About the Procedure
The no-scalpel technique was developed in China in 1974 by Dr Shunqiang Li. Conventional vasectomy involves a scalpel incision to both sides of the scrotum and sharp dissection to gain access the vas deferens tubes. The no scalpel technique involves puncturing the scrotal skin with one entry into the middle of the scrotum. No scalpel is used to puncture the skin or importantly in the dissection to isolate the vas deferens. This technique has proven to reduce complication risk by 10 times. In addition, the procedure itself is more comfortable during and also after as no stitch is required to close the skin.
No-scalpel vasectomy is regarded as a low-risk office procedure. To find out more about the risks of vasectomy click here.
It is true that vasectomy can be reversed. This is usually done with microsurgery to bring the two end of the vas deferens together (vasovasotomy) or to bring the vas to the epididymis (vasoepididymostomy). However, vasectomy should be regarded as an irreversible form of contraception. This is because reversals are not always successful and if a man goes into a vasectomy expecting it to be successfully reversed later down the line, he may be proven to be disappointed.
An alternative to vasectomy is sperm retrieval which maybe offered by specialized fertility clinics.
Vasectomy is an affordable form of contraception. The costs of vasectomy provided by Dr Ranaweera can be seen here.
There is no minimum age as such for a vasectomy. However, if you are under the age of 30 and have fewer than 2 children, we ask that you book in for a consult to discuss your situation before committing to vasectomy. We like to know that you have thought about the ramifications of vasectomy and the options available for you prior to undergoing a potentially irreversible procedure. Please read here for more information.
Generally, the procedure takes about 10-20 minutes.
Preparation for you procedure
- Read the Instructions and information sheet.
- Print and fill out Registration form.
- Print and fill out Consent form.
- Call our clinic on (07) 5441 1455 to make a booking. A $100 deposit will be required at the time of booking.
- Make sure you do not take any blood thinning medications for 7 days before the procedure.
- Bring or invest in some tight underwear (briefs not boxers) to wear immediately after the procedure and for 7 days into recovery.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes before your procedure
Procedure Recovery
This depends on the type of work you do. If you work in an office environment which does not involve heavy lifting or intense labouring then you may return to work the following day. This is also if you are relatively comfortable. If your work involves heavy lifting or more intensive physical labour, then we suggest that you do not go back to work for at least 48 hours. If you are pain and tenderness free after this time, I suggest a gradual return to work duties. When you do return to work, please wear supportive underwear for at least 7 days post procedure.
Pain is very subjective and each man will experience a different level of discomfort. Local anaesthetic is used to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. This usually wears off a few hours after the procedure. Following this, most men are surprised at how little pain they have. In general, pain can be controlled with paracetamol and wearing supportive underwear. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications (such as Nurofen or Advil) is required. It is unusual to escalate pain relief, however, it is advisable that you speak with Dr Ranaweera or seek medical attention if you feel your level of pain is severe or increasing.
Usually you may return to sexual activity 48 hours after the procedure provided that you are relatively comfortable to do so. Most men do wait though.
I have discussed the procedure of no-scalpel vasectomy which outlines what to expect before, during and after a vasectomy. Recovery after vasectomy is generally uncomplicated, particularly if the following instructions are followed.
It is important to have minimal activity on the day of your procedure. Pain is normal as part of the recovery after vasectomy but can usually be managed successfuly with simple pain relief like paracetamol. I do prefer if someone takes the patient home after the vasectomy, but this is not always necessary as the procedure is under local anaesthetic.
When can I have a shower? Recovery after vasectomy – instructions for personal hygiene.
Normal showers can resume the following morning. You may change your underwear and remove the gauze dressing to shower. Obviously it is still early days in the recovery after vasectomy, so be gentle. Do not scrub the surgical area vigorously. After your first shower, again wear supportive underwear. This needs to be worn for at least two days so as to prevent repeated trauma to the area and bleeding.
When can I return to work? Recovery after vasectomy – instructions for work duties.
This depends on the type of work you do. If you work in an office environment which does not involve heavy lifting or intense labouring then you may return to work the following day. This is also if you are relatively comfortable.
If your work involves heavy lifting or more intensive physical labour, then I would suggest that you do not go back to work for at least 48 hours. If you are pain and tenderness free after this time, I suggest a gradual return to work duties.
When can I return to sport? Recovery after vasectomy – instructions for recreational activities.
Again, just like a man who works in a physically demanding job, patients should wait until at least 48 hours before participating in sports, heavy lifting or gardening. You can can return to these duties gradually if pain and tenderness free. If you play sport then I would suggest that you wear supportive underwear for seven days instead of two days.
When Can I have sex? Recovery after vasectomy – instructions for sexual intercourse.
Men may have sexual intercourse one week after there procedure. There may be blood in the ejaculate which is normal. Remember that you will not be sterile immediately after your vasectomy. This takes at least 12 weeks and 20 ejacualations. Until you are sterile as per your sperm counts, then you should use an alternative form of contraception.
After the Procedure
The minimum time to submit a sample is 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations following the procedure. There may be times where you wish to wait for longer. The most common reason a vasectomy is carried out whilst a man’s partner is pregnant. In this case it is usually advised for a 6 week period of abstinence post delivery. Therefore men can wait until this period to submit a sample. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will provide a negative sample. Information about the logistics of semen collection can be found here at the bottom of the page.
Usually the sperm analysis results come in fairly quickly (sometimes on the same day). I advise patients to wait 1 week and if they have not received any information from us, to contact us. About 80% of men will be azoospermic at this point (no evidence of sperm in the sample). If there are sperm seen in the sample, then it depends how many and how motile the sperm are. If there are a few non-motile sperm, then the Royal Australian College of Surgeons advise repeat monthly testing until there are no sperm or there are 2 samples in a row showing few non-motile sperm at least 7 months after vasectomy.