After your vasectomy reversal
Post operative care
After your vasectomy reversal there will be some discomfort from the operation site. Usually a drain will be placed on either side of the scrotum to limit the possibility of a collection of blood underneath the wound. As the stitches used to close the skin are very delicate it is uncommon for them to cause any problems. Gentle washing the area of the operation is permitted the day after surgery. Padding is usually placed within firm fitting underwear for support.
At Home after your vasectomy reversal
Once you go home from hospital after your vasectomy reversal you should be prepared to rest. Watching television or videos is a sensible past time for the first week. Having someone to assist you for the first week would be wise particularly if your home has a staircase or is situated on an incline. In the second week post operation light physical activity is reasonable. You can aim to return to normal physical activities about 4 weeks after your reversal.
It is important to take care with physical activity for 2 to 3 weeks following your vasectomy reversal. Excessive movement of the site of your surgery may placed tension on the very fine suture which hold the ends of the vas deferens together. From the perspective of healing any movement between the ends of the anastomosis of the vas deferens may lead to abnormal circumferential scarring and so increase the chance of occlusion of the vasectomy reversal. Common sense is important - you should only undertake light physical activity during this early recovery phase. The essential rule is: "If it hurts - do not do it".
The same rules apply to sex. It should be avoided for 4 weeks after your vasectomy reversal.
Going back to work
Most can return to work within 2 weeks of vasectomy reversal. Some people who work in sedentary occupations could do so earlier.
Possible side effects and complications
While side effects and complications are uncommon, they do occasionally occur. These include:
Wound haematoma The most common complication is a collection of blood in the scrotum around the site of the operation due to the leaking post-operatively of the microscopic blood vessels which can be damaged at the time of the surgery. It is unfortunately not possible to tie all these vessels off as they often go into spasm once they are cut and bleeding only restarts some time after the operation is completed. The use of drains in the scrotum dramatically reduces the incidence of this problem.
Swelling It is common for the scrotum to appear 1 1/2 to 2 times larger than normal after the operation due to tissue fluid engorging the area. This generally rapidly subsides without great difficulty. Occasionally walking is a problem until it has subsided.
Pain Pain after this operation is uncommon although it can occur. Simple analgesics such as Panadol or Digesic (but not Aspirin) are recommended. Unfortunately in some men discomfort can persist for up to 6 months.
Infection This is exceptionally rare, but should there be any dramatic increase in swelling or pain after the operation, you should contact this surgery and antibiotics will most likely be prescribed. Unfortunately any operation that opens the body to the atmosphere can have bacteria contaminate it and lead to infection.
Clots in the legs As this operation is a long operation due to its microsurgical and delicate nature, occasionally young men can still develop clots in the legs which can, on rare occasions, travel to the lungs. This is an exceptionally rare complication.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns or if you think you may have developed a complication of surgery.