Vas reversal, part 2

This is part 2 of a series on vas reversals. In part 1, we discussed a little bit about the procedure and about how to select a vas reversal specialist. In this post, I’d like to discuss why you may want to consider a vas reversal over other forms of assisted reproduction aimed at your wife. Here is why.

First, you had the vasectomy. Your wife did not. By asking her to undergo in-vitro, you are essentially asking her to assume the risks of IVF related complications for what amounts to your condition. While most, if not all wives, are willing to do this, many husbands feel uncomfortable asking them to make this sacrifice.

Second, it costs less money to have a vas reversal. Plain and simple. The typical cost of a vas reversal is between $7000 to $10,000 dollars, which includes the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesiologist’s fee and the hospital/facility fee. It is a one time fee, and when successful--90% chance--can result in multiple pregnancies. Now consider IVF--in-vitro fertilization. One round of IVF costs anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000. And this is per attempt. Each attempt has a 25% to 30% chance of resulting in the birth of a bay 9 months later. Even the in the best of the best groups, 25% to 30%. Therefore, in all likelihood, you will need to pay $25000 to $50,000 to have a baby. There is no comparison. In skilled hands, the vas reversal is the cheapest, most cost-effective, way to go.

It is that simple. Contact me for any questions. And if you choose me for the vas reversal, I’ll pick up the tab for the first $100 dollars worth of baby clothes at Baby’s R Us.

The vasectomy reversal, part 1

Ten percent of men who have had vasectomies will, at some point in the future, decide to have a vasectomy reversal. If you are considering whether you want to have a vas reversal, you may wish to read the following.

1: All vas reversal doctors are not created equal. The vas reversal is a very challenging procedure that requires a high degree of technical expertise in order to maximize success rates. When choosing a reversal specialist, you may want to choose someone who has done many vas reversals and has specific advanced training in microsurgical technique.
2: “With the right tools, any job is easy.” This is something that my father-in-law likes to say. When it comes to vas reversals, it is certainly true. Experienced vas reversal specialists have their own special tools and instruments. The instruments are extremely delicate and fragile, so we keep them in protective cases and do not let other surgeons borrow them. Ask your surgeon to show you his instruments.
3: Success rates vary depending upon several factors. Perhaps the most important factor is obstructive interval--how many years have passed since the vasectomy was performed.
4: The vas reversal essentially involves “re-routing” the pipes. Re-connecting the vas to itself is known as a V-V, and has a > 90% success rate. Occasionally, due to a variety of factors, the surgeon will need to connect the vas to the epididymis--a procedure known as an E-V. The E-V has a ~70% success rate.
5: Success is defined a sperm returning to the ejaculated semen within 1 year after the vas reversal. Ideally, natural pregnancy follows. In cases where natural pregnancy does not ensue, couples still have the option to proceed with assisted reproduction, often in the form of a low cost artificial insemination.

If you any questions, please feel free to contact me.

The no needle vasectomy

The vasectomy is probably the safest and easiest form of permanent sterilization, yet many men are fearful of the procedure. Understandably. While most men simply fear the pain that the think they'll have during the procedure, some fear the needle itself the most. Needle-phobia, also called trypanophobia, is a real condition in which people have irrational, strong fears fears of needles and injections. It affects 10% of the general population. For people who have this phobia, having an injection in the scrotum is too much to bear and can be the deciding factor over whether they have a vasectomy or not.

For these people, I use a technique known as the no-needle vasectomy. The lidocaine, which is the numbing agent, is placed into a glass chamber in a special jet injector. I then place the blunt end of the jet injector against the sterilized skin and press a button. The injector then shoots 0.1cc of lidocaine into the area and instantaneously numbs the area. All that the men feel is a little flash discomfort, then nothing else.
I have now done many no needle vasectomies and have found it to be an easy and effective technique that can assuage the fears of the needle-phobic man.