Post-op Information

A copy if this instruction sheet is also available at the clinic

1. Spend a quiet evening at home, reclining in bed or on the sofa. Minimise activity.
2. Avoid aspirin for 2 days after the vasectomy. You may take Panadol if you have any discomfort. Ibuprofen may be used for pain beyond 3 days after your vasectomy.
3. No need for ice packs. 
4. Patients who have had the traditional approach will need to ice following the procedure. They will also need to have their sutures removed on day 6 post-operatively.
5. Use good scrotal support – e.g. double jockey style underpants – for 2-3 days following your vasectomy and during sports for the next 7 days.
6. On the day after the procedure you may walk and drive as much as you like, but no sports, yard work, swimming or heavy lifting. If your job is sedentary you may return to work.
7. Don’t bathe or shower on day one.  Your first shower should be the day after the procedure.
8. Two days after the procedure you may return to more strenuous work and regular activities whilst wearing your scrotal support. When the pain is gone you may return to the gym or to running but on the first day back do half of your usual workout, half the weight, half the reps, half the speed and distance, etc. If the pain does not return you can then return to your usual workout the next day.
9. When you no longer have any pain or tenderness you may ejaculate.  It is best to wait at least 7 days. Blood in the semen in the first few ejaculations is not common but also no cause for concern.  
10. It is normal to have some discolouration of the skin (black and blue) around the puncture site a day or two after the vasectomy. Some men will develop considerable discolouration about 4 days after their vasectomy. This will gradually dissipate.
11. Some men (around 1 in 20) will develop swelling and discomfort on one side, sometimes on both sides, starting anytime from 3 days to 3 months following the vasectomy. This usually represents an exaggerated form of the normal inflammatory response necessary for sperm resorption and recycling. This is effectively managed by a 5-7 day course of ibuprofen 600mg three times a day.
12. You should have your semen tested 4 months following your vasectomy. Appropriate paperwork and instructions will be provided at the time of your vasectomy. Your results will be emailed or mailed.  Please ensure you continue to use contraception until you are advised otherwise by Dr Valentine.

Patients need to continue contraception until they have submitted a semen test confirmed to be free of sperm. This is normally conducted four months after their vasectomy. It normally takes a good 25 ejaculations plus a time frame of 3-4 months for sperm to be cleared from the upper ends of the vas deferens. Dr Valentine normally contacts patients via email or mail with the results of their semen tests. Patients with sperm remaining will need to repeat their test in another two months.