Preparation and Recovery
How to Prepare for Vasectomy Reversal Surgery:
In preparation for your procedure, you should first stop taking any aspirin, aspirin containing products, herbal products, or blood thinners FIVE days before your scheduled procedure. This includes the daily baby aspirin or low dose aspirin recommended by some physicians. Other medications which might act as blood thinners should also be stopped. If you have questions about this or have a special medical condition which you feel might not allow you to do this, please contact our office and your prescribing physician. Continuing these kinds of medications will cause additional bleeding and make bleeding related problems much more likely to occur.
You should plan to shave the genital area several days before the procedure if possible. The surgical cleaning solutions include some alcohol which will cause a greater burning sensation if you have just been shaved. This shaving needs to include the area around the penis that would fall under the shadow of a bagel placed around the penile shaft. It is easier to shave the genital area dry rather than use a shaving cream. Do not use an electric device or hair removal products; you will regret this. The area shaved should include hair above the penis, beside the penis, and the front part of the scrotum. It is far more comfortable to do this at home than wait for me to do this in our office.
If you are not planning to stay in town after the procedure, be sure to freeze TWO bottles of water for the trip home to use as ice packs. You will want to begin using ice packs immediately after the procedure and continue most of the surgical day.
Do not wear loose boxer underwear on the day of your procedure. It will be much more comfortable if you wear briefs, boxer briefs, or a scrotal supporter. This will provide more support and will help to hold the gauze in place against the scrotum.
You might want to plan on having sex the night before the procedure if possible. It will be your last opportunity for the next 30 days if you follow our instructions. This might also help you to sleep better. On the day of the procedure, do not eat or drink. Food will slow the absorption of your medication and water will make you feel like you need to urinate during your surgery.
The operating room will be about 64 degrees. Bring a t-shirt and a pair of socks. We can store your ice packs in our freezer. During the procedure, the rest of your body will be covered with surgical drapes and be well illuminated, making the temperature quite comfortable except for the tops of your shoulders and perhaps your feet.
Someone needs to come with you. The medication will cause you to need someone to drive you to and from our office. Normally, the medication will begin wearing off shortly after the procedure but you cannot legally drive for the next 24 hours. You might also be somewhat disoriented and someone you trust can be quite valuable.
This is to serve a general summary. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact our office. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our office or Dr. Daniel directly.
Vasectomy Reversal Recovery: A Week-by-Week Guide
ACTIVITY: The more you are on your feet and move around, the more pain, bruising, and swelling you will experience. Try not to use your abdominal muscles especially as these pull directly on the vas and it is possible for you to compromise your surgery by not adhering to these instructions. This is not a vasectomy and will require more time to heal. Lie flat, try to be still, and you will get over the procedure much more quickly.
ICE & HEAT: Ice will help with discomfort as well as with bruising and swelling. You should use it as much as possible for the first 48 hours. After that time, heat will usually be more effective and feel better if needed. The legs do not have a good blood supply and will need a hand towel or other insulation from the ice to remain comfortable. Apply a frozen water bottle in the position you would hold a beverage between your legs.
EATING: After your procedure, you may eat and drink without restrictions when you are awake enough. You will want to eat something before taking any ibuprofen products as this may upset your stomach.
MEDICATIONS: Please resume taking all medications that you were taking before your surgery. You have received a 24 hour pain pill today and should not take any more of them until tomorrow. Then, take one daily for the next week. You may take Tylenol while taking Mobic. You can begin this on the afternoon of surgery. Do not take any additional non steroidal pain medications.
WOUND CARE: You may remove the gauze placed on your scrotum the day following your procedure and you may shower. If it is removed before then, please place another cause over the incisions. You should not submerge the operative site in water for about a week. There can be some drainage from the incision. This will vary in color and is quite normal. If you have continued discomfort at one week, soaking in a tub of warm water for about 20 minutes twice a day will help a great deal.
COMPLICATIONS: We rarely see any complications with our procedures. It is usually best to leave the incisions alone. Do not pick at the incisions. Sutures take between 3-6 weeks to dissolve completely but this is moisture dependent. They will dissolve completely on their own. If you have any retained blood that wants to drain, you might experience some wound separation. If this occurs, it will drain and close again on its own without further intervention. Old blood comes out looking like blackberry jam.
CONTACT: If you have any questions related to your reversal procedure please contact our office. In the unlikely event that you feel you have a true emergency, you have been provided with Dr. Daniel’s personal cell phone number to allow you to communicate with him when the office is closed. Do not go to the Emergency Department or your physician’s office until you have at least tried to contact us. Most providers will not have experience or knowledge about your procedure and you are likely to receive incorrect advice or treatment that could compromise your procedure. Opening and packing the incision site could destroy the entire repair. If you do need to see a local physician, we will be glad to discuss your procedure with them if they wish to call Dr. Daniel.
When Can You Return to Work: Exercise, and Sexual Activity?
EXERCISE & WORK: Do not resume exercise for at least 4 weeks. This includes NOT HAVING SEX OR EJACULATING for the next 30 days as well. If you lift weights, run, or participate in other strenuous activities, do not resume for at least 6 weeks. We want your surgery to be successful and this requires your adherence to our postoperative instructions. Strain on the vas may precipitate scarring, and scarring can cause vasal obstruction.
Swelling After Vasectomy Reversal: What is Normal?
BRUISING & SWELLING: Bruising and swelling are normal and depend largely on your activity level and how your original vasectomy was performed. It will usually be different on each side and healing will also be different. The nerves to the testes originate in the abdomen so pain in the abdomen is also expected.
Semen Testing After Vasectomy Reversal:
It takes about 2 months to make a new sperm and 2 -4 weeks for that sperm to appear in the ejaculate, so performing a semen analysis within the first 3 months is not advised. You can begin trying to conceive after the first 30 days. If an initial semen analysis was favorable, it still can be worth repeating one later in the even that you have not conceived.
Traveling Home After Vasectomy Reversal Surgery:
If you have traveled any considerable distance to have your reversal surgery, you will most likely be far more comfortable and experience less discomfort and swelling if you remain in town the night of the procedure. More than that is probably not necessisary. Most men begin to figit around in a hotel after about 24 hours, especially if they have not experienced a significant amount of discomfort. In your vehicle, lie in a reclined positon as much as is possible and continue to minimize activity. If you are flying, it is ok to ask for assistance. Use the golf carts to get to the gate and perhaps a wheelchair. Baby your self and you will be able to cruise through your surgery with little discomfort most of the time.
