Vasectomy Recovery With His Choice Health
Vasectomy recovery can be a breeze if you have the right kind of vasectomy procedure.
There are two types of vasectomy procedures:
- incisional vasectomy
- minimally invasive no-scalpel vasectomy
Incisional (scalpel) vasectomy is associated with more bleeding during the procedure and more pain during vasectomy recovery.
Minimally invasive no-scalpel vasectomy has been associated with less bleeding during the procedure and less pain during vasectomy recovery.
If you are trying to decide what the best vasectomy procedure is for you, then the choice is obvious.
You want a minimally invasive, no-scalpel vasectomy because of the lower procedural risks and an easier vasectomy recovery.
Better vasectomy technique: Better vasectomy recovery
The doctors of His Choice Health only provide minimally invasive, no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy.
No-needle anesthesia. The no-needle technique uses a hand-held air jet called a MadaJet.
This device uses slightly pressurized air to deliver the local anesthetic quickly and easily through the superficial layers of the scrotal skin and into the vas deferens. The anesthetic takes effect instantly. The no-needle technique provides faster anesthesia and is less traumatic than a needle inserted into the scrotum and around the vas deferens.
A quicker onset of anesthesia can translate into a less painful vasectomy and an easier vasectomy recovery.
Minimally invasive. This means only one opening is created in the center of the scrotum. The vasectomy can be completed on both sides through this single opening. In comparison, many providers create two openings (one on each side of the scrotum) to complete the procedure.
One opening means less skin trauma, which contributes to a smoother vasectomy recovery.
No-scalpel approach. A no-scalpel vasectomy uses a specialized instrument to create a small puncture in the scrotal skin. The opening is made by stretching the skin rather than cutting it. This technique takes advantage of the skin’s natural elasticity. In contrast, a scalpel vasectomy cuts the skin and may require sutures to close the incision.
Using the skin’s natural elasticity to reduce trauma and avoid sutures contributes significantly to an easier vasectomy recovery.
More information: His Choice Health vasectomy procedure
Vas deferens closure technique
The method used to close the vas deferens directly influences both the success of the procedure and the vasectomy recovery experience.
Most doctors close the vas deferens by tying sutures or placing titanium clips on a one-inch section and removing that portion. This is known as ligation and resection. This approach can cause more tissue trauma, increasing the risk of complications and leading to a more painful, prolonged vasectomy recovery.
The doctors of His Choice Health follow the technique recommended by the American Urological Association. The procedure includes:
Division of each vas deferens
Light intraluminal cautery of the upper portion
Fascial interposition of the two divided ends
Dividing the vas deferens and applying intraluminal cautery allows the upper end of the vas deferens to heal closed quickly. This decreases the chance of vasectomy failure.
Fascial interposition places healthy tissue between the two ends, typically using sutures or clips. This also decreases the chance of vasectomy failure because it is harder for the divided vas deferens ends to reonnect.
These techniques are less traumatic than removing large sections of the vas deferens and provide one of the lowest chances of vasectomy failure while supporting a smoother vasectomy recovery.
Open ended vasectomy technique
Additionally, the doctors at His Choice Health leave the lower end of the vas deferens open. This is referred to as an open-ended vasectomy technique.
Most vasectomy providers use ligation and resection, which closes the lower end. This can lead to pressure buildup in the epididymis immediately after the vasectomy procedure, causing more discomfort during vasectomy recovery.
With an open-ended vasectomy, technique the lower end remains open during healing and gradually closes over time. This allows the body to adapt and typically results in less pain during vasectomy recovery.
More information: Advantages of open ended vasectomy technique
It is important to emphasize that no part of a patient’s anatomy is surgically removed during a His Choice Health vasectomy.
All patients at His Choice Health leave the office with the same anatomical structures they had before the procedure.
All His Choice Health doctors specialize in minimally invasive, no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy. As a result, patients experience fewer complications and a better vasectomy recovery overall.
If you have a vasectomy with His Choice Health, your recovery will likely be easier than expected. We recommend resting for 24 hours and then gradually increasing activity.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication is sufficient for most patients. Frozen peas and ice are not required.
Vasectomy recovery with His Choice Health: What our patients report
Average pain rating during procedure 2.5
Scale of 0 (none) to 10 (severe)
Pain during His Choice Vasectomy
Pain the day after His Choice Vasectomy
Average pain rating the day after procedure 3.2
Scale of 0 (none) to 10 (severe)
Did patients require prescription pain medication after His Choice Vasectomy?
Pain one month after His Choice Vasectomy
Average pain rating one month after vasectomy: 1.3
Scale of 0 (none) to 10 (severe)
What are the biggest concerns during vasectomy recovery?
The two biggest concerns are:
- Scrotal swelling in the first 24 hours after vasectomy
- Pain after vasectomy
Scrotal swelling
Scrotal swelling is not normal after vasectomy. Scrotal swelling within the first 24 hours is concerning for a scrotal hematoma.
A scrotal hematoma occurs when there is internal scrotal bleeding within the first 24 hours of the vasectomy procedure. The blood will collect inside the scrotum and form a solid blood clot. The symptoms of a scrotal hematoma are enlargement of the scrotum and severe pain.
More information: Scrotal hematoma during vasectomy recovery
A scrotal hematoma is experienced in less than 1% of patients. In most cases, treatment is not required and the body will slowly dissolve the blood clot. The key word is “slowly”. The amount of time to resolution depends on how much bleeding occurred.
Hematomas may resolve within 2 weeks to 3 months after the vasectomy. If the swelling is extreme and pain is severe, then a second procedure to remove the blood clot may be required.
Patients are encouraged to limit their activity the first 24 hours after vasectomy to decrease the risk of developing a scrotal hematoma.
Pain after vasectomy
Severe pain after vasectomy is not normal.
More information: Pain after His Choice Vasectomy
Most vasectomy patients have mild to moderate pain that can easily be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen or naproxen).
Scrotal pain associated with scrotal swelling during the first 24 hours of the vasectomy is usually caused by a scrotal hematoma.
Scrotal pain without severe swelling during the first week after the vasectomy is usually due to poor patient tolerance of the procedure. Every patient’s experience and perception of pain is different.
Scrotal pain after the first several days can be due to normal healing, spermatic granuloma formation, or scrotal infection after vasectomy.
Do I need ice or frozen peas after vasectomy?
Frozen peas and ice packs are not required after a His Choice Vasectomy.
Our minimally invasive vasectomy technique minimizes tissue trauma. Our open ended vasectomy technique minimizes pressure in the epididymis during healing after vasectomy.
Less tissue damage and less pressure in the epididymis cause less pain and a smoother vasectomy recovery.
What are my activity restrictions after vasectomy?
We recommend you ‘take it easy’ for 48 hours after your vasectomy. This recommendation is to decrease the chance of developing a scrotal hematoma or causing yourself unnecessary pain.
‘Take it easy’ means don’t do any strenuous activity that requires bending or lifting the first 48 hours.
Essentially, we do not advise doing any activity strenuous enough to make you sweat.
After 48 hours you can increase your activity.
Listen to your body! Pain is your body’s way of telling you not to do something. If it hurts don’t do it…if you are not hurting then your activity level is okay.
When can I go back to work after vasectomy?
Most patients can return to work after 48 hours.
- Desk job. If you have a desk job you can go back to work the same day.
- Job with lots of standing and walking. Wait 24 hours.
- Manual labor job. We recommend waiting 48 hours.
Can I drink alcohol after my vasectomy?
Yes. You can drink alcohol any time after your vasectomy.
When can I have sex after vasectomy?
We recommend you wait at least 48 hours before resuming any type of sexual activity.
If you are not having discomfort after 48 hours then you can resume sexual activity.
If you are experiencing discomfort after 48 hours then we recommend waiting until you are more comfortable before resuming sexual activity.
Can I lift my child after vasectomy?
If you must do so… you can lift a child after vasectomy. Ideally, lifting a a small child under the age of 3 is acceptable.
When can I return to exercise?
We recommend waiting 72 hours before exercising.
Ideally ‘take it easy’ for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, you can return to your normal routine, but do not exercise.
Light exercise. After 72 hours you can do light exercise (light cardio and light weights) and see how you feel the day after. We recommend doing half your normal weight and half your reps and then evaluate how you are feeling the next day.
If you are not hurting then you can gradually increase your activity level.
Strenuous. If you perform strenuous exercise (lifting heavy weights, core strengthening, martial arts, etc then you may need a full week to return to exercising. If you sit on your scrotum during exercising (biking or rowing) then you may need a full week before you can return to these activities.
If you are hurting at anytime after your vasectomy then decrease your exercise level until your pain decreases.
When can I shower, take, a bath, use a sauna, or go swimming after vasectomy?
We recommend waiting 24 hours after your vasectomy procedure before taking a shower.
Wait five (5) days before immersing yourself in water. This includes taking a bath, swimming, or using a hot tub or sauna.
How long is vasectomy recovery?
Vasectomy recovery is gradual. Every patient recovers differently.
Most patients are back to their normal routine in 48 hours. Other patients may require a full week to return to normal activity levels.
A few patients may need longer.
In general, we advise patients to listen to their bodies. If they are experiencing discomfort then decrease their activity level untl they feel better.
Most patients are fully recovered from their vasectomy procedure in seven (7) days. Some patients will need longer.
Recovering from vasectomy does not have to be unpleasant
The physicians at His Choice Health are highly experienced in performing vasectomy procedures and utilize modern techniques supported by the latest clinical research.
When you choose His Choice Health for your vasectomy, you can expect a minimally invasive approach designed to reduce side effects, minimize complications, and maintain a very low risk of failure.
By following our post-procedure instructions, most patients experience a smooth and uncomplicated vasectomy recovery.
