Varicocele repair surgery

dimples15 · June 2011

My DH is schedule for Varicocele repair surgery on 7/28 to improve his numbers, I am doing as much research as I can to learn all I need to know. If you know anything about this surgery please let me know. Did you see any improvement after the surgery?

denisenichole · June 2011

There are a few different approaches to this surgery, so that probably makes a difference in the outcome. My husband had an incision in his neck and the radiologist used multiple x-rays to place springs to block the blood flow (lower abdomen level). He basically refused any incision near the boys, so that's how we picked this version :-)

Unfortunately, no improvement in numbers at all. My husband also reports that he still occasionally feels twinges of pain where the springs are, but they are basically microscopic, so I can't promise that's 100% reliable info.

I've heard that quite a few number of these procedures are very successful, so I wish you guys good luck!

TryingforBaby1 · July 2011

My doctor was very clear that surgery was not to improve, but to preserve. He did say that DH's was severe enough that maybe we would see a slight improvement, but again, that was not his goal. Unfortunately, we did not see any improvement. But, on the positive side, his numbers have not gotten worse, either. So, all in all, we are a success story since the surgery has done what it was supposed to do. Good luck!

AshCanWin · July 2011

My husband also had the varicocele repair surgery. His numbers have not increased, but his motility is up slightly. I guess the most we have gotten out of the surgery is that he doen't have that dull pain anymore.

eponine7682 · July 2011

My DH's urologist says that when he gets his done he will only see a slight change in count, but motility will rise. We decided to hold off on it for now because motility isn't our number one issue. Good luck!

Delta04 · July 2011

You have to take this with a grain of salt because everyone is different. But my DH's numbers did not improve as well. There was some change but not good enough for an IUI. That said, there are many others out there that have seen good results. GL!

theworms · July 2011

Everyone responds differently. My DH had no improvement. I've seen lots of other DH's have really good outcomes.

I would make sure you have plenty of ice on hand for after surgery and loose shorts

GL to you

dimples15 · July 2011

Thank you ladies!! I am more nervous then DH, he is willing to do anything that will improve our chances of getting KU.

lyse2143 · July 2011

DH had the type where they made a small incision in the groin and used wires to insert coils in his lower abdomen to block off that vein. Unfortunately, 2 months post-op he had pain and soreness, when he had zero symptoms of the varicocele prior to surgery. We did an u/s at that point and SA and it determined that not only did the surgery not work at all, his count, motility or morph also did not improve. The urologist said that the procedure had a 90% success rate. Unfortunately, we fell on the bad side and since DH refused more surgery (can't blame him) we moved to IVF.

bellaarchitect · July 2011

Thanks for posting this, as we will also be having varicocele surgery soon. I had posted this similar question in the MFI check-in, but I probably should have done a separate post, like you.

I am surprised to see how many people did not have improvement. Though, I am learning (through Dr. Google) that the degree of improvement is relative to the "grade" of the varicocele. For instance "men with larger varicoceles present with lower sperm densities, and show greater relative improvement in semen quality than men with smaller varicoceles who present with higher mean sperm densities."

I found this chart here: https://www.maleinfertility.org/new-varicocele.html

Classification	Definition
Clinical ( palpable): Grade III ( Large)Grade II (Medium)Grade I ( Small) Subclinical ( not palpable)	Easily visible ( Figure1A) Palpable at rest (without Valsalva maneuver), invisible. Palpable with Valsalva maneuver only Vein larger than 3 mm on ultrasound; Doppler reflux on Valsalva maneuver

"Although the relationship between varicocele size and seminal improvement following varicocele repair was controversial for many years, the overall rates of seminal improvement following varicocele repair have been approximately 65%. Moreover, some recent studies indicated that the degree of improvement of semen parameters following varicocele repair is directly proportional to the size of the varicocele repaired surgically."

Our urologist didn't tell us what "grade" the varicocele was, but I am thinking it is a I or II. His morph number is the worst, but the doctor said his testosterone was slightly down also. His operation will be under a microscope (as seen in that link). I am trying to remain hopeful, not just for sperm quality improvement, but also for improvement in his long-term quality of health. The doctor indicated that a repair will likely allow his T to improve and prevent long term side affects of low T, like: belly fat, low energy, low libido, etc.

Good luck to you! Do you know which operation your urologist is performing?

Varicocele repair surgery

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