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Please see Dr. Fallis for a pre-operative question and answer consult. You can be sent by your family doctor or you can self refer yourself for THE TALK.
I will give you information to read prior to THE TALK. You can take home the information handout after THE TALK so you and your partner can further discuss if a vasectomy is right for you. Please feel free to call us to ask us questions prior to the date of your surgery. If you are like me, many of the questions that I have pop into my head as soon as I walk out the door of the doctor's office.
I ask those men taking ASA, anti-inflammatories (such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Celebrex, Vioxx, Voltaren, Indocid, Arthrotec, Bextra, etc) to stop taking them 2-3 days before and for 2-3 days after the vasectomy so as not to cause more bleeding (Hence more pain!) Do not drink alcohol for 1-2 days before the vasectomy for the same reason.
The only thing that you really have to do is shave (the penis and scrotum) the night before and show up on time. I recommend using shaving cream and a disposable razor and have your partner do this. Don't do it yourself or you will bleed more from your shaving than you will from my vasectomy. I do not recommend Neet or any other depilatory as this leaves the scrotum itchy, red and swollen.
There is a $100.00 no show fee for those men that chicken out without good reason and without giving us at least 24 hours notification.
Make sure that you eat something before the surgery. You should not starve yourself.
When you arrive at the office you will be charged the facility fee. This covers the materials, titanium clips, the microcautery tool, the athletic support, all forms to remain off work (Disability, APS etc), any notes required for the employer, 24 hour on call follow-up phone, fax and email support, and this most excellent web site. We will give you an invoice statement for your extended health benefits submission if you wish.
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You remove your pants and underwear. Leave on one shirt and your socks. |
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I bring the penis out of the way with a "medical" elastic band. |
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I clean the scrotum with proviodine solution (this is a bit cold) |
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I drape you with surgical sheets exposing only the scrotum. |
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A local anaesthetic (freezing) is injected under the skin to freeze both the skin and vas.
THE FREEZING IS NOT INJECTED INTO THE TESTICLES. This is the worst part of the whole procedure. It takes about 10 seconds and feels like a mild burning after which there is NO PAIN. |
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Once the freezing takes we find the tubes under the skin and hold them in place with a small clamp. |
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A tiny puncture wound is then made with a special instrument. This instrument can then gently stretch the opening to allow for the tubes to be lifted out, cut, cauterized and have titanium clips applied. These clips are tiny and permanent. They do not go off in airport metal detectors. We do not use a laser. |
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The tubes are then released back into their native habitat (your scrotum) to live happily and non-productively for the rest of their days. |
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I apply antibiotic ointment and a small bandage over the puncture site. This is to remain for 24 hours and must be kept dry. There are no stitches, glue or anything else applied to the wound site. |
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You put on the athletic support that I give you. This you will wear for the next week. Some men wear it to bed at night as well. I ask that you always wear it when you are up. |
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You leave to go home with your ride (most men have someone drive them home and must do so if they take the preoperative sedative) to relax for the next 4 days. I do recommend moaning occasionally (even though it is unlikely to hurt much) simply to get someone to bring you drinks and snacks for the next few days. Don't tell your partner that it doesn't hurt at all even if it doesn't. Women who have given birth to 2 or 3 children want to know that the procedure although on the cutting edge (pun intended) of permanent sterilization, still hurts a little. |
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Rest at home for at least 4 days after surgery. Avoid all work or strenuous exercise. You may start to ease into normal activities after 4 days, letting pain be your guide. Should you be uncomfortable either during or after activity, this is a sign that you are doing too much, too soon. Reduce your activity until you are able to complete all activities without ANY discomfort. Do not lift anything more than 10 to 15 lbs for at least 3-4 days after the surgery. The problem with no scalpel vasectomies is that often there is not enough pain after the procedure. This allows some men the opportunity to do stupid things like chopping wood, riding a bike, going for a jog, breaking concrete, roofing their house, finishing their rumpus room or having jungle sex. Please do not do these things or you will get pain. If in doubt, don't do it! Take it easy and enjoy the pampering. It actually take about 2 to 3 weeks for the vasectomy to heal, however, in my experience it is these first 4 days that set the stage as to how well or poorly you will do after your no scalpel vasectomy. |
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Wear the athletic support/jock strap for at least one week after surgery. For those men who do heavy work or lots of sports, you will be more comfortable wearing the support for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Tight underwear is not an adequate replacement for an athletic support - trust me on this one. The athletic support does not require the cup, only the support. Use the one I give you. You may wear underwear over the athletic support for double support. Remember gravity is not your friend after a vasectomy. |
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For wound care, keep the bandage dry for 24 hours after surgery; at which time, you may take the bandage off and get into the shower, not bath, and gently clean the area with soap and water. Remember do not bathe, swim, hot tub, perform sports or have sex for one week after the surgery. Your 'boys' will thank you. |
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Although it is considered safe to have sex as soon as soon as it is comfortable for you, this is usually around 7 days after the operation. You may also notice some blood in the first few ejaculations following vasectomy. Remember, a vasectomy does not work immediately and you can still get your partner pregnant! Sperm normally clears after approximately 30-40 ejaculations or around three to four months after the surgery. You must use condoms or other forms of birth control until we prove that the vasectomy has worked. Do not just assume that you are safe. You are dangerous until every last sperm is gone so ... Get tested. We must do a sperm count to prove the vasectomy has worked. |
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You may have a little pain, bruising or swelling where the wound is. Watch to make sure it does not get worse. A small amount of pain, bruising or swelling that does not get worse is normal (you may feel like you have been kicked in the testicles). Use ice packs (or a bag of frozen peas) as needed to help with these symptoms (aching, swelling or bruising). Some men ice in anticipation of these concerns. That's okay; I won't take it personally if you do. Take Tylenol Extra strength or the medication provided for pain relief. Do not use Aspirin, ASA, Advil, Motrin or any other anti-inflammatory (they may cause bleeding). The vasectomy will not affect your ability to urinate (pee). Return to the clinic or call if you have fever within one week of surgery; if there is bleeding, pain, swelling or pus at the wound; or if the pain is severe or getting worse. If your partner ever misses a period and thinks she may be pregnant, this is important. This may mean the operation has failed and your partner may be pregnant. It is for this reason it is vitally important that all men who have a vasectomy confirm the success of the vasectomy with a sperm sample. |
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Confirming the success of the vasectomy is done with a sperm sample. Use the bottle provided in your vasectomy kit. You need to ejaculate once into the bottle by masturbation (do not attempt to fill the bottle, men have tried...and failed in this regard). Take this single ejaculation of semen and the lab requisition provided to your closest lab. The lab will let me know and my office will let you know about the results of this sample (whether positive or negative). Some men wish to have more than one sperm sample or to have it done yearly, this can be arranged through your family doctor. |
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Many men come back the following week for a follow-up appointment. This can be easily arranged. If you never want to see me again that is okay too as long as you remember to do your post-op sperm count 12 weeks after your surgery date. |
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Should you have any difficulties or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me through my email, fax or phone. If I am away on holidays my partners at the clinic will see and treat you with great care and compassion. |
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