Vasectomy by Dr. Stanley Myers

It is my goal to make the procedure of vasectomy as pain-free as possible. After the vasectomy, I want you to tell your friends “It was a breeze. I had minimal discomfort during the vasectomy and recovered in no time.” I take the time to educate my patients about what to expect and do before, during, and after the vasectomy to maximize the chance that their experience is smooth, successful, stress-free.

What is a vasectomy?

As you probably already know, a vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure, performed in the office, that renders a man sterile by stopping the flow of sperm from the testicles to the penis. To begin, it helps to have a little knowledge about a man’s reproductive anatomy and the terminology we use to describe it. Sperm (or spermatozoa) are small swimming cells made by the testicles. Semen is the fluid that carries the sperm and is what comes out during an ejaculation. The average volume of ejaculate is 2 to 5cc. Approximately 0.3 cc comes from the testicles. The rest comes from the prostate and seminal vesicles. So most men do not notice a change in the amount of fluid they ejaculate after a vasectomy. 

Initial Consultation

Prior to scheduling a vasectomy, you will need a pre-vasectomy consultation. This is a 20-30 minute visit. Dr. Myers will ask you general health questions and perform an examination. Prior to or during this visit, you will receive an informational handout on vasectomy.  He will also answer any questions you have.   At the end of this visit, you will be able to schedule the vasectomy.

Vasectomy Procedure

After Dr. Myers administers lots of numbing medicine, two very small incisions are made in each side of the scrotum. A piece of the vas is removed and both ends securely tied. Then the two ends are separated from each other in the scrotum. The incisions are so small, stitches are not usually needed. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes.

After the Vasectomy

After the vasectomy, you should spend the first 2 days resting and remaining sedentary. If you have a desk job, you can usually return to work after 2-3 days. If your job involves heavy lifting, climbing stairs, or standing a lot, you may need up to a week or two off work.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies cover the cost of both the initial consultation visit and the vasectomy procedure. Depending on your contract with  your insurance company, you will be responsible for copays and deductibles.

What is a “no-scalpel” vasectomy

I believe this is mostly a marketing ploy. It involves using a sharpened clamp to poke into the skin to essentially tear open the skin to get to the vas. I have found this is more traumatic and heals poorly. I prefer to make very small puncture-like incisions to open the skin. I believe this heals much better and faster.