What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a permanent form of male birth control. During an outpatient procedure, Dr. Sinha cuts and seals your vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles out of your body. Approximately 10% of American men have vasectomies to prevent future pregnancies.
What should I expect during a vasectomy?
Usually, the vasectomy surgery takes 10-30 minutes. Dr. Sinha begins the procedure by applying a local anesthetic to your scrotum.
Once you’re thoroughly numbed, he makes a small cut or a puncture in the upper part of your scrotum, allowing him to access your vas deferens. Next, he pulls the vas deferens slightly out of your body and severs the tube. He ties off the ends of the vas deferens and returns your vas deferens to your scrotum.
If Dr. Sinha used an incision to access your vas deferens, he closes the incision with a stitch or surgical glue. If he performed the scalpel-free procedure, the small puncture heals on its own over time.
What should I expect after my vasectomy?
You may want to take a day or two off after your procedure as you may experience some mild swelling or discomfort when you sit. You should wear snug underwear for 48 hours after your surgery and can use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.
Dr. Sinha also recommends avoiding strenuous activities like sports and heavy lifting for approximately a week. In the unlikely event that you experience any signs of infection after your procedure or have a fever higher than 100.4o, contact Dr. Sinha immediately.
A vasectomy is not instant protection against pregnancy. You have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Sinha 6-12 weeks after your surgery to check that there are no sperm present in your semen sample. It’s also critical to remember that a vasectomy doesn’t protect you from STDs, including HIV/AIDs, and you should use a condom with any new partners.
If you change your mind about fathering children after your vasectomy, it may be possible to have a vasectomy reversal. However, vasectomy reversals are more complicated and have no guarantee of results. So you must be sure about your decision to have a vasectomy.
If you’re confident that you don’t want to have any more children, call Urology Care of Central New Jersey or schedule a consultation online to talk to Dr. Sinha about your vasectomy options.