. The bigger concern is the age of the man’s female partner, and if her age is an issue, there are many options that can be considered when trying to conceive.  

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

Questions to Ask Before Deciding on a Vasectomy

When looking for a permanent method of birth control, many men and their partners consider a vasectomy as a better option than female sterilization. That’s because a vasectomy is a less complicated procedure than tubal ligation, which requires general anesthesia, and there’s an option of vasectomy reversal down the road. However, before you decide to undergo a vasectomy, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. 

• Am I sure I don’t ever want children in the future? You may already have children and believe your family is finished, or you may have never had children and believe you want to remain childless. Maybe a future pregnancy would endanger your partner’s health, or maybe there are genetic components that make having children unwise. On the other hand, it’s impossible to know what the future holds. If your circumstances change, and you decide that you do want children, you can opt for a vasectomy reversal, but it’s not a sure thing. Sometimes, vasectomy reversals do not lead to pregnancy. What’s more, while a vasectomy only takes about 20 minutes, a vasectomy reversal is a much more delicate operation and can take up to six hours. If you’re not absolutely sure your family is complete, it may be wiser to opt for a more temporary solution.  
• Is a vasectomy safe? In short, yes. Generally safe and effective, vasectomies are performed either under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. This means you will be awake during the procedure, with local anesthesia administered directly to the scrotum, and sometimes medications are given to sedate you and relieve anxiety. After you’ve received anesthesia, the surgeon will disconnect the vas deferens, so that sperm is no longer able to leave the testicles.  
• What’s the recovery period after a vasectomy? A vasectomy doesn’t keep a man down for long. Most men are able to return to work in two or three days, and after a week they’re able to resume normal exercise and even start having sex again. It should be noted, though, that sterilization is not immediate. You’ll need to wait about two months before forgoing other forms of birth control. There will be bruising or swelling after the vasectomy, which should be gone after about two weeks.  

• Will a vasectomy negatively affect my sex drive or sexual function? No. A vasectomy doesn’t typically decrease the sex drive or the ability to achieve erection or orgasm. That’s because only about five to ten percent of ejaculate comes from the testicles, and the rest comes from other structures like your prostate and seminal vesicles. Your ejaculation will look and feel the same, there just won’t be any sperm in the semen. 

A vasectomy is a simple procedure, but getting a vasectomy reversed requires a highly skilled surgeon. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. 

How Men can Participate in Birth Control

Contraception is a major component of reproductive health, which is important to both men and women. Interestingly, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, both men and women believe that women feel more responsible for children and that women have more influence on a couple’s decision to have children. Half of the men surveyed said they don’t know much about contraceptive options. Why would that be? Men certainly have a stake in contraception, because pregnancy leads to paternal responsibility.  

One reason men are not necessarily as involved as they should be in contraceptives is that reproductive health care services aren’t typically geared to men’s needs. Family planning services, whether at sexual health clinics, obstetricians’ offices, or hospitals, traditionally tend to focus on women. There’s not much funding for male services, and often a predominantly female staff will not have sufficient training to meet men’s needs. Of course, part of this is because women need prescriptions for contraceptives, while men can buy condoms over the counter. The only men who would typically involve their health care provider in their contraceptive choices are those who get vasectomies, and that is a one-time procedure.  

Would men be willing to play a greater role when it comes to birth control? That same survey indicated that two–thirds of men would be willing to take male birth control pills, nearly half would take Depo-Provera shots, and over a third would be interested in getting a Norplant if these options were available for me. This is significant, but until science catches up with the good intentions of men, how can they be more involved in birth control? 

As a start, men can educate themselves about contraception. There are websites with information about this topic, as well as reference books, so it’s easy to become informed. Men can also communicate with their partners, letting the women in their lives know that they’re interested in being more active participants in contraception and reproductive health.  

Some men choose a vasectomy as a way to take charge of contraception, but sometimes circumstances change and the need arises to restore fertility. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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 vasectomy reversal 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 You Should Know Before a Vasectomy Reversal

It happens more often than you might think. A man decides he does not want any more children, gets a vasectomy, and changes his mind later. In fact, as many as 30,000 men decide each year to have vasectomy reversals. If this is something you’re considering, here are some things you need to know.  

• Vasectomy reversal is definitely doable. Even though vasectomy is considered a permanent form of sterilization, vasectomy reversal actually has high success rates. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that simply restores continuity to the vas deferens. Using microsurgery techniques, the surgeon stitches the tubing back together, and in most cases, the patient can return to work within just a few days. It’s safe, too, with the risks of bleeding and infection at less than one half of a percent.  
• Vasectomy doesn’t stop the production of sperm. The vasectomy procedure doesn’t keep the testicles from making sperm, it just prevents the sperm from leaving the body. That’s why it’s possible to restore normal fertility with a vasectomy reversal. After a recovery time of about three weeks, during which time he’ll need to abstain from sex, a patient can begin trying to conceive. It may take as long as a year for fertility to return, however, particularly for men in whom there was a blockage in the epididymis.  
• Time can get in the way of a successful reversal. Vasectomy reversal works best, with a success rate of up to 95 percent, when the vasectomy was performed within 10 years. If it’s been more than 15 years since the procedure occurred, the success rate begins to decline. Even after a successful reversal, though, fertility may still be an issue, depending on the health of the man and his partner.  

• It’s important to consider your partner’s fertility as well as your own. When considering a vasectomy reversal, a man and his partner should be examined for any fertility issues. The quality of the man’s sperm, the age of the woman, and other factors may come into play and make other options more effective. Sometimes, a sperm retrieval procedure is used to enable in vitro fertilization.  
• Insurance doesn’t typically cover vasectomy reversal. If you are considering vasectomy reversal, be aware that you’ll probably need to pay for it out of pocket. When looking for a surgeon, it may be helpful to find one with flexible payment options.  

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and we also offer a payment plan option for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. 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.  

Dads and the Bedtime Routine

Being a father is rewarding, but sometimes it’s hard to work in enough quality time. A dad who works full time may not be home in time for dinner, and often, families pack so much into weekends that there’s very little time left for relaxing and enjoying your kids. The solution? For many dads, the answer is to take charge of the bedtime routine.  

What’s so great about bedtime? It’s a peaceful time, in which kids and dads can have time together that’s relaxed and enjoyable. As an added benefit, at the end of this time of bonding, the kids are usually asleep. It’s a nice thing to do, too, because studies show that women tend to carry the bulk of the “mental load” of raising kids. When dads step up to handle bedtime, it gives moms the opportunity to take a much-needed break.  

As a dad, you’re probably always looking for ways to spend time with your children one-on-one. Giving your children this kind of attention at bedtime can make them feel special and important, which benefits everyone involved. They’ll remember these special moments all their lives, and being involved in caring for your kids can help you appreciate the unique individuals they are. If you have more than one child you’re putting to bed at a time, consider taking turns putting them to bed, so that each parent gets the opportunity for this focused time with each child individually.  

What constitutes a good bedtime routine?  

• It’s consistent. Regular sleeping and waking times are important for children, even on weekends. By sticking to a set bedtime, you’ll help your children get enough sleep so that they can be well-rested during the day.  
• It has a pattern. This pattern will shift as the child grows and reaches different developmental stages, but in general, it should include all the things a child needs to do to get ready for bed, along with some relaxing activities like reading a book, listening to gentle music, and talking about the day. Try to keep the bedtime routine to 30 minutes or less, not including bath time, and be firm about when it’s time to go to sleep. Sticking to a familiar routine can give a child a feeling of security and a sense of well-being. 
• It’s healthy. A good bedtime routine can include a healthy snack, light enough that it doesn’t interfere with sleep. Dental hygiene should also be part of your bedtime process because instilling good dental habits will have lifelong benefits. The bedtime routine should not include any stimulating activities like video games or screen time. In fact, these types of activities should be discontinued 30 to 60 minutes before you begin putting the child to bed.  
• It’s cozy. The room should be dark, quiet, and cool but not cold, the child should be dressed comfortably, and the noise level in the house should be low. If your child does not like the dark, use a night light or leave the hall light on and the bedroom door open. A security object like a doll, stuffed animal, or blanket can make a child feel secure, comfortable, and in control when falling asleep.  

When dads take over the bedtime routine, both they and their children benefit. Being a dad is a great experience, and sometimes men who didn’t think they’d want to play that role may find themselves regretting their decision to have a vasectomy. If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, 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 vasectomy reversal 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.  

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.