Vasectomy Reversal Surgical Recovery
Vasectomy Reversal Recovery:
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.
