So you’ve changed your mind about having that vasectomy and want to know if you can have it reversed. The truth is, you often can have it reversed, but the surgery is more complicated than a vasectomy. During a vasectomy, your doctor cuts or blocks the tubes, called the vas deferens, which carry sperm from your testes to your penis. In a vasectomy reversal, your doctor has to rejoin these tubes back together so that sperm can reach the semen you ejaculate during orgasm.

How Is a Vasectomy Reversed? This can be done using one of two methods. The first is through vasovasostomy, where your doctor sews the ends of the vas deferens from the testes to the penis back together. The second method is vasoepididymostomy. Here, the doctor attaches the vas deferens to the small organ at the back of each testicle that holds sperm. It’s far more difficult than a vasovasostomy. Your doctor may only choose this method if you can’t have a vasovasostomy or if he doesn’t think it will work. Vasectomy reversals are performed in a hospital or clinic. You’ll be given anesthesia so you’re not awake and don’t feel anything during the procedure. It usually takes about 2 to 4 hours, and you usually go home the same day. Recovery takes about 2 weeks. Vasectomies can be reversed a number of times. But the success rate may decrease with each reversal.