how to get doctor's success/failure rates for surgery?

Question

I have a friend who's looking to get a vasectomy reversal.  They are looking at a very cheap doctor they would fly to.  However, I'm concerned when he only said that he had a "very good" chance; when I know for a fact he has at best an 80% success rate (the best possible rate for ideal circumstances quoted by the doctor) and if my research is correct success rates for vasactomy that is 4 years old is lower then 50%.  I'm concerned they may be paying a large expense without knowing the actual risks and I am not certain I trust the doctor to provide them.

Is there a way for me to get specifics about his surgeries and successes myself, rather then going through him?  If I can get the raw data from some source I can parse it and infer the information I want, but how do I get the raw statistics if he won't provide them? 

Also, is there a way to get statistics for multiple doctors in order to try to calculate who the best doctor is for them?

California Rose · Accepted Answer

You cannot.  The state of California has tried to "crack down" on fraud, but there is no easy way to prove it. The problem is vasectomy reversal is way too profitable.

Anyway the problem is simple.  There is no legal definition of "success".  I know it sounds stilly.  A "success" is a baby, right?  Wrong!!!!!!!

Some doctors say, "Live sperm in your semen within tree months after the surgery" is a "success". Other say something else.  Are the sperm too weak?  No doctor will guarantee that they are strong enough.

It is entirely possible for a doctor to have a success rate of say 50%, and never once successfully made a pregantcy.

? · Answer

1

Marvin · Answer

From what I have read there is no standard measure. What is a "success"? Perhaps a baby within three years after the surgery, and two attempts at IVF using the resulting sperm? A vasectomy reversal is like a trip to a casino.

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how to get doctor's success/failure rates for surgery?

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