While no-scalpel vasectomy is a brief, minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, it nonetheless requires some recovery time and preparation for fast and effective healing. Here is what you need to know about no-scalpel vasectomy recovery in order to ensure the fastest and most successful healing process. Northern California Vasectomy founder Dr. Chirag A. Patel has devoted his professional life to giving his community access to safe and effective permanent male birth control solutions.

If you think a no-scalpel vasectomy could be right for your lifestyle and family planning goals, you may be considering have the procedure performed. However, you might be somewhat reticent about undergoing a process that involves a surgical – though virtually non-invasive – technique on an extremely tender region of the male anatomy. Fortunately, no-scalpel vasectomy procedures are remarkably easy for the overwhelming majority of patients, and while some preparations must be made in order to ensure proper healing, it is highly unlikely that complications will arise if even the basic recovery measures are taken. Here’s what you can expect from the procedure, post-op, and recovery.

No-Scalpel Vasectomy Procedure

A no-scalpel vasectomy is an outpatient process that generally takes approximately 20 minutes. First, the surgical site – the scrotum – is numbed using an external numbing agent. The doctor then employs a tool called a hemostat to expose the vas deferentia through the skin of the testes so that they can be sealed, preventing the flow of sperm into the semen. There are no closing sutures required, and the scrotum is bandaged. The sensation of the procedure is often compared to having a rubber band snapped at the entry site.

After the numbing agent wears off, there will be tenderness and even soreness, but this can be managed with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication.

Post-Procedure

While you will likely be able to perform moderate activities, and possibly return to work the following day if your work doesn’t involve physical strain or exertion, it is important to follow a few basic self-care procedures to keep yourself comfortable and to mitigate the risk of infection or stretching of the wound. Here are a few things to remember after your surgery:

Rest is very important immediately after the procedure. If you had the vasectomy performed in the middle of a workday, it is advisable to take the rest of the day off.
Use a cold compress to relieve pain and address swelling.
Check the progress of your surgical site. If pain, redness, bruising, and swelling does not gradually lessen the first few days after the vasectomy, contact your physician.
Do not perform any strenuous exercise or lift any weight above 10 pounds, as the wound may stretch and reopen.
Do not have sexual relations immediately after your no-scalpel vasectomy.
Do not shower or bathe for one or two days after your no-scalpel vasectomy.

Long-Term Recovery

By the end of the first week post-procedure, you should be able to resume moderately vigorous activity (exercise, lifting weights, etc.) and may have sexual relations using external birth control. Your sperm count will not immediately diminish – it will take approximately three months before sperm will no longer be present in your semen. You must mail in your sample to have your semen analyzed before engaging in sexual activity without using contraception.

In addition to being the most effective form of male contraception by a wide margin, no-scalpel vasectomies involve far shorter recovery periods and a reduced risk of complications compared to traditional vasectomies. If you want a long-term contraceptive solution, no-scalpel vasectomy may be a great fit for you.

NorCalVas provides male birth control solutions to the Northern California communities of Elk Grove, Redding, and Scotts Valley. To schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Patel, please visit our contact page.