Vasectomy reversals are very demanding and technically challenging procedures. A patient's first attempt at reversal is his best, and sometimes only, chance at success. Since technique and training play such a vital role in optimal vasectomy reversal outcomes, it is important to have a microsurgical specialist, not a general urologist or non-urologist, perform your reversal procedure.
The challenge is to identify a urologists who is a true microsurgical specialist. The good news is that most regions of the country have at least one microsurgical specialist practicing in the area. Non-urologists can be easily identified from their websites when they describe their training (i.e. in orthopedics, general surgery, etc.). Comparing different urologists can be more difficult because, as mentioned before, any general urologist who offers vasectomy reversals may claim to be a 'specialist' in that procedure. Luckily, one simple question can be used to help definitively differentiate a general urologist from a true microsurgical specialist:
Prior to making an initial consultation appointment, ask the
doctor’s scheduler or nurse if the doctor has completed a
formal 1 to 2 year fellowship in male infertility and
microsurgery.
If they have, then you have identified a microsurgical specialist; if not, then that doctor is a general urologist. If the scheduler or nurse does not know, cannot find out, or offers some other form of training or experience that the doctor has, then that doctor is almost certainly a general urologist (the staff of microsurgical specialists almost invariably know the fellowship status of their physician).
Conclusion
Dr. Russell is not the only fellowship-trained microsurgical specialist in the Midwest, and he encourages patients to thoroughly explore their options to choose the surgeon that they feel most comfortable with. However, he STRONGLY encourages you to consider choosing a urologist who has finished a formal 1-2 year fellowship in fertility microsurgery. Website claims can be manipulated with no clear way to verify their truth. However, completing a formal 1-2 year microsurgical fellowship training is an unmistakable and verifiable sign that you have found a urologist who has devoted extra years of intensive microsurgical training to provide the best vasectomy reversal outcomes possible.
These specialists are not numerous, but almost every region of the country should have at least one within driving distance. It may take some research and phone calls/emails to identify who is really a specialist, as opposed to a general urologist, but it will be time well spent. Microsurgical specialists often also provide free phone or email consultations upon request where they can directly communicate their training and credentials, as well as answer specific questions about the reversal procedure. A surgeon’s willingness to spend time with you prior to a reversal procedure is usually indicative of the type of service that they will provide you with during and after your procedure. Take your time, do your research, and choose carefully.
Finding a Fellowship-trained Microsurgical Specialist Offers Your Best Chance at Vasectomy Reversal Success.
