Well, if they "went in and got some" (which is pricey in itself) the only way to concieve would be IVF with ICSI, which is about $12,000 per try, because they only get a small amount of sperm. Whereas after a vasectomy reversal, if it goes well, they could conceive the good old-fashioned way.

Also, they probably wouldn't be able to get insurance coverage for the "going in and getting some" surgery unless they had already had a failed vasectomy reversal. The vasectomy reversal is by far the least invasive out of the options!

My husband had his vasectomy reversed and it didn't work, but it is definitely best to try it first. We are doing IVF now and it is sooooo much harder than his reversal. It's worth a try.

Also, they can take sperm at the time of the reversal in case it isn't successful. then if it doesn't work, he doesn't have to have a second procedure.

Boy do I have some experience for your friend. :)
My husband had a vasectomy from his first marriage (thought he was done with the baby making thing). Divorce, then I came along and wanted kids. Sooooo, vasectomy reversal #1 - didn't work. Vasectomy reversal #2 - didn't work. Went to a micro-surgeon, Dr. Sherman Silber in St. Louis for vasectomy reversal #3 - didn't work BUT at least they got some sperm and stored it.
Moved on to IVF #1 Feb 2009 - used some of the frozen sperm - didn't work
IVF #2 Jun 2009 - they went in for a fresh sperm extraction the day of the IVF (cost $800 just for that extraction) - according to the lab, fresh sperm is better than frozen. AND it's good to keep the frozen as a back-up just in case (my husband is a police officer so I have to keep that sort of thought in my mind unfortunately) - anyway IVF #2 didn't work
We just started IVF #3 and we are again going to go in and get a fresh sperm extraction.
To answer your question about pain...according to my husband the vasectomy was worse than the reversals. The first 2 reversals were done by the same doctor and he only had 2 small slits on each side. The microsurgeon had to make about 7" long cuts on both sides because he had to repair the "blow-out" that my husband had from the build up of sperm. Quite interesting really if you go to www.infertile.com and read about Dr. Silber's methods. He had drain tubes in for a day or so which helped keep the swelling down. It wasn't too bad although it looks like a war zone down there. My husband is quite a trooper I'll tell you.
It is a lot to think about and consider. With the vasectomy being that long ago it is less successful. Although according to Dr. Silber it doesn't matter. I beg to differ since my husband's didn't work and it had been about 13 years since had his vasectomy. I guess it's not an exact science.
Anyway, I wish you and your friend the best. I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have. I love sharing knowledge and life experiences to potentially save grief and of course wasted money.
:)

Thank you so much ladies for replying...all very good info. And bobkat57, you made me laugh. I know it's not funny, but once I got to the part about the drain tubes and everything, I just couldn't keep it to myself...told my husband about it. What a good man. The best to all of you and hope you all have babies soon!

I do not have personal experience regarding vasectomy reversals but I can tell you that a friend of mine from high school had his vasectomy reversed last summer b/c his wife changed her mind and decided she wanted to have kids. They were pg in 4 months. I don't know how long ago he had the vasectomy but I specifically remember that I found out that his wife was pg the same time I found out that I may not be able to have children w/o DE so it sticks in my brain. Crazy things happen in life so you just never know. Best of luck to you no matter what you decide:)