This information is provided by MetroWest Urology to help you prepare for your Vasectomy.
Before your procedure
- Do not take any NSAIDs for 7 days prior to your procedure
- Plan ahead if you feel the need for sedation:
Examples of NSAIDs include: aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Excedrin, Midol, naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren-XR, Zipsor, Zorvolex)
A prescription for valium can be sent to your local pharmacy; however, you will need a ride to and from your procedure.
If you would like this, you must notify our office at least one week prior to the procedure; otherwise we may not be able to send your prescription.
- Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is not covered by insurance and you will need to pay out-of-pocket; however, it will be safe for you to drive yourself to and from the procedure
- Please review “Steps to Ensure your Vasectomy is Covered”
The day of your procedure
- Please shave the front of your scrotum (it is also OK to shave the night before)
- Please ensure you have had a regular meal prior to your procedure (do not fast)
After your procedure
- Apply ice for the next 48 hours: 30 minutes on, then 30 minutes off
- Plan to take it easy for 2 days following your procedure
- The day after your procedure, you may shower and remove the dressing if it is still attached after the shower
- Do not take a tub bath, swim or go in a Jacuzzi, sauna, or steam room for 2 weeks
- Do not go to the gym or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, or strain for 1 week
- Wear tight, supportive briefs (“European style”) for 1 week
- Do not ejaculate for 5 days
- Do not take any NSAIDs for 5 days after your procedure
- Sutures are absorbable and will not require removal
Important!
You are still fertile immediately after your vasectomy. Your vasectomy is not considered effective until we have confirmed there are no sperm present in your semen. Do not have unprotected sex until we have told you it is safe to do so. It typically takes 8 to 10 weeks for a vasectomy to become effective, but the actual length of time is dependent on the patient. You must continue to use another method of birth control until we have informed you that your vasectomy is effective.
8 to 10 weeks after your procedure
- You will need a semen analysis
- You can drop off your sample to our office within 4 hours of production, between the hours of 7:00 and 3:00 PM.
- You can go to the facility of your choice; however, you will need to call to see if an appointment is required. For convenience, we will give you an order for semen analysis.
- We will contact you when we have the results of the analysis; please call the office if you do not hear from us within 1 week after your sample is submitted.
Pathology and Lab Fees
- Pathology and laboratory fees are not included in the cost of the vasectomy.
- You may receive a separate bill from Quantum Pathology (they will exam the portions of the vas deferens we remove)
- You may receive a separate bill from the lab where your post-vasectomy semen analyses is performed.