Vasectomy reversal question

[DVIN_CKS]

Other than the obvious reason to restore a man’s fertility, are there any other benefits besides fertility that a reversal will give to a man? Also, does “delayed scarring” mean that a man will eventually become infertile again after a reversal?

 

[Nance]

The primary reason to having a reversal should be that any sterility is a mortal sin, which prevents receiving communion and if you/he does than the sin of sacrilege is added to the list …the other reasons are that the openess to life and the complete giving to one another is Gods plan for married couples. You can’t beat those reasons.

As for the length of time to have a reversal after the vasectomy, yes sterility may eventually occur. The longer you wait the riskier it gets, the sperm count will be affected considerably.

Hope that helps

 

[Katie1723]

Nance:

The primary reason to having a reversal should be that any sterility is a mortal sin, which prevents receiving communion and if you/he does than the sin of sacrilege is added to the list …

So the Church’s position is that a man who has a vasectomy MUST have a reversal or he will be in the state of mortal sin?? What about a woman who has had her tubes tied?
~ Kathy~

 

[deb1]

Katie1723:

So the Church’s position is that a man who has a vasectomy MUST have a reversal or he will be in the state of mortal sin?? What about a woman who has had her tubes tied?

~ Kathy~

Many months ago, under the Ask an Apologist section, I read a similar question. The man in question had recieved the vasectomy before becoming Catholic. The answer was that he didn’t have to reundergo surgery.

My hubby had a vasectomy before becoming Catholic and we have both discussed the fact that we would now love to have a fifth child. But my hubby is unwilling to go back under the scalpel.

 

[RyanL]

Quite right - neither the man nor the woman is obligated to undertake surgery to reverse a sterilization procedure. For the man, reversal is a complicated process that is often not successful and can leave the man with the lack of bladder and/or bowel control. He is under no obligation to undergo such a procedure.

For Priestly support, see this thread.

God Bless,
RyanL

 

[DVIN_CKS]

If the vesectomy was done in ignorance of Church teaching, then the man/couple is not living in mortal sin and therefore they are not receiving the eucharist unworthily. Once the couple understands and are “enlightened” to Church teaching and want to live according to the moral teachings of the church, all that is required is a sincere confession. The church doesn’t demand or encourage that vasectomies be reversed. Cost and other medical risks have to be taken into consideration. This decision is entirely left up to the couple.

So, Nance…to suggest that a man who doesn’t get a reversal is in a state of mortal sin is false and not in line with Church teaching. He should confess this sin as soon as he is educated as to why the church views it as such. If he then decides to reverse it, that will be his decision to make and his soul will not be jeopardized.

 

[1ke]

Nance:

The primary reason to having a reversal should be that any sterility is a mortal sin, which prevents receiving communion and if you/he does than the sin of sacrilege is added to the list

The sin of sterilization can be confessed sacramentally, and the sterilized person can then return to the sacraments. Reversal is not required as a prerequisite.

 

[netmilsmom]

Nance:

The primary reason to having a reversal should be that any sterility is a mortal sin, which prevents receiving communion and if you/he does than the sin of sacrilege is added to the list …the other reasons are that the openess to life and the complete giving to one another is Gods plan for married couples. You can’t beat those reasons.

As for the length of time to have a reversal after the vasectomy, yes sterility may eventually occur. The longer you wait the riskier it gets, the sperm count will be affected considerably.

Hope that helps

I had extremely bad pregnancies and my (Presbyterian) hubby had a vasectomy following my second. I was in a very liberal church at the time and while I knew that I could not have my tubes tied, I rationalized that he could have this procedure done with no sin for me.
THEN I got to my parish and realized that I HAD sinned by going along. I went to confession and Father told me that I was forgiven and what might be a good idea was to use NFP anyway as a sacrifice. That is what we do.
God forgives. My hubby is now in RCIA (Thank YOU Lord!) He was told that it is a sin of the past for him and he did not have to reverse.

And I also have to add that we have looked into adoption. Although I am 45 and another pregnancy would be BAD (per the doctor) that doesn’t mean that we can’t be open to another child. Hey, we can make any child into a fine Catholic!

 

[DVIN_CKS]

The procedure to reverse a vasectomy has dramatically improved over the years. The discomfort isn’t much worse than for the initial vasectomy and most men can return to work the next day. The reversal takes about two hours to do, and most men need only Advil or Alleve for the pain. For more info on how “easy” it is becoming to reverse a vasectomy go to www.vasdoctor.com

Since it is becoming easier and less expensive for couples to reverse vasectomies than in the past, I’m just curious how many men would consider reversing their vasectomies? Even if their wife’s age is over 40 (decreasing the chances of conception even more), would they still do it?

I think it is easy to sit back and say, “If we had it to do all over again, we wouldn’t sterilize.” Well, what if it IS possible to “do over” again and fix the previous damage…would men consider it?

 

[Isidore_AK]

DVIN CKS:

The procedure to reverse a vasectomy has dramatically improved over the years. The discomfort isn’t much worse than for the initial vasectomy and most men can return to work the next day. The reversal takes about two hours to do, and most men need only Advil or Alleve for the pain. For more info on how “easy” it is becoming to reverse a vasectomy go to www.vasdoctor.com

Since it is becoming easier and less expensive for couples to reverse vasectomies than in the past, I’m just curious how many men would consider reversing their vasectomies? Even if their wife’s age is over 40 (decreasing the chances of conception even more), would they still do it?

I think it is easy to sit back and say, “If we had it to do all over again, we wouldn’t sterilize.” Well, what if it IS possible to “do over” again and fix the previous damage…would men consider it?

The co$t still puts it out of reach of many people, not to mention the possibility of side effects…

 

[DVIN_CKS]

Cost is an issue, but some insurance companies will pay for a reversal now. Side effects are a reality, but there is risk with any operation. If risk of serious complication were below 5% (I think the website I listed stated serious side effects were around 1%), would men consider that a risk worth taking to be able to procreate again (or not)? There was risks involved with the initial vasectomy. Which is why it is so important to “do your homework” and make sure you are going to a Dr. with great credentials and experience.

I’m not trying to downplay the cost or the risks…just really wondering if men would give it serious thought since a vasectomy doesn’t appear to be as “permanent” as it once was.

 

[Nance]

Ah! ppl vasectomies is birthcontrol and is a sin, # 2370 in the CC states it.

Its madning when pertinent info is held back after a question has been posted. ie …he wasn’t catholic…

There are many grey areas in this, I admit, however God plan was for all not just for catholics. Once a concience has been formed in this matter I cannot see how ppl would not want to reverse a wrong.
But hey Im not the judge God is!

 

[DVIN_CKS]

Nance…many Catholic men have vasectomies. They have not been properly catechized in the faith. Sterilization cannot be looked at as a mortal sin unless the man or woman had full knowledge of the evil of it and then went ahead with it anyhow (CCC 1855, 1857). Many men and women truly don’t see the sin in sterilization. Our society…Catholics and Protestants alike, do not see the sin in contraception (especially if their marriage has already welcomed children into the world). This isn’t a problem just within our Church…it is a plague of our culture.

It is sad that Catholics don’t know thier faith better. If they did…there wouldn’t be so many men with vasectomies sitting in the pews on Sunday.

 

[Nance]

DVIN CKS:

Nance…many Catholic men have vasectomies. They have not been properly catechized in the faith. Sterilization cannot be looked at as a mortal sin unless the man or woman had full knowledge of the evil of it and then went ahead with it anyhow (CCC 1855, 1857). Many men and women truly don’t see the sin in sterilization. Our society…Catholics and Protestants alike, do not see the sin in contraception (especially if their marriage has already welcomed children into the world). This isn’t a problem just within our Church…it is a plague of our culture.

It is sad that Catholics don’t know thier faith better. If they did…there wouldn’t be so many men with vasectomies sitting in the pews on Sunday.

DVIN… yeah exactly what I said too!

 

[1ke]

Nance:

Ah! ppl vasectomies is birthcontrol and is a sin, # 2370 in the CC states it.

Its madning when pertinent info is held back after a question has been posted. ie …he wasn’t catholic…

Sterilization is objectively gravely disordered. However, it is subjectively not a sin for every person because sin requires full knowledge and consent. A person who has been taught sterilization is a moral good (ie, most all Protestants) would not be sinning, although it is still objectively wrong.

Nance:

There are many grey areas in this, I admit, however God plan was for all not just for catholics.

No, of course not. Sterilization is objectively disordered.

Nance:

Once a concience has been formed in this matter I cannot see how ppl would not want to reverse a wrong.
But hey Im not the judge God is!

The Church does not require sterilization be reversed although a couple may choose to do so if they prayerfully discern that it is something God is calling them to do. There are many reasons that this may not be feasible. We cannot put a requirement on someone that the Church does not.

 

[IMAbeliever]

DVIN_

To say that a reversal isn’t much worse than the initial procedure is very inaccurate. Also it takes about 5 hours (mine was 6+), not 2 as you reported. The pain was intense. I had a severe reaction to the anesthesia, which alarmed my wife. It really is serious surgery. I doesn’t even compare to the initial procedure. Also, the cost is still substantial. Visit One More Soul on the net to seek a doc who will perform the surgery at cost (I recall it was about $4500).

Still given all this, it was one of the best decisions my wife and I ever made. It truly has been a blessing in my life and for my marriage.

Peace–

 

[DVIN_CKS]

IMAbeliever:

DVIN_

To say that a reversal isn’t much worse than the initial procedure is very inaccurate. Also it takes about 5 hours (mine was 6+), not 2 as you reported. The pain was intense. I had a severe reaction to the anesthesia, which alarmed my wife. It really is serious surgery. I doesn’t even compare to the initial procedure. Also, the cost is still substantial. Visit One More Soul on the net to seek a doc who will perform the surgery at cost (I recall it was about $4500).

I guess it all depends who you talk to and how long ago the surgery was done. Also important is who did the surgery…some urologist or a specialist who does nother but reversals for a living. I would not trust a reversal to just any urologist. They should do reversal on a very regular basis so that they are current with all the latest techniques and equipment. The website I listed a few posts back explains everything as I stated. I’m not saying it isn’t serious surgery or won’t be painful. I’m just saying improved techniques and the use of state of the art high powered microscopes have made the procedure much less invasive, less pain, and quicker recovery. Six hours seems long…perhaps yours was longer due to complications (which are addressed in the site I listed also). I would think these improvements in the field of vasectomy reversals would encourage men to look into it more and not just dismiss their vasectomies as somehing “permanent”.

I think when men read your experience (and others like it) they go running to the hills. I don’t think men need to be so scared of a reversal as they may have been 10 or more years ago. Technology has come a long way. I hope some men reading your post aren’t discouraged from seeking this procedure if fertility is what they seek.

You’re right…it isn’t cheap. But who can put a price on the chance to create another human life?

 

[Nance]

I fail to see how ppl think by practicing birthcontrol through means of sterility is ok, even after an awakening of concience, confesses but resigns to the fact that a reversal is not necessary?

How do you come to a conclusion like that???

Its simple… commit a sin, realize its a sin and know its serious and do nothing helllllllllo!

Now please don’t gang up on me over other analogies here, we’re talking about vasectomies that can be reversed. Of course if the man wakes up and realizes his sin at the age of 120 why bother

 

[maryjk]

Nance:

I fail to see how ppl think by practicing birthcontrol through means of sterility is ok, even after an awakening of concience, confesses but resigns to the fact that a reversal is not necessary?

How do you come to a conclusion like that???

Its simple… commit a sin, realize its a sin and know its serious and do nothing helllllllllo!

Now please don’t gang up on me over other analogies here, we’re talking about vasectomies that can be reversed. Of course if the man wakes up and realizes his sin at the age of 120 why bother

I did a simple search on Google. The first link that I could find with a price was $7,300. helllllllllo

I don’t have that kind of money waiting to be used. I would think most others don’t either. Now, it is not a problem for me. My husband does not need the service.

But based on the link below, according to the Church vasectomies do not have to be reversed. So, by telling people that they have to have surgery and pay upwards of $7,300, you are not passing on true Church teaching. Just your feelings. That is fine as long as you state the information as your feelings.

The Church asks that the man go to confession. Be sorry for his sin. That is all.

 

[Katie1723]

maryjk:

…But based on the link below, according to the Church vasectomies do not have to be reversed. So, by telling people that they have to have surgery and pay upwards of $7,300, you are not passing on true Church teaching. Just your feelings. That is fine as long as you state the information as your feelings.

The Church asks that the man go to confession. Be sorry for his sin. That is all.

:clapping: you took the words right out of my mouth.Maryjk
and Nance…helllllllllooo, you can come down off your soap box now my dear.
~ Kathy ~