• Staying Comfortable After Your Vasectomy Reversal

    Men who undergo a vasectomy reversal often report that the recovery isn’t as arduous as they’d expected. It’s normal to experience some discomfort for the first one to two days, but there are effective and simple ways to manage it. As long as you follow the post-operative instructions from your vasectomy reversal surgeon , you should heal well.

    Applying an Ice Pack

    Cold constricts the blood vessels, which suppresses inflammation and swelling. As an ice pack numbs the area, it eliminates pain. For both of these reasons, your surgeon will instruct you to apply an ice pack wrapped to the scrotal area for 20 minutes at a time during the first 24 to 48 hours. Keep a thin towel between the ice pack and your skin.

    Caring for the Surgical Site

    Keeping the surgical site clean and dry will help prevent the discomfort that an infection would cause. Wash the skin gently. Men can usually shower the day after having a vasectomy reversal, but should refrain from taking a bath or swimming for about three to five days.

    Restricting Your Activity

    It isn’t necessary to stay on bed rest after a vasectomy reversal, but do take it easy for a while. Light activities can be resumed within a day or two, but avoid exercising and other strenuous activities for at least a week. Avoid sexual activity for at least three weeks.

    Taking Prescribed Medications

    Potent pain medication usually isn’t necessary after this minimally invasive surgery. Your surgeon may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, but you can ask about prescription pain relievers if OTC drugs are insufficient to control the discomfort.

    Supporting the Surgical Site

    Scrotal support is essential after a vasectomy reversal. Wear a jock strap for a full month after the surgery, day and night.

    Patients of Dr. Joshua Green in Sarasota receive extensive pre-operative education to help them prepare for a successful and comfortable recovery. Learn more about becoming a patient at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal by browsing our website, or get in touch with us by calling (941) 894-6428.

  • Use This App to Help You Find the Perfect Baby Name

    As soon as a pregnancy test is positive, the hunt for the perfect baby name is on. Settling on the right name can feel cathartic after dealing with male infertility. However, excited parents-to-be will quickly discover that scrolling through lists of thousands of names is downright dizzying. Make your search easier by trying the Baby Names Genius app, which sorts through a database of 50,000 names to find the right one for you.

    Just input your preferences and the Baby Name Genius will provide relevant suggestions. The database is filtered based on origin, popularity, length, initial letter, and religion. You’ll also get access to name meanings, unique baby names, celebrity names, and live updates on currently trending names.

    Dr. Joshua Green at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal invites you and your partner to become our next success story . Call (941) 894-6428 to discuss our infertility procedures in Sarasota.

  • Get the Facts About Traveling for Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

    Vasectomy reversals are delicate, complex surgeries that require a great deal more technical skill than the original vasectomy. Because of this, men are advised to seek medical care from a specialist, even if it requires some travel. Traveling out of town for surgery requires a little extra prep work, but it’s definitely manageable. A vasectomy reversal surgeon and your significant other can lend a hand.

    Completing the Pre-Op Necessities

    One common misconception about traveling for surgery is that patients must make multiple trips to the clinic to take care of the necessary pre-operative consultation and tests. These tasks can often be handled remotely. You can consult your surgeon via phone, and transmit your medical records digitally. Upon reviewing your medical history, the surgeon may ask that you visit a local medical facility to have any needed medical tests performed. The results can also be transmitted electronically. If need be, you can visit your regular family physician to obtain medical clearance before the surgery.

    Deciding How to Get There

    Once you’ve scheduled the surgery, consider how to get to the clinic. If you don’t live too far away, driving may be preferable, but do make sure your partner can drive the whole way back. If the distance makes driving undesirable, check your flight options. The genital region will be somewhat uncomfortable after surgery, so consider treating yourself to premium seating in first class.

    Deciding How Long to Stay There

    Out-of-town patients should expect to stay overnight. Vasectomy reversal is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll stay at a hotel instead of a hospital. The next day, you’ll see the surgeon for a follow-up visit, and you’ll likely be cleared to return home. If your partner is driving you home, you can depart the day after surgery. You might not be cleared to fly right away after surgery. Talk to your surgeon about when you should schedule your return flight.

    Given Dr. Joshua Green’s sterling reputation, many patients choose to travel to his vasectomy reversal clinic in Sarasota. For your convenience, we can handle preparatory matters remotely, and you can obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician. Call the Center for Vasectomy Reversal at (941) 894-6428.

  • Cute Theme Ideas for Gender Reveal Parties

    When you’ve gone through infertility procedures and successfully achieved a pregnancy, you will want to celebrate every step of your journey to a new family, including revealing the gender of your baby. Gender reveal parties have soared in popularity in recent years, since they give family and friends one more opportunity to come together and celebrate the impending arrival of the baby. If you decide to host a gender reveal party, consider using these ideas to convey your big news.

    Balloons are a tried-and-true gender reveal favorite. Open a box to release pink or blue balloons to let your guests know your baby’s gender. Food is another good way to reveal gender. Cut into a cake that reveals pink or blue, or have donuts filled with pink or blue cream.

    Whether you throw a big gender reveal party or decide to wait until the delivery to find out your baby’s gender, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to make your dream of starting a family a reality, with treatments for male infertility in Sarasota . Find out more about vasectomy reversals and schedule a consultation with Dr. Green by calling (941) 894-6428.

  • Reducing Your Risk of Post-Operative Infections

    Vasectomy reversal procedures are safe for the vast majority of patients, and the chance of complications is low. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of developing a post-operative infection. Dr. Green will discuss what to expect during your recovery with you in full, including the things you can do to reduce your risk of an infection after the procedure. After your vasectomy reversal, follow these steps to cut your infection risk.

    Follow Your Pre-Operative Instructions

    Before your procedure, your vasectomy reversal surgeon will provide you with a set of instructions. Following these directions will help to ensure you have the healthiest procedure possible. Some of these instructions may directly impact your risk of infection. For instance, your doctor may instruct you to use an antimicrobial wash in the run-up to your surgery to help keep infections at bay.

    Control Your Pre-Existing Conditions

    In some cases, patients have pre-existing conditions that can increase the risk of infection when, particularly if they are poorly controlled. Patients with diabetes, for example, have a higher risk of developing an infection, and that risk increases if blood glucose levels are not under control. Discuss your pre-existing conditions with your surgeon and ask what steps you can take to ensure that they don’t interfere with your recovery.

    Attend All Follow-Up Appointments

    Avoid missing any of your follow-up appointments, where your surgeon will examine your surgical site for evidence of infection. Early treatment will reduce the complications caused by any infection that does occur. If you notice signs of an infection, such as a discharge or pain at the surgical site, call your doctor right away.

    At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we work with each patient individually to ensure the safest procedure possible. If you are considering vasectomy reversal in Sarasota , schedule a consultation at our clinic today by calling (941) 894-6428.

  • 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.