A typical no-scalpel vasectomy procedure will be over in under an hour. After the operation, our doctor will likely prescribe you some pain medication.
This is to help take care of any bruising or pain you may experience after the procedure. After leaving the clinic, you will be required to go home and rest for the remainder of the day.
First 48 hours After the Procedure
During this period, it is normal to notice a small amount of bleeding from the scrotum area opened during the procedure.
For relief, simply place a band-aid on this area until the bleeding stops. Also, be sure to wear supportive underwear for at least seven days after the procedure.
Finally, don’t consume alcohol during the first 48 hours after the procedure.
The First Week
On the third day, no matter how great you feel, take two tablets of ibuprofen four times a day. This will help to reduce any risks of post-surgical inflammation.
Don’t engage in any sexual activity, or ejaculate during the first week. Once you resume sexual activity in the second week, you may notice the presence of light blood in your semen. This is perfectly normal and should not be cause for any alarm.
Also, avoid heavy lifting, extensive walking, climbing, jogging, or any rigorous sports until you are completely healed.
You may see some discoloration on the skin around the puncture area for a few days after the procedure. Again, this is normal and will gradually disappear.
It is also common for some men to experience tenderness and swelling on one or both sides of the scrotum.
This is usually the result of the excess inflammatory response of the body, and it is never any cause for alarm. With ibuprofen medication, the tenderness and swelling will normally disappear after a few days.
You may also feel a small lump on each side of your scrotum for a few weeks after the procedure. This is only a scar on the area that was cut. It will feel like a tender knot or a minor swelling. With time, it will become smaller and less tender, to a point where you will not even notice its existence.
Possible Complications
It is normal to experience some discomfort during the first few days after the procedure. If you get your procedure done in a reputable clinic like ours, then complications will be rare.
However, there are always risks such as:
- Trouble urinating
- Excessive pain that prescription medication can’t eliminate
- Swelling or oozing from the scrotum indicating a possible infection
Other complications may include:
Sperm Granuloma
This happens when there is a buildup of sperm leading to the formation of a lump in the testicles. If this happens, then all you need is appropriate NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and ease the discomfort.
Make an AppointmentDelayed Surgical Failure
After a vasectomy, there shouldn’t be live sperm in the sample semen. However, in very rare cases, the ends of the vas deferens that were cut may grow back together, providing a pathway for sperm into the semen.
As such, you may have viable sperm in semen after a vasectomy. This is known as a delayed surgical failure and it affects less than 1% of all men who receive the procedure.
Make an AppointmentEpididymitis
The epididymis is located right behind the testicles. It is a duct that makes it possible for sperm to flow into the vas deferens.
After getting a vasectomy, sperm will still be able to flow into the epididymis and into the vas deferens. Since the vas deferens have been cut and tied, however, the sperm may back up into the epididymis, causing it to inflame – a condition known as epididymitis. Again, this is a rare occurrence that affects less than 3% of the men that get a vasectomy.
Make an AppointmentVasovenous Fistula
This condition occurs when an opening is created between the vas deferens and small blood vessels as a result of inflammation.
The main symptoms of this condition are a pain in the scrotum and the presence of blood in the urine. To correct the condition, surgery is necessary.
Make an AppointmentContact Us
Recovery after the vasectomy procedure is never complicated at all. On some occasions, there may be complications, but none that we can’t handle.
Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any post-op questions or concerns. It will be our pleasure to provide you with answers to any questions and concerns that you may have.
Call us today for additional information on vasectomy recovery.