Preparing for your Vasectomy : A guide to Vasectomy

If you have decided to go ahead with a vasectomy after your consultation with the surgeon, then the next step is to arrange a date for your surgery.

This can happen within two weeks of your consultation which is mainly due to the fact that it is a quick procedure with short waiting lists. If you are opting for private treatment then you will not have to wait that long for surgery but expect to wait longer if you are having treatment on the NHS.

A private clinic can make this arrangement over the phone or via an email. If you choose this format then make sure that you have visited the clinic beforehand and are satisfied with their level of care and facilities.

The clinic will contact you before your surgery to check that everything is fine and that you still want to go ahead. It is not uncommon for people to change their mind a day or two before surgery so they will check that you still want surgery.

Cooling off period

Another reason for this is to give you time to think through your decision before having surgery. This is what is known as a ‘cooling off’ period and is a time where you can think rationally and unemotionally about your decision. It is very easy to commit to surgery when you are in the clinic but you can have second thoughts once you leave so this is the time to consider those carefully. Discuss your decision with your partner, family and friends and only commit once you have considered it from all angles.

You can read up on the procedure beforehand as well as looking through various case studies. Your surgeon may be able to provide you with information on what to expect or you can search online. If you know of someone who has undergone this procedure then ask them about their experiences.

Take no notice of people making jokes about vasectomy or ‘scare stories’. Vasectomy is a very successful and safe procedure and the vast majority of men are happy with the results.

Pre-vasectomy arrangements

So what arrangements should you make before your vasectomy?

Your surgeon will have given you instructions on how to prepare for this procedure. This equally applies to NHS and private patients.

These will include avoiding any medications such as Ibuprofen or Aspiring as they thin your blood. On the psychological side of things, you may find it useful to speak to a specially trained counsellor.

Why?

Some men are concerned that having a vasectomy will make them ‘less of a man’or will affect their sex life. They may also worry about the possibility of changing be upsetting or lead to depression so talking to someone can help.

On a more practical level, you may have to arrange time off work whilst your recovery from your surgery. Some men take quicker than others to recover and whilst this is a straightforward procedure there will be swelling and soreness afterwards. It also depends upon the type of job you have: if you work in an office then you won’t need as much time off as someone who has a physical job.

If you don’t wish to tell your employer the reason for taking time off then ask your GP to give you a letter to take into work which states that you will be undergoing surgery. This can avoid any embarrassment you may feel about informing your employer –especially if they are female!

Finally, ask a friend or someone you know to drive you home after your surgery. Even though you will be having a local anaesthetic you may feel a bit tired or ‘woozy’ if you have also had a sedative plus you will find it uncomfortable to drive.

Consent form for vasectomy surgery

You will have to sign a consent form before surgery which is designed to protect both you and the surgeon. You will have been given this to read through and sign before the day of your surgery although it may be given to you on the actual day.

If there is something you don’t understand then ask. Make sure that you are happy with what it says before putting pen to paper. You should be able to sign this without your partner’s signature but some surgeons prefer both of you to sign a consent form. Check with your surgeon or clinic especially if your partner is unwilling to do so. Some surgeons may stipulate this before agreeing to surgery.

There is no legal requirement for your partner to co-sign the form but it does make it harder, going ahead for surgery when you know that she isn’t keen on you doing so.