FAQ about vasectomy reversal

Is vasectomy reversal an option for me?

What is the total cost for the operation?

The total cost for the operation is £3,482. This price includes the initial consultation.

What is the cost for the consultation?

The cost for the consultation is £150, and is deducted from the the total fee when patients proceed to the operation.

I had a vasectomy done more than 10 years ago, what are my chances of a successful reversal?

The success rates for vasectomy reversals do decrease with the time from the vasectomy (see success rates page). However, after a microsurgical vasectomy reversal done between 10 and 15 years after a vasectomy, over 80% of men will have sperm present in their semen and there is a pregnancy rate of 45%. When the interval is more than 15 years this reduces to 70% with sperm and a pregnancy rate of 30%.

Would IVF treatment be a better option than vasectomy reversal?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) can be performed with sperm obtained directly from the testicle or epididymis by needle and syringe under local anaesthetic. IVF is expensive, costing at least £5,000 per treatment cycle and, as less than 1 in 3 treatments results in a pregnancy, several treatments may be needed. There are also occasional medical complications from the drug treatments given to women during treatment. There are, of course, some women with gynaecological problems such as blocked fallopian tubes for whom IVF is the only possible treatment. By comparison, microsurgical vasectomy reversal is a very successful and cost effective treatment, it is the preferred option for most couples.

My partner is over 40, would it be worth going ahead with a vasectomy reversal?

A woman's fertility does decrease with age. Continuing regular menstrual periods are a good sign and blood tests can indicate whether a woman is still ovulating and how many eggs are remaining in her ovaries. If these tests are satisfactory a vasectomy reversal would still have a good chance of success. The alternative treatment of IVF, on the other hand, has a very reduced success rate in women over 40 (less than 1 in 10 treatment cycles result in pregnancy).

I've had a previous vasectomy reversal which failed, can the operation be attempted again?

This should certainly be considered but results will depend on the findings at the original reversal operation. For instance, if good quality sperm were seen in the vas at the time of operation or there were sperm present in the first semen analysis but they later disappeared, there will be a good chance of success using microsurgical techniques in a repeat operation.

Is vasectomy reversal a successful treatment for testicular pain after vasectomy?

Our experience in treating over 20 men with severe post vasectomy pain has shown that more than two thirds will be significantly improved by a successful vasectomy reversal.

Getting an appointment

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No, you can make an appointment with us yourself by telephoning 01482 672496
Men with complicated medical histories would still be advised to get a letter of referral from their doctors with all the relevant details.

Do I have to see you before the operation?

We prefer to see men before surgery is planned to make sure there are no problems for example, too much of the vas having been removed at vasectomy. However, we can arrange a telephone consultation and postpone the examination until the day of surgery if, for instance, you live a long way from the hospital.

The Operation

What sort of anaesthetic will I have?

A general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep throughout the procedure.

How long does the operation take?

Usually between 2 and 3 hours

How do you rejoin the vas and which technique do you use?

We use the most advanced microsurgical techniques to stitch together the two ends of the vas under magnification, these are proven to maximize the chances of restoring your fertility.

How long will I be in hospital?

Most patients are able to go home on the same day as their surgery, waiting a minimum of 4 hours after waking up from their anesthetic.

After the operation

How long will I have to be off work after the operation?

We normally recommend 2 weeks but this may need to be longer if you do a heavy manual job.

When can I have sex again after the reversal?

Sex and ejaculation should be avoided for 3 weeks after the operation as the strong muscular contraction of the vas at ejaculation may cause damage to the delicate repair.

When will I find out whether the operation has been successful?

We arrange for a semen analysis 10 weeks after the operation and contact you with the results.

How long does it take to conceive after a vasectomy reversal?

On average, normal couples trying for a pregnancy, wait one year to conceive. Our records indicate the average waiting time after vasectomy reversal is 15 months.

Will my sexual function be normal after a vasectomy reversal?

The operation does not interfere with erections or your ability to have sex. Some men find that the sensation of ejaculation is diminished or altered after vasectomy, this may be restored after a vasectomy reversal.

What are my options if the vasectomy reversal fails?

Even the best microsurgical techniques do fail in a small percentage of cases. This is not surprising given the very small diameters of the vas and epididymal tubes we are trying to join. In some cases a repeat operation is an option (see above), if not IVF treatment can be undertaken. IVF is most often done when large amounts of anti-sperm antibodies stop sperm swimming or there are only very low numbers of sperm in the ejaculate. If no sperm at all are present on testing the semen, they may be obtained directly from the testicle or epididymis with a needle and syringe under local anaesthetic. Sperm are then stored by freezing in liquid nitrogen until needed for an IVF treatment.

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