A vasectomy provides a permanent birth control solution for men who do not wish to father a child in the future. But sometimes life’s circumstances change, and a man who has had the male sterilization procedure changes his mind. A desire to start a second family after remarriage, or the death of a child are among the reasons men cite for wanting to become a father again. Today, thanks to advanced microsurgery techniques, vasectomy reversal procedures are highly effective. Microsurgical techniques can restore sperm to the ejaculate over 90 percent of time and result in pregnancy rates in the patient’s partner of more than 50 percent.
Advanced Microsurgery Techniques Restore Fertility
The most common vasectomy reversal procedure, a vasovasostomy, involves reconnecting the severed section of the vas deferens which, once rejoined, allows sperm to travel from the testicles to the ejaculatory ducts. The vas deferens is reconnected in multiple layers, using powerful microscopes to view and manipulate the anatomical structures and the microsurgical instruments, completing the operation with sutures finer than a human hair. Vasectomy reversals are considered among the most challenging surgical procedures in all of medicine, and the skill of the surgeon plays a large role in the outcome of the operation. A skilled physician can rebuild structures and ducts of a luminal diameter of only 0.3 mm wide. Despite the complexity and skill needed, a vasectomy reversal is performed on an outpatient basis, requiring approximately 3 hours. Dr. Eric Seaman, founder of the Center for Vasectomy, Vasectomy Reversal and Male Fertility in Millburn, New Jersey, specializes in this microsurgery procedure. If you’re rethinking your decision about fatherhood, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
About Dr. Seaman: A Specialist in Vasectomy Reversal
For the second year in a row, Dr. Seaman participated in World Vasectomy Day, an event that brings focus to the role men can take in family planning as responsible citizens of our planet.
Dr. Eric Seaman has focused his New Jersey Urology practice on Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery since 1996. As part of his focus, he has received special training on vasectomy reversal and specializes in complex microsurgical procedures for male fertility.
Dr. Seaman has privileges at Saint Barnabas, Newark Beth Israel, Morristown Memorial and East Orange general Medical Centers. He completed his medical degree in 1989 at New York University School of Medicine and Urology Residency at the Columbia Presbyterian Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Subsequent to that he completed a clinical fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas during which time he frequently participated in two or three reversal procedures a week. He has also completed animal research work on vasectomy reversal.
Dr. Seaman’s practice for the past 18 years has specialized in fertility related services. He is an experienced micro-surgeon having performed over a 1500 microsurgical procedures including vasectomy reversal, microsurgical varicocelectomy and microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. He is also one of the few New Jersey Urologists to offer the no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy procedure.
Dr. Seaman is certified by the American Board of Urology. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been selected as “top Doctor” by New Jersey Monthly for the past several years.
Pre-Operative Preparation
- For any elective surgery you should be in the best health possible. It is important to let my office know if you have any other health problems which might necessitate a preoperative consultation with your medical doctor prior to your surgery.
- Avoid aspirin, and anti-inflammatory products such as Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, Celebrex, Mobic and Alleve for 5 days prior to your surgery.
- Smoking can have a negative impact on recovery, especially for microsurgery. If you are a smoker and want to quit, please consult with Dr. Seaman prior to your procedure for possible assistance in kicking the habit.
Surgery Center
- On the day of your surgery, you will be asked to report to the Ambulatory Surgical Center at least one hour before surgery and must be accompanied by someone capable of driving you home. You should not have eaten or drank anything since the midnight before. Surgery will take between three and five hours, depending on the type of surgery necessary to restore your fertility. The procedure is performed under either a general or a spinal anesthetic, both of which are extremely safe and effective.
- You will likely remain in the recovery room for a minimum of one hour prior to discharge.
Vasectomy Reversal Success Rates
Training, experience and technique are essential to the success of the vasectomy reversal. However, the cause of the blockage (e.g., vasectomy, infection or trauma) and whether a unilateral (single side) or bilateral (both side) connection can be made is also very important. Your particular situation might affect your results.
Success rates defined as having sperm in the ejaculate within the first year after the procedure are listed below. Infrequently, the connection ‘closes down’ resulting in no sperm being present in the ejaculate. It is for this potential and for the minority of patients that do not have success that I recommend banking sperm obtained during the surgical procedure and after sperm is found in the ejaculate. Although I recommend this to everyone, typically half of my patients avail themselves of this option.
Bilateral Vasovasostomy: 95%
Unilateral vasovasostomy: (Sperm seen prior to anastomosis) 90%
Vasovasostomy (Sperm not seen prior to anastomosis) 85%
Vasoepididymostomy: 65%
Scheduling & Payment
The fee for vasectomy reversal is the same regardless of the procedure performed (vasovasostomy versus epididymostomy). Adding surgical sperm retrieval to the procedure typically adds 30 minutes of time; however, there is no additional surgical fee. Financing is available and can be obtained through CareCredit with our assistance.
As I perform only a limited number of vasectomy reversals per week, a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required to schedule the procedure. The balance is payable two (2) weeks prior to surgery. We accept payment by cash, check or charge/debit card. Any unpaid balance two weeks prior to the date of surgery necessitates re-scheduling to accommodate another patient on the waiting list.
