John G's experience - added 15th February 2003, updated 14th July 2003
A granuloma, but no regrets
I had my vasectomy about 3 wks ago. It took awhile to reach the final decision to go and get snipped. Both me and my wife would have loved to have had another child (we have 1). But due health reasons it was too risky for my wife to carry another child. So we accepted the fact that we would not have anymore children. So the best thing for us to do was to have a vasectomy, it is permanent and no chance of pregnancy.
My consult to the surgeon went fine but was a little disappointing. He wanted to give a general anesthetic - he told me that it was difficult for him to get at my vas and the other advantage of a general it would reduce bleeding.
The vasectomy went great but was uncomfortable for few days. Had it done on Friday (Friday's special lol), but come Monday noticed my right testicle was swollen and there was a lump fairly big on the right vas where he snipped me. Contacted my surgeon he told me it would be OK and prescribed some dilaudid for pain. It worked great, I slept for 2 days. Saw him again 1 wk later still swollen but lump (granuloma not sure of spelling) was subsiding. I will be glad when lump is gone and tenderness is gone from testicles. Now waiting to get clear. Really looking forward to dropping my sample of to the lab for my count. Probably will be about 20 shades of red when I drop of the sample but who cares. Once I am clear no little swimmers I am home free. NO MORE CONDOMS!!! Both me and my wife are waiting for the all clear.
I have no regrets about having vasectomy, I realize that a vasectomy is not for everyone but if you are sure that you do not want to have any/more children it is way to go it is simple and easy. This site is great, the stories are great and enjoy the chatline. Wish I had found the site before getting snipped.
14th July 2003 update
I had my vasectomy back in January almost 6 months ago. No major problems, got an all clear in March. Enjoyed the freedom for a few months, then my wife had a hysterectomy in May. Anyway we are both very sterile (LOL). No regrets about the decision to have the vas. We are enjoying each other with no possibility of pregnancy.
John