Preparing for your Vasectomy Reversal : A guide to Vasectomy Reversal

Vasectomy reversal is a serious undertaking and requires you to do some preparation beforehand. This includes arranging time off work, stopping certain medications, asking someone to give you a lift home from the clinic or hospital and avoiding food and drink if having a general anaesthetic.

What to do before a vasectomy reversal

You will be asked to do some or all of the following:

• Stop smoking: smoking can slow down the healing process as well as increasing the risk of infection. If you are a smoker then stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery and wait for a month or so before resuming.
• Avoid alcohol a week before surgery
• Avoid certain foods such as garlic at least 48 hours before surgery.
• Avoid certain medications such as aspirin at least 48 hours before surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on which medications are safe and which to avoid.
• Clean and shave the area to be treated.
• Have your last meal and a drink the night before surgery. You will be advised to abstain from food and liquid from midnight before your surgery.
• Arrange time off work: your surgeon will advise you to take a few days off so ask your employer about this. If you feel embarrassed about telling your employer about your vasectomy reversal then ask your GP for a letter of confirmation. This will explain that you are undergoing surgery and need time off to recuperate. Take this letter to your employer.

Don’t forget to ask your partner or a friend if they can drive you to and from the clinic. You will be having a general anaesthetic which means that you will be unable to drive for at least 48 hours following surgery. So ask someone if they can take you to the clinic or hospital and drive you home afterwards. Also ask if they can stay with you the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have a partner then this will be no problem but if not then ask a relative or friend. This is not to unduly worry you but is more a case of reassurance: it means that someone is close to hand if complications arise.