Vasectomy Postop Instructions

24 hours postoperatively: Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after sedation. Do not consume alcohol, tranquilizers, or sleeping medication 24 hours after sedation or if taking narcotic pain medication. Do not make important decisions or sign any important papers in these 24 hours.

Diet: Begin with clear liquids. Avoid any heavy meals on the day of the procedure. You may resume your normal diet the day after the procedure. Be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid constipation.

Surgical site care: Put ice on the area for the the day of surgery. Place ice every 20 minutes then take a 5 minute break. You may do this for up to 24 hours. Remove the gauze and scrotal support the day after the procedure. You do not need to cover the puncture site after this. You may place an over-the-counter cause if there is drainage from the site. Keep the site clean and dry.

Bathing: You may shower the day after the procedure. Do not submerge water until the puncture site has healed completely.

Clothing: Wear the scrotal support or fitted underwear for 1-2 weeks after surgery. Snug support to the scrotum can decrease swelling and promotes healing.

Pain medication: An injection of pain medication is given at the time of surgery. This lasts 4-6 hours. You will be given a prescription for pain medicine. In most cases, over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and/or acetaminophen is sufficient to relieve discomfort 2-3 days after surgery.

Activity: You may resume normal, non-strenuous activity in 48 hours. Avoid strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks. This includes activities such as running, strenuous exercise, lifting weights, etc. Do not lift more than 20 pounds (9 kg) for the next week.

Symptoms: It is normal to have some moderate swelling or bruising of the skin that can last for 1-2 weeks. Call the office if fever, chills, excessive pain/bleeding/swelling, difficulty urinating or pain not controlled with medication.

Follow up appointment: Make a two-week follow-up appointment in the office to check the puncture site. You will be given sterile containers for semen analysis.

Semen Analysis

You will need to submit semen to to evaluate under the microscope 2-3 months after surgery. Call the office to be sure there is a physician available to read your specimen. Use a sterile container to collect the specimen at home. Continue to use your regular method of birth control until you have had your semen analyzed and have been told there is no sperm.