May 27
Maybe this only applies to me so here is my story:
My husband was diagnosed with low sperm count and it was recommended that he have Varicocele Surgery to improve his count. Needless to say, my husband was absolutely thrilled to have penis surgery! A varicocele is a network of tangled blood vessels in the scrotum and the leading cause of make infertility. Apparently, a urologist can tell if a man has this problem just by looking (and no, a wife cannot tell just by looking). A man’s count should improve within 3-6 months and apparently has a very high success rate. (My husband just had the surgery 2 months ago so I cannot confirm the success rate so far).
A few weeks before his surgery, I noticed that his forms mistakenly said that he was scheduled for a ‘circumcision!’ Now, in my view a circumcision is a vastly different procedure. Plus, he was circumcised at birth!
So I called the stupid doctor’s office. Unfortunately, this is a true story:
InfertileNaomi to Receptionist: “I think you made a mistake on my husband’s chart. He is scheduled for a Varicocele Surgery and you have him down for a circumcision.”
Receptionist: “What is he supposed to have again?”
IN: “A Varicocele Surgery. My husband has been circumcised already.”
R: “Oh my. Let me check my files.” Puts me on hold.
R: “Is your husband supposed to have a Vasectomy?”
IN: “NOOOOOOOOOOOO. Please don’t give my husband a Vasectomy!”
And the conversation continued.
At the time, I thought this would be a pretty funny story if it happened to someone else. Thankfully, hubby ended up with the correct surgery or let’s hope! He also said that the surgery was virtually painless (he was on his blackberry working on the car ride home from the hospital).
If you have any questions about this surgery, just comment on this blog and I will be happy to answer.
Ah, yes, my guy had the same surgery. Thanks for your comment on my YouTube video. It’s not all tears for me. I wrote a book called Silent Sorority (www.silentsorority.com) that makes fun of the weirdness of infertility, among other things. I hope you check it out. My best to you, and by all means, keep laughing!
Goodness, I’m glad you caught the mistake in the chart! Not such a funny story I’m sure when it actually happens to you in real life. Hope the surgery works for you!
We’re members of the Varicocele surgery club too! My husband had his surgery last August. Going in, we knew that chances were slim that it would make a difference for us, and unfortunately it didn’t. But my husband’s a trooper for doing it “just in case!!” I hope that you guys have better luck — and glad you caught that error on his chart!
PS – sorry for the last ‘deleted’ post – I’m having trouble leaving comments on this computer!
I don’t like being part of the Varicocele club! I’d rather join a different club
It does suck — but at least I feel less alone know that there are others who have faced/are facing this too!
We are definitely not alone out there. We are all less alone on this. Thanks ladies (or gentlemans)!
Fertility Chick- did the surgery improve his count at all?
Fertility Chick- did your husband have to take any further drugs 3 months after surgery? My urologist is saying that they may put him on Clomid so some reason.
He was on a drug pre- and post-surgery called Arimidex (I think that's how it's spelled) – believe it or not, it's most often used for breast cancer (DH was worried (or secretly thrilled?!) that he might grow boobs??). When we went back to the urologist 6 mths. after the surgery there unfortunately was no change and he took him off the drug since there's really no point to take it. I have heard that many men get put on Clomid and for some it does make a difference.
My husband's situation is quite rare (and weird)…so going in we knew that it was highly unlikely this surgery would work for him. We do see the urologist again this summer so I may ask him about Clomid …just in case!!
Wishing you all luck!! If nothing else, we did get a fantastic urologist out of this…even I love him — and wish he dealt with female fertility issues!!
Oh my goodness. That's just crazy!!
I am speechless. I want to laugh with you, but that just turns my stomach. I swear somedays I say “Get it together people!” about five times a day!
My husband got the vasectomy with a hernia repair by accident… he has now had three testicular biopsies. Not quite as much fun.
My husband can only give a sperm sample via a general anesthetic and a big needle. The Dr told us major surgery has very small chance of success for us so it is ivf all the way.
Just sent my husband for penis surgery, I don’t know if it will help but I love him for being willing to try it anyway.
My husband also unfortunately had to have surgery. He was on Clomid for ~6 mo (different dosing then for women, he took 1/2 tab everyday) which helped some, but after the surgery (+ still on Clomid) his counts tripled & are now in the lower end of the ‘normal’ range!
I have seen Virectin Side Effects it is the best male enchancer.
My dh googled this surgery a couple nights ago. We are pretty sure that he too has a varicocele. (Which as it turns out is not in spell check on my computer) and with his low morphology (11%) and lower count he will probably need this surgery as well. I just found your blog and I am in love, I feel like I could be writting this myself.
I forgot to add that he has an ultrasound on the 30th and we will find out for sure!