For 24 hours after one should rest (put your feet up have a beer and watch a DVD).

For the next week try to avoid heavy lifting and avoid sex (both with your partner and with yourself !!) because if sperm leaks out of the cut end of the vas it can predispose to the development of painful nodules which can possibly cause the vas to reunite. A semen count is required at 4 months post operation. Some patients take longer to clear, and it can take up to 1 year especially the over 40s

Immediately after the procedure a cold compress applied to the testes (ice in a tea towel or a bag of frozen peas) seems to reduce the amount of swelling and bruising. Paracetamol should be sufficient for pain. Wearing a tight fitting pair of underpants day and night also seems to help

Dr Wells gives all patients his mobile number in case post operative advice is needed, and routinely follows up patients after 1 week in order to deal with any problems and to make arrangements for the semen analysis.

After the negative semen analysis a letter is sent confirming sterility.

If you want to know more about the after effects, take a look at our FAQ page