Question regarding post vasectomy recovery, scrotal swelling and testicular discomfort
Apr 27th 2007adminMiscellaneous symptoms after vasectomy & Post vasectomy swelling and bruising
No scalpel – No needle, single midline puncture, open-ended, fascial interposition, vasectomy performed 5 weeks ago. Left side went smoothly although with some dull pain discomfort as the vas was clamped and presented. Once the pressure clamp was release there pain subsided. Right side on the other hand almost made me pass out as the vas was clamped. Both the surgeon and assistant were up at the head end to ask if everything was ok. – It sure didn’t feel ok. Although not sharp pain, still VERY strong dull pain. Had a hard time keeping my eyes straight. Surgeon eased off on the pressure with some relief, quickly administered additional local anesthetic and finished off his business with no further incidences. Recovery without any bruising and only very little bleeding (few drops for a couple of days). Followed through with anti-inflammatory treatment (athletic support, icepack on and off and 6x 400mg Ibuprofen/Advil daily for a week).
Scrotum feels “looser” than before – both testicles generally hang lower and seem to be getting more in the way when (foolishly!) trying to cross legs or roll over in bed. Left testicle appears the lowest in place towards the back and is without discomfort, relatively. The right one however seems slightly inflamed with general feeling of dull discomfort (not directly pain) and tends to climb up towards the penis where the scrotum has gained some excessive flaps – almost like a little pocket. I guess this is due to a general inflamation of the scrotum. Right testicle also had one episode of what felt like a twisted testicle – painful / very tender for an afternoon (5-7 days post-op). Warm bath helped on that one.
General soreness on the right side together with some discomfort along both groins extending sort of down under and in behind the bladder is starting to be a nuisance both day and night.
Ok – this is starting to sound like I’m a whiner. I usually deal with pain without medication (haven’t taken any painkillers for years if not more than a decade), but this here is not the usual recover-in-a-week kind of thing. It’s more or less like a constant dull discomfort reminding you every fifteen minutes that something is different.
The good news is that sexual activity and general ejaculation seems to alleviated the pain, however more intense stimulation is require to reach climax now and the erection does not hold for as long as it used to, but as you and many others have described that should be unrelated to the vasectomy (?).
Should it be expected to have a continues inflammatory response 3-5 weeks post-op as the granulomas form and the system responds to the remaining ducts plugging up ?
Is it possible there was some nerve damage during the clamping of the right vas ? If so – what implications would that have and is a spontaneous recovery expected ?
Appreciate your column here. Definitely one of the more sincere and valuable ones on the net.
Pain in the scrotum after a vasectomy can present in various ways. Persistent pain for 5-8 weeks is uncommon. A trial of conservative methods should always be the first line of therapy. Usually, a one week course of anti-inflammatory medication is inadequate treatment. Patients benefit more from a prolonged course of 4-6 weeks of daily therapy. Sometimes, the longer acting, once daily, anti-inflammatory medications are better suited in these situations.
Sperm granulomas do not universally form in every individual after a vasectomy. It is more commonly seen in patients who undergo an open-ended vasectomy. In these cases the testicular end of the vas deferens is left open and allows sperm to drain from the epididymis. If an open-ended vasectomy is done, this usually is protective against back pressure on the epididymis and scrotal pain. The sperm granulomas themselves are rarely the cause of scrotal discomfort, but can be felt as a small lump in the scrotum adjacent to the vasectomy site. Sperm granulomas can cause some discomfort or become noticeable only if they become very big and begin to impinge on adjacent structures.
Relief of scrotal discomfort after sexual intercourse would suggest that the pain is not coming from the testicle or epididymis, but perhaps further downstream from the prostate or seminal vesicles. Problems in these structures can cause radiating pain to the groin or scrotum that can oftentimes be confused for scrotal pain. It is important to remember that once you have had a vasectomy it does not mean that you are immune from developing other problems such as prostatitis or pelvic pain which are fairly common conditions in men.
Nerve damage during the vasectomy is always a possibility. However, damaging the nerves that innervate the testicle or epididymis usually results in paresthesias (lack of sensation) in the end organ. Nerves carry the signals for sensation to the brain and any interruption in this network only interrupts transmission of these sensations. In fact, spermatic cord denervation is a surgical treatment for patients with chronic post vasectomy pain syndrome. One of the diagnostic tests for post vasectomy pain is a spermatic cord anesthetic (block) to insure that the pain is truly originating from the testicle/epididymis. If this is the case, and conservative treatment options have been exhausted, then one should consider some type of surgical treatment option. A response to an earlier question on post vasectomy pain disusses the surgical treatment options.
Uncommonly, some men will notice that their testicles hang a little lower after a vasectomy. However, the structures of the spermatic cord (testicular blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and vas deferens) are not necessarily supportive structures for the testes. Additionally, cremasteric muscle fibers surrounding the spermatic cord can contract changing the location of the testicle in the scrotum. Any man can appreciate this contraction of the cremasteric muscle by lightly scratching the inside of the thigh. This will cause a cremasteric reflex. The scrotum itself provides support for the testicles. The scrotum plays an important role in temperature regulation of the testes. It adjusts to the ambient temperature by contracting and relaxing. This can make the testicles appear that they are higher or lower in the scrotum.
kevin on 18 Jul 2007 at 12:19 pm #
i am 21 year old i got little swelling on right testicle it has started dramatically i noticed my bike shock absorber has failed might be due to that i am suffering what should be done
steve on 29 Oct 2007 at 4:51 pm #
Thank you for the information
http://www.vasectomy-information.com/wordpress/?p=38
regarding vasectomy and Sperm granulomas
I had the vasectomy done and wondered what the slight swelling was that kept coming back weeks after the vasectomy, thank you for explaining that!
Luke on 05 Nov 2007 at 11:33 am #
Had a Vasectomy three days ago, right nut beginning to swell now and tender from nut to upper groin.
Left nut ok at this time, feel the need to give it a run but may have to wait until swelling subsids…. very tender.
Jimmy on 20 Dec 2007 at 4:24 am #
Had the proceedure done 4 days ago, woke up this morning and both testicles are swollen. Never had any pain or swelling until today. The pain reminds me of the aftermath of getting kicked in the groin. How long until swelling goes down???
James on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:39 am #
7 days and I’m still uncomfortable. Pain level is about 2/10 (i.e., not much) but for some reason discomfort is about 5/10 continuously. 7/10 when I relax and go to bed.
Hopefully it’ll be better soon
James on 13 Jan 2008 at 4:58 am #
Just if you’re wondering… things got better after about 2 1/2 weeks. It was just a slow recovery. Back to martial arts training, etc.
Bryan on 26 Feb 2008 at 9:58 pm #
Had no scalpel method done 4 days ago. The first 2 days there was no pain at all, no bruising or anything. Now 4th day in I am experiencing a “strain” on the left side of where scrotum, penis, and leg meet. It feels kind of like something is tugging as I walk. Testes dont seem to be swollen to badly, slight darkening from bruising around entry site for procedure. Just wondering if this is normal?
Robert on 28 Feb 2008 at 11:56 pm #
Had my no scalpel surgery done five weeks ago. The day of the surgery, it was tender and sensitive to movement and pressure, but not excessively so. The second, and then the third day this uncomfortable feeling passed. The fourth day, I had a tremendous pain in my right side, very similar to the pain associated to the procedure when the Dr was “relocating the Vas.” For whatever reason, he had to do some pretty hefty pulling and twisting to get the Vas into position. Afterwards, the pressure continued throughout the procedure. The Dr proceeded as if this was entirely normal. Ever since the fourth day, I’ve been wearing an athletic supporter, and I must wear the actual cup, as the pressure from the elastic is too intense. This is my fifth week, and the situation is largely unchanged, with moments of relief, and other moments of pretty intense pain. The first four weeks I haven’t been able to walk, even for work. This has been a disaster. At the end of my fifth week I can return to work, but only with the cup being worn, and still with pain and discomfort. My Dr. doesn’t have a lot to offer or suggest, just prescribed antibiotics and ibuprofen, but after 2 weeks of treatment, neither has had an impact.
Bryan on 03 Mar 2008 at 4:46 pm #
Well, it seems like the doctor is maybe on vacation on this site and it is moslty a forum strucutre as oppposed to professional advice. The one nice thing about forums is that you hear storeies from people and thier experiences and you dont feel so alone knowing other guys are going throught the same stuff, however you also hear the worst stories as well. I always say “careful what you go looking for, you might find it”. Obviously there is a level of common sense that is involved with surgery, whether it be minor or major. If thier is blood and pus oozing out of the wound, see a doctor, if you cant walk and are in excrucitaing pain, see a doctor. For the most part I see alot of us posting comments about our pain levels and a little advice from the professionals. I dont see alot of return comments from people that initally posted thier symptoms which would suggest to me that they are healed or things got alot worse, but…..I am leaning towards things got better. Even though a Vasectomy is minor in comaprison to what a women would go through with a tubal igation, the fact is, we still had a needle shoved in our balls and our tube cut. Regardless of the time it took, it is still surgery. I guess some guys are healing faster than others and some not so much. I posted a comment about a pain in my left nut…..dull, achey, anoying and it is usually only when I stand up and walk. Some days are better, some worse. I am continuing anti-inflammatories and tylenol. Its onyl been over a week, so I cant complain too much, but I would like to move on and not worry that I have some sort of permanent injury. FYI, my doc was the highest reputable in the city and has done over 1000 procedures.
admin on 04 Mar 2008 at 5:08 pm #
Dr. Karpman is on holiday as stated in the top of the sidebar. As webmaster I don’t mind people posting using the comments facility as a forum, even if this section of the site is not actually a forum. However, it should be noted that Dr. Karpman does not read the comments pages, and therefore does not comment on them directly.
As webmaster, I look at the comments occasionally and if any questions are posted in comments I’ll forward them to Dr. Karpman. However, I don’t check the comments that regularly and some are missed. If a poster wants to have a question answered, then please use the “Submit a question” link at the top of the page.
Hope this helps.
chris on 24 Mar 2008 at 3:14 pm #
It has been about 3 years since I have had the vas-clamp proceedure…Every thing is and was good, but my testicle seems to be getting larger like an egg, a bit hard, no pain or anything uncomfortable, just bigger, works fine….
I did have it checked out about 6 months ago, and the Dr. says its sperm build-up. it was just a smaller cluster back then…
Should I worry?
konaka on 07 May 2008 at 3:31 am #
my nuts hurt.
i told people at work that i hurt my knee when they ask me why i am walking funny.
LOL.
UUUGGHHH this sucks
Shane on 08 Jun 2008 at 7:33 am #
I had my vas done approx. 2.5 yrs. ago. I have had the “pain”,everyone seems to be talking about, nonstop. My pain actually increases @/during discharge. The Doc has written me off as a wuss. I have never been a wuss. I’m famous for setting my own breaks and giving myself stiches. It’s to the point now where I’ve just decided that the limp looks “cool” and I suppose I dont really need to lift anything heavy or take a full stride. Yet I’m interested in any repair/relief if any is found.
Drik on 17 Jun 2008 at 8:04 pm #
I had my vas done 4 days ao. no problems for the first 1-2 days, but i played it up acting like it hurt like hell so my wife would cater to my needs while I sat in my recliner watching TV.
Around the third day I am gettting a constant pain that feels like the after effect of geeting kicked in the balls. I’m also feeling a pulling sensation down my leg and up to my stomach when I stand up. I also have some bruising near the incision of my left nutt. I also have to walk like an old man since my balls feel a little swollen, They are very tender to touch.
Not to mention that since I had to shave my balls for the procedure, the stuble on my balls is rubbing my leg.
I hope this gets better real soon. I guess it could be worse like giving child birth, even though I wouldn’t admit that to my wife. (I’m wanting her to think this is just as bad as child birth)
A quick funny story. I was icing my balls after the procedure with a bag of frozen peas as the doctor suggested. My five year old daughter saw me pull the bag of peas from shorts while I was sitting in my recliner and my daughter looked at me with a concerned look and asked if we had to eat peas. I told her no, but I gues if she had not asked I probably would have put them back in the freezer.
Andy on 30 Jun 2008 at 7:45 am #
intense pain is finally gone 2 weeks after procedure although i still get a dull pain about twice a day lasting about 15 min to an hour. my main concern is ever since the operation my left thigh on the front right above knee feels numb sometimes. i am hoping that now that i can finally sleep on my side the numb feeling will go away. my back hurts from sleeping on it maybe i have a back problem and just made it worse sleeping in a way that i dont find comfortable and wound up pinching a nerve. oh well the pain is gone looks like i got sorta lucky. ever notice nobody googles “nerve damage after vasectomy” before they have a problem. wish i found the site sooner
Jason on 31 Jul 2008 at 7:50 pm #
Had my Vasectomy done a week ago today. First day very slight discomfort and slept fine. Second day not much pain but some dark bruising appeared at each side of the penis shaft where it connects to the scrotum. Was told to wear supportive underwear for one week. Day three and bruising has gone mad. Almost all of my scroyum is purple and each testicle seems swollen. The entry wound is slightly sore. Have rested well and not lifted, it seems to have helped. Day four and my testicles seem to have gotten more bruised and feel like there is a tugging sensation as I walk. Have to sleep with a pillow between my legs – this really helps at night. Day five and the pain has subsided and my swelling has gone down some. Some of the bruising has dissapated, but still very difficult to get in and out of car and bend down. Day six and pain is very less. Bruising had faded evenmore with only purpleness below the balls and next to the joint between the penis and the scrotum. Still wearing the supportive underwear, although last night I slept naked. The lack of support last night hasn’t helped. A slight tugging sensation this morning but no pain. One week on and pain is nothing apart from when a ball gets lodged upwards. I’ve noticed that the severed Vas on the left side seems swollen with a large lump inside the scotum. Also there is a smaller lump on the right side. Does anybody no if these lumps are normal? Will these lumps go down over time. I had the no scalpel surgery. My only thought is that these lumps are Sperm granulomas.
Nick on 05 Aug 2008 at 2:31 am #
I had my vasectomy on Thurs. July 31. It’s Monday night and I can describe what I feel as follows: no problems at all at the incision sites, dull pain and tenderness in my groin on both sides and the back of the tetsticles where they connect to the body. Also, dull pain in the pubic bone area at the base of my penis. It hurts when I walk and/or move around a lot.
I’m assuming that it is an after effect from the anesthetic needles. When the Dr. shot me with the needles I felt a pain shoot up to my groin (both times). I think of when I had dental work and got a novacaine shot in the cheek area. Once the novacaine wore off my jaw hurt for a few days.
If it wasn’t for the groin pain, I’d be totally fine. None of my friends that have had a vasectomy experienced this, and I’m getting a little tired of hearing how they were “totally fine in 3 days” painting their house, blah blah, blah. I think a lot of guys are full of shit and are too insecure to admit that they were hurting. Everyone is a little different anatomically and therefore will have different experiences. I talked to a guy today who had bad pain and swelling in his balls for a month before it went away. He said he’s totally fine now.
Anyway, I’d be interested to know if anyone else had or has this groin issue.
bruce on 16 Sep 2008 at 11:08 pm #
@ jason – did your swelling go down on your left side? i too am experiencing the swelling, lump and soreness on my left vas deferens. it’s only been 5 days since my surgery, however. i have a feeling this is normal.
Mike on 23 Oct 2008 at 4:07 pm #
Thank God I’m not the only one experiencing what would seem to be the same symptoms as many guys posting here. It is the 7th day after surgery and I have a sore and swollen band down the left side of the left teste. In addition, I have a shooting pain with a feeling of heat and numbness in my left leg from the knee down to the foot.
I too am hoping that this is normal and praying that the pain goes away soon as it is getting difficult to sleep and sit at my desk to work with constant adjustments for comfort.
Pete Dobson on 02 Nov 2008 at 1:04 pm #
Had no scapel vasectomy yesterday (1st Nov) and today have some minor discomfort – a dull ache – high up in my left groin ara very akin to someone having kneed me there. Apart from a little overnight bleeding the wound itself looks fine – though there is a small amount of swelling about the size of a 50p coin and what appears to be some bruising. Certainly it looks a tad darker (purple/blue) in the area of swelling.
Interesting to see that most blogs suggerst applying an ice pack (aka frozen peas) to the wound area. Personally, all I want to do is apply gentle heat to where the actual discomfort is which seems to work and take some over the counter anti-inflammatories/pain relief.
The only other odd sensation is the slight “needing to pee” sensation I have when I walk araound. That, and walking like John Wayne.
Perhaps pain wise I’ve been lucky?
Terry Johnson on 03 Nov 2008 at 10:58 pm #
Hi
I have the scalpel version (and tying of the ends two weeks ago)… normal aches and pains first but my left hand side (what seems above the testicle) is very sore to the touch (It seems to feel where its connected).. It was like this for a few days but then went away.. now its come back…
It also seems as if the left hand side is higher up than the right (which seems to be hanging low and is no pain at all.. almost like it was before).. i didnt have any pain before the op… just the usual 2 kids and wanted no more…
The wound sites are still a bit tender but i can tell the sutures are dissolving….
I am just a bit worried about the pain in the left hand side.. any one else have this? if so how long does it last?
Thanka
john abraham on 11 Nov 2008 at 3:03 pm #
its been one week that i have pain in the right side of my penis, i feel its on the top of the penis (head of the penis) i m very worried, could u please tell me what it is?
R J Lee on 26 Nov 2008 at 10:07 pm #
Had mine a week ago. Glad to see others have longer than 3 days recovery also. I have the continuing pain up into the groin area with bruising also.
Has anyone else had trouble with incontinence since this proceedure? It seems I don’t completely empty and encounter sporatic leakage for a while after urinating.
This is certainly not as easy as people make it sound. My wife recovered from her C-section faster.
Marc on 05 Dec 2008 at 7:19 pm #
had NS vas doen one week ago. No pain around the incision point on shaft at all (even directly afterward) – though there is lingering pain (dull ache) and a hardness at each side of my nuts where they meet my body. It seems like maybe extra-hard clamping left damage. this is subsiding, but has this happened to anyone else>?
Scott on 20 Dec 2008 at 7:53 pm #
I had mine done 10 days ago. Still have been unable to walk. I have the swelling on both sides. Called Dr. Nurse seemed unconcerned and said if “I” wanted to go to the e-room. Inconsiderate lesbian man-hating bitch. All I wanted to do was speak to my dr and get a little reassurance that nothing major was wrong. I’ll pay them a visit when I can walk again and send her some black roses.
I don’t think I need to go to the hospital…. I just feel somewhat uninformed. Hearing that I am not the only one who couldn’t run the marathon at day three eases my mind a little. My neighbor who was initally one of the 3-day crowd finally owned up and said he hurt like hell for a couple of weeks as well but didn’t want to be a wuss and complain about it. Thanks for letting me vent
Jason on 08 Jan 2009 at 12:31 am #
My nuts hurt so badly. One side now hangs lower than the other. I have to wear a jock strap all the time. I am not athletic, and I have never had the pleasure of using a banana sack. I am a knit boxer kinda guy with three children. I am really frustrated. It has been nearly a month, and this bs about a 1-2 day recovering makes me laugh. I called my doctor’s office, and they wrote me off as “being normal.” I know they deal with this on a daily basis, but I this is new to me, and frankly, I am a little worried. I can still ejaculate, still have my sex drive (I think the thought of having unprotected sex with my wife once I am “cleared” makes me even hornier), but my nuts are so sore, and I can only take so much ibuprofin. It is a relief that I am not the only one, although I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
Dan on 18 Jan 2009 at 4:41 pm #
Okay, I’m a 41 year old male and had the no-scalpel vasectomy 2 days ago. As you may know, the surgery wasn’t the most pleasant thing but the local anesthesitic worked good and I drove myself home (wife home watching my two kids). I used frozen peas on and off the entire day as my scrotum was swollen and took 2 advil every four hours. It was painful but not unberabale.
The next day I woke up with the top half of my scrotum deep purple and I had small blood spots on the gauze pad from the incision. This was a little nerve-wracking but for the most part the swelling is gone and my Doctor said this was all very normal.
Although I’m in a little discomfort I’ve used no pain medication or ice since the first day and feeling okay enough to go back to work tomorrow. I am taking it very easy and moving slow as I don’t want to aggreviate anything. I’ll let you know if things get worse but for the most part I’m hoping to be in the majority and not experience some of the other issues posted on this board.
Good luck to everyone!
Dan on 21 Jan 2009 at 12:40 pm #
Okay, as a follow-up to my previous post, I’m at Day 5 since my no-scalpel vasectomy and generally feeling good. I’ve used no pain medication or ice since the day of the surgery although I do still have tenderness and some “quesy” sensations happening in my scrotrum.
There is a little pain but this comes and goes rather quickly and I do feel better keeping my feet up and adjusting my underwear to keep my package tight. Probably what is most unsettling is the weird tugging and pulling sensatations that come and go. I beleive this is my body just healing itself and hope that it is only a temporary sensation.
I’m definetly still tender and top half bruising of scrotrum remains although the color is starting to lighten. I’m still a little swollen where incision was made and in the vas defrens tubes which I made the mistake of touching and feeling (ouch!). Will continue to take it easy and provide an update next week on my recovery.
I hope this helps whoever is out there and reading these posts!
Tom on 24 Jan 2009 at 2:05 am #
I had no-scalpel 3.5 months ago – had about 4 weeks of tenderness, swelling, bruising, whatnot. Scar is gone.
Posting because even my wife has noticed that my testicles hang a noticeable amount lower than before. I had to change to a different style underwear (boxer brief with a distinct pouch) and that solved most of the discomfort and hassle of hanging lower than before.
Vasectomy Reversal Cost on 25 Jan 2009 at 9:57 am #
I too heard of no scalpel vasectomy and reversal where pain and the time to recover is lesser than the other methods. Those who are afraid of vasectomy can go for this.
-Martin
Bob on 26 Jan 2009 at 5:17 pm #
I am 10 days into my recovery, and I still have that dull pain that will radiate from the testicle when it’s touched or rubbed much. Driving and walking around definitely make it worse. Also, the athletic support acts like a vice grip, which helps to some extent, but sometimes actually adds to the soreness…including in the abdomen. There is no swelling, bruising or constant pain. I just know I couldn’t have sex easily or take any kind of long walks without feeling like I’ve been kicked in the groin. I also know that either a varicocele or the epiditymus can get sore with much moving around, and my perenium has tightened a little, almost like I can’t relax down there. The doctor gave antibiotics for the perenium, which has helped a bit. With all the talk about a few days of recovery, it has me concerned that this will all be chronic.
Dan on 27 Jan 2009 at 5:15 pm #
Okay, on Day 11 since my no-scalpel vasectomy and 98% fully recovered. No more swelling or brusing but I still have a date-sized welt in the middle of my scrotrum where the surgey took place. Doesn’t hurt but it is tender to touch. I’m hoping that this will continue to shrink and eventually disappear over the coming weeks. Had sex over the weekend with no issues (hooray!). Also started working out again this week and have had no problems. Good Luck!
jeremy on 08 Feb 2009 at 9:30 pm #
I had my vas done mid December 2008. During the procedure when begining to work on the right side, the doctor made the incision and when he began to clamp I had a shooting pain all the way up my side, so bad that I about kicked him. Everything else went fine, but about 1 month after my right had never quite gotten over the slight soreness and it began to become more sensitive and sore. This has also led to lower back pain on the right side, which as of last Thursday, Feb. 5th the doc said was unassociated. The first time I called him in Jan he prescribed an antibiotic, this time he saw me and said it was not an infection but prescribed Cipro (makes no sense to me). The worst part is the back pain which is persistent at times and sharp. I was questioning if there was nerve damage but the doc doesn’t even seem like that could be it. He even said maybe I strained my back. It only happens when the right testicle hurts.
Aldo on 26 Feb 2009 at 4:10 am #
hi, i am 28 and i will have the no-scapel on March 6 here in phx, az. thaks for all the nightmares that i will start to have tonight. i agree with all of you, most of my frinds don’t admit they did not recover in 3 days as they all said. i am very nervous about this surgery…need to get it done. i hope it is not worse than a broken leg while riding a racing atv. thxs to all
wd on 27 Feb 2009 at 12:31 am #
had a vasectomy about 22 days ago , my scrotum hangs really low compare to hieght of testicles ‘dont know if normal after vasectomy cant find any postings about it , was a lot of swelling and pain but now gone
steve on 03 Mar 2009 at 6:13 pm #
I had the no scalpel no needle vascectomy yesterday, they told me the popping from the pen shaped device for the numbing was going to feel lika a snap of a rubber band, it felt like a very minor snap of a rubber band it was nothing, no pain from that at all, while he was working on me the only thing I felt that bothered me was a tugging on the right side and it felt like it went up into my stomach a little, not pain just a uncomfortable tugging and today I feel that same feeling a little bit here and there when I move, I am walking with a limp and slow because its still tender, I will post again in a few days.
Dominic on 15 May 2009 at 6:51 pm #
I got my vasectomy 3 days ago. I didn’t feel a thing when he did the surgery and felt it all after the anasthesic dissapeared. Day 2 was much better and felt pain only when standing up. When I am walk I feel discomfort in my lower abdominal and right side of teh scrotum. Noticed there is a small lump that hurts like hell when I press on it so I prefer to stay away from checking….
Day 3 now and still the same pain. Not much improvement. I use frozen peas still and Tylenol… I wonder if that lump will go away and if I will be away next week. I will post again tomorrow or the day after…
derrick on 16 May 2009 at 2:33 pm #
I a soreness in my left testicle and sort of a lump the soreness feels like the same thing i went through when i had my vasectomy over two yrs ago do you think its related to the vasectomy or should just see my doctor?
Dominic on 18 May 2009 at 3:18 am #
Day 5 is a little better than my previous post. Less discomfort in my lower abdominal but my nuts are still very sensitive. I dare not jump or pick up my little 2 years old daughter. I wonder how long still for my nuts to be sensitive like that.
The lump is actually where the tube was cut so I guess its normal that it hurts when I press on it… Day 5 is still early to freack out but I’m kind of fed up to feel the discomfort and not having sex… still have to wait 3 more days…
The good things is that I have no swelling and very little bruises…
Where the incision was made still needs to be covered with Polisporin and a band-aid
Will post in 2-3 days again… I hope you guy are feeling better
Dominic on 19 May 2009 at 12:12 am #
Day 6 was also better. I am suppose to play hockey in two but I’m definitely not ready.
I ejaculated for the first time today to see if it would hurt or if there was going to be blood….and all is good…. yessssss
My testicules are still very sensitive and I dare not run or jump but I can walk with much more ease. I can’t wait to be able to not feel any discomfort anymore but I guess Day 6 is way too early.
Also. I took my first bath tonight hoping it would help with the sensitive discomfort..will see tomorrow..
Dominic on 20 May 2009 at 8:22 pm #
Day 8 now. I feel much better and I am able to pick up heavy things. Still a bit sensitive but nothing like before. Running is still not a good idea but when I walk around fast or jump going up the stairs, I barely feel it. I hope you are able to understand my discomfort with these examples. Won’t play hockey tonight but will have sex for sure.. been having sex everyday and I barely feel any discomfort but I having rough sex of course.
Dominic on 22 May 2009 at 3:13 am #
Day 9
Almost completely healed. I guess the removery for me took 10 days.
Good luck for all you guys with a VAS. For me, it was worth it. I hear horror stories but they are in the 3 %
James on 31 May 2009 at 5:55 pm #
Day 1 – Procedure: not completely painless, felt like I got hit in the testicle a couple times. Not fun at all
Drove myself home and picked up antibiotics. Took pain meds to reduce the throbbing pain and used icepacks. Swelling on incision point. Pain meds making me dissy if I stand.
Day 2 – Rested all day and watched movies with a bag of frozen corn on my scrotum. Sore but no pain meds were needed. Was able to drive and return movies. Left side is more sore than right side.
Day 3 – Much better, still taking it slow. Still using frozon corn. Right upper side is purple. Left side looks normal and not much pain. Going to watch more movies and take it easy. Dr said the first 2 or 3 days are most important for the recovery. Hopefully, my next blog will have more positive results.
Deadly on 05 Sep 2009 at 5:14 am #
I had the non-scalpel procedure about a month ago. No real problems until today. I ejaculated earlier today and my semen had blood in it. Also when i piss it hurts. I am 31 years old.
rich on 21 Nov 2009 at 1:52 am #
had mine done on the 18th of nov.its now the 20th.it hurts randomly…like a quick sensation to my left testy.I’ve had it 2 times today.had it on a wed mourning its now friday night.i will let you folks know how he recovers..i work tomorow and pray i will make it.
Todd on 03 Jan 2010 at 6:01 pm #
had the Vasectomy surgery 33 days ago. The surgery itself started off ok, with the right side being completed with little discomfort. The left side was like medieval torture, and it was all I could do not to vomit when the clamp came down. After buying 5 different combinations of underwear, I finally can function wearing bikini briefs that are one size too small. It took 3 weeks to be able to sleep on my side, and I still have a dull ache in the right testicle that I can feel as I type this.
To be honest I am pissed. I was very clearly told that the only “possible” side effects were some swelling and a possible infection. Not a single mention of chronic pain, or having every day feel like you had the surgery yesterday. At least when I broke my back, my nose, chipped my rotator cuff (all a cake walk in comparison), in the past, I could feel them healing each day. This condition doesn’t seem to change from day to day, or get better. I am very active, and have gained 10 pounds just being on this “bed rest”. If the pre-op nurse had even hinted at this possibility, I would have opted out. But I guess that is probably not in their best interest financially, even though it is the right thing to do. I was a bit leary of doctors before, now I just plain don’t trust them.
Jerry on 09 Jun 2010 at 3:41 am #
It is day 14 since my vas, and like a lot of you, still dealing with pain and discomfort. I can relate mostly to what the first guy said about the right testicle tending to climb up towards the penis where the scrotum has gained some excessive flaps – almost like a little pocket. This area of the scrotum has become somewhat loose and rubbery and there is loss of sensation. It no longer seems to react or constrict when touched as it used to. It is as if this part of the scrotum has died. Could I be suffering from some nerve damage?
I have had several episodes where the right testicle seems to rotate or twist up into this new pocket. The Dr. says that the muscle in the spermatic cord must be extra aggravated from the procedure and to keep up with the Ibuprofin. He said he might prescribe a mild muscle relaxer if there isn’t improvement in a couple days.
I would really like to know if perhaps this new scrotal condition of mine (and even the right testicular pain) could possibly be the result of too much ice after the vasectomy. I applied iced-peas to the area frequently for the first few days after the procedure, while wearing some cotton underwear. Most of the time I iced for 20-30 minutes at a time. However on day one I fell asleep while icing and ended up icing for 2 hours straight.
More importantly, I want to know if things will eventually return to normal, both the scrotal skin and the testicular pain. Will this area of the scrotum return to life? The dull aching testicular pain is always there, and I’m flat exhausted by the end of the day. I’m getting tired of readjusting this rotating testicle, which often feels like it is getting strangled.
Stan on 22 Jun 2010 at 3:20 pm #
I had my vas 4 days ago today. I had the no scalpel procedure which went really well with hardly no pain. Make sure to ask for a prescription for x1 10mg Valium and take 30 min prior to procedure…this takes the “edge” off and helped a LOT! He could have chopped them both off and I probably wouldn’t have cared.
Day 1 took one pain pill and rested with no problems. Day 2 and 3 were even better and didn’t even have to take pain meds at all. Today I feel that “sick” kicked in the groin feeling mostly on the right side of my penis. I really didn’t do any resting day 2 or 3 and maybe I should have listened to the doc. My wife kept telling me to “take it easy” but I figured it would get better and better, not worse. Have no bruising per say but have swelling where the incision was made. Hopefully tomorrow will be better? All in all this part is MUCH worse than the procedure itself, but still bearable.
Billy on 28 Jun 2010 at 10:32 pm #
I had a vasectomy 3 days ago. Almost no pain. After the procedure I took 1 ibuprofen 600mg and toook a nap. No pain at all until today, now I have that just got kicked in the groin pain.
touchet on 24 Jul 2010 at 3:49 am #
Are you joking that the doc only gave you over the counter meds for pain afterwards. Seems kinda barbaric.
Clinton on 01 Aug 2010 at 4:41 am #
I’m reading these replies, and none of them seem to fit my profile very well. My vasectomy was 9 days ago, but I currently have:
A: Lots of weird bruising, all over the scrotum. However, most of the overall pain is down to 10% of what it was the day after surgery.
B: A big lump, size of my thumbnail, on my left side at the point where the tube was cut. I can feel a few tiny sperm granulomas on both sides that aren’t bothering me at all, but the big lump on the left is painful if I touch it slightly.
C: Regardless of how low my testes are hanging at the moment, I have a HUGE flap of scrotal skin hanging below them. The “flap” is about 3″ long hanging normally, and around 6″ if I stretch it out. This is most bothering, because no one I’ve read has it to the extent I have it. I feel like I have to gather up my package in one hand any time I roll over in bed or turn the wrong way when standing up. If I don’t, it gets caught in my boxer briefs and causes pain when it’s stuck. This is really, really weird, and no one seems to have had this happen to them.