A question about Vasectomies in the States

[hakeber]

I know this sounds really silly, but the other day I was watching the New Advetures of Old Christine the episode where Richard lies to his girlfriend about having a vasectomy and she says "It's been two weeks!  That means we can, ya know."

I thought...that was really weird, because when DH got his here in Colombia they said we needed to wait three months and he needed to ejaculate a minimum of 30 times before he was to come in to have his semen tested, his came back positive for sperm and we had to wait another 3 months to have it tested again (this time is came back NEGATIVE --- phew).

Is that not common practice in the States?  Do you just wait two weeks and go for it?  I was shocked by that, and actually thought it was potentially quite dangerous.

What have been your experiences? 

[annie2186]

Although I have never known anyone personally who has gotten a vasectomy, it is common knowledge you need to wait to get your sperm counted. This is around 3ish months, but I think it is more common to be counted by "ejaculate's" like 20 or 30.

And yes, if someone doesn't get checked (or re-checked in cases like yours!) they are just ASKING for trouble!

So, I don't know why the episode said that - maybe they were just trying to be funny?

[hakeber]

Yeah, that makes sense, I mean it's a sitcom, right?

I was just wondering if things were different in other countries, because that just seemd like such a strange line, and to be fair if DH hadn't told me that we needed to wait 3 months and get checked, I probabaly would have assumed that once he was recovered from the actual surgery we'd have been in the clear. 

But, turns out not really, just more bad TV writing from Hollywood.  Nice to know some things never change.

[cameragirl]

They probably could have sex again after a couple weeks, but they'd have to use protection. I've always heard three months as well.

[annie2186]

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

They probably could have sex again after a couple weeks, but they'd have to use protection. I've always heard three months as well.

You are probably right! DUH 

She probably meant it's been two weeks so you have recovered enough to actually DTD......makes sense.

It seems strange to me that a man would have to "recover" there. Maybe I should make my husband get a Vas 

[hakeber]

That's what I thought, too,  but then they DTD unprotected and she gets pregnant (because he hasn't actually had a Vas) hence the HILARITY of the situation wherein the big macho man is too manly to cut off his sperm supply and too dumb to think through the consequences of such a lie, and his dippy blonde girlfriend is  too dumb to ask for a sperm count test before she lets him DTD sans a condom....

Sitcom stereotyping and mass distribution of misinformation, FTW.

DH took about a week and half to fully heal, had frozen peas on his lap for about three days but was back on his bike in a week.  It was sore, but not nearly as sore as it is for a woman to snip her tubes.   I am just so glad he didn't need to get it done a second time! 

ETA:  It's not a decision for everyone. I know that, but pregnancy and I are not good friends.  The hormones make me me seriously cray-cray, and after 2 emergency C-sections despite big plans for natural happy drug free births with super hippie pre-natal care, I just shudder at the thought of going through that again.  Our romance was growing frigid in fear of getting pregnant again and it was becoming very draining on our relationship, so when we found out the national healthcare system here does them for free, and the post op testing for a mere 12 USD, we decided it was a no brainer.

[annie2186]

Yeah - that is just silly-stupid then! I remember another show I watched.....it was the show where they have 12 kids, can't remember what its called. They ended up with their last two because they didn't realize that they had to wait for the all clear after a vasectomy 

It was just a movie though - not a reality show or anything.

Sounds like you made the best choice for your family 

[Youngfrankenstein]

We've been very happy..... ;)  DTD can resume when dh feels ready but you have to use protection until you've been given the all clear twice.  DH never did go back for that second check.   But it's been a year and I am a Fertile Myrlte so I guess we'll find out one way or another!