Rick M’s experience: One month later

I had my vasectomy done on 18 December 2003 I thought I’d write a one month follow up. I had a “Chinese” vasectomy, where the urologist cuts two little slits, cuts the vas, cauterizes them, then seals it all up. The total procedure took 30 minutes or so. I went to Asheville Urology in Asheville, NC. Dr. Armstrong was my doc.

The vasectomy

The evening before I shaved myself. I shaved a lot, I think way too much. I was leery about having someone fondle my boys with a razor, which is why I did it myself. TIP: If you’re going to shave yourself all you really need to do is to shave the underside of the penis down onto your testicles a bit. If you’re on the hairy side you could get in there with a bread trimmer and trim everything down a bit.

I arrived and was quickly escorted to the room. The nurse came in (this guy is a riot) and we chatted while he prepped me. I was nervous as hell, this guy calmed me down (thanks, Will). He had a zillion jokes and stories to tell while he did the prep, it made it go so quickly. He left, then the doctor came in. We reviewed everything we had talked about in my initial visit, about the possible problems I could have, etc. He asked me if I wanted valium on top of the local. I said “Nah”, he reminded me it was free and that I’d remember/be aware of less. Ok, since it’s free, hook me up! The valium worked quickly.

The procedure went easily. If memory serves me correctly it took 30 minutes or so, if that. The only things I felt were the shots for the local (which didn’t hurt, they felt like little pinches) and the smell of the cauterizing stuff. I felt some tugging, but nothing that made me feel uncomfortable. The doctor and I talked the whole time. Dr. Armstrong is really sharp, knows his stuff.

Afterward, they walked me into his office, where my wife was waiting. They discussed my treatment (the Mrs is a critical care RN) and went over (again) any possible side effects I might have. He gave the Mrs a script for some Lorcet for me, then we left.

After the surgery

I got home and hit the couch. I packed myself with ice, then watched TV. I did as little as possible, trying to avoid the stairs so as not to strain myself. On Friday I was a little more mobile since it snowed and my daughter couldn’t go to school (I was usurped from the couch). I felt pretty good. Had some weepy bleeding from one of the incisions, I think I hit the scab when I was checking for anything odd. I had some soreness, Advil took care of that. At night I took the Lorcet, which put me out quickly.

4 days later the Mrs relieved me. My testicles hurt afterward, but the pain was very mild. She didn’t go near me for another few days. When I had pain in my testicles it felt like they were going to explode from lack of use… an odd feeling that went away after she did her magic. By this time I was back to work but was taking it easy and using ice at night.

A week later some soreness reappeared… I took the day off, did some Advil, and spent the day with ice on the couch. By nightfall I felt ok again, I think the soreness was from my boys telling me not to be so active.

I haven’t had any pain since then. We’ve had sex numerous times and I feel fine. Sometime in February, I’ll get a count done to see if I’m clear.

Some worries I had before my vasectomy

Testosterone – would I feel the same before and after?

The answer is YES. Originally my libido seemed to go south, it’s ok now.

Semen – what would change?

It’s much clearer now, I think the amount has increased a bit. The Mrs thinks I’m shooting farther and more, she said it’s easier to, er, swallow.

Vasectomy pain?

No pain during surgery. I was told I’d be sore for a few days, I was expecting 2 or so. I was ok with that, I can handle the pain (I’m married). The pain was more like a dull throbbing in my testicles. It would vary from side to side. If I was motionless on the couch I was ok. If I moved too much or tightened my abs deeply I felt it. The surgery was on a Thursday and by Sunday I felt decent.

Sunday was busy, my wife works a 12 hour day at the hospital. My daughter needed daddy that day, I was more mobile than I should have been. I guess that if I had not left the couch for Thursday and Friday I would have been less sore..a friend had this done and left the couch only to use the bathroom. By Sunday night my nuts were painful. Advil helped a lot, but the soreness annoyed me. It wasn’t constant, it was on and off – no matter what I did.

Monday I had to work, I made it 4 hours before I had to leave work. I went home, took some Advil, felt MUCH better. I napped for a while with ice. Went out to dinner with friends, no pain at all.

Tuesday I was sick… damn flu-like crud that was going around the office. I spent the day in bed with ice. Not as much aching.

Wednesday I was fine. Thursday was ok, some pain after I had to move a server around in my office. Ate some Advil felt better.

Friday on was ok. I had some dull throbbing after orgasm, I’m not sure if it was due to the vas or them being moved around.

Summary

Would I do it again? Yes. Would I use a urologist over a GP? Yes.

The vasectomy has been good for me. It saved the Mrs a trip under the knife (having our kid was a horror story). I was scared to death of the procedure originally, now that it’s over it was nothing. I had no side effects at all. I did do my homework beforehand, which involved talking to Dr. Armstrong in-depth and hitting the docs I work with up for info (they all said Armstrong was the man to do this). This website helped some also, thanks for that.

If you do get one done, please keep in contact with your doctor. Ask him what warrants a call to him and what doesn’t. When they say “rest for a couple of days”, DO SO. If you are too active you’ll feel it – I did. I had mine done on a Thursday so I could have 2 days of rest before the weekend hit. If they give you a prescription for pain pills, fill it if you can. You’re better off paying the $20.00 and having them at hand than needing to drive to the pharmacy later. Rent movies, something with no flesh in them so you can sit on the couch all day (Band of Brothers was perfect for this). I ate ok while on rest and drank a lot of clear liquids.

Count me as a happy customer.

Submitted by Rick