A vasectomy is a minimally invasive, elective, birth control procedure that makes a man sterile. Because this process is 100% effective and permanent, you need to be certain that you do not want to ever impregnate your partner. To ensure that a vasectomy is not a spur of the moment decision, your Glendora General Surgeon may recommend that you wait a few weeks for a final determination. If you are married, it is also recommended that you discuss your choice with your spouse.
On the day of your vasectomy, you’ll be asked to shave the hair around the scrotum and to bring snug fitting, cotton briefs to wear home. To avoid any risk of bleeding after the procedure, your surgeon may advise you not to take certain prescribed medications on the day of the procedure. You’ll remain in recovery for an hour or two before being able to leave. You’ll need to have someone with you who can drive you home.
Vasectomy Techniques
Before the vasectomy is performed, a local anesthetic is injected into the scrotum to ensure that you do not have any pain. You will be awake during the process. After the scrotum area is numb:
Incision Vasectomy: Your surgeon will make a small incision on each side of the scrotum. One at a time, each sperm tube is brought to the skin’s surface and cut with surgical instruments. One, or both, tubes will be clamped close, cauterized, or sewn closed. The tubes will be replaced, and the incision will be closed with stitches.
No-Incision Vasectomy: Your surgeon will use a special surgical instrument to puncture the procedure area. Through this small opening, both sperm tubes will be cauterized, tied closed, or blocked off. Because there are no incisions, no stitches are required.
Post Vasectomy Care
Before you go home, you’ll be instructed on how to care for the procedure area, and you’ll be given a list of possible side effects that can occur. Recovery time is relatively short, requiring one or two days of rest. Your surgeon will inform you on how long you’ll need to use another method of contraception before all of the active sperm currently in your seminal fluid is gone. Your semen can be tested after 20 ejaculations to see if it is sperm-free. If there are any traces of sperm, the semen can be tested again after another few weeks.
