Logistics On the day of surgery, the balance ($2700) is due before the procedure. You may pay this with cashier's check (made out to Midwest Vasectomy Reversals), cash, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard). If you pay with a credit or debit card or use Care Credit, there is a $100 charge to cover the processing fee, so please consider using a cashier's check. Immediately before the procedure you will have a consultation with the doctor to go over any questions and sign consent forms.
During the procedure, we expect you to be very comfortable. Most patients spend their time conversing with Dr. Sommers and his surgical assistant. You can bring a cell phone into the procedure to text your partner to let her know that you are doing well.
After the procedure it is recommended that you NOT drive yourself home or back to your hotel. This is a recommendation common after any surgical procedure.
Pre-operative instructions
Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen containing medicines for at least one week prior to your procedure. These can increase the risks of bleeding during the procedure. If you have need for pain medicine, please use Tylenol.
You should take all your regular medicines (except any blood thinners) the morning of the procedure with a sip of water.
Shave the entire pubic region the night before surgery. This includes all hair from one inch above the penis to under the scrotum. Please then wash with an antibacterial soap (Dial, for instance), and repeat this wash in the morning before the procedure.
The morning of the procedure, you may have a light breakfast, but limit your fluids. The procedure can take up to 2 hours, and there will NOT be an opportunity to use the restroom once the procedure starts.
Bring tight fitting underwear (briefs, not boxers) or a jock strap to wear home from the procedure.
Post-operative Instructions
You should expect a moderate amount of discomfort on the day of the procedure. This will decrease over the next few days. The discomfort is often similar to the pain after the vasectomy. Typically over the counter medicines are sufficient, but we will prescribe a stronger pain medicine for you. Follow the instructions on the prescription.
Start taking Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours until your pain is gone. You can take the pain medicine IN ADDITION to the Ibuprofen. You may have less side effects from the pain medicine if you take ½ pill twice as often as one pill (ie: instead of one every 4 hours, take ½ every two hours)
Expect bruising and some modest swelling of the scrotum. This bruising can go up the shaft of the penis as well. This is normal. It is also normal to find some blood in the ejaculate the first time you have intercourse.
If you get a fever, severe pain, significant abdominal pain or other worrisome symptoms, please call Dr. Sommers urgently. See the contact information below.
You can shower immediately after the procedure. Please do not take a bath for one week.
The sutures placed will dissolve on their own. If they start to unravel, you make take a clean fingernail clipper and clip it close to the skin.
It is possible and likely for the wounds to open slightly after a few days. There can be some painless oozing from this opening. This is not concerning. You should just keep a piece of toilet paper or clean gauze over the wound to keep your underwear clean. If significant redness or pain develops, that is not expected and you should alert Dr. Sommers.
This repair is with very fine suture. To let the repaired vas heal, it is very important to limit activities which would traumatize the testicle. This includes vigorous exercise and heavy lifting (anything over 15 lbs). This should be restricted for 3 weeks. Sexual activity should be restricted for two weeks. The first day or two after the surgery should be spent resting. It is particularly important to limit your activity in the 36 hours immediately following surgery. If you have a job which requires limited physical activity, you may return to work within 4 days. If you have a job that requires activities which would put your reversal at risk, please ask for a note for work to limit you to light duty.
Please contact us for an order for a semen analysis if pregnancy has not resulted in 4 months.
If you have questions:
For non-urgent questions, please email info@midwestvasectomyreversals.com or call the office number 636-492-1323 You should expect a return message within 12 hours, but typically much sooner. Our phones are answered on Mondays and Thursdays.