Calvin’s experience: Childfree NSV two weeks later…

It’s been about 2 weeks since I went in for my NSV (no-scalpel vasectomy) and I thought I’d relate my story for anyone out there considering a vasectomy.

My wife and I had decided two years ago when we got married that, due to our ages (I was 31, she was 39), we would have to either start having children right away or not at all.

Afterward, children became less of an issue in our relationship and we made the decision that we didn’t want children. We have an 8-year-old nephew that we love dearly, and we joked that we would be the aunt and uncle that would travel the world and spoil him rotten.

Our decision was validated after my wife was diagnosed as having gone through early menopause. We then stopped using our regular method of birth control (condoms). After about a year, we found out that she had been misdiagnosed and hadn’t actually been in menopause, but rather was in another medical condition. There was now a small chance that she could get pregnant, but that doing so would result in major life-threatening illness as a result of pregnancy. When we realized this (and that we had been very lucky), we had to look at a more permanent solution.

We considered two options: my wife having her tubes tied and/or me having a vasectomy. My wife wanted us both to get “snipped”. Well, you know what we chose. I felt I would rather have something done to me that was a lot less invasive than anything she would have to go through.

I went in for a consultation with an M.D who specialized in NSV, and after he explained the procedure and I had read his information pamphlet, I booked the appointment for 1 month later.

I have to say that I really didn’t think much about it during the month leading up to the vasectomy. Not until the day when my wife helped me shave the area needed. I then became concerned. Not because I was going to make myself sterile, but that a sharp instrument was going to be ‘down there’.

My wife took the day off work and sat with me during the procedure. The doctor and his assistant began by sterilizing the area. Then they gave me the local anesthetic to the incision point and to each of the vas deferens. This was uncomfortable and a little painful. The freezing didn’t take effect fully so they gave me another shot to numb the area. Am I glad they did!

I found the surgery uncomfortable, but not unbearable. All told, it took about 20-25 minutes to perform. The doctor told me to go home, put my feet up, and take a painkiller if I needed it.

After I got home, the anesthetic started to wear off and I took a couple of painkillers with codeine. I was uncomfortable for about 24 hours but then the pain started to ease off. I took regular painkillers for the next 4 days and kept the bag of peas close by. I had taken the week off work so all I had to do was lie back and relax.

After a week, I decided it was time to ejaculate. When I did I was concerned that there was blood in the semen, but after I talked with the doctor, I was told this was normal. He told me that this could occur up to a month after the procedure.

Now, two weeks later, I’m still a little tender, but each day is better than the last. Again I was assured by my doctor that this would last about a month.

I have no regrets about having the procedure done. Although I’m sure I will feel strange when I’m told I’m sterile, this was a decision I made with my wife for our relationship and for her health. I’m just glad I have a loving and caring wife that I can talk to.

Submitted by Calvin