Pre-Operative Preparation

1. For any elective surgery you should be in the best of health. It is important to let my office know if you have any health problems which might necessitate consultation with an internist prior to your surgery.

2. Avoid aspirin and aspirin products and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory products (such as Motrin, Dolobid, and Advil) for a week before your surgery.

Day of Surgery

1. You will normally be admitted on the day of your surgery through the Ambulatory Surgical Center. The week before surgery you will be asked to obtain any necessary laboratory tests.

2. On the day of your surgery, you will be asked to report to the Ambulatory Surgical Center or Admission Office at a designated time and must be accompanied by someone capable of driving you home. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery.

3. Surgery will take between three and six hours, depending on the type of surgery necessary to restore your fertility. The procedure is performed under a light general anesthetic, which is known to be extremely safe and effective.

4. You will remain in the recovery room for a minimum of two hours or until you feel comfortably alert.

Post-Operative Care

1. IT IS LIKELY THAT YOU WILL HAVE SOME DISCOMFORT FOR THE FIRST 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER SURGERY. At the time of discharge from the surgical center, you will have been given prescriptions for pain medication and, occasionally, antibiotics. When taking pain medication, be careful as you walk or climb stairs. Dizziness is not unusual.

2. SWELLING AND BRUISING OF THE PENIS AND SCROTUM ARE NORMAL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 3 WEEKS TO COMPLETELY RESOLVE.

3. A small amount of bright red blood is to be expected. DO NOT BE ALARMED. If you feel that the amount is excessive - call my office.

4. In some patients requiring very extensive surgery, rubber drains are left in the scrotum that will be removed the morning after the operation. We will tell you if there are drains to be removed.

5. Do not make any important judgment decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after anesthesia.

6. For your comfort, wear loose-fitting clothes (sweat pants) going home.

7. You may shower 24 hours after the surgery, keep the dressing dry until then. Do not take baths for at least one-week after surgery. Remove the scrotal supporter and dressing before showering and replace the supporter (with clean gauze if necessary) following your shower.

8. You will need to wear some form of scrotal support such as tight briefs or a jock strap, at all times, even when sleeping, for 6 weeks post-operatively. It may only be removed while showering. After 6 weeks, wear the scrotal supporter when walking, running, engaging in sports, or strenuous activity.

9. Do not return to work for one week post-operatively. If, however, your job involves only desk work and very light activity, you may return 3 or 4 days after the surgery.

10. Do not drive the first week after the surgery, but you can ride in a car if someone else is driving.

11. No heavy work or sports are allowed for 3 weeks post-operatively.

12. No sexual intercourse or ejaculation is allowed for 5 weeks post-operatively, in order to avoid disturbance of the delicate anastomoses and prevent contractions of the vas deferens (which occur during orgasm) until healing is complete.

13. Thereafter, you may resume normal activities as you feel up to it.

Please call my office to schedule an appointment for one month post-operatively.

If you experience any other problems, or have questions after your surgery, please feel free to call the office.

Post-Operative Semen Analysis

It is important that you have sperm counts obtained after your surgery at the following intervals:

and every 6 months after your surgery until your wife becomes pregnant. At the time of your semen analysis, a sample will also be taken to determine antisperm antibody levels. At the time of your first semen analysis appointment, 5 weeks post-operatively, I will also examine you.

In general, it will take between 3 to 12 months for sperm counts to return to normal, although on some occasions it may take up to 2 years.

PLEASE INFORM MY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY OF ANY PREGNANCY! If any additional treatment is needed after your vasectomy reversal, I will personally direct that care. Excellent sperm freezing is available and I will discuss with you if this is necessary.