POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: VASECTOMY

Go home, relax and rest for the remainder of the day. Remember that some recover more quickly than others.

Important: Continue using other forms of birth control until you receive confirmation from us that your semen sample is sperm-free.
Assume you are fertile until we tell you otherwise.

What to Expect Immediately After Your Procedure:

  • Discomfort: You may feel some discomfort in the testicles or lower abdomen. This is normal.
  • Wound: You will have a small wound on the scrotum where the procedure was performed.
  • Swelling & Drainage: Mild swelling of the scrotum is normal. A small amount of fluid drainage from the puncture site(s) may continue for several days. You can apply a gauze pad if needed.
  • Knot: You may feel a marble-sized knot above the testicle. One side may heal faster than the other. This is common.
  • Discoloration: It is normal to have some discoloration of the skin around the puncture site. Some men will develop considerable discoloration of the scrotum about 4 days after the vasectomy. Blood from the deep vasectomy site comes to the surface as a purplish-blue mark, gets darker and spreads out like an oil slick, then gradually dissipates.
  • Stitches: If you have a stitch in the skin, Dr Deery will organise to have it removed in the week after the surgery.

Pain Management:

Medication:

  • Take Paracetamol (e.g.Panadol) 2x500mg every 6-8 hours (maximum 4000mg daily).
  • Take Ibuprofen (e.g., Nurofen) 600mg every 6 hours (take with food).
  • These medications work in different ways to treat pain.

Continue taking this until the tenderness subsides, but not more than seven days in total

Support: Wear supportive underwear (athletic supporter, compression shorts, or two pairs of regular underwear) for the next 72 hours. After showering, replace it. For the next 7 days, wear 2 pairs of supportive underwear when engaging in sports.

Wound Care & Hygiene:

  • Dressings: We will apply a waterproof dressing over your operation site. This may be removed after your shower the next day. If your dressing falls off in the first 24 hours, simply place a bandaid over the wound for a couple of days.
  • Showering: You may shower daily the next morning. Avoid baths and hot tubs until the wound has healed.

Activity Restrictions:

  • Day of Procedure: Rest and minimize activity. Plan to spend a quiet evening at home, reclining in bed or a lounge chair.
  • First 2 Days: Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, yard work, or swimming. Walking and driving are generally fine.
  • First Week (7 Days): Avoid jogging, gym workouts, lifting that involves straining.

Sexual Activity:

  • Wait 7 Days: You may resume sexual activity (including gentle masturbation) 7 days after the procedure, if comfortable.
  • Blood in Semen: It is common to have some blood in the semen for the first few ejaculations. This may occur every month after vasectomy and is typically no cause for concern.

Contraception: You MUST use other forms of birth control until you have provided a semen sample and received confirmation from us that it is sperm-free.

Follow-Up & Semen Analysis:

  • Semen Analysis: You MUST complete a post-vasectomy semen analysis. This is typically done at 3 months and after at least 20 ejaculations after your procedure.

Results are Important: Assume you are still fertile until we tell you otherwise.

Potential Complications & When to Call:

Normal: Black/blue discoloration around the scrotum or penis is normal and will resolve in a couple of weeks.

Possible Issue: Some men (about one in 20) will develop swelling and discomfort on one or both sides, starting anytime from 3 days to 3 months following vasectomy. This usually represents an exaggerated form of the normal inflammatory response necessary for sperm absorption and recycling. It is best managed with a 3-5 day course of regular Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Take it until the tenderness subsides.

Call the Clinic IMMEDIATELY if you experience:

  • Unusual or severe pain that is not relieved by pain medication.
  • Lots of bleeding or drainage.
  • Lots of swelling or redness.
  • Foul odor.
  • Fever over 101.5° Fahrenheit (38.6° Celsius).

Contact Information:

Dr Deery's mobile number is on the post-op form with your pack.

Important Reminders:

Failure to follow these instructions increases your chances of a post-operative complication such as scrotal hematoma or infection.

We do not require a follow-up visit unless you have undue discomfort or any concerns. Please do not hesitate to call us.