Recovery After a Vasectomy Reversal

This page, compiled by Sheldon Marks, MD, will review key points about each patient’s recovery after a precision, personalized vasectomy reversal.

Almost all men have a surprisingly quick and uneventful recovery after their vasectomy reversal at ICVR. This is because we are a full time, vas reversal only center, with each doctor limiting himself to just one vas reversal a day so that they are not under pressure to rush to the next surgery nor are they fatigued from earlier cases. Our goal is to focus and give every patient the most state-of-the-art vasectomy reversal with the easiest recovery.

At the time of discharge, we provide every patient a spiral bound 25-page discharge booklet of customized instructions, specific to each patient and important points about immediate, short and long term aftercare, recovery medications, lifestyle, exercise, return to work and follow-up semen analysis testing (1).

Pain free!
As described, most men don’t even ask for a single Tylenol after their vas reversal here, though obviously there are no guarantees for an individual. Most of our patients tell us they know that they had surgery, but that if they feel anything it is usually described as a “fullness,” tightness or pressure sensation but no pain, much easier than the vasectomy itself. When the doctors come to the hotel the next morning for the “house call,” most men say that they can’t even believe that they had any surgery.

Because we do many redo vas reversals on men who had their first failed vasectomy reversal elsewhere, we know that this is often not the case with many other doctors. These patients tell us that they were sent home with minimal to no discharge instructions or guidance.

House arrest
It is important that each patient stay off his feet, at house arrest, for 48 to 72 hours after the vas reversal to allow the tissues to heal and minimize swelling and inflammation. This is not to the time to go shopping, sightseeing, hiking or horseback riding. If traveling in from far away, it is best to stay in the hotel, off the feet, iced up as instructed.

First 2 weeks
Once past the first 3 days, then it is usually acceptable to begin most normal “light duty” activities. Nothing strenuous is the rule for the first 14 days.

Limitations on activities
It’s smart to avoid any extreme heavy lifting or straining for a full 3 to 4 weeks (2). Patients can gradually resume working out, but no core activities such as squats, crunches or leg presses. Specific instructions are customized for each patient based on what we found, what we did and any particular questions and activity. The key is to let the delicate tissues heal. Closely following the discharge recommendations will help to minimize any risks for any complications and ensure a rapid return to normal activity.

Sexual activity

It is important to not have any sexual activity for 14 days after the vasectomy reversal to let the delicate connections heal and gain strength. Each patient is then encouraged to try to ejaculate once every 24 to 48 hours, when possible, to keep fluid flowing through the new connection. There is no need or benefit to flush out old sperm. The female reproductive tract will filter out any sperm that is not perfect.

First semen analysis test

At 4 weeks after the vas reversal, the first of many semen analysis tests are performed. It is important to follow these instructions to get the very highest vas reversal success rate (3). Once we receive them, the test results will be reviewed with our andrologist and then with the doctors for advice and guidance.

If there are any questions, please call us at (888) 722-2929 to find out more about Dr. Marks, Dr. Burrows and our full time, vas reversal only “Center-of-Excellence.”

This page was reviewed, edited and updated January 4, 2023 by Sheldon H. F. Marks, MD.

References:

1. Davies N, Papa N, Ischia J, Bolton D, Lawrentschuk N. Consistency of written post-operative patient information for common urological procedures. ANZ J Surg. 2015 Dec;85(12):941-5.
2. Marks SHF. Vasectomy Reversal: Manual of Vasovasostomy and Vasoepididymostomy. New York; Springer; 2018.
3. Murphy R, Perkins A, Marks MB, Burrows PJ, Marks SF. Post Vasectomy Reversal Semen Analysis Compliancy. Androl 2012;33(Suppl2):42.