What to Expect During Outpatient Surgery

A vasectomy reversal is an outpatient surgery. This means that the procedure doesn’t require an overnight stay in the hospital. Dr. Green asks his patients to arrive at the Surgery Center 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the operation. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions you might have about the vasectomy reversal surgery, and you’ll discuss your options for anesthesia with the anesthesiologist. 

Once the anesthesia takes effect, you won’t be aware of anything until you wake up in the recovery room. You’ll be carefully monitored by the medical staff until you can be discharged. A responsible adult should be available to drive you home or to your hotel if you’re traveling from out of town. Expect to be groggy for the rest of the day, and plan to get plenty of rest. 

Patients of Dr. Green’s at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal benefit from close, personal attention, and specialized vasectomy expertise. Call (941) 894-6428 to request a consultation with Dr. Joshua Green in Sarasota.

Sleep and Your Baby: A Look at the First Three Months

Even if you’ve previously had children, bringing your baby home from the hospital represents a major transition in your life. Brush up on the basics of what to expect, like the sleeping habits of newborns. When you watch the featured video, you’ll learn that newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours per day. By four to six months, most babies will be sleeping through the night, and they’ll be awake more during the day. 

This video offers helpful tips for regulating your baby’s sleep schedule. Put your newborn down for a nap every two hours. If you wait until your baby is already overly tired and fussy, he or she will have a harder time falling asleep. 

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we’re proud of all of the babies we’ve helped make possible over the years. When you’re ready to become a father, call Dr. Green at (941) 894-6428 to learn more about vasectomy reversals in Sarasota.

Get the Facts Behind Misconceptions About Vasectomy Reversals

There’s a lot of misinformation about vasectomy reversals. Sometimes, the myths about the procedure may make men hesitant to consult a vasectomy reversal surgeon about their options. This is unfortunate since the procedure is a fairly routine surgery with a high success rate. And because it’s an outpatient surgery, men often find it convenient to fit into their busy schedules. Get the truth about vasectomy reversals before you make your decision. 

Myth: Vasectomy reversals are linked to prostate cancer. 

There is a persistent myth that men who undergo a vasectomy reversal are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. This would be alarming if it was true, but fortunately, it’s not. Numerous studies have demonstrated that there is no association between vasectomy reversals and prostate cancer. 

Myth: Men stop producing sperm after a vasectomy. 

Before you undergo surgery, it’s helpful to brush up on the basics of anatomy so you understand exactly what’s going to happen. Sperm is produced in the testicles. The vas deferens is the tube that carries the sperm from the testicles through the penis. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens is surgically clipped. This prevents the sperm from traveling out of the body. However, the procedure doesn’t affect the testicles at all, which means men continue to produce the same amount of sperm that they normally would. This means that reconnecting the vas deferens can be all that’s needed to restore male fertility. 

Myth: Vasectomy reversals aren’t successful if it’s been too long. 

It’s true that surgeons see higher success rates in patients who have the reversal within a few years of having the original surgery. But waiting longer doesn’t actually affect the success rate all that much. Even if it’s been 10 or 20 years, a reversal can be a success. The most important factor is to choose a surgeon who specializes in this procedure, and who has a great deal of experience with it. 

Your best source of accurate, reliable information about the procedure is a vasectomy reversal surgeon. Talk to Dr. Joshua Green in Sarasota at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal and get the answers to your questions. New and current patients can reach us at (941) 894-6428. 

FAQs About General Anesthesia

If you are undergoing surgery, your doctor may recommend one of three main types of anesthesia for the procedure: Local, regional, or general. Local anesthesia only numbs a small area of the body. Regional anesthesia numbs a larger area. General anesthesia puts the patient to sleep and makes the patient completely unaware of the surroundings and unable to sense pain. Many surgeries, including vasectomy reversals, are performed under general anesthesia. 

Why can’t I drink water before the vasectomy reversal? 

While you’re under anesthesia, there’s a risk that food or liquids will aspirate into the lungs, causing serious medical complications. That’s why you’ll be asked to stop eating and drinking by midnight the night before your vasectomy reversal. If you have diabetes or you need to take medicine with a sip of water, talk to your doctor about these special considerations. 

How long will it take for the anesthesia to wear off? 

Every patient is a little different. Immediately after the surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room. Your vital signs and breathing will be closely monitored while you wake up. It can take a few hours before you become fully aware, but in your mind, it may only seem like a few minutes have passed. It’s perfectly normal to feel somewhat groggy for the rest of the day. 

When can I drive again? 

You won’t be able to drive yourself home from the surgery. You’ll need a responsible adult to take you home or to your hotel, and stay with you for at least 24 hours. The anesthesia will prevent you from driving for a full 24 hours. If you’re taking prescription pain medications after the surgery, you should be aware that these can also affect your ability to drive safely. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for additional information. 

Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal prioritizes the safety and well-being of his patients. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have before you undergo a vasectomy reversal in our Sarasota clinic. You can get in touch with our office at (941) 894-6428. 

Using the MESA Procedure with IVF

If you have had a vasectomy and you either don’t want to have a reversal procedure or your vasectomy reversal was not successful, the MESA procedure can be used with IVF to help you and your partner achieve a pregnancy. Dr. Green performs this procedure and works closely with a local IVF specialist to help couples for whom vasectomy reversal is not the answer to their fertility issues.  

During a MESA procedure, Dr. Green removes sperm directly from the epididymis. The sperm is then provided to the IVF specialist, who will use it to fertilize an egg, that is then implanted in the female partner. This procedure works well if vasectomy reversal was not successful or if the female partner has fertility issues that prevent a natural conception  

If you are interested in using MESA in conjunction with IVF to start a family, contact Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota. Schedule a consultation by calling (941) 894-6428.

Choosing the Best Crib for Your Baby

After a successful vasectomy reversal and pregnancy, it’s time to start planning for a baby. One of the biggest purchases you will make during this time is a new crib. Here is how to choose the best one.  

Start by making sure that the crib is clearly marked JPMA-approved. This means it has gone through safety testing and was found to be safe. Ideally, skip ornate designs that could actually pose safety risks in favor of simple cribs. 

With help from the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, your past vasectomy doesn’t have to stand in your way of starting a family. Learn more about vasectomy reversal and make an appointment with Dr. Green in Sarasota by calling (941) 894-6428.

At-Home Recovery Tips After a Vasectomy Reversal

The recovery from a vasectomy reversal is smooth and easy in the vast majority of cases. Before you leave the surgical center, Dr. Green will explain what you should expect and how you should care for yourself as you recover. Most vasectomy reversals are performed on an outpatient basis, so you will likely not need to spend the night in the hospital. Here are some tips for caring for yourself at home after your surgery.  

Pain Management 

Vasectomy reversal procedures typically do not cause intense post-surgical pain, but many men do report experiencing minor discomfort for a few days after the procedure. Dr. Green will advise you if you should use over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate any discomfort, or he will prescribe pain medication for you. On the day of the procedure, you should use ice packs, keeping them on for 20 minutes, and then removing them for 20 minutes before putting them on again. This will help to control swelling and will help with pain as well.   

Rest 

You should rest as much as possible for the first 24 hours after surgery. Dr. Green will remove your drains the day after surgery and tell you if you’re ready to start moving around again. When you’ve been advised that it is safe, you can start walking around for short distances, slowly increasing your distance with each walk. Avoid strenuous activity for at least four weeks. Generally, most men are able to return to work one week after the surgery. 

Diet 

Most men can eat a normal diet after surgery. If you are on pain medication and experiencing stomach discomfort, try eating a bland diet to ease your indigestion. You should also drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated throughout your recovery.  

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we’re committed to supporting patients before and after their procedures. We also work with men coming from out of town to our surgical center and ensure that they have the support they need even when they return home. To find out more about vasectomy reversal surgery in Sarasota, call (941) 894-6428.  

Announcing a Pregnancy After Your Vasectomy Reversal

For many people, a vasectomy reversal is the first step on the road to the ultimate goal: pregnancy. When you find out that you and your partner have successfully conceived, you may be excited to tell everyone as soon as possible, or you may have some qualms about making the announcement because you’re worried about the timing or the questions that will follow. Here are some strategies for sharing your happy news after your vasectomy reversal in the way that feels right to you. 

Timing Your Announcement 

There is no single right answer to timing your pregnancy announcement. Some people prefer to wait until about 10 to 12 weeks, as the risk of miscarriage declines drastically by then. Other people want to tell everyone as soon as they find out. Other people wait until much later in the pregnancy to share their news with people who are not very close family and friends. The key is to choose the path that makes the most sense to you. You don’t have to share with everyone at the same time. You can opt to tell a few people early and make a big announcement to a broader group of people when you’re comfortable.  

Answering Questions 

For some people, your pregnancy announcement will seem like every other one. For people who know you had a vasectomy, there are may be more questions. How you handle them is up to you. You may opt to share that you had a vasectomy reversal, but you can also simply deflect questions by saying you’re thrilled about the pregnancy. Sharing personal information is not required.  

Making the Announcement 

Gone are the days of phone calls or making an announcement over dinner. Today, people are using social media to share their news in one big swoop, as well as creating little gifts for family and close friends that make the announcement for you. Clever announcements are the rage, so use your imagination to make sharing your news memorable.  

Take the first step towards the day when you get to make a pregnancy announcement by learning more about your vasectomy reversal options. Set up an appointment at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota today by calling (941) 894-6428. 

Tips for Picking a Baby Name

After a successful vasectomy reversal and pregnancy, the real fun starts—choosing a baby name. Picking a name is more challenging than you may think, especially when you and your partner have different ideas. This video offers advice for narrowing down your selection.

Start by making a list of 10 names separately from your partner, and have them do the same. Compare your lists, and each of you pick two names from the other’s list. Then, you should have a total of four names you both love. From there, consider things like the longevity of the name and how your child will grow into it.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping families grow with our vasectomy reversal and infertility procedures. Find out more about vasectomy reversals in Sarasota by calling (941) 894-6428 to make an appointment with Dr. Joshua Green.

Can a Vasectomy Reversal Impact Sexual Function?

Because of the nature of vasectomy reversal surgery, it’s common for men to have questions about the side effects of the procedure, including how it may impact sexual functioning. The good news is that a vasectomy reversal will not affect your sexual functioning in any way. After you heal from the procedure, you can expect to go back to your normal sex life without any complications.

During a vasectomy reversal, Dr. Green will reconnect the vas deferens or connect the vas deferens with the epididymis, depending on the nature of your original surgery. Both types of reversal surgery are focused on the scrotum. Because of this, no part of the body that controls erections or testosterone production is affected, so there will be no disruption to sexual function or drive.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota, we are available to answer all of your questions about the procedure, so you can make an informed decision for your needs. To make an appointment, call (941) 894-6428.