• A Closer Look at Spinal Anesthesia

    When you undergo a vasectomy reversal, your surgeon may recommend spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia allows you to remain awake during the procedure and carries less risk than general anesthesia. This video explains more.

    When you get spinal anesthesia, you will first receive a local anesthetic to numb the area where you will receive the spinal injection. Once you are numb, the anesthesiologist will inject fluid into your lower back, near your spine. This will make you numb from the waist down, so you can have the vasectomy reversal without any discomfort.

    Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota will review your options for anesthesia and help you make the right choice for you based on your medical history and needs. To make an appointment or find out more about vasectomy reversals, please call (941) 894-6428.

  • FAQs and Answers About IVF

    After treating male infertility with a vasectomy reversal , further infertility procedures, including IVF, may be necessary. IVF, or in vitro fertilization, has a proven track record of helping couples overcome infertility and start their families. If your doctor has recommended that you consider IVF, you are likely to have many questions about what to expect. Here are the answers to some of the queries couples frequently have as they weigh the idea of having IVF.

    When should I consider IVF?

    IVF can be helpful in achieving pregnancy in the presence of multiple fertility issues. It can help women with endometriosis and Fallopian tube issues achieve a pregnancy. It may also be recommended for couples facing male infertility. Couples who are experiencing unexplained infertility can also benefit from IVF treatment.

    What happens during an IVF cycle?

    During an IVF cycle, women first take daily injections to stop menstruation for about two weeks, and then take follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injections to boost the number of eggs in the ovaries. FSH injections usually last for about 10-12 days. Eggs are then retrieved during a short procedure, which is performed under a mild anesthesia. After the eggs are retrieved, they will be fertilized with sperm from the partner. Sperm can be collected by a fertility expert, if necessary. One to two fertilized embryos are then implanted in the uterus in hopes of achieving a pregnancy.

    What can I do to make IVF successful?

    Going into IVF as healthy as possible can increase your chances of success. Focus on healthy eating and exercise, and if you smoke, quit. IVF can also be emotionally trying. Your doctor will discuss ways to reduce your stress during treatment with you, so that you and your partner are as healthy as you can be once treatment begins.

    The Center for Vasectomy Reversal is pleased to offer male infertility procedures in Sarasota to help our patients achieve their dreams of starting a family. Contact us today at (941) 894-6428 to make an appointment.

  • What Is Azoospermia?

    Azoospermia is defined at the complete absence of sperm in the semen. It is a significant cause of male infertility that requires treatment. There are two types of azoospermia, obstructive and non-obstructive, and your fertility specialists will need to determine what type you have before starting a treatment plan.

    Obstructive azoospermia occurs when sperm are blocked from leaving the testes. With non-obstructive azoospermia, sperm is being produced at such low levels that it doesn’t make it into the semen. Both types of azoospermia are treated with sperm retrieval surgery as well as treatments to address the underlying cause of the condition. Correcting the anatomical problem that is causing the blockage can help with obstructive azoospermia. Treatment non-obstructive azoospermia can be more complex, since there can be so many different causes.

    Dr. Green and the Center for Vasectomy Reversal work with fertility doctors to help patients overcome male infertility and achieve a pregnancy. You can learn more about our infertility procedures in Sarasota by calling (941) 894-6428.

  • Try This Fertility Planning App

    After a vasectomy reversal, most couples are motivated to start their families as soon as possible. To achieve a pregnancy, tracking the female partner’s most fertile days can be extremely helpful. The Ladytimer app from Google can help.

    The Ladytimer app can be used as both a period tracker and ovulation calendar. It lets women track the dates of their periods, pinpoint their most fertile days, and track the symptoms of their menstrual cycle. By using the app to determine when ovulation is happening, you can decide when you are most likely to be successful at conceiving.

    At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal , Dr. Green is committed to helping couples overcome male infertility and start the families they want. Find out more about Dr. Green and vasectomy reversal surgery in Sarasota by calling (941) 894-6428.

  • Improving Your Health Before Your Vasectomy Reversal

    Vasectomy reversal surgery can be the first step to starting or growing your family. Although the surgery is considered to be safe and effective for most people, the healthier you are before surgery, the fewer complications you are likely to have. Before your procedure, your vasectomy reversal surgery may recommend some steps you can take to make sure you are in the best possible condition before your procedure. These tips for improving your health will also help.

    Stop Smoking

    Smoking and surgery are always a bad mix. When you smoke, anesthesia can be riskier, and your blood may not clot as effectively. Your wounds will also heal more slowly, and you will be more vulnerable to infection. If you’re undergoing a vasectomy reversal in hopes of starting a family, it is also important to note that smoking can be detrimental to your fertility. Talk to your surgeon about when you should stop smoking before your procedure. Generally, cutting back or quitting about six to eight weeks before surgery is recommended.

    Lose Weight

    Excess weight can cause many of the same risks during surgery as smoking, including complications from anesthesia and slow wound healing. Being overweight can also interfere with fertility. You shouldn’t go on a crash diet before surgery that may deprive you of nutrients your body needs to heal. Instead, focus on choosing healthy foods and exercising more, so you’ll lose weight while increasing your health.

    Get Mentally Prepared

    Vasectomy reversal is generally a minor procedure, but it can still cause stress and concern. Because you may be anxious about male infertility and whether the procedure will be effective, you may feel even more nervous. Be sure to ask your surgeon all of your questions before your procedure, and focus on the positive things that are ahead. Stress and anxiety can slow down your healing process.

    At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota, Dr. Green works closely with each patient to develop a personalized care plan designed to yield the best possible results. If you are considering a vasectomy reversal , call us at (941) 894-6428.