Vasectomies have a reputation as being very painful and for that reason alone men are reluctant to pursue this easy method of contraception. Honestly, there is a BIG misconception which needs to be fact checked. Vasectomies are much less complicated than most people think, and a few easy steps can be taken to have a very favorable experience.
In fact, most men don’t experience any pain during the procedure, aside from minor discomfort at the time anesthesia is administered. No worse than a dental anesthesia. As we will review shortly, minor discomfort, swelling, and bruising may develop after a vasectomy, but these symptoms usually subside within a few days provided patient’s follow some simple recommendations.
Dr. James Fishman specializes in the no-needle/no-scalpel vasectomy approach, which is a simple and safe procedure. First, this uses a unique jet injector tool to introduce anesthesia. And the no-needle instruments access the vas deferens through a single puncture to the scrotum. The procedure typically takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete and patients can return home the same day. Even better, a vasectomy is typically performed in the physician’s office. Only on a VERY rare occasion is a surgery center visited for the procedure which will be determined during the first consultation.
If you do undergo a vasectomy, there are a few things you can do to manage your discomfort during the recovery process.
While the procedure is minimally invasive, it’s important to follow all of the written post-procedural orders, like limiting physical activity for at least 48 hours. The general advice is to NOT leave your home for the first 48 hours, and ice/rest will be mandatory for the first 24 hours after your procedure. No shower for 48 hours. And the amount of activity in the first week should be very light. NO SIGNIFICANT PUSH, PULL, or LIFT. No sexual activity for the first week after your vasectomy. Not following these instructions could result in increased pain.
There will be no showering until 48 hours after the vasectomy. But it’s imperative you keep the surgical site clean and dry during the recovery period. If there are any surgical sutures on the skin you will be advised in wound care after each day’s showering. It’s important you wash your genitals lightly but thoroughly. This will avoid injury and encourage wound healing.
Wearing supportive underwear (or a compression short) immediately after your vasectomy will help reduce pain caused by increased pressure at the vasectomy sites within the spermatic cord. You should wear supportive underwear until you no longer need them; just be sure to change into a clean pair every day. Also, any reintroduction of athletic activity should be accompanied by compression shorts.
Pain medications will have been sent electronically to your pharmacy. STANDARD first level of pain management will be rest/ice/Tylenol). But narcotics can be helpful to take the edge off discomfort for the first 48-72 hours. The post-vasectomy pain will resemble the throbbing feeling you might experience after a dental event. Dr. Fishman rarely may prescribe antibiotics to reduce your risk of an infection. Post-vasectomy complications are rare, but if pain is INCREASING after day 3 that warrants a phone call to Dr. Fishman’s office . Lastly medication allergies should be brought to the doctor’s attention so that pain medication alternatives can be considered.
Lastly, be sure to follow all of Dr. Fishman’s post-operative instructions. These were given to you in writing. Premature activity is NOT advised, and remaining calm 48 hours after the procedure is mandatory. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your recovery, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Fishman at his office number (602.242.1556) or after hours directory (602.365.0089).
