Dr GARETH JAMES MBBS DRCOG DFFP MRCGP BANSV

Download this document as a pdf file

AFTER YOUR VASECTOMY

The local anaesthetic, which you have had, will last for about 2 hours.  You will then start to develop an aching feeling in the groin, and perhaps the scrotum, as if you’ve had a good kick down there!  You should be able to relieve with a couple of paracetamol (or perhaps a combination of paracetamol and codeine eg: Cocodamol, available over the counter).  You will probably need another dose before you go to bed tonight, and perhaps another two in the morning. Hopefully that will be all you require. You may, however, need the odd extra doses over the next couple of days.
Do NOT though take Ibuprofen/Nurofen/Brufen for the first 4 days please.

You must take things very gently for the next two days, and continue to wear tight supporting underpants or an athletic support to take the weight of your testicles. You need not take to your bed and you can certainly move around the house or go out for a walk; but do not do anything overly energetic (especially avoid heavy lifting) – though you may well feel that you could. Do NOT risk it, and protect your scrotum!

You will develop some swelling above or around each of your testicles in the new few hours.  This will be about the size of a grape to a walnut on each side and is quite normal.
However if your scrotum should reach the size of a cricket ball or larger (which is a very rare event) you should go to bed and either consult your doctor or ring the Danetre Medical Practice on one of the numbers above.

There may also be some bruising, which can on occasion be quite spectacular.  This is no cause for concern and will disappear in a week or so.

In 48 hours (but not before) you should have a bath (better than a shower) with a couple of handfuls of salt in the water.  Allow yourself a good soak and then carefully dry your scrotum and put on some clean underpants (cotton ones are best). Continue to have a salt bath at least once a day for a roughly a week depending on how quickly your wound heals over.

You should be fit enough to return to your work, whatever this is, on the third day after your operation. If your job is heavy manual, then try to take it easier for the first few days.
I’m sure your boss will be sympathetic if you tell him what you’ve had done!

You can have sex whenever you want to, though most blokes do wait a few days!
Try not to be too vigorous for the first week!

It usually takes some 30-35 ejaculations to clear your pipes, over a four-month period until your sperm tests, which equates to having sex some two to three times a week!
Masturbation is an alternative – but is NOT as good!

There is sometimes a little discharge from the wound but this is not a sign of infection and you need not worry about it. Sometimes the wound gapes a bit, again, do not worry, this is only the top layer of the skin and it does not mean that that your testicles, or anything else will fall out! Continue to have frequent baths and keep the skin dry in between times, and it will heal up quickly.

You can land up with long-term lumps about the size of a pea in the upper regions of the scrotum away from the testicles (balls). That is the scar tissue I’ve made to stop any rejoining and no need for concern.
If though you feel any lumps actually on your testicle then you must get that checked out by your GP urgently.

There is no need to see Dr James following the procedure, unless he has specifically asked you to do. He usually gives you a ring a week or so later to check on your recovery.
If he has not contacted you within two weeks, please phone the secretary and we’ll check phone numbers.
You can of course see him or talk to him before hand if you have a worries or concerns, just phone his secretary.

Please remember to use other contraception until you have WRITTEN confirmation from us that you are sterile.

Gjj06/07