A vasectomy is one of the few ways you can (eventually) be 99% sure that you won’t have an unwanted pregnancy. During the vasectomy procedure, your urologic surgeon cuts your vas deferens tubes so that they can’t convey sperm through your urethra and into a woman’s vagina.
Years ago, surgeons needed to make incisions in your scrotum to reach your vas deferens tubes. Today, however, the gold standard for vasectomy is called a no-scalpel vasectomy. You won’t need incisions or have a scar.
Our expert urologist, Alex Lesani, MD, has many years of experience performing no-scalpel vasectomies to help men prevent unwanted pregnancies. A vasectomy is a simple outpatient procedure that he performs at our Las Vegas, Nevada, office.
What’s the no-scalpel technique like for vasectomy? Below is a brief description of what you can expect.
Initially, surgeons needed to make incisions in your scrotum to reach your vas deferens tubes, which carry sperm from your testicles into your urethra. With a no-scalpel technique, however, Dr. Lesani simply makes a single small puncture on each side of the scrotum instead.
Through that tiny hole, he inserts miniature instruments to grasp and sever the tube. He removes some material between the cuts to ensure the two halves of the tube don’t grow back together. Then he seals the ends of the tube so that they’re permanently separated.
Once he finishes one tube, he moves to the next half of your scrotum and performs the procedure on that side. The entire vasectomy takes less than an hour. You don’t even need stitches. The punctures are so small that they heal on their own.
While you may see the advantage of trading incisions for a tiny puncture, it may still sound a bit painful to you. Never fear: We numb your scrotum first with an anesthetic injection. You feel a slight pinch when we administer the anesthetic.
During the procedure itself, while Dr. Lesani makes the punctures and then grasps each tube, you will feel only some tugging, pulling, or pushing. You won’t feel any pain.
Before your procedure, Dr. Lesani and our team give you instructions so you’re ready on vasectomy day. These may include:
We also advise you to keep your diet light on the day of the vasectomy. We ask you to bring a jockstrap or compression shorts to the office.
Although a scalpel-free vasectomy is pain-free, it’s still surgery. You will be bruised and slightly swollen after your procedure. We give you aftercare instructions, such as:
Of course, you should also avoid strenuous activity that might stress your scrotum. During your healing period, wear a jockstrap or supportive briefs.
Use condoms or other birth control during sex until Dr. Lesani says otherwise. Sperm may still reside in your vas deferens or in your urethra for about 20-30 ejaculations. On your follow-up visits, Dr. Lesani tests your sperm count. When it’s zero, he lets you know so that you can enjoy sex without contraception.
Planned Parenthood rates vasectomies as being 99% effective against pregnancy. It’s theoretically possible to impregnate someone for up to a year after your procedure, although it’s extremely rare.
A vasectomy is an effective and safe way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, it’s considered to be an irreversible sterilization procedure. While you may be able to reverse a vasectomy (especially if done by an expert like Dr. Lesani), you shouldn’t count on that as your “back-up.”
Dr. Lesani advises that you and (if appropriate) your partner take time when considering vasectomy. If there’s a possibility that you might want children in the future, he recommends other forms of birth control in the meantime.
Are you ready to be worry free when it comes to pregnancy? Call Dr. Lesani for a vasectomy consultation today at 702-470-2579, or choose your own date by booking your appointment online.
