Vasectomy booked for June - Feeling Scared - Advice?

If they didn't I would advise you to consider asking them or cancelling the appointment until you've done further research. This is because the most crude vasectomies have a significant chance of leaving you with long term pain (post-vasectomy pain syndrome, PVPS), whereas the most delicately performed vasectomies using the latest techniques make PVPS unlikely.

Make sure you're familiar with male genital anatomy, there are plenty of useful diagrams and literature on the net. The first main option is whether they seal both ends of each vas deferens (closed-ended) or whether they leave one end open to continuously relieve the pressure that slowly builds up as sperm cells continue to be produced (open-ended). Since the most common cause of PVPS is backwards pressure on the epididymus, going open-ended could reduce the chances of getting PVPS by two thirds. If you get open ended make sure the ends get sealed off thoroughly and carefully, sheathed and/or put in different tissue planes, to ensure that fertility doesn't return unexpectedly.

The other option is less defined but has to do with how brutal or delicate the surgeon is. It's not as simple as chopping a tube in half because there are a lot of other things in there like blood vessels and nerves which will be in slightly different positions in every person. I wouldn't recommend getting a general practitioner to do it unless they're highly experienced. Look for a specialist, a urologist experienced in open-ended vasectomies and a low-impact 'no scalpel' technique. Instead of slashing they will just puncture the skin and do it via keyhole surgery.

I wrote more about this elsewhere in this forum where I point out some of the published research on this subject:

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/vasectomy-another-pvp-case--39676?page=0#400836

I'm not at all qualified or experienced in this subject but when it comes to deciding who will mess with my crown jewels I'll be taking all this into account hoping to reduce to risk of PVPS from 10% down to 2% or less.

Like any other type of surgery yes there are risks of a slight infection, but that can easily be fixed by taking antibiotics.

The actual incidence of major problems occurring as a result of this type ok keyhole surgery are miniscule.

Weighing the advantages against the possible disadvantages, in my case I can unhesitatingly say that I benefitted and so did my wife, so it was well worthwhile.

However, had I read some of the stories on here first, I don't think I would've had it done...... Generally, you only find negative experiences posted on the Internet, and I really feel for the poor people.

That said, I had the snip, in a gp's surgery - not mine though, I think they must've specialised in vasectomies as I was referred to them, from the hospital...... I'm 34, 3 kids and we're done, mrs had 3 sections so I think she's done her bit lol........ Apart from the unpleasantness of the procedure, and the soreness for 1 - 2 weeks after, I have (touch wood) been ok..... Still play sport, everything still works and feels as it did before, sensations and everything...... The only thing I would advise, is to make sure you rest well afterwards, I think that is an important part of your recovery, and ongoing outcome.

All the best and good luck.

When he examined me he described what he'll be doing but I can't remember word for word but  I'll be put under general anesthetic, I shouldn't feel any pain at the time but will feel lots of movements, he my left testicle will be cut first and they cut the tube, seal and move onto the right testicle, I knew I should of had someone else come in with me as I tend to forget the odd detail.

I think I should call them up again and go through it one more time.

My Job is office based, I hope I dont need too much time off work

Doesn't stop foreplay!

The Dr did say to me that once op is done I need to ejaculate as much as possible to clear any living sperm.

In my head i had the biggest grin going (never had that said to me before)

"not a problem doc, me and my right hand man can sort that"

Looks like I'll be stocking up with Kleenex for work

If you go to a new car showroom and ask if you should be buying a new car-!!!! Unfortunately going to a doctor doing vasectomies is just the same, they have a vested interest, which is why you never get the true facts on vasectomy problems.Only now with internet open for all, they ca`nt hide the ones that go wrong, which is I`m afraid  a lot of very upset men. With most contraception you can change to something else, with the snip you`ve cossed the line of no- return. I now have a life controlled by my awful opperation mistake.

The op itself, under local, is nothing to worry about. You may feel some tugging and may feel a bit woozy immediately afterwards.

Your choice boils down to how much of a risk you are willing to take really.

Depending on which country's datasets you follow then you have between 10% (UK) and upto 30%(US) of being inflicted with PVP.

That still leaves between 70% and 90% chance of a no problem vasectomy.

Having had it and been in agony for 2.5years and now facing another op (epidectomy) to try and ease the problem then obviously I'm one of the ones who would recommend youi think very long and very hard about the choice you are about to make.

I went for the snip because I didn't like or want to use condoms, my wife was suffering on the pill. Due to he pain levels we haven't had a sex life at all for 2 years....so it could be said success...a perfect from of birth control.

If your Dr hasn't mentioned PVP at this stage you should be asking yourself why, especially as GMC guidelines state they should highlight the risk. If your Dr gives you a figure of less than 10% risk then you should be asking yourself why as the DoH and NHS dataset is 10%. If your Dr seeks to downplay the risks saying it is minimal and can be treated with OTC meds then you should be asking yourself why as PVP requires heavy duty pain relief not OTC meds.

Already your Dr has sought to hide the risk by saying it 1 in 1000 (0.1%) whereas it is actually 1 in 10 (10%)and that should be an alarm bell,  although are you sure he meant risk from PVP? Was he talking about risk of vasectomy failure and pregnancy? although that rate is usually 1 in 2000 I have heard of a few Dr's use 1 in 1000 as their example.

Another slight risk across the board is some men who have the snip report that ejaculation does not feel the same or is not too noticable anymore, reducing the pleasure aspect. There is no dataset for this though but many men who go for a reversal do so to try and ease this. Dr's who do reversals have a term for this...SNOTS - sex not the same. However there is NO dataset to give an idea of how many suffer this.

But everything in life is a risk. If your Dr has told you about PVP and your happy with the odds of 70% to 90% success rate then that's fine. It should be remembered that many do find the operation successful.

If you do for it then make sure you fully rest for a few days, just sit your bum on the sofa and stay there. Tight fitting underwear for support will greatly help. Having a pack of max strength ibuprofen will help with the initial pain. When your back at work take it easy for the 1st week

The choice as they say...is all yours