A vasectomy is considered a form of permanent birth control, but if you’ve changed your mind about wishing to conceive after undergoing one, a vasectomy reversal may be an effective solution. During a vasectomy reversal, the vas deferens is restored to allow sperm to be released during ejaculation and make conceiving a child possible again. However, the likelihood of success will depend on how long it has been since you underwent the initial procedure. Take a look at this infographic from Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota, FL. Please share this information with friends and family who may also be interested in vasectomy reversal .

Vasectomy reversals are delicate procedures that require the touch of a skillful, experienced surgeon. Despite their complexity for the surgeon, however, the experience for the patient is relatively straightforward. No hospital stay is required. Men do need to follow some pre-operative and post-operative guidelines, and one of those is to avoid alcohol.

When Men Should Avoid Alcohol

Vasectomy reversal surgeons will give their own personalized instructions to their patients. In general, most advise avoiding alcohol for two weeks prior to the procedure. Men must also stay away from alcoholic beverages for about a month after the surgery, until they are fully healed.

Why Patients Should Avoid Alcohol

The restriction on alcohol isn’t unique to vasectomy reversals. Patients undergoing any type of surgery should follow these guidelines for best results. Similar to tobacco use, alcohol consumption inhibits the healing process , and can make recovery take longer. Alcohol also acts on the immune system, which can increase the likelihood of a post-operative infection. Surgical patients who consume alcohol are at a higher risk of other complications and side effects, including the following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Heart problems
• Pneumonia
• Hospital admittance

Men who have trouble stopping their alcohol use may need to postpone the vasectomy reversal. Alcohol use disorder results in moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, and sudden withdrawal may sometimes be medically serious. Patients are advised to consult their physicians if they think they may have a problem with alcohol abuse.

How Alcohol Affects Male Fertility

Although men should be able to resume their alcohol consumption a month or so after surgery, doing so might not necessarily be a good idea, as the purpose of a vasectomy reversal is to become a parent. Heavy alcohol use can adversely affect the quality of sperm. It may also lead to impotence and the loss of libido.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we’re committed to equipping each of our patients and their partners with the information and resources they need to make wise healthcare decisions. Dr. Green is an accomplished vasectomy reversal surgeon serving Sarasota and out-of-town patients. You can request an appointment or a long-distance consult by calling (941) 894-6428.

You’ve heard of baby showers, but what about sprinkles? Baby showers are reserved for a woman’s first pregnancy, as they are designed to “shower” the family with the baby gear they’ll need. Sprinkles are for subsequent pregnancies. They’re intended to “sprinkle” the mother with a few necessities, but the primary focus is on celebrating the upcoming birth.

Learn more about baby sprinkles by watching this video. It explains the basics, such as how to decorate for the party and which refreshments to serve. Macaroons and cupcakes are always popular. This lifestyle expert also recommends doing DIY skin scrubs that the guests can take home with them.

If you’re thinking about infertility procedures in Sarasota, then it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal. Call us at (941) 894-6428, and let us help you grow your family .

Sometimes, a vasectomy reversal by itself isn’t enough to fully correct male infertility. If a man has low sperm count, the chances of conceiving a child naturally aren’t favorable. But don’t give up hope if you’ve been told your sperm count is low. You and your partner may have the option of having surgical sperm retrieval, followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Varicocele

The veins in the scrotum may sometimes become enlarged. This is known as a varicocele, and it’s a common cause of low sperm count . Most men don’t realize they have a varicocele, as it doesn’t usually cause noticeable symptoms. Occasionally, men may experience pain in the scrotal area. The pain typically worsens with activity and prolonged standing.

Retrograde Ejaculation

Spinal injuries, diabetes, and a history of prostate, urethral, or bladder surgery can elevate the risk of retrograde ejaculation. This condition occurs when the semen flows into the bladder instead of out through the penis. It’s sometimes possible to correct retrograde ejaculation. When correction isn’t feasible, men can still become fathers via sperm retrieval and IVF.

Infections

It’s possible for certain infections to cause scar tissue to accumulate in the male reproductive area. This scar tissue may prevent the normal travel of sperm. Some infections may also directly lower sperm production. Gonorrhea and HIV are two examples of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can result in this problem. The inflammation of the testicles, called orchitis, and the inflammation of the epididymis are other types of infections that can cause low sperm count.

Toxin Exposure

A man’s sperm count can be adversely affected by the exposure to environmental toxins. These can include industrial chemicals, such as pesticides, paint, lead, and organic solvents. Men who have previously received radiation therapy or X-rays in the reproductive area can have reduced sperm production. This may improve after a few years, or it may be permanent.

Dr. Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is a widely recognized expert in the field of male infertility. He specializes in vasectomy reversals at his Sarasota clinic, as well as sperm retrieval procedures for IVF. Schedule a consult today by calling (941) 894-6428.

Vasectomy reversals have favorable success rates, but there’s still a waiting period before couples are able to get pregnant. Every couple is a little different, but in general, it may take anywhere from three to 12 months before a man’s sperm count is once again at a robust level. To assess the success of the vasectomy reversal, men will have semen analysis testing.

Depending on the particular clinic, men may have their first analysis at about six to eight weeks after the procedure. After this, additional semen analysis appointments are scheduled every one to two months. Once a lab report shows stabilized sperm count and motility, there is a good chance of pregnancy within six months of actively trying.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, Dr. Joshua Green can answer all of your questions about having a vasectomy reversal in Sarasota, including what you can expect afterward. If you’ve decided your vasectomy wasn’t the right decision for you, give us a call at (941) 894-6428.

VF cycles take four to six weeks to complete. From a distance, the steps involved with this infertility procedure seem fairly simple: Administer fertility drugs, retrieve the eggs, fertilize the eggs, and transfer the embryo. But in actuality, one IVF cycle is a time-intensive, emotionally challenging endeavor that may or may not result in pregnancy. Before you and your partner decide to go through an IVF cycle, both of you should be keenly familiar with what’s involved.

Women must inject themselves with fertility drugs.

If you’re the female partner and you have a needle phobia, you might consider seeing a psychologist or a hypnotist to help you get through the cycle. Two medications must be injected subcutaneously: One to stimulate egg development, and one to prevent ovulation from happening too soon. One of these medications is given for 21 days, and must be injected into the abdomen or thigh. Another is usually injected for nine days. To make matters a little more complicated, some fertility drugs must be reconstituted from powder before being injected.

There will be lots of office visits.

Try to choose an IVF clinic as close to your home as possible, as you’ll be driving there very frequently. You’ll have a couple of initial office visits, followed by office visits every one to two days, usually starting on day five of stimulation. These appointments are for cycle monitoring, and they require an ultrasound and blood test. After cycle monitoring, you’ll have a few more office visits to complete the cycle.

Some additional procedures may be necessary.

Sometimes, an IVF cycle isn’t as simple as stimulating the ovaries, retrieving the eggs, and transferring the embryo. Men may not be able to contribute a semen sample conventionally. They may need to see a vasectomy reversal surgeon for the MESA technique, which involves the surgical extraction of sperm to fertilize the eggs.

The Center for Vasectomy Reversal in Sarasota is a leading destination for couples seeking infertility procedures. Dr. Joshua Green specializes in vasectomy reversals and in the MESA technique for the surgical retrieval of sperm. Couples can call our office at (941) 894-6428.

These days, it’s not uncommon to see older parents at children’s museums and “mommy and me” classes. Couples often delay having children, because they want to obtain a graduate degree, advance in their careers, and achieve greater financial stability. Other individuals are simply still looking for Ms. or Mr. Right. This was the case for Wendy and her husband, whom you’ll meet when you watch this featured video.

Wendy delivered their first child at age 36, and their second one year later. She explains that, contrary to popular belief, her energy level has actually increased since having kids, as she has to be more physically active to keep up with them.

Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal considers it a privilege to help couples become loving parents , regardless of their age. Call (941) 894-6428 to discuss our infertility procedures in Sarasota.

Whether you’re still making arrangements for a vasectomy reversal, or you’re already excitedly sharing the big news, you and your partner are probably eager to get ready for baby’s first year. Before going on a spending spree at the toy store, take a step back and make a few decisions. You’ll need to think about healthcare, family leave, and child care, in addition to setting up the nursery and choosing the perfect baby name .

Healthcare

Sorting through healthcare policies is probably one of the least exciting aspects of becoming pregnant, but it’s definitely a top priority. You’ll need to determine which medical services are covered during the pregnancy, and for the labor and delivery. Talk to your HR manager at work to get the details about adding your little one to your policy when the time comes. During the second or third trimester, it’s time to start the search for the pediatrician.

Family Leave

If you don’t already know your company’s family leave policy, now is the time to look it up. Check the employee handbook first, and then talk to your HR manager if it isn’t mentioned there. Look up the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to learn about your legal rights. Most women wait until after the first trimester to let their employers know they are pregnant. Sharing the news is only necessary, because it’s reasonable to assume that the company will need to plan for your extended absence.

Child Care

Once your leave ends, you probably can’t rely on grandparents to provide free child care forever. There’s no question that child care is expensive, but this is one thing you don’t want to skimp on. It’s essential to choose a daycare provider with an unblemished safety record. Double-check the licensure with the appropriate state agency, and check out the provider’s references.

Baby Gear

Shopping for cute baby gear is the fun part (until you see the price tags). You should be able to get most things secondhand from thrift shops and garage sale groups on social media. However, for safety reasons, you should never purchase a secondhand car seat or crib.

Did you have a vasectomy that you now regret? Call Dr. Joshua Green at (941) 894-6428 to request a consult at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal. We make special accommodations for out of town patients who plan to travel to our vasectomy reversal clinic in Sarasota.

Men who do not want to undergo vasectomy reversal or who may not be likely to have success with this procedure for various reasons may opt to plan in-vitro fertilization, or IVF. The IVF procedure involves fertilizing eggs in a laboratory setting and then transferring the most viable embryos in the uterus, where they may implant and develop throughout a healthy pregnancy.

The MESA procedure, or microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration, may accompany IVF to provide a cleaner, more reliable sperm sample for the insemination process. Sperm aspiration involves surgically operating under a microscope to obtain sperm directly from the epididymis, eliminating the concern of blockages or previous vasectomies that may prevent normal ejaculation. MESA is only appropriate for men considering IVF.

The Center for Vasectomy Reversal will provide you with several surgical options to fit your unique situation and family planning goals. To learn more about our male fertility services in Sarasota, visit our website or call us at (941) 894-6428.

Having a vasectomy does not necessarily mean that you’ll never be able to father children. In fact, advanced surgical technologies have facilitated great outcomes for men seeking vasectomy reversal, which may become appropriate as your life plans and goals change. If you are considering vasectomy reversal in Sarasota, your first step will be to consult a surgeon to explore your options. There are a few different procedures available, including vasoepididymostomy, which is discussed in further detail here:

What is the procedure?

Vasoepididymostomy is a more complex and technically demanding surgical procedure than vasovasostomy, which you might consider a standard vasectomy reversal procedure. During the vasoepididymostomy, the surgeon must work around an epidydimal obstruction, which is not the case in vasovasostomy surgeries.

Who should consider it?

Your doctor will utilize a series of diagnostic tests to understand your unique needs in vasectomy reversal. If your vasectomy took place more than 10 years ago or there were any complications or trauma during your surgery, vasoepididymostomy may be indicated.

What can you expect during treatment?

Like other vasectomy reversals, vasoepididymostomy is a microsurgical procedure, so it will utilize very small incisions and be performed on an outpatient basis. You will be sedated during surgery, so you will not feel anything during the treatment itself. Afterwards, you may have some tenderness and soreness, and you will need to refrain from sexual activity and strenuous exercise until your surgeon gives you the go-ahead.

What type of outcome can you expect?

It’s important to understand the costs and potential for successful pregnancy following vasoepididymostomy. Though this procedure does not have success rates as high as vasovasostomy in terms of future pregnancies, it is still a more effective path to conception than IVF for many couples. In addition, it has lower costs per live birth than the in-vitro fertilization procedure.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal , you can expect personalized, compassionate care to restore your fertility. To schedule an appointment with our surgeon, Dr. Joshua Green, call (941) 894-6428.