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Vasectomy reversal
- Dedicated male infertility consultants
- Lister Fertility Clinic is the UK’s largest private fertility unit
- Over 23,000 babies born with us
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Vasectomy reversal at HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you’ve decided to reverse a previous vasectomy, our specialist fertility consultants are here to help, providing you with exceptional care and advice about your procedure.
As the UK’s largest private fertility unit, Lister Fertility Clinic gives you access to state-of-the-art fertility treatments and surgical techniques to ensure you’re getting the most effective care. Our wider team of reproductive experts includes counsellors and experienced nurse practitioners, who are here for you at every stage from the initial consultation to aftercare.
A vasectomy reversal is a procedure that can restore your fertility if you’ve already had a vasectomy in the past. Your previous procedure would have involved surgery to cut and seal your vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry the sperm from your testicles. Your original vasectomy would have prevented sperm from mixing with your semen.
Your vasectomy reversal surgery will be a delicate procedure that rejoins your tubes and allows sperm to flow through them again. It can potentially help you to regain your fertility and conceive naturally.
Time is the biggest factor in your vasectomy reversal. A recent study has shown that if your vasectomy is reversed within three years, you have a 70% chance of successfully conceiving. That success rate drops to around 50% if we reverse a vasectomy that’s more than three years old.
Your male fertility consultant will discuss your specific circumstances with you in detail, and you’ll get a clear idea of how your history affects any future treatment.
Yes, it can. Your consultant might recommend that your vasectomy reversal is carried out in conjunction with a sperm retrieval procedure, which surgically extracts your viable sperm. If it’s been some time since your original vasectomy, they may recommend another form of assisted reproduction instead.
23,000+
babies born with us
10+
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years since we opened our doors
All in one place
Our main clinic is linked to the HCA UK hospital network, with all tests and procedures carried out onsite
State-of-the-art in-house labs
All necessary tests are expertly processed in our outstanding in-house labs
Exceptional, personalised care
Be looked after in one of the UK’s leading private fertility centres, offering personalised care and a wealth of fertility specialists
VASECTOMY REVERSAL
What to expect
This is a delicate procedure, and so we want you to feel 100% confident and safe. Our male fertility consultants are dedicated to helping you and your partner achieve success on your journey towards starting a family. Your male fertility team will provide personalised, discreet care and we’ll keep you informed about what’s happening, every step of the way.
We’re always available to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.
01
Initial consultation
You’ll have an initial consultation with one of our male fertility specialists. They’ll talk to you about your personal and family medical history and look at your general health and lifestyle choices too. Your consultant will also carry out a physical examination of your scrotum. This will help determine if the procedure’s right for you, or whether alternative options such as sperm retrieval might be a better way forward.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
Because the procedure is reversing surgery that you’ve already had, it’s important that your consultant and the wider male fertility team investigate your original vasectomy. They need to make sure that reversal is the right decision for you and determine how effective it’s likely to be in restoring your fertility. You’ll be able to talk to them in detail about the outcome you’re hoping for.
03
Referral to a dedicated urologist
If vasectomy reversal is a viable option for you, you’ll be referred to a urologist, who’ll be able to talk you through the specific details of your procedure and discuss any concerns or question you may have. They’ll explain and discuss exactly how your procedure will be carried out, how it fits into any wider fertility treatment plan for you and your partner, and what’s going to happen at every stage of your treatment.
04
Treatment
Your vasectomy reversal will be a minor surgical procedure, usually performed while you’re under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a small incision in your scrotum to access the vas deferens. These are the tubes that carry sperm into your semen, which were separated in your original vasectomy.
Your surgeon then removes any scar tissue that formed when the ends were separated.
Then the procedure takes one of two routes, either a reconnection or a bypass. If there are sperm in the fluid in your vas deferens, the two separated ends are reconnected with microscopic stiches, a procedure called a vasovasectomy.
If the fluid in your vans deferens is blocked, the tubes will be connected directly to your epididymis, where your sperm is stored. This is called a vasoepididymostomy.
Then the incision in your scrotum is closed with stitches, which are typically dissolvable.
Your surgeon then removes any scar tissue that formed when the ends were separated.
Then the procedure takes one of two routes, either a reconnection or a bypass. If there are sperm in the fluid in your vas deferens, the two separated ends are reconnected with microscopic stiches, a procedure called a vasovasectomy.
If the fluid in your vans deferens is blocked, the tubes will be connected directly to your epididymis, where your sperm is stored. This is called a vasoepididymostomy.
Then the incision in your scrotum is closed with stitches, which are typically dissolvable.
Where can I have a vasectomy reversal procedure?
You can have this surgery at one of four dedicated clinics in London and Beaconsfield. From your initial consultation through to any tests and treatment, your expert team will provide one-one-one care from start to finish.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients
40 Bank Street Canary Wharf E14 5NR London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQ
You should be able to secure an appointment with one of our male fertility specialists within 24 hours.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with a specialist that you feel most comfortable with.
If you’re preparing for a vasectomy reversal, you should stop eating and drinking by midnight the day before your surgery, but you can continue to have sips of water until the procedure starts. You should also avoid blood thinners such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medication, as it helps to reduce bleeding.
Bring soft, comfortable clothing to wear after your operation and make sure someone will be with you to help get you home.
Bring soft, comfortable clothing to wear after your operation and make sure someone will be with you to help get you home.
You might experience some mild discomfort from the incision, and you’ll need to rest and move carefully for 1 or 2 weeks afterwards. Close-fitting but comfortable underwear will help protect your scrotum as you move around. You should also avoid sexual intercourse or masturbation for 2 to 7 days to allow the incision to heal.
Your consultant may also suggest a follow-up appointment to check on your recovery.
Your consultant may also suggest a follow-up appointment to check on your recovery.
It’s a short procedure, usually taking between 2.5 to 4 hours, and you’ll need to rest for a few hours after it’s over. However, you should be able to go home either the same day or the following morning, depending on the time of your surgery.
The vasectomy reversal procedure involves a hospital stay and the surgery itself, and costs may vary depending on the specific treatment your consultant recommends.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This is to help you choose your clinic based on the quality of its services.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Vasectomy reversal stories
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“Appointments were timely, facilities clean, but most of all the team of people working there were what made me feel safe and well looked after at all times.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.