TTC: Vericocele Surgery

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I had mentioned in my Clomid post that Christopher has some issues that require surgery. Well, I think we are finally ready to totally share.

Christopher has what is called a Vericocele.

Definition:
"Varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. The testicular blood vessels originate in the abdomen and course down through the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord on their way to the testis. Upward flow of blood in the veins is ensured by small one-way valves that prevent backflow. Defective valves, or compression of the vein by a nearby structure, can cause dilatation of the veins near the testis, leading to the formation of a varicocele."

This is what we think is causing the low sperm results that we got back in his sperm analysis.

Christopher went to a Urologist last month, after we got the results back of the low sperm analysis. The Urologist found this right away. It's something that we would have never known about if it weren't for us trying to have a baby. Usually, the Vericocele will cause pain for the man and they are found that way but for Chris he never had any symptoms from it. His Urologist thinks that by having the surgery his sperm count will increase. Ofcourse, he can't make any promises.

Christopher will have the surgery on July 23 and will have to take it easy for the next three days. He is not allowed to lift anything for two weeks after surgery. I've heard lots of stories from couples who have gone through this surgery and the results are mixed. Some say that recovery was easy, other say it took a while.

We are very optimistic for this surgery but also saddened this whole journey has lead us to this.

Wish us luck and pray for the surgeon's hands!