Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Motrin®) for 7 days before the procedure.
Shave the scrotum on morning of surgery.
Shower thoroughly and wear clean, snug underwear.
Arrange in advance for someone to drive you home following the procedure. You may feel able to drive but it is advisable to arrange for a ride home for your comfort and safety.
You will be asked to change into a gown and lie on the exam table.
The procedure site will be washed and shaved (if you were not able to do it before surgery)
Sterile drapes will be placed over you except the scrotal area
After a local anesthetic is administered, a small puncture is made in the scrotum. (The punctures in the skin do not require a scalpel.)
The right or left vas deferens are lifted through the puncture opening. The vas is cut, and a section is removed. You may feel a pulling sensation during this process but no pain. The two ends of the vas are heat sealed (cauterized), tied or clipped, before being returned to the scrotum. An identical procedure is performed on the other side.
DIET: You may return to your normal diet as soon as you arrive home.
ACTIVITY:
Your physical activity should be restricted the first 24-48 hours. During that time you should remain relatively inactive, moving about only when necessary. During the first 7 days following surgery you should avoid lifting any heavy objects (anything greater than ten pounds), and avoid strenuous exercise. If you work, ask us specifically about your restrictions, both for home and work. We will write a note to your employer if needed.
You should plan to wear a tight pair of jockey shorts or an athletic support for the first 4-5 days, even to sleep. This will keep the scrotum immobilized to some degree and keep the swelling down. Ice packs should be placed on and off over the scrotum for the first 48 hours. Frozen peas or corn in a Ziploc bag can be frozen, used and re-frozen. 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off is a reasonable schedule. The ice is a good pain reliever and keeps the swelling down.
WOUND:
In most cases your incision will have no sutures and the wound will seal in 1 or 2 days. You can shower safely after 48 hours. If there is generalized redness, especially with increasing pain or swelling, let us know. The scrotum will possibly get ‘black and blue’ as blood in the tissues spread. Sometimes the whole scrotum will turn colors. The black and blue is followed by a yellow and brown color. In time, all this coloration will go away.
HYGIENE: You may shower 48 hours after surgery. Tub bathing should be restricted until the 7th day.
MEDICATION:
You may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain. It is the safest of all the pain relievers, because it causes no bleeding. Aspirin is to be avoided. Advil (ibuprofen) has some aspirin like effects but is a stronger pain reliever that can be used if the Tylenol is not working. You may be given a prescription of antibiotics and narcotic analgesic
PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD REPORT TO US:
a. Fever or 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
b. Moderate or severe swelling under the skin incision or involving the scrotum.
c. Drug reactions such as hives, a rash, nausea or vomiting.
d. Any other untoward side effects
FOLLOW-UP:
You need NO routine follow-up visits to have us examine you unless problems arise. You will need to have semen analysis however to make certain that the vasectomy was successful. First, wait 7 days before having any type of sexual activity or ejaculation. Then use PROTECTED intercourse until you have a negative semen analysis. This should be performed about 10-12 weeks after the vasectomy. Two semen analyses are performed at 2 and 3 months after the vasectomy. You should bring in semen specimen in a small jar to the lab for examination. Call lab for directions on specimen collection before bringing in the specimen. Click here to read more about semen analysis.
