Sperm retrieval

[cache_cache]

Well, tomorrow’s the day we have been waiting for months - my husband goes for sperm retrieval! I cannot believe that we are so close. I’ve been quite positive until now and always looked on the 50% there could be sperm side but today I’m dwelling on the 50% non side. It is scary that we might not going to get the result we desire 😨 Also we don't know much about the procedure, initially we were told that the aspiration is done with small needle without surgical incision, but this morning the nurse called to tell my husband that the procedure might be under full sedation and it didn't sound that simple at all. I would be very thankful if you could share your experience? Thanks and good luck to everyone!

[aamiller405]

Hiya.. My husband had a sperm retrieval after being diagnosed with azoospermia. I remember how anxious we were waiting to see the result, we were very lucky and they found viable sperm. But remember if they don't find viable sperm it still isn't the end of your journey it just means you need to take a different route.

I think there are a couple of way they do the procedure but I'll give you my husbands experience. He was given sedation, not anesthetic which sent him straight to sleep and he remembers nothing! He was only gone about 15minutes.

He had a very small incision and a few inner stitches. He took it easy that night and the next day, only because I made him. If he had his way he would have been back at work the next day. He had minimal pain after, he said similar feeling to bruising and only really sore on the day.

Best of luck to you both xox

[cache_cache in reply to aamiller405]

Thanks for sharing, it is encouraging to hear some positive words. I hope the rest of your journey will be successful as well! XX

[Kyell2]

Just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow. We too had a sperm retrieval op but without success in our case due to chromosome issue (we knew our chances were very low in advance).

My OH had a general anaesthetic as they said if the needle procedure found no sperm then they wanted to try to get tissue in the same procedure.

He had a lot of pain for about 4 days but I think a lot of that may have been depression due to the results and he’s a bit of a wimp generally.

I do think we are in the minority in finding no sperm as there are lots of success stories on here so do stay positive xx

[cache_cache in reply to Kyell2]

Hi Kyell, I am sorry very to hear that the retrieval was unsuccessful. This must have been heartbreaking. I hope you will have a good news soon! Best of luck to both of you! X

[Cici85]

Hi cache_cache... I hope it went well and all is going fine? If you don’t mind me asking , where are you receiving treatment and how long was d wait to get SSR done. My last appt was d 18th of July and was told we will get a letter, that the waiting time for SSR was about a month if the Karotype Test came back normal . I have not heard from my clinic ......

I had to contact PALS and they got a response in two days telling them my husband on the waiting list for SSR which is about 3months. I feel so upset that I will have to wait again for that long. I was so shocked as my consultant told me it’s about a month wait and till now I have got no news from my clinic apart from d response given to PALS .

[cache_cache]

Hi Cici85, it went well and most importantly we have sperm in the freezer. The procedure was at Kings College Hospital and we were given the date at the end of April....so yes, the waiting was about 3 months. I personally find the waiting game very mentally challenging so totally understand how you feel. Good luck. I hope you will hear soon from the hospital. XX

[Kyell2 in reply to cache_cache]

So pleased it all went well today. You can start planning your next steps now xx

[cache_cache in reply to Kyell2]

Thanks, Kyell2! I am very excited to move forward. XX

[Cici85 in reply to cache_cache]

Hi cache_cache,how is it going with u ? finally we got a date in September for SSR and Pre admission appointment next week yay. Sadly I am kinda confused because we have not been told anything, if it’s successful would the sperm be frozen or if it’s going to be a fresh transfer but then I know nothing/not been told what kind of protocol or treatment am going to be on. It’s like am in the dark with this treatment.

My thoughts are maybe they want to be sure they find Sperm before telling me the next step?. Communication with my clinic is really really poor. I have called several times and all I get told is i will get a call back ... It’s really frustrating, I have sent emails and no response. I really don’t know what to do or am I getting paranoid for no reason?

I work with Nhs and a very acute ward , communication with our patients is top notch.

I am really sorry for ranting this morning

[cache_cache]

Hi Cici85, I am glad to hear that you don't have to wait very long for the SSR. If it is successful the sperm will be frozen. The NHS funding covers only one procedure so there won't be another retrieval on the day of the eggs collection. We had considered the option to pay for an extra SSR to have a fresh batch, but the consultant advised that the frozen sperm is as good as fresh for IVF. Unfortunately, I am not able to give you any information on the next steps as I am in the dark myself . Tomorrow is my initial IVF appointment so I hope to know more afterwards. But you are right, they want to make sure they find sperm and only then they schedule the IVF appointments. Good luck to both of you XX

[likonom8]

@cache_cache we are in the same procedure and we are scheduled to do it in end of November .what’s the name of the operation(sperm retrieval )

[Guy_Incognito]

Hi everyone, I'm having sperm retrieval surgery in a couple of weeks and wondered if you (or your partners) had any advice for before or after the surgery? Thanks!

[cache_cache in reply to Guy_Incognito]

Hello, my partner didn't do anything special before the procedure. He stayed at home two days after. He recovered quickly, but he needed some ice so it is a good idea to have some in the freezer. Good luck! I hope everything will go smoothly!