The Procedure

How is the vasectomy done?

You will be given a local anaesthetic. To reach the tubes, the doctor will make either a small puncture known as the no-scalpel method or a small cut on the skin of your scrotum. The doctor will get then cut the tubes and close the ends by sealing them with heat. Sometimes a small piece from the tubes is removed when they are cut. The opening(s) in your scrotum will be very small and you may not need to have any stitches afterwards. If you do dissolvable stitches or surgical tape will be used. The operation takes 20 to 30 minutes.

How will I feel after the operation?

Your scrotum may become bruised, swollen or mildly painful. Taking pain relief and wearing tight fitting underpants or athletic support to support your scrotum day and night for the first few days will help to reduce any discomfort. The doctor or nurse should give you information on how you look after yourself in the weeks following your vasectomy.

Are there any serious risks or complications?

Research shows that there are no known serious long-term health risks caused by having a vasectomy.

Occasionally some men have bleeding – called a haematoma – or an infection. In this case, contact us as soon as possible. Sometimes sperm may leak out of the tube and collect in the surrounding tissue. This may cause inflammation and pain immediately or a few weeks or months later. If this happens it can be treated.

A very small number of men experience ongoing pain in the testicles scrotum and penis or lower abdomen. This is known as chronic post-vasectomy pain or CPVP. Drug treatments may be effective in easing the pain and some men require further surgery. Permanent relief is not always achieved.

What about aftercare?

The procedure is very routine and other than a semen analysis test 16 weeks after, a follow-up is not usually required.

However, Dr Jones will personally assess any cases that require post-vasectomy follow-up at no additional cost to you.

You will usually have no – or very little – pain immediately after the procedure. We would recommend wearing tight-fitting underwear to provide support in the days after your procedure.

If mild pain persists, you can take Ibuprofen or similar over-the-counter medications.

General aftercare

It is usually safe for you to start having showers the day after the operation. The small split heals naturally and the best advice is to leave the area alone.

Avoid heavy lifting and all sports for one week following the procedure.

Returning to work

Although full rest is advised immediately following the procedure, most man are able to return to non-manual work with a few days.