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Vasectomy Reversal FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

If you have questions about vasectomy reversal with His Choice Health then read our most frequently asked questions below!

If you have any additional questions then send us an email via our Contact Us form on our website or give us a call.

If you take the time to read our FAQ then most of your questions about vasectomy reversal with His Choice will be answered.

Considering Vasectomy Reversal

What is the success rate of vasectomy reversal?

The single largest predictor of vasectomy reversal success is the length of time since the vasectomy was performed.

  • Reversal less than 3 years of vasectomy, reversal success can be as high as 97%
  • Reversal within 3 to 8 years of vasectomy, reversal success rate is approximately 90%
  • Reversal within 9 to 14 years of vasectomy, reversal success rate is approximately 80%
  • Reversal 14 years or more after vasectomy, reversal success rate is approximately 65%

When examining all prior patients, our average vasectomy reversal success is approximately 85% .

Vasectomy reversal success above means sperm recovery within the first six months of having surgery. Chances of pregnancy after reversal are approximately half of sperm recovery statistics.

The single largest predictor of vasectomy reversal success is the length of time since the vasectomy was performed.

After having a vasectomy, testicular sperm production gradually decreases as a result of fluid build up and stasis in the vas deferens tube below the vasectomy site. Sperm production may not improve with reversal surgery.

After 10+ years, the testicles may have lost a significant amount of capacity to produce sperm. There can also be multiple sites of blockage within the smaller tubes of the epididymis that can be difficult to surgically correct.

How much does vasectomy cost?

We provide affordable outpatient vasectomy reversal surgery.

For more information: Cost of vasectomy reversal

The total cost for the vasectomy reversal surgery includes the following:

  1. Preoperative consultation
  2. Outpatient surgery
  3. Surgeon’s fee
  4. Facility fees
  5. Anesthesia medications
  6. Anesthesia fees
  7. Scrotal supporters

The only other additional charges you will be responsible for are a surgery scheduling fee, costs of your travel to Raleigh NC, food/lodging, and prescription pain medications.

Patients are responsible for these additional costs:

  1. Surgery scheduling fee. We charge a scheduling fee to complete the surgery scheduling process. This fee covers the cost of nursing time during the scheduling interview, anesthesia/professional fees to evaluate your medical/surgical history, and office staff time to process your paperwork and charting.
  2. Pre-operative testing if required. Most vasectomy reversal patients do not need preoperative testing. Depending on your medical history, we may require a complete blood count (CBC) or other tests. Your health insurance may pay for these tests if required. 
  3. Medications. You will be given prescriptions for a narcotic, anti-inflammatory, and nausea medications to take after surgery. Your health insurance may pay for these medications. If you pay out-of-pocket for these medications, the cost of these medications is usually less than $75.
  4. Travel. Patients are responsible for the cost of travel to our center in Raleigh, North Carolina. You must also bring a responsible adult over the age of 18 with you for surgery.
  5. Meals/lodging. You are responsible for the cost of your meals and lodging. Patients are required to stay at specially selected hotels that are each within 1/2 mile of our office. Patients stay two (2) nights in these hotels. There is a grocery store, several pharmacies, and many restaurants within walking distances of many of the hotels.
  6. Follow-up semen sample testing. Our office uses a home semen sample testing kit that is evaluated by an outside lab. The cost of sperm fertility test after vasectomy reversal is approximately $250 for each test performed. This test can be done from the privacy of your home. We recommend testing for sperm 3 months after the reversal surgery. If sperm is not seen at the the 3 month test then we recommend testing  a second time at 6 months

For more information: Where to stay during vasectomy reversal surgery

Most health insurance plans will not cover vasectomy reversal surgery.

Vasectomy reversal is considered an elective (not medical necessary) procedure to restore fertility.

Medicare/Medicaid will not cover vasectomy reversal surgery.

Vasectomy reversal is considered an elective (not medical necessary) procedure to restore fertility. The majority of  health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not pay for vasectomy reversal surgery.

You will need to pay in full within 24 hours of scheduling vasectomy reversal. 

There are three (3) ways to pay for surgery. You can use any combination of the three:

  1. Bank-to-bank wire transfer or ACH transfer (most common ways).
  2. Credit card; Visa, MasterCard, Discover card, and American Express cards.
  3. CareCredit medical financing

If you are financing your vasectomy reversal surgery with then payment is due thirty (30) days before your surgery.

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)/ Health Savings Account (HSA) cards. We also accept CareCredit medical financing.

We do not accept cash, personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders.

We accept CareCredit.

You can use CareCredit to pay for your surgery but you cannot use your CareCredit to pay the scheduling fee required to secure your appointment.

You do not need to travel to our center for a consultation before you can schedule. Most vasectomy procedures can be reversed. We do not require your vasectomy procedure records.

You have two options if you would like more information about reversal surgery:

  1. Review our website. Call and speak with a nurse.
  2. Schedule a virtual consultation with our surgeon.

Most of our patients will be satisfied after speaking with our nursing staff.

If you would like a virtual consultation you can easily schedule this through the scheduling links on this website.

Patients begin scheduling on-line through our website.

After paying a scheduling fee and submitting a surgery questionnaire, patients will complete a 30 minute phone interview with our nursing staff. High risk situations that may impact the success of your reversal surgery are usually identified and discussed during the scheduling phone interview.

If you prefer an in person office consultation or phone/Telehealth consultation then this can be arranged for an additional fee.

Please call for more information if you would like a separate, traditional consultation before you schedule surgery.

Since health insurance does not pay for vasectomy reversal, you do not need a referral to have reversal surgery.

Vasectomy reversal surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

Reversal surgery can last from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Reversal surgery is performed under general anesthesia for your maximal comfort.  

Anesthesia will be administered by skilled Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.  During surgery you will be given the following medications:

  1. Midazolam (Versed): anti-anxiety medication
  2. Fentanyl: pain medication
  3. Isoflurane (Forane): general anesthetic gas
  4. Propofol (Diprivan): intravenous anesthetic
  5. Ketorolac (toradol): anti-inflammatory
  6. Bupivacaine: local anesthetic
  7. Ondansetron (Zofran): anti-nausea medication
  8. Intravenous antibiotic

It is not mandatory that you have vasectomy reversal under general anesthesia but we strongly recommend general anesthesia.

You cannot compare vasectomy reversal surgery with your previous vasectomy procedure.

Most vasectomy procedures are less than 15 minutes and performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia.

Unfortunately, vasectomy reversal surgery is more involved than vasectomy in an office setting. Vasectomy reversal surgery can lasts 1.5 to 3 hours.

To guarantee your maximal comfort during this longer surgery, we recommend patients have general anesthesia. General anesthesia is administered by skilled anesthesia professionals. General anesthesia at our facility is extremely safe.

In unique situations, vasectomy reversal surgery can be performed under light IV sedation and local anesthesia. If you have reversal under light IV sedation, we cannot guarantee you will have complete relief of pain or amnesia regarding your surgical experience.

During a mini-incision vasectomy reversal, the surgeon creates a single small opening in the very center of the scrotum. The skin opening is not created by cutting the skin with a scalpel. Instead the skin opening is caused by poking a small hole and spreading/stretching the skin opening to a larger size. Suture are not required to close the skin opening.

This reversal technique utilizes the elastic nature of the skin to create a smaller opening that heals quicker and without sutures.

Most vasectomy reversal doctors make a 2 to 4 inch incision with a scalpel on each side of the scrotum. Skin openings created with a scalpel are more painful, require sutures to close, and take longer to heal.

During a ‘mini-incision’ vasectomy reversal, we poke a small hole in the center of the scrotal skin with a no-scalpel dissector. The skin is stretched open. This creates an opening large enough to perform a vasectomy reversal but small enough to heal closed quickly.

The skin opening will slowly squeeze closed on its own. Skin sutures are not usually required and the skin opening is closed within 48 hours. 

Scheduling Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

How do I schedule vasectomy reversal surgery?

Patients can start scheduling vasectomy reversal surgery directly on our website.

For more information: Scheduling Vasectomy Reversal Surgery With His Choice

You will be required to answer questions about your medical history and required to pay a non-refundable scheduling fee.

Please call with any questions.

You can only submit the questionnaire after you pay the scheduling fee. Once the questionnaire is received by our staff you will receive a call from a member of our nursing staff within 24 to 48 hours. The nurse will complete scheduling by conducting an extensive health interview with you over the phone.

Once the health interview is completed you will be allowed to to pick a surgery date. Most patients can select a surgery date within three (3) to six( 6) weeks of scheduling. After your phone health interview, you will be emailed documents that will need to be electronically signed and returned. Full payment must be made within 24 hours. 

Once full payment is made then your surgery date will be confirmed and you can then make travel arrangements.

Most patients can select a date of surgery within three (3) to six (6) weeks of starting scheduling.

Vasectomy reversal surgeries are offered Monday through Thursday of each week. Vasectomy reversal is occasionally offered on Fridays.

Vasectomy reversal surgery is never performed on Saturdays or Sundays.

Cancellation of surgery within 15 to 21 days of the surgery date will result in a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellation of a procedure within 14 days of the date of surgery, regardless of the reason, will result in forfeiture of 100% of the surgical fee.

Patients may reschedule their surgery date one time, outside of 3 weeks of the initial surgery date, at no charge. Additional date changes will require a rescheduling fee.

Rescheduling surgery within 15 to 21 days of the date of surgery, regardless of the reason, will result in forfeiture of 50% of the surgical fee. Rescheduling surgery within 14 days of the date of surgery, regardless of the reason, will result in forfeiture of 100% of the surgical fee.

If you live outside of the Raleigh-Durham area you are required to stay in one of the specially selected hotels.

Staying in one of the hotels nearest our center will help to insure timely arrival of surgery and minimize the risk of surgery cancellation and loss of your surgery fee if you arrive late to your surgery.

Absolutely! You are required to have a responsible adult (designated driver) on the day of your surgery.

Vasectomy reversal cannot be compared to vasectomy.

You surgery will be completed under general anesthesia and you will be unable to drive immediately after your surgery.

If you arrive for surgery without a responsible adult your surgery will be cancelled and you will lose your surgery fee.

You are required to have a driver on the day of your surgery.

If you do not have a driver on the day of your surgery, your surgery will be canceled and you will lose your surgery fee.

After Vasectomy Reversal Surgery

What medications will I be prescribed after vasectomy reversal?

You will be given the following prescriptions medications to take after vasectomy reversal surgery:

  1. Narcotic pain medication (hydrocodone, oxycodone, or codeine)
  2. Anti-inflammatory pain medication (ibuprofen)
  3. Anti-nausea medication (Zofran or phenergan) 

Every patient perceives pain differently. Every patient recovers differently.

Most patients rate their pain a 1 to 2 the day after surgery at our center and most patients will have their pain adequately controlled by our prescription strength anti-inflammatory medications.

Most patients will not require their narcotic pain medication after surgery.

Every patient recovers at a different rate.

Scrotal bruising is common within the first two weeks of having surgery.

Mild swelling is also common after reversal surgery.

Most patients have low grade discomfort that may come and go the first two weeks after vasectomy reversal. Some patients report an increase in pain about seven days after surgery. In all cases, over the counter pain medications will be effective in treating after surgery discomfort.

You should not have bleeding, fevers, or severe swelling or pain.

You do not need frozen peas or ice packs after one of our vasectomy procedures…. and you certainly do not need frozen peas or ice packs after one of our vasectomy reversal surgeries!

You will need to wear a scrotal support after surgery.

We will provide you with two supporters after reversal surgery: surgical scrotal supporter and athletic scrotal supporter.

You will need to wear the surgical scrotal supporter for the first two (2) days after surgery. After two days you can replace the surgical supporter with the athletic supporter.

We recommend you wear the athletic supporter continuously for seven (7) days after your reversal.

After seven (7) days you can remove the athletic supporter at night when you sleep.

You are not required to wear the athletic supporter for more than fourteen (14) days after your reversal surgery.

We recommend avoiding any intentional lifting or strenuous exertion (ie going to the gym) in the first month after having reversal surgery. If you think you may have to peform heaving lifting within the first month of your reversal surgery then we encourage you to wear the scrotal supporter.

You are not required to take the narcotic pain medication after surgery.

We recommend waiting 48 hours after surgery before taking a shower.

You will need to wait a week before immersing yourself in water. This includes taking a bath, swimming, or using a hot tub/sauna.

We recommend you do not drive for the first 24 hours after vasectomy reversal.

If you are taking the prescription narcotic medication after surgery you should not drive while taking that medication.

We recommend you ‘take it easy’ for the first 48 hours after your vasectomy reversal.

‘Take it easy’ means don’t perform any activity strenuous enough to make you sweat.

We recommend you do not perform any work/job that requires heavy lifting for the first two weeks after vasectomy reversal.

Ideally, we recommend avoiding any intentional heavy lifting for four (4) weeks after reversal.

  • Desk job. If you have a desk job you can go back to work three (3) days after reversal.
  • Job with lots of standing and walking. We recommend waiting seven (7) days before returning to work after reversal. 
  • Manual labor job. We recommend waiting fourteen (14) days before returning to work that requires a lot of lifting and physical exertion.

We recommend you avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hours after vasectomy reversal.

If you are taking the narcotic pain medication then we recommend you avoid consuming alcohol while you are taking the narcotic pain medication.

We recommend you wait two weeks (14 days) after vasectomy reversal before resuming sexual activity.

If you perform strenuous exercise (lifting heavy weights, core strengthening, martial arts, cycling, etc then we recommend waiting four (4) weeks before returning  to exercising.

If you are hurting at anytime then decrease your exercise level until your pain decreases.

Serious problems after vasectomy reversal surgery are uncommon. 

All patients are given the doctor’s cell phone number and all patients receive a follow up call after surgery. Patients can call the doctor or contact the office with any after surgery concerns.

The most immediate complication is a scrotal hematoma. If a scrotal were to happen it would occur within the first 24 hours.

A scrotal hematoma is the only ‘common’ complication that is concerning. We see a scrotal hematoma in about 1 out of every 50 vasectomy reversal patients. 

A scrotal hematoma is bleeding inside the scrotum enough to make your scrotum swell to the size of a lemon or, in some rare cases, the size of a grapefruit or cantaloupe. If this happens it is usually within the first 24 hours of having a vasectomy.

Having a scrotal hematoma is not ideal but most will resolve without the need for additional treatment.

It is uncommon to have a severe complication after a vasectomy reversal. Most surgery related problems can easily be discussed over the phone or with text/email communication.

It is rare to need to return to the office or go to the emergency room for evaluation.

We recommend you wait two weeks (14 days) before resuming sexual activity.

You can start trying to cause pregnancy as soon as two weeks after surgery.

It takes most patients up to 12 months after reversal surgery to cause pregnancy.

We have had some patients cause pregnancy before they can complete the three (3) month after vasectomy reversal semen sample.

It takes most patients up to 12 months to cause pregnancy after reversal.

Semen Sample Testing After Reversal

When is the semen sample done after vasectomy reversal?

The first semen sample is performed three (3) months after reversal surgery.

We use an outside lab to evaluate the semen sample. The semen specimen can be collected in the privacy of your home and mailed to the lab for testing.

You also have the option to take your sample to an outside lab for evaluation. We would need to provide you with a lab order and you would be responsible for the cost of any outside semen sample testing.

If sperm is not observed at the three (3) month after vasectomy reversal sample then we would repeat the sample again six (6) months after reversal.

If sperm is not observed six (6) months after vasectomy reversal then the surgery would be considered unsuccessful.

If sperm is not seen by the time of the six (6) month semen sample then the reversal surgery was unsuccessful.

You would then need to see an infertility specialist to discuss in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with percutaneous sperm aspiration or repeat vasectomy reversal surgery.

Visit Our Locations

His Choice Health is a growing network of clinics staffed by physicians motivated to provide high quality health care focused on men’s reproductive health.  We specialize in offering minimally invasive vasectomy and vasectomy reversal surgery. 

Raleigh, NC

Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
  • Sedation Vasectomy
  • Vasectomy Reversal Surgery
View Location

Durham, NC

  • 727 Eastowne Drive , Suite # 200A, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
  • (919) 756-8713
Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
View Location

Charlotte, NC

Services Offered:
  • No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
View Location
View All Locations

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