vasectomy - how did you feel afterwards?

[MommyHawk]

DH is going to get a v-sec next month (we have two kids, he says that's enough) and I'm ok with it...although I wouldn't mind if an accident happens ... anyway, enough about my needs...about DH...how will he feel afterwards? what should I do for him before? afterwards? any tips/suggestions/ideas are welcome! He's not nervous, but he did turn green at his appointment to just discuss options and the procedure...

thanks

[wildtigercubs]

I can only tell you what DH told me. He went in, it was all over and done with really quickly. He was a little sore so sat with a bag of frozen pea's on his bits for most of that day (buy a couple of bags, poor hubby had to keep waiting for them to refreeze!!) The next day he felt a bit better. It took him about 4 or 5 days to really recover though but he was busy walking around within 2. I think they have to wait a week to lift heavy stuff which was the worst part about it for him as he goes to the gym daily. All in all he said it really wasn't anything to worry about and he likes the benefits now

[Gabbi]

My Dh had a vas in August. He actually said it was not bad at all and he couldn't believe that men could be "wimps" and refuse to get it done. He said the stitches that would scratch or rub ( I guess it was the end of a stitch ) was more irritating. He didn't need an ice pack or anything. He said it felt like it was a burning sensation.
Good luck.

I do know I've had some issues since the vasectomy knowing we will never have any more. BE SURE it's what YOU want too mama.
PM me anytime!

[JWSJ]

Well I will say that I'm glad that it only has to be done once.

The procedure wasn't pleasent. It took 2 months before I felt like myself again. It felt like I'd been kicked in that area the whole time.

I had a feeling that the whole procedure was being sugar coated when it was explained to me. The doctor didn't seem particularly skilled during the procedure. But my wife had our two darlings and I didn't want her having extra pieces of stuff inside from having her tubes tied.

I'd recommend it but be aware what the doctor(s) explains is sugar coated.

[Kristine233]

Dh was sore for a day, sat on peas. But after that first day of pain he was fine. He said it wasn't nearly as painfull as he imagined.

But do research the complications. They downplay them big time when you go in. Dh developed cysts around the severed vas and they caused more pain. He dealt with the ongoing pain for 3 years. They finally went in this past summer and did an epididyectomy (where they remove the entire membrane off the teste and remove the rest of the vas tube as well) on one side and will probably have to have the other side done within 5 years if the cyst doesn't stop growing. You can imagine the recovery from that was far less pleasant.

The original proceedure was great and sounded like the ideal solution. If we had know the risk of things like sperm granuloma, cysts and the ending result he never would have done it. They made it sound like it never (rarely) happens, which we found out was not the case. Just something to check into.

Oh... we had a friend who had his done as well... without anesthethia/pain meds/numbing. They gave it to him and it didn't take effect, they cut in and asked if he could feel it. He said "Uh, yeah. But just do it." So they did and the meds never kicked in. He said it hurt like heck but livable. *wide eyed expression of shock*

[holyhelianthus]

thanks for this thread! Dh wants to get a vas soon and i'm really nervous about it for his sake.

[tinuviel_k]

My husband had his done about three months ago. The procedure went smoothly, and he did everythng he was supposed to do: stay completely off his feet, apply frozed peas every hour or so for the first day, etc...

He was in EXCRUCIATING pain for well over a week. He could hardly get up and use the restroom, he was in so much pain. He only had mild swelling, but oh my goodness. He has the highest pain tolerance I know of, so it was pretty freaky.
After about a week and a half the pain subsided, but he still had a lot of tenderness. He couldn't jog for a month, and couldn't cycle for about two months. He's just now able to mountain bike again.

Update as of Jan 29th

Well, we got some bad news regarding DH's vasectomy. He went in for his 2-month-post-vas sperm test. We just got back the results. Apparently there are TONS of live and healthy swimmers. Since he's had 60-80 ejaculations since the vasectomy the doctor knows these aren't leftovers. It looks like the vas deferens has "recanalized," formed a new passage. Which is crazy, because Aaron had the traditional "take a chunk out of the vas and cauterize both ends" style of vasectomy.

We're probably going to have the surgery redone in the next few weeks. : Aaron is really scared: he had such horrible pain last time.

[treemom2]

Thank you so much for starting this thread. DH wants to get this done as soon as I give birth (this babe was unplanned and we both don't want more). I'm actually against it, preferring instead to get a copper IUD or something a little less invasive. I think I am going to forward this link to him to help change his mind!!

[wytchywoman]

MY DH had one done about 6 months after our son was born. He had only mild discomfort, mainly from some pulling on the stitches, especially when he went to sit down in the car. Other than that he was fine. The discomfort only lasted about a week too. I think what he hated the most was having to shave "ping" and "pong" and then the itchiness that accompanies having the hair grow back in, KWIM?

Namaste,

Michelle

[KMK_Mama]

My DH had this done in May. He had the NSV procedure (NO SCALPEL VASECTOMY) so he didn't have stitches and it is supposed to be less painful. BUT it looked VERY painful! He was so black and blue and all swollen. He got it done on a Thursday, went back to work on Monday, but said he was still VERY sore when he went back. I think the soreness lasted quite a while.....a few weeks to a month?

He is glad he got it done though!

[Racecar]

My dh has no pain with his vasectomy. It was the REVERSAL that was very painful for him.

[greendaddy]

I've heard that the experience can differ greatly from man to man. I was fortunate in that mine was hardly worth mentioning. I met with the Dr. (who I thought was very forthright about what to expect and potential complications) a few days before, then went in over my lunch hour. The pain was minimal with the most uncomfortable part being the injection of anesthetic into the testicles themselves. I used frozen peas in the evening for a couple of days but had no swelling or bruising. I did have to be careful for a couple of weeks since jarring (from activities such as jogging) or squeezing (putting legs together) where somewhat painful.

[Spock]

No worries, but, frozen peas or corn is good

LibraryDragon's DH here. I had a v-sec a few months ago, and it wasn't too bad. The anethesia started wearing off a little early: , and that wasn't fun, but, it was over and, well, life is a bit more spontaneous now, if you catch my drift...

Frozen peas or corn is a very good thing. My "no-stitch" actually had a single stitch, and I was very glad when it finally dissolved about a week later. A good warm bath helped with that. The athletic supporter the doc made me wear was uncomfortable for a long day at the office, but, beat a dull ache in a place aches don't belong.

So, like I say, about a week of mild discomfort, and now, no worries of growing the family beyond our plans.

Good luck!

[mama2toomany]

this is DH

The pain wasn't what I expected at all. I thought I would be in more pain but it was pretty low.

as for the emotional side of it... I am happy to have done it because I am glad I don't have to use protection... But I regret it because my wife wants another baby now.. We where dating when I had mine done. I think if I could go back I would have waited and had one more child with my wife and then had it... but as far as the procedure and pain and not having to "use" anything it rocks.

[Laggie]

DH got disconnected last year. He figured he could go jogging the next day, which he regretted. But all in all it was only a few days for him until he felt fine - he did apply ice a few times and strongly recommends tight underwear for at least a week afterward.

Other than that, everything is fine. A few of our male friends also had the procedure after DH's glowing recommendation.

Just be sure your doctor does a lot of vasectomies - from what I understand experience makes a big difference.

[Igraine]

DH did really good with the outpatient surgery.

He was in pretty bad shape the next day. Frozen pease were very helpful. He had to rest pretty much for 2 days and not pick the kids up or rough house which was really hard for him.

He really over did it once he started feeling better though. After a few days he raked the leaves in our yard (we have quarter acre and a HUGE maple tree) and he was a hurting pup afterwards. And after about two weeks he completely forgot about it.

I am very glad he did it. We are finished having kids and I do not do well with other forms of birthcontrol and dh and I are just way to busy (lazy?) to do natural family planning.

Good luck!

[Igraine]

Oh yeah...the most embarrassing thing was me going to walmart to purchase a jock strap (Thank god I did because it really helped dh!). I waundered around the men's department and finally I asked an older lady to help me. She took me over to sportinggoods/hunting items and the two of us went through all the various versions. She was like "So is this for Hockey?" "no" "Football?" "...no...". "Oh....I see....then this is the one you need." -----Big smile from the lady----.

[Buddhamom]

The vas. was done in about 25 min. and he had swelling but iced them up good. The rev. was extremly painful though. It was 3 hours of micro sugery. make sure you go to someone good incase you ever want it reversed it makes all the difference.

[dukeswalker]

DH was out of there really fats - and walked all the way to the car just fine. He rested/iced for a day or so and then two days after the vas. he was tilling the back yard. He felt fine but his left buddy swelled up to the size of an orange (it did go down though once he rested some more)

[snuggly mama]

Dh had his done about 5 years ago, and while he didn't have a lot of complaints in terms of pain, I know it wasn't quite the quick and easy thing he expected. He was bruised pretty much in the whole general region, and had lots of cyst-type things for months afterward. Still, he's glad to have done it, and while I personally struggle with knowing no more bio kids, we did agree together it was the right decision.