Vasectomy

 Post-Procedure Instructions

Activity

Rest and stay off your feet for the remainder of today.  Activity should be very limited for the next two days.  This minimizes the total duration of discomfort that you will experience.  After two days of rest, one can slowly increase activity, but do not lift anything heavy.  You should not do vigorous exercise until you are pain free.  This usually takes 7-14 days.

Dressings

Keep your dressings in place until the incision is dry.  Change gauze if you notice bloody drainage. This is expected.  Wear the athletic supporter for the first 24 hours, and then as long as you need it for comfort.

Bathing

You may shower on the day after vasectomy, but do not take tub baths for at least a week.  When you shower, wash your scrotal area gently and pat it dry with a towel.  Do not rub it.

Controlling Discomfort

When the anesthetic wears off, you will have mild discomfort.  Moderate swelling and bruising is also to be expected. These are minimized by staying off your feet as much as possible for two days after vasectomy.

• Take the pain medication that was prescribed for you.  Do not drive a car or operate machinery while using the prescription pain medicine.

• After a couple of days most men can stop the prescription medication and use Tylenol every four hours as needed for pain.

• Place an ice pack or frozen pack of peas over the athletic supporter for the first few hours.  Place it on for 15 minutes, then off for 15 minutes and repeat as long as necessary.  Ice can be helpful for 24 hours.

Sexual activity

Remember, you are not sterile immediately after a vasectomy.  Continue to use birth control until your doctor advises that you are safely sterile.  You will be asked to bring in at least two semen samples to the office for analysis. It may take six weeks or more to wash out all the sperm downstream from where your vasectomy was performed.  Vasectomy will not affect your ability to have sexual intercourse.  You may resume sexual activity when the most of discomfort has resolved. This is often 5-7 days.

Call Dr. Milam's office (615) 322-2880 if you have……

• fever more than 101°
• incisions that are red, warm to the touch, or have pus, slight drainage is normal
• severely swollen or bruised-looking scrotum
• pain that the prescription pain medication and ice packs do not improve
• any other questions
• This phone is answered 24 hours a day