Are there any after effects to the procedure?

• Most patients have some mild discomfort with some mild bruising or swelling.

• Significant haematomas (bruises and collections of blood) develop in about 1% of patients using this technique. These usually settle spontaneously in a few weeks without further intervention. Rarely surgical drainage of haematoma in hospital is necessary.

• In about 1% of patients an infection develops. This usually comes from within, as semen is naturally infected. A course of an antibiotic usually settles this.

• There is a small incidence of long term pain after vasectomy, the reason for this not known but as vasectomy is an elective procedure one should be aware of this.

• Some men will feel faint during or after the procedure. This will resolve by itself after a few minutes.

 What is the failure rate for the procedure?

• The failure rate is very small and is quoted as 1 in 1000.

• Nature has a tendency to try and repair the ends of the vas. This is a far smaller failure rate than female sterilization.

 Does the operation hurt?

• Most patients should be relatively pain free.

• Some patients are sensitive to the pulling sensation as the testicles are moved, but this cannot be avoided. This may feel like a dragging sensation or stomach ache

 How long till I can go back to work?

• For 24 hours after vasectomy one should rest.

• For office work you should be able to return within a few days

• For manual work you should be able to return after one week

 How long does the procedure take?

• The appointment takes 30 minutes in total

• The actual operating time is only 5-6 minutes

Can a No-Scalpel Vasectomy be reversed?

• Yes but reversal is a much more complicated procedure and success cannot be guaranteed.

• Generally the longer you have had your vasectomy the less likely a reversal will be successful.

• If you are thinking about the possibility of reversal or of sperm storage then you should not consider having a vasectomy done in the first place.