Vasectomy Experience
I had a traditional “closed” vasectomy on Friday 4/6/12. My procedure was done by a middle aged, male Urologist that I had experience with and trusted. That was important for me, to trust and have a bond with the doctor. Feeling a bond related to my confidence that he would do his best for me. Before my procedure I discussed my last minute concerns with my doctor and my wife regarding an open-ended vasectomy vs a closed vasectomy. An open-ended vasectomy is where they leave the tube that goes to the testicle open (non-clamped). The theory is it will relieve the backpressure of built up sperm in the testicle but there are other risks associated with fluids leaking into the testicle. My doctor preferred the closed method and ultimately though I preferred the open-ended vasectomy I was comfortable with my doctor’s confidence that the closed vasectomy would work for me. I am 39, at ideal weight and in great physical shape.
The procedure itself was a piece of cake. Going into it I was nervous ALL DAY. I just wanted it done. Whatever pain and discomfort I had to go through I just wanted to get it over with, the anticipation was way worse than the event. Even though I knew that I still had a hard time relaxing and found that sharing my anxiety in detail with friends and family really helped. Plus you can really get to know your friends and family by how well they support you in a time of crisis. Once I got in the room, which was nice and warm, my doctor prepped me. He is a very happy and funny guy so I was really relaxed. I kept my phone and ipod so I could listen to music and text friends during the procedure to distract me.
The procedure started with my doctor handling my testicles to locate the tubes he would cut. He tugged, squeezed and manipulated gently and made little marks with a surgical marker. I could feel all that, but other than having another person pulling on your balls that was the only weird sensation. Once he located the tubes he put one finger behind my testicle and wrapped his hand around the rest of it to lift and pinch the tube, that came with a little pressure. Once he had the tube in his hand he injected the anesthetic. The pinch was less than giving blood and about 10% of what you feel when you get bit by a mosquito. It burned slightly and a dull ache spread up the tube into my abdomen and faded just as quickly. Less than a minute later he started the procedure. I felt NOTHING. The other side went just as quickly. When he numbed the second side there was a bit more ache from the anesthetic that faded just as quickly though.
Through the procedure I found that my tension was creating more anxiety and sensitivity than the actual work being done. So when I found myself tensing up I would take a deep breath, relax and force myself to converse with the doctor. Once I relaxed I realized that I was feeling absolutely NOTHING and everything would be fine. My doctor was awesome, he told jokes, talked about real stuff, talked about his experiences doing vasectomies and together we made light of my fears which really helped me. During the procedure I was telling him things I read online and he would put them at ease. At one point I told him how one report said a guy felt nothing on one side and everything on the second side. He laughed and said, “that guy probably pissed off his doctor so the doctor used a placebo to numb the second side.” Though I doubt that was the case we had a good laugh. Shortly afterwards I thanked him for being so great, that I was really impressed with how good he was and to please do his best. He thanked me and continued his work. LOL Can’t hurt to ask for what you want when your balls are in someone else’s hands AND cut open, right?
Once he was done I got up and put on my jock strap. I was really amazed at how I felt NOTHING during the procedure. I had the no-scalpel procedure and one stitch on each side. I read hours of horror stories and success stories on the web and was convinced that I would at least have some moderate discomfort at times during the procedure. But nothing! As I got up my balls were still numb and it was even numb down my inner thigh a little. My doctor and I talked aftercare and then I walked out normally and drove home with my wife. Much to my surprise, in addition to all the usual instructions on laying low and avoiding strenuous activity my doctor said I could have sex any time I felt up to the task, even as soon as that night! I questioned him on that and his response was, “well you will have a hard time maneuvering comfortably but you certainly cannot hurt anything so it’s totally your call.”
The worst sensation after the procedure was having my testicles jammed up against my body by the jock strap. I have always hated the sensation of my balls being bunched up to my body and this was more forceful, it was uncomfortable but not painful. I went home, took a shower and iced my balls for 20 minutes at a time with a 40 minute break and took 500mg of extra strength Tylenol. I laid on the couch the rest of the night, switched to tight underwear and went to bed.
The day after I noticed definite feelings of being bruised deep inside where the testicles meet the shaft of the penis and the pubic bone. It was really sore so the ice helped a lot, as did the Tylenol. As the day wore on things felt better. My wife hung out with me on the couch all day and as I got aroused several times through the day we did end up having sex and it was gentle but great! I continued to ice that day and went to bed.
Day 2 I repeated the same procedure, shower, ice on and ice off. My wife and I did end up having sex again on day 2. A couple times actually. Not kidding. After I felt the bruising a little more on the right but ice on and ice off took care of that and by bedtime I felt relatively great.
Day 3 I woke up to mild irritation / bruising feelings on both sides but much less than day 1 and day 2. I showered, put on my jock strap, took my Tylenol and drove to work where I sit all day at a desk. I’ll be taking it easy, going home tonight and hitting the couch. I plan on ice every night this week and wearing the jock strap all week as well. Once I feel all better I’ll continue the routine for a couple days just to be safe and then slowly resume my normal lifestyle.
All in all so FAR my experience has been A+
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