RoboG's experience - added 7th October 2004
My story
First I want to say how great it is to have THIS particular resource where folks who have been through the procedure(s) can talk about their experiences. Other than the zealous pro / con propaganda that is on the internet, this is real world comments from real world people. GLAD TO BE HERE to add to the mix!
I think that it's good to have all kinds of stories (good, bad and ugly). And I think having another "middle of the road" story like mine being the "norm". It's often said that groups often tend to have lots of comments that are "bipolar" either EXTREMELY good or EXTREMELY bad. That is why I'm glad I found this group - the most "real" group of folks!
My Story:
40 Year Old male, wife 39, 2 kids. We have been happily sexually active for years and plan on continuing it :-), but had to make the decision to make a "permanent" decision on birth control. We KNEW more kids were OUT and that a tubal for her was OUT of the question after seeing friends and family have problems with theirs. Vasectomy (after TONS of research, knowing the good, the bad, the ugly) seemed to be the best logical option.
Procedure:
September 28 (after researching several top urologists that had lots of experience in vasectomy) got my "traditional" procedure. Cut ... closed both ends w/suture and cauterization. Contrary to many that talk about NSV and Traditional having more pain etc., I found this traditional procedure to be just fine with very little discomfort. I had the "one incision" type and the procedure went thru without an incident.
The surgeon did note that the RIGHT "vas" put up "more of a fight" that the left :-), and he did have to take a little more time to carefully get to it (I believe this may have been due to scar tissue from an old "kick in the nuts" injury) but he said he does see this happen often. The left on the other hand :-) came out easy and didn't wanna go back in (go figure).
Post Op:
MAN, some guys say "i jumped off the table blah blah" - NOT ME! I have a decent pain tolerance but when it comes to my "nuts", I'm a big baby :-). I felt FINE, but I definitely had some discomfort in the form of the dull ache. That was taken care of by Vicodin. That discomfort was pretty pronounced for two days.
GUYS ... FOLLOW MY ADVICE ... DO NOT SKIP THE ICE! I was religious in my use of ice and MAN it helped a lot.
By day 3, in good shape but still had a bit of an ache. Mainly ... obviously ... in the RIGHT side. AND noticed some minor bruising. No biggie. Left side? Like NOTHING ever happened!
Over the next few days, pain went away BIG time, right side bruising was still there but not bad and NO REAL swelling at all ... but still had a lingering "ache" (low level "post kicked in the nuts" feel) at certain times - no problem when sitting down but when walking and getting out of the pickup truck you noticed it a bit. More "discomfort" rather than "pain".
Had the guts to do a little self exam on the "right side" and did notice that it "felt" like there was a little swelling at the op site of the epididymus NOT MAJOR but it was there as compared to the left, and to be honest, after doing that exam, I felt better. Aspirin worked fine too.
Day 6 - today - MUCH less ache in the right one. I figure that due to the "fight" the right Vas put up that there would be more "bruising" and "trauma" to the area etc ... still notice a MUCH lessened dull ache, but its much less in "sharpness" and just a "dull dull dull" feeling, not bad, just "its there". AND the little swelled up spot on the right side nut / (epididymus maybe?) was much less. Even feeling better and better throughout the day.
After reading a comment on the newsgroup, I took a trip to the local Wal-Mart (I'm from the USA in the Maryland area) and got myself a supporter. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Hee hee ... I must have looked a sight. Went into the mens room stall and just put the damned thing over my underwear to help things out.
Testing:
I had to make sure that "things worked" and with the help of the Mrs. we noted that things worked "just fine". Like nothing ever happened to the "boys". No pain other than the diminishing ache. (YES we used protection ... we all know that that is important until we are all "cleared").
Bottom line?
Even with the "unexpected" dull pain (that is going away) and the inconvenience of "down time" and dealing with stitches on your privates, I would highly recommend vasectomy for anyone considering it!
I almost WISH that the "side effects" given out in pre op and on websites WERE a bit more on the "realistic side". I mean, you hear the old "Oh three or four days and you are good as new", when from what I'm seeing and hearing personally it CAN be a week or two for successful / normal surgery!
Honestly, I'm RELIEVED (no pun intended) to see that YES, the two to three week swelling thing is not unusual. Some of these damned vasectomy sites would the hell out of you. Honestly ... almost daily the "dull ache" feelings are diminishing, the little "lump" on the top right of the testicle is going down almost hourly (when I feel an ache I check and you can feel that the "lump" is up again, but its ALWAYS getting smaller day by day) I am VERY lucky the bruising was NOTHING and I mean it was a TINY little patch near where the "frank met the beans" and its gone after a couple of days.
Seriously, I'll keep you posted (for the new guys out there) as to how things go like some of the other guys did too! AND ... be there to lend support!
October 31, 2004 Update:-
Been a while since I checked in but wanted to give an update of my recovery etc. after my Vas.
September 28 had a "traditional" single incision, cut / cauterized both ends procedure. Ok, it was an old school procedure but it's a pretty proven procedure. Right side was a bit tougher to work on, but procedure went just fine. Admittedly, the post op pain hurt like a "son of a gun" in the form of BIG TIME ACHE but again, it went away in a few days. No real swelling except my "right one" no real bruising etc.
Got advice from the board here about using a Jock (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU) the "tighty whiteys" just didn't hack it! Within about 3 weeks everything felt just fine. OK the occasional tingle or very VERY VERY dull ache on the right side but I've had that happen BEFORE the vas (I guess you do become a lot more aware of your nuts after the vas!)
MY ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE PROCEDURE? The DAMNED incision! Look, I've had moles removed and had stitches etc etc and I am a NOTORIOUSLY slow healer with incisions. And this thing was NO different.
My single incision was sutured with 3 maybe 4 (?) dissolvable stitches, and the incision looked great after the procedure. YES, I followed all the procedures to keep it dry, clean, using neosporin TO A T.
BUT ... it SEEMED like the stitches dissolved too fast in a week or so and the wound seemed to "stay open" a bit with a little bit of swelling ... you know how a cut heals. NO massive bleeding or infection at all, just a nasty looking slightly open wound at the base of my penis (talk about a WOODKILL). It did hurt a bit (obviously and had the occasional small dot of blood) and was tender. Talked to doctor and (as I already knew) it was not a big deal since it was not infected etc, but I just wanted to be sure.
But almost a MONTH to the day I did a little "check" again and the incision is now totally sealed and gone and you really can't see a thing (NO FUNNY JOKES PLEASE HEHE). And there is no irritation or pinching like there was during the healing.
NOW ... I just have to get the sample checked and get the all clear (I don't imagine its gonna be a problem HEHE) but things are working just fine!
December 7, 2004 Update:-
As promised to David and the crew, I'm finally able to report that took in my sample today and got the "all clear". To quote the nurse: "You're good
to go" (having a sense of humor helps). I asked back: You mean the
procedure was a success and I'm firing on NO cylinders? 
got the OK!
As stated before: Procedure on September 28, standard procedure with cauterization.
Problems: Very little really. Had more than moderate pain the first couple of days due to the right vas being "stuck" a bit an needed to be tugged a LOT to get the cut. Per this board, used a supporter more and it helped a LOT. BIGGEST COMPLAINT? The damned incision at the base of my penis (I had one incision where he did the deed to my vas'). They were dissolvable sutures but the damned incision took almost a MONTH to really heal fully which definitely put a damper on 'activities'.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? In a heartbeat! Look, we all know that every procedure is gonna have its pros / cons and potential problems - vasectomy is no exception. I just feel you need to be informed and armed with all the information so you do know what to expect. I think that this site is probably the BEST resource for ANYONE researching vasectomy. Real stories from real people and not some "fear mongering" site that scares you to death OR a site that tells you you never have to worry at all.
Final Analysis. Even with the "minor pains" and post op issues stated above, I would HIGHLY recommend the procedure to anyone. OF COURSE you have to examine your personal situation, your pain tolerance and all the other issues ... good and bad .... related to the procedure. This site is a TREMENDOUS TOOL for good, balanced information on Vasectomy! I look forward to helping and lending support to folks who are considering joining the "ranks of the snipped"
October 9, 2005 Update:-
My situation just after my vasectomy was pretty normal. Normal pain, swelling, and tenderness (I think mine was a little more lingering than most, but that is probably just me)
But ... here I just past 1 year later and ...
I AM HAVING NO BIG PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER! It's like nothing ever happened! Well, I have gained weight but I think that is due to my lack of activity in my work. HAHAH!
The only MINOR issue is an OCCASIONAL twinge in my right testicle now and then (this was the one that had the adhesion as mentioned in my previous posts). But ... I know I had these before the vas, but you do pay more attention to the "boys" after the procedure.
Typically, I get this twinge after long terms of sitting, driving, and DEFINITELY when I have been too busy to have sex. The remedy? I do take matters into my own hands a little more often for therapeutic reasons! heheeh
BOTTOM LINE after 1 year, things are GREAT. I would do it all over again. My sex life is great with my wife and it has brought back such GREAT FUN IN OUR SEX LIFE without worrying about having any more children.
So some of you guys that are a little timid about it I have to say to just GO FOR IT with an open mind. Keep doing good research, and make a fully informed and well educated decision. This newsgroup and website is a great resource!
All the best and THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for helping ME during my research and question phases!
Bob
PS ... Trifold, thank YOU for many of your great replies here on the boards, you have been very helpful to me in my questions and concerns.
PSS ... that ache and "little lump" as mentioned before? Less and less and less every day. Today was a great day. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE ON THE JOCK GUYS! Post op instructions said it was optional, MAN, I feel that it should have been required.
PSSS ... my "test drive" of the system went very well today. Honest to God? I was scared as hell to ejac figuring something would blow up or explode or something!
PSSSS ... guys considering a vas. Keep reading the board, see what is going on here, get all the details, and make an informed decision. I was scared as hell getting mine and am very glad that I have. I figured I would be one of those 1 in 1000 or 1 in 10,000 people with big problems.