Bernie's experience -
added 11th October 2000
Straightforward vasectomy - but not a
straightforward decision
My story begins about three years ago. It was the first time I had seriously thought about a vasectomy. Birth control had always been my sole responsibility (I'm 38), and now that our children were older and we did not plan on any more, I though my wife would be very supportive. I was wrong. She was dead set against it for many reasons, none of which I agreed with. We compromised by me deciding to wait a couple of years. After three years, she was still not 100% supportive, but she conceded to my extremely strong wishes.
At my annual physical I mentioned to my GP that I wanted a vasectomy. She told me that she would get me a referral before I left the office. In my way out, the receptionist asked if I wanted a consult with the Urologist or if I simply wanted to book the procedure. Since I had been contemplating and researching this for three years and really had no specific questions, I decided to go ahead and book the procedure. I was aware that there are variations on technique (e.g. traditional vs. NSV, open-ended, etc.) but figured that an experienced Urologist would be comfortable with their preferences and that would be acceptable to me.
My appointment was for 9:30 am, four weeks hence, at the hospital day surgery unit. I was told to arrive by 9:00 am. No preparation was required. I didn't have a lot of time to think about it as I was busy at work for the next four weeks, but the days before I was extremely nervous. Would it be painful during the operation, painful afterwards, etc.
I showed up at 9:00 am on the scheduled day, at which time they took my insurance information and some other general information. I was told to go down the hall and hand the forms to a nurse I would find there. I did that and she showed me to a change room, told me to undress from the waist down and put on the supplied hospital gown and meet here back where I found here. By 9:15 am (15 minutes before my scheduled time) I was laying down on a table and meeting the doctor for the first time.
As he was introducing himself, the nurse shaved me and the doctor started. He told me when to expect a little pain (he was apologetic beforehand) as he was freezing the area. In fact, it didn't hurt at all. He talked through the entire procedure, with me feeling no pain , just some gentle tugging. Fifteen minutes later he said he was done.
They wanted me to lie there for a few minutes until I felt okay. I said I was find and the nurse helped me sit up, put on my underwear, and then she gave me an orange juice and a sheet of post-op instructions. They asked me to sit outside the OR for a few minutes. While there, the doctor appeared and we talked. I told him how good I felt and we joked for a couple of minutes, telling me he did about 500 procedures a year.
After five minutes I got dressed, left the hospital, and drove myself home. I spent most of the rest of the day just sitting around. I was not in any pain or discomfort. I did have a headache later in the day and took a couple of Tylenol, so I don't know if that may have masked some pain. I felt so good, though, that I drove car pool that evening.
Day 2 I was in a bit of discomfort. No real pain. I was a little bruised and just spent the day laying around. By day 3 I was pretty much back to normal. It is now day 6 and although there is still some bruising, I feel fine. I have to go back in 2 months for the all clear.
Bernie