No-Scalpel Vasectomy
Dr. Boon performs no-scalpel vasectomy for his patients in Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, and Greater Houston.
Information about vasectomy
The most common procedure performed on men in the United States and Canada is a vasectomy. If your family planning is complete and you have decided that you do not wish to father any additional children, you might consider vasectomy as your preferred method of contraception.
Vasectomy is a long-term, low-cost choice of contraception. For all practical purposes, it should be considered a permanent form of sterilization that removes the risk and uncertainty of unintended pregnancy.
The vas deferens are the thin tubes in the scrotum that would normally carry sperm from the testicles to become part of the ejaculate. When this sperm channel is interrupted, the man becomes sterile and can no longer father a child.
We perform a no-scalpel vasectomy performed through a very small opening in the scrotum. This method is considered painless or nearly painless.
There are some simple things that you can do in advance of your appointment. First, do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication, such as Nuprin, Advil, or Motrin, for 7 days before the procedure as they may increase the risk of bleeding after the procedure. You should shower thoroughly before the procedure and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Bring a jockstrap with you to the vasectomy. You should also trim your pubic hair prior to having a vasectomy. The procedure will take only 15 minutes or so, but you should plan on being in the office for about an hour.
Dr. Boon recommends that you do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, do not swim, do not ride a bike or a horse, and do not have sex for 2 weeks after the procedure. Otherwise, it is ok to resume normal activity. The basic rule of thumb is that if it hurts don't do it.
An antiseptic solution will be applied to the scrotum and sterile drapes will be placed over you to guard against infection. After a local anesthetic is administered a small opening is made in the scrotum. Either the right or left vas deferens is lifted through this tiny opening. The vas is cut. You may feel a pulling sensation during this process as the two ends of the vas are heat-sealed and tied off. The opposite vas deferens is then lifted through another small opening and the procedure is repeated. The small openings in the scrotum can heal naturally without any sutures at all.
Discomfort following the procedure is usually mild and can be controlled with an ice pack placed over the scrotum. Your doctor may prescribe mild pain medication. You should wear a jockstrap after the procedure to help apply pressure against the procedure area and for support of the scrotum during the first week. It is normal to have a small amount of blood or spotting but contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, chills, increasing pain, drainage, which may be a sign of infection or an enlarging mass, which may suggest internal bleeding or infection.
Dr. Boon recommends no lifting over 10 pounds, no swimming, no sex, and no bike riding or horseback riding for 2 weeks after the procedure. After 2 weeks, the patient can generally go back to normal activity. The basic rule of thumb is that if it hurts, then don't do it.
It is important that you understand that you are not sterile right after the procedure as sperm is present above the area where the vas deferens are divided and ligated. Your semen will be examined at 3 months and at 6 months after your vasectomy to be absolutely certain that you do not have semen in your ejaculate. Therefore, you will need to continue to use contraception until it is confirmed that you are sterile.
The complications associated with a vasectomy include bleeding, infection, and others which Dr. Boon will review with you. These are not very common and if you follow your physician’s instructions you are not likely to experience these problems. The procedure is successful in 99% of men who have a vasectomy. If there is still sperm in the ejaculate after several months after the procedure, then you may need to have the procedure repeated. It is very unlikely to experience a failure after you have had your semen specimen examined and confirmation that there is no sperm present. Once you are considered sterile, no follow-up semen examinations are required.
A vasectomy renders a man sterile. It does not protect a man from sexually transmitted diseases. A vasectomy does not affect a man’s libido or sex drive nor does it contribute to erectile dysfunction or impotence, and the risk for prostate or testicular cancer is not increased after a vasectomy.
If you have any questions about the procedure please contact our office.
