When thinking about the topic of common cancers affecting men, colon and prostate come to mind. There is another form of cancer that is hardly ever discussed, testicular cancer. Most men don’t realize that the testicles can be affected by cancer. Some men may even be embarrassed to discuss the topic. There is no need for men to be silent on this issue, because the more educated we become on testicular cancer, the more we can improve our way of living. Some of the symptoms are, but not limited to, swelling and pain in the testicles. If you feel aches and pains in your abdomen or scrotum, don’t mistake it for a hernia; you may be experiencing early symptoms of testicular cancer. Although testicular cancer is rare, yet like other forms of cancer, early detection and treatment can increase a person’s survival rate. If you have questions about your health, please consult your physician.
Testicular Cancer – A Topic for Thought
December 6th, 2011
Let’s Go Mavs !!
December 1st, 2011Now that the NBA lockout is over, the Dallas Mavericks can get back to doing what they do best, Win! I am glad that the season is starting up on Christmas day. It is better late than never. Being a diehard Mavericks fan, it’s been tough for me to wait for the – Mavs to get back on the court not only to defend their championship, but also to show the non- believers that in 2011, we earned our place at the apogee of the league. There will be so much excitement as the Mavericks dancers come out to warm up the crowd who have waited – patiently to see the champions hit the court. - I am hoping that our – beloved Dallas Mavericks will repeat and become the 2012 NBA champions.
What are the Factors Predicting Successful Microsurgical Vasectomy Reversal?
August 12th, 2011
Vasectomy reversal is possible and, in fact, is the choice many couples make upon deciding to try for a child. Results, however, can vary. While success rates for return of sperm typically range from 75 percent to 86 percent, pregnancy rates are lower, ranging from 45 percent to 70 percent percent. However, the success rates and pregnancy rates are even higher when enlisting the services of a vasectomy reversal expert.
There are several factors that determine a man’s chances of successful reversal; by paying attention to these factors, you can reasonably predict the outcome.
- Length of time since the vasectomy: Typically, the sooner a reversal is initiated, the better. As time passes, the chances of restored fertility do not suddenly drop, as was previously thought. They do, however, follow a downward trend. That said, many men have had successful reversals despite a time lapse as long as 20 years after the initial surgery.
- Prior fertility: Having fathered a child before the vasectomy increases your chances of being able to father a new child after a reversal.
- Prior vasectomy reversal: If a prior reversal has failed, that does not mean that you cannot have a successful reversal. In fact, one study demonstrated that as many as 79 percent of men whose first reversal failed had successful outcomes after another reversal performed by a microsurgical vasectomy reversal specialist.
- Other surgeries: Some surgeries, such as pediatric hernia repair, may cause a secondary vasal obstruction. This can reduce the chances for success.
- Partner: Age of the partner has an impact, since women’s fertility declines with age especially after age 40. However excellent pregnancy rates are achieved when the female partner has normal fertility.
An experienced vasectomy reversal doctor can help you determine whether you are a viable candidate for reversal surgery. However, there are some factors that he will not be aware of until he begins the procedure, such as a secondary blockage in the epididymis. Another factor on which the success of the reversal depends is the quality of the surgeon. There are vast differences between the least qualified, typically General Urologists, all the way to the most qualified fertility fellowship-trained, micro-surgeons.
Dedicated to providing quality care and able to show proven results, Legacy Male Health Institute and Dr. Jeffrey Buch are recognized leaders in the field of vasectomy reversal amongst fertility fellowship trained micro-surgeons. Dr. Buch and his team combine state of the art technology and medical expertise, with truly client-focused care.
Low Testosterone and Vasectomy Reversal
July 29th, 2011By Dr. Jeffrey Buch, Director of Legacy Male Health Institute
Many men in their thirties, forties and fifties develop a progressive decrease in their energy level or their sex drive. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a “natural” part of the aging process. Often this is the result of a low serum testosterone level.
While it is the major male sex hormone,
testosterone also plays important roles in male health beyond simply providing for one’s sex drive or libido. Men with low testosterone (“T”) complain most often of low energy and a feeling of melancholy, some even complaining of significant depression. We, here at Legacy Male Health Institute, see this in many of our vasectomy reversal clients as well.
However, for men who experience low-T but wish to maintain their fertility, simply supplying extra testosterone is not good. Testosterone therapy is known to shut down the brain’s chemical stimulation of the testicles, resulting in severely decreased sperm count. In these cases, we recommend treating the condition with either Clomiphene or Tamoxifen, which stimulates the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins. This, in turn, stimulates the testicles to produce more testosterone in a “sperm-friendly” way. Often, the sperm counts will increase.
Side effects are minimal, but our experience has shown that the weak estrogenic effects of these pills at the brain level result in reduced sex drive in 10 percent of such cases. This reverses when the patient stops taking the pills. In approximately 80 percent of such cases, this treatment results in improved T levels and the symptoms of low Testosterone subside. It is also necessary to monitor estrogen levels, and in some cases administer an anti-estrogen pill, Anastrazole, in addition to either Clomiphene or Tamoxifen.
If a side effect such as reduced libido occurs or if the patient’s condition fails to respond to the pills, then weekly injections of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) may work. In fact, we have successfully used HCG to restore fertility in many men who used anabolic steroids in their younger years.
The quality of life improves dramatically for men who are treated for low Testosterone, regardless of whether a vasectomy reversal is involved. However, when fertility needs to be preserved, it is crucial for men to consult an expert in male fertility who understands reproductive hormones in detail. Please visit us at www.vasectomyreversal.com for more information.
Key Differences Between Urologist and Microsurgical Vasectomy Reversal Doctor
July 19th, 2011
The decision to undergo a vasectomy reversal is usually not an easy decision for a couple to make. Often the decision is made after a divorce or death of a spouse, but there are times when a couple seeks information on reversing a vasectomy simply due to a change in circumstances allowing them the ability to increase their family. Before having a vasectomy reversal, it is important to understand the difference between a urologist, like the one who performed your vasectomy and a microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctor.
Training and Experience
Most urologists are taught during residency training to perform vasectomy reversals. However, a microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctor undergoes 1 to 2 years of additional, intensive training beyond urology residency. Most urologists are known as general urologists and less than 2% pursue training in microsurgery. General urologists treat a wide variety of medical problems such as prostate problems, kidney stones and bladder issues, while most microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors focus entirely on male reproductive and infertility problems.
Male Fertility Problems
The majority of microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors treat other forms of male infertility as well. Male infertility can be caused by a number of factors, including blockages and underlying medical problems. More than 50% of them can be treated successfully, often without invasive methods. Because they focus on male reproduction issues, these types of surgeons offer a higher vasectomy reversal success rate. This is important as the first attempt is usually the best, and sometimes the only, chance at reversing a vasectomy.
Follow-Up Care
Microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors also offer a much more thorough follow-up care program. Scar tissue can close off successful reversals in 5 to 15% of cases (www.vasectomyreversal.com/blog/ ). By conducting follow-up semen exams for a longer period of time after a vasectomy reversal, microscopic healing problems can be discovered and treated, often with medications.
Deciding to undergo a vasectomy reversal is an important decision. Equally important is choosing the right doctor to perform that procedure. Whether you need a male infertility doctor or are considering a vasectomy reversal, visit www.vasectomyreversal.com in order to learn what options are available for your situation.
Top Three Reasons to Choose a Microsurgical Vasectomy Doctor
July 14th, 2011Vasectomy reversals are far more complicated than the vasectomy itself and, although all urologists are trained how to perform a reversal, the doctor who did your vasectomy may not be the best choice for performing your vasectomy reversal. In order to increase the vasectomy reversal success rate, you should discuss your options with a microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctor.
Experienced in Complex Microsurgery
Vasectomy reversals are highly complex, delicate surgeries which require the use of surgical microscopes and microscopic sutures. The procedure can take as much as 4 hours and should be performed by someone who is specially trained in microsurgery. This provides for a greater vasectomy reversal success rate.
Specialize in Male Infertility
Several factors may cause male infertility and many microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors offer treatments for those causes. Blockages, varicocele, low sperm count or poor sperm motility are some underlying reasons for male infertility, as well as undiagnosed medical conditions. More than 50% of all male infertility cases are treatable (www.vasectomyreversal.com/blog/).
Sperm Cryopreservation
As an added option, many microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors also offer sperm cryopreservation. This option allows men to freeze sperm at the time of reversal should the vasectomy reversal be unsuccessful and should the couple need to use in-vitro fertilization. This option is also available to men who are contemplating having a vasectomy as added fertility insurance, prior to the vasectomy
Since vasectomy reversal requires more skill than a vasectomy, it is important to choose a doctor with the additional experience and training in microsurgery that a microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctor has to offer. A specialist of this type can provide many options for male infertility and could arrange for sperm cryopreservation as an added choice for couples who are seeking fertility assistance. For more information regarding microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors, visit www.vasectomyreversal.com.
Five Biggest Impacts on Cost of Vasectomy Reversal
June 29th, 2011Many men who chose vasectomies at a relatively young age are now learning that a vasectomy reversal is possible. Many times, couples inquire about vasectomy reversal after a divorce or the death of a spouse, or in some cases, the couple may have just had a change of heart about having more children. Refinement of microscopic surgery techniques have increased vasectomy reversal success rates tremendously, allowing couples to add to their family without using in-vitro fertilization. However, the procedure is considered elective surgery by most insurance companies, and the surgery can be expensive. Rates for vasectomy reversals can run from $3,000 to $12,000 dollars. There are several reasons why the reversal surgery costs this much.
Results Are Rarely Guaranteed
Unfortunately, even with the current high success rates for the surgery in the hands of the true specialists, not all reversals are successful. A couple may go through the healing from the procedure, as well as the high cost of a vasectomy reversal, only to learn that they still cannot conceive without other methods.
Procedure Requires More Skill than Vasectomy
A vasectomy is a relatively simple procedure that is usually performed in the doctor’s office. A vasectomy reversal is a complicated procedure that can take up to 4 hours to perform. In addition, the procedure is best performed in a surgery center as an outpatient rather than in the doctor’s office. The facility stay, surgeon fees, anesthesia, specialized equipment and medications all add to the cost of vasectomy reversals.
Reversal Specialists Are Highly Trained
Although most urologists are taught how to perform a vasectomy reversal, the procedure is extremely delicate and complicated. Therefore, to increase vasectomy reversal success rates, it is important to locate a physician who specializes in this type of surgery. It is important, however, to choose a vasectomy reversal specialist in order to achieve success (www.vasectomyreversal.com/blog/)
Length of Time Since Vasectomy
As time passes, blockages can form in the vas deferens or in the epididymis, the tube connecting the vas deferens and the testicle. The chance of this type of blockage forming increases significantly if the vasectomy was performed more than 10 years ago. If there is an epididymis blockage, the doctor must perform a vasoepididymostomy, which may increase the cost of the vasectomy reversal.
Microscopic Surgery
The main reason for the cost of vasectomy reversal is that the surgery requires the use of high tech surgical microscopes and microscopic sutures in order to increase the rate of success. The surgery is time consuming and delicate, so that microsurgical vasectomy reversal doctors must spend additional time training on the equipment. Therefore, the doctor fees will be significantly higher with skilled microsurgeons.
Vasectomy reversal is possible with the refinement of microscopic surgeries and improvements in vasoepididymostomies. The cost is sometimes prohibitive for couples, but the addition of a child to their families is well worth the investment. It is important to discuss all options with a male infertility doctor in order to make an informed decision. For more information about the cost of vasectomy reversals, visit www.vasectomyreversal.com.
Myths vs. Facts – Vasectomy Reversal Success Rates
June 10th, 2011It is important to separate the myths from the facts when determining whether a vasectomy reversal is the right option. Choosing the right vasectomy reversal doctor is one of the most important things to do as it increases the chances of a successful reversal greatly. In most cases, the doctor who performed your vasectomy may not be the one to ask about the success rate of reversals, unless they have significant experience in performing them. In addition, knowing which are myths and which are facts regarding vasectomy reversals can also aid in making the proper decision.
Men Stop Making Sperm After Vasectomy
This is a commonly believed myth but the truth is that men continue making sperm even after vasectomy. Injury, chemical or toxin exposures or other medical factors are the only things that will cause a man to stop making sperm. Some urologists still perform sperm production tests before agreeing to do a vasectomy reversal, yet protocol used by vasectomy reversal specialists indicates that such additional testing is not necessary.
Vasectomy Reversals Do Not Work After 10 Years
It is true that success rates do decline the longer after a vasectomy that the reversal is performed. However, that does not mean reversals will not work after a certain period of time. Recent studies 
showthat areversal performed less than 3 years after the vasectomy results in a 97% success rate, while reversals performed more than 15 years after the vasectomy results in a 71% success rate. With refinement of the vasoepididymostomy surgery, there has been a dramatic increase in the success rate of vasectomy reversals performed more than 15 years after the vasectomy, and true experts have success rates of 85 percent or more in such cases.
Sperm Antibodies Will Prevent Pregnancy
Before vasectomy, sperm is protected by the testicles against the immune system so that the body does not even know they exist. After vasectomy, some sperm may leak from the vasectomy site, and the sperm appears as a foreign substance, so the body creates antibodies to fight off what it perceives as a threat. Although these antibodies will appear in the bloodstream, they cause no harm and typically disappear after a successful vasectomy reversal. In some cases, sperm antibodies persist after successful reversal but they are treatable with medication. Rarely do sperm antibodies prevent pregnancy.
My Urologist Can Perform My Reversal
Before using the same doctor who performed your vasectomy to perform your vasectomy reversal, it is important to know how much experience the doctor has had in successfully reversing vasectomies. A vasectomy is a very simple procedure that takes only a short period of time to perform. A reversal is a lengthy procedure, requiring significant microsurgery techniques and microsuturing. Therefore, it is important to choose a surgeon with extensive experience in performing vasectomy reversals.
By separating myth from fact, couples can make better informed choices in order to regain fertility after vasectomy. By choosing a highly-qualified doctor with experience in the delicate reversal surgery, their success rate will be significantly higher than choosing a doctor with less experience. For more information regarding microsurgical vasectomy reversal, visit www.vasectomyreversal.com.
Cryopreservation – Additional Service for Vasectomy Reversal Patients
December 4th, 2009
Our vasectomy reversal clinic offers sperm cryopreservation, a value-added service to our vasectomy reversal patients. Our regionally recognized sperm-testing laboratory is conveniently located on-site at the Legacy Male Health Institute and has received the COLA Award for its commitment to providing quality services.
Men may consider sperm banking because they are receiving cancer treatments or may be taking medications that could have an effect on their sperm production. They also may choose sperm banking in addition to their vasectomy rebersal procedure as an additional option for conception.
Dr. Buch was among the first vasectomy reversal surgeons to offer cryopreservation to his patients at the time of their vasectomy reversal procedure. Dr. Buch would be happy to discuss all alternatives and services with you. Call our office at (972) 612-7131 to preserve your Legacy.
Receive Vasectomy Reversal Photos of Your Vasectomy Reversal
November 16th, 2009Vasectomy reversal photos accompany your Money Back vasectomy reversal guarantee from Dr. Jeffrey Buch. He wants you to have the utmost confidence that you have chosen the correct vasectomy reversal doctor for your procedure. Not only does Dr. Buch back up his published vasectomy reversal success rate with a money back guarantee, he also provides his clients with phenomenal microscopic color HD photos of their own microsurgical vasectomy reversal. He states “Every vasectomy reversal specialist should provide these images to their clients.” You owe it to yourself to find the highest quality of vasectomy reversal and related services. Call 972-612-7131 today for a free phone consult.