Martin Bastuba San Diego: What Most People Get Wrong About Male Fertility

Finding a doctor who actually listens is hard. Finding one who specializes in the hyper-specific world of male reproductive microsurgery is even harder. In Southern California, the name Martin Bastuba San Diego pops up constantly in circles dealing with vasectomy reversals and infertility.

But honestly? Most people just see the title "Urologist" and assume every doctor in that field is the same. That’s a mistake.

Why Dr. Martin Bastuba is different

A lot of guys think a vasectomy or a reversal is a "bread and butter" procedure any urologist can do in their sleep. While that's somewhat true for a standard vasectomy, the reversal side is a whole different beast. It’s microscopic. We are talking about reconnecting tubes thinner than a piece of hair.

Dr. Martin Bastuba belongs to an elite 2% of board-certified urologists in the U.S. who completed a specialized fellowship in male fertility and sexual dysfunction. He was actually the first resident ever accepted into the combined fellowship program at the Boston University School of Medicine.

He isn't just a general surgeon; he’s a microsurgeon.

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The Reality of Vasectomy Reversal Success

You’ve probably heard conflicting numbers. Some say it works, some say it’s a waste of money. At his practice, Male Fertility & Sexual Medicine Specialists (MFS), the patency success rate—meaning sperm actually shows up in the semen again—is around 98%.

That’s wild.

But pregnancy rates are different. That depends on the partner's age and health, too. Usually, those rates sit between 65% and 75% for his patients. People fly into San Diego from all over the world just to see him, often for "re-do" surgeries after a previous doctor's attempt failed.

What to expect at the San Diego clinic

The office isn't some cold, sterile hospital wing. It’s located on Alvarado Road, and there's a second spot in La Jolla for what he calls the "Executive Vasectomy Experience."

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He’s known for being a bit of a character. Patients often mention his sense of humor. One guy even joked in a review that he felt like he was at a comedy show because of the banter and the nitrous oxide. Levity matters when you’re dealing with procedures that make most men incredibly anxious.

More than just "The Snip"

While the San Diego Vasectomy Center is a huge part of his work, it’s not the whole story. Dr. Bastuba is the Medical Director at the Fertility Center of California. They handle:

• Sperm banking and donor services.
• Artificial insemination.
• Peyronie’s disease treatment.
• Male hormone replacement therapy.

He’s also a clinical instructor at UCSD. He's teaching the next generation of doctors how to do this right.

The "Doctor's Doctor" Reputation

In the medical community, there’s a specific term for someone like Martin Bastuba: the "doctor's doctor." It sounds like marketing fluff, but it basically means that when other surgeons in San Diego need a vasectomy or have a fertility issue, they go to him.

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They know the technical difficulty of a vasoepididymostom—a complex procedure where the vas deferens is connected directly to the epididymis. Most urologists avoid these because they are incredibly tedious and difficult. Bastuba does them routinely.

Costs and the Insurance Headache

Let’s talk money. This is where things get annoying. Most insurance companies view vasectomy reversals as elective. They won't pay.

Because of that, the San Diego office uses an all-inclusive pricing model. For a reversal, you’re looking at roughly $8,628. That covers the surgeon, the facility, and the anesthesia. No hidden "facility fees" that show up in your mail three months later.

A standard no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy is around $1,395 for those paying out of pocket.

Actionable Steps for Your Fertility Journey

If you are looking into Dr. Bastuba or male fertility in general, don't just dive in. Do this first:

1. Check the Timeline: If it’s been more than 10 years since your vasectomy, your surgeon might need to perform a vasoepididymostomy rather than a standard reversal. Confirm your surgeon is actually trained in this microsurgery.
2. Get a Semen Analysis: If you’re struggling to conceive, this is the very first step. It’s non-invasive and gives you a baseline.
3. Audit the "Microsurgery" Claim: Some doctors claim to do microsurgery but don't actually use a high-powered operating microscope. Ask specifically about the equipment used in the San Diego or La Jolla theaters.
4. Consultation first: MFS often offers complimentary initial consultations or virtual visits. Use that to gauge the "vibe" before committing to a surgical date.

Whether you're looking for a second opinion on a failed procedure or just starting the process, the focus should be on the surgeon's specific volume of cases. Experience in this field is measured in the thousands, not the dozens.