The
“Treating people, not just problems” since 1989.
(989) 631-4545
Visit our websites at: VasectomyMichigan.com and MPCenter.net
POSTOPERATIVE VASECTOMY INSTRUCTIONS
Now That You’ve had Your
Vasectomy There are a few routines and
instructions we would like to pass along to assure the greatest degree of
comfort possible after your vasectomy. The counseling session you had provided
an opportunity to ask any and all questions and to prepare you. To remind you
of suggestions given on the videotape and during the private interview, keep
this instruction sheet handy. Please feel free to call if you have any further
questions.
Activity
Day 1
— This is the day of surgery. Wear a
jock strap. Use gauze or a wash cloth inside the supporter to keep pressure on
the area. After you go to the bathroom, put some antibiotic ointment over the
incision. Do this for 2-3 days. Put your
feet up in an easy chair with an ice bag on your groin to reduce the swelling
and bleeding. You can put the ice over the supporter under your pants. Use ice
as much as possible until you go to bed. Get up only to go to the bathroom and
to eat. Take the ibuprofen, three (3) tablets 4 times a day (daily total of
2400 mg). If there is still pain, it's okay to add on Tylenol but not aspirin.
Day 2
— Cool shower, walk around; no heavy
lifting or vigorous physical exercise. If swelling increases, sit down and
relax as you did the first day. Wear a supporter but you do not need ice, the
gauze, or the wash cloth (see below). Take the ibuprofen (3 tablets 4 times a
day).
Day 3
— Increase activity but limit maximum
still. It is OK to go to church, golf with a golf cart, etc… Continue wearing
athletic supporter for comfort, if needed. Use ibuprofen up to 2400 mg per day
for any pain.
Day 4
— Return to normal activity and work.
Limit jogging and pumping weights for at least one week.
Pain
Take (3)
200 mg ibuprofen four times per day (maximum of 2400 mg or 12 of the 200 mg
tablets per day) for the first two days whether you need it or not. If you feel
you need something more, take 2 or 3 Tylenol up to 4 times per day. Take it 2 hours after each dose of ibuprofen.
After two days, use it only as needed.
Bandage
Day 1
— When you leave the office, you will
be wearing an athletic supporter filled with gauze. This is fine for day 1.
When you go to the bathroom, replace the gauze or use a washcloth to keep
pressure on the scrotum. This reduces swelling and bleeding. Use an antibiotic
ointment over the wound for the first 2-3 days.
Day 2
— Athletic supporter.
Day 3
— Athletic supporter until
comfortable without it.
Sexual activity
1st Week
— Once* after 1 week, if comfortable
2nd Week
— 2 times*
3rd Week
— As desired*
*Maximum, with another form of contraception
utilized until two semen checks are negative.
Possible reactions
Infections
-
are rare, but call if excessive redness,
swelling, tenderness, fever, or oozing of pus from incision occurs. This usually
will occur after the second day but infections have been identified up to 6
weeks after surgery. It's OK to put antibiotic ointment on the surgery site if
you want.
Bruising -
over the scrotum is normal for up to about 2
weeks. You may get a "purple penis".
Swelling -
a small amount is not uncommon. Anything more
should be reported. You will feel a small "lump" inside where the
surgery was done for a few weeks. It will go away.
Granuloma -
some men get another type of nodule where the
vas was cut. Usually this is not painful and will go away. If it is larger than
1/2 inch, call me and we will begin medication to shrink it. This can start a
few months or even years after a vasectomy. (Remember, a small lump can usually
be felt for up to three months in most cases.)
Failure -
is always a possibility. Use contraception
until you have two semen checks without sperm in them.
Bloody
Ejaculate -
rare but possible for up to six months.
Pain -
like an old fracture, a few men can have a long-term
ache in the scrotum (or even in the groin) where the surgery was done. Rarely
is any treatment even needed.
Long Term -
No long term side effects like prostate
cancer, high blood pressure, etc. have been proven with vasectomy.
SEMEN CHECKS:
We will do two semen checks
to confirm sterilization. Although no
appointment is needed, be sure that the office is open. The first will be done at 6 weeks after the
procedure or after 15 ejaculations (which ever is later). The second will be done at 3 months after the
procedure. There is no extra charge for this.
Bring a semen sample in a clean jar or in the container provided within
an hour or two after ejaculation. If
ever you are concerned or want reassurance of sterilization, we will examine your
semen for one year, at no charge. Be
sure your name is on the container.
Please use the OSHA approved medical hazard Ziplock bags.
ANOTHER
FORM OF CONTRACEPTION SHOULD BE USED UNTIL YOUR SECOND SEMEN SAMPLE IS CLEAR OF
SPERM. YOU ARE NOT STERILE UNTIL IT HAS
BEEN DOCUMENTED THAT YOU HAVE HAD TWO NEGATIVE SAMPLES.
Copyright, 2011. John L. Pfenninger, M.D 02/11