Question for Guys who have had Vasectomies...

Having minor issues, and not sure how normal my situation is and what - if anything - I should do about it.

I had a vasectomy 9 weeks ago. I am still suffering minor discomfort. Not too bad. Obviously not any sort of major problem. But enough to register as, "This is not how things felt before."

It gets more irritated by physical exertion. Bench press is the worst (leg drive to brace myself) followed by certain movements rock climbing. Again, not seriously painful, but the irritation jumps up from "itchy scab" to "thick needle getting blood drawn".

Not sure if this is something that will:

1. Just go away on its own over time regardless of what I do
2. Something that needs extra rest
3. Something that will be aided with the right kind of exercises
4. Just my new normal that I need to learn to live with

My current plan is: no running the dog, lifting, or climbing for a week to see if the situation changes. If the situation doesn't markedly change, restart exercising assuming it is not making things worse.

Sent message to the Dr.'s office. Was told to call the nurses station. The nurse sounded like she didn't want to talk to me, asked very cursory questions to determine that it wasn't an infection or anything like that. Said to not physically exert myself.

Gee. Thanks for giving me ZERO useful information.

I don't know how normal this is, what the prognosis is, or what I'm supposed to do. Not knowing is frustrating.

I wouldn't be surprised if how I feel isn't that abnormal, but that I am just a lot more physically active than most people. I squatted 415lbs the week before my vasectomy. I'd like to be squatting >300 right now, but am "only" squatting about 225 without discomfort.

I'm... not active, but I never felt anything like that after a week post-surgery.

I suggest switching from boxers to briefs for a week or two for more support. If you already wear briefs, try a supporter.

If 2 weeks with extra support and reduced activity don't help, make an appointment and get checked. Could be scar tissue, could be something else.  It shouldn't hurt in the long run.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I was 100% back to normal in 24 hours, and have not felt anything since. If you are feeling ANYTHING, have it looked at. 

Everyone I talked to in advance of mine said that it would be one or two days with a bag of ice on your balls, some Tylenol, a week of light activity, and then back to normal.  When I finally got it done, I iced it that night, mostly as a precaution, but didn't take any pain meds as it wasn't really that uncomfortable.  The next day it felt like it had before the operation, and being the caveman that I am I went back to my normal daily activities.  That was 5 years ago, and I don't think I've felt as much as a twinge since then.  I don't do any gym-related exercises, but we do have 2 kids and a small farm so I'm always doing some sort of physical activity.  

How long did you wait post-op to restart vigorous activity?  It does sort of sound like it may not have fully healed.  And as non-sedentary as I am, it sounds like you're even less so, so your "normal" might be worse than mine.  

I'll add my sympathies, I was sold that the V was a routine procedure and for me it was; I'm sure you heard the same line, and it's frustrating when the salesman lies to you.  

It's been almost 17 years,  but I recall the first couple days being quite tender.  Was probably back to "normal" within a couple weeks.

Now,  I have a neighbor whose procedure something went off and he was almost in the hospital from pain and swelling.   His recovery was several weeks.

at 9 weeks,  I would get a 2nd opinion.

It has been 30 years but from what I do remember there was some discomfort for about a week and physical exertion during that period hurt and the sutures leaked a little.  Good excuse to relax for a week.  

Mine was definitely not a quick recovery like others have posted, but id say within 3-4 weeks it was back to normal.  Mostly just swelling took forever to go down, but also I would occasionally get the needle like pain your described.

9 weeks after - I'd definitely be speaking with a doctor.

volvoclearinghouse said:

How long did you wait post-op to restart vigorous activity?  It does sort of sound like it may not have fully healed.  And as non-sedentary as I am, it sounds like you're even less so, so your "normal" might be worse than mine.

I'd have to double check my workout log, but more than a month. I waited 5 or 6 weeks to start easing back into physical activity. When I did, it was very light for me. Started with just squatting 145 to go through the motions. Even now, I would say it's only in the past week or two that my weight lifting has gotten up to the point where I feel like I'm really doing work (although volume, not max weight).

My recovery took extra long. I had a hematoma that took several weeks to heal, but didn't get infected or anything. Sleeping was uncomfortable for about 2 weeks.

So... I'm not worried this is an infection or anything seriously threatening, but something isn't right. More than the brush-off the nurse gave.

In reply to Beer Baron :

Definitely need to talk to someone.  You're in a major metro area based on your profile, so a 2nd opinion might be a good idea if the place that did it isn't being responsive.  I shopped around for mine and had it done at the same place as every single other guy I had talked to had it done.  The place might as well have been named "Nutjobs 'R Us", that's pretty much what they did, and they were good at it.  

It's been many years, but I certainly don't recall any issues that far out. Maybe a week or two of soreness, but that's it. Sounds like you may have some scar tissue that's irritating something around it.

Definitely go back to the doctor. I'd still try to follow up with the one who did the procedure. If you aren't getting satisfactory help, go up the chain. Be prepared to be a PITA. The squeaky wheel, etc. Doctor's offices probably get a lot of hypochondriac type stuff, so their default is to try and sort that stuff out. Make it clear that you aren't going away, and they will deal with you.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

Definitely go back to the doctor. I'd still try to follow up with the one who did the procedure. If you aren't getting satisfactory help, go up the chain. Be prepared to be a PITA. The squeaky wheel, etc. Doctor's offices probably get a lot of hypochondriac type stuff, so their default is to try and sort that stuff out. Make it clear that you aren't going away, and they will deal with you.

Yeah. I don't want to be That Guy. I'm also pretty sure that I'm *not* That Guy. I don't think this is a major issue, but something isn't right, and I think it's reasonable to get a clear and honest answer. Even if that answer is "Observe for another two weeks and check back in if nothing gets better."

You have a legitimate concern, as this is not 'normal'. You are experiencing a 'complication', even if not as severe as some others. If the doctor and/or office that performed your surgery won't take you seriously, find one that will.

Called their office. I have an appointment with an RN tomorrow morning. There was nothing available with the Dr. who did the surgery for a while. I figure if the RN is not able to answer the questions, I just snag the next available appointment with the Dr. himself.

The realistic scenario I'm afraid of is that this might be the New Normal. That I could still be physically capable of doing my job and other moderate activity, but that I might not ever be able to lift heavy or do really strenuous rock climbing again.

Beer Baron said:

The realistic scenario I'm afraid of is that this might be the New Normal. That I could still be physically capable of doing my job and other moderate activity, but that I might not ever be able to lift heavy or do really strenuous rock climbing again.

That should absolutely not be the case. A vasectomy is a very minor procedure, it should not have any long-term effects other than keeping your swimmers from escaping.

My vasectomy was back to business in a week, and 'absolutely 0 pain for anyything' within about a month. 

Jsut take it easy and don't overdo it, you should be okay. 

My vasectomy reversal, however, was a solid 6 months of pretty moderate to severe discomfrot doing anything other than sitting or slowly walking... 

I don't know if there are newer techniques, but 30 odd years ago, the got the tube out, put a hose clamp on a loop, cinched the clamp and cut a bit of tube(?vas deferens?) Off, stitched sac and sent me home. I had one swell up, but went away fairly quickly.  For a few years after, it felt like the connection from testicle to prostate was a bit shorter...obviously.  I commenced to stretching things and it got fine.

No, not stretching that, you pervs.

Streetwiseguy said:

I don't know if there are newer techniques, but 30 odd years ago, the got the tube out, put a hose clamp on a loop, cinched the clamp and cut a bit of tube(?vas deferens?) Off, stitched sac and sent me home. I had one swell up, but went away fairly quickly.  For a few years after, it felt like the connection from testicle to prostate was a bit shorter...obviously.  I commenced to stretching things and it got fine.

This sounds similar to my situation. What sort of stretching things helped you? Like butterfly stretches and side lunges? Or like... using your fingertips to massage the connecting tube to help soften things?

I wonder if... maybe I don't lift or climb as much, but I should be doing some of the stretching I typically do around those workouts. Maybe add in some male keggels to help support things.

My brother in law was in considerable pain after his vasectomy and it got so bad he was in agony on the drive home. He stopped and dropped his pants and discovered the doctor had left a rubber band around his balls which were swollen up like a pair of grapefruit.....

It took me at least 2 weeks to lift like I used to. 

Beer Baron said:

Streetwiseguy said:

I don't know if there are newer techniques, but 30 odd years ago, the got the tube out, put a hose clamp on a loop, cinched the clamp and cut a bit of tube(?vas deferens?) Off, stitched sac and sent me home. I had one swell up, but went away fairly quickly.  For a few years after, it felt like the connection from testicle to prostate was a bit shorter...obviously.  I commenced to stretching things and it got fine.

This sounds similar to my situation. What sort of stretching things helped you? Like butterfly stretches and side lunges? Or like... using your fingertips to massage the connecting tube to help soften things?

I wonder if... maybe I don't lift or climb as much, but I should be doing some of the stretching I typically do around those workouts. Maybe add in some male keggels to help support things.

I grabbed my balls and tugged...

Streetwiseguy said:

Beer Baron said:

Streetwiseguy said:

I don't know if there are newer techniques, but 30 odd years ago, the got the tube out, put a hose clamp on a loop, cinched the clamp and cut a bit of tube(?vas deferens?) Off, stitched sac and sent me home. I had one swell up, but went away fairly quickly.  For a few years after, it felt like the connection from testicle to prostate was a bit shorter...obviously.  I commenced to stretching things and it got fine.

This sounds similar to my situation. What sort of stretching things helped you? Like butterfly stretches and side lunges? Or like... using your fingertips to massage the connecting tube to help soften things?

I wonder if... maybe I don't lift or climb as much, but I should be doing some of the stretching I typically do around those workouts. Maybe add in some male keggels to help support things.

I grabbed my balls and tugged...

Duly noted. Will ask the RN tomorrow if this is a terrible idea or not. I just don't want to like... pull the wrapping off the kinked hose or anything.

And I feel this is obligatory:

It took about a week or so to go "back to normal".   The one caveat is that if you brush/hit, or contact them it seems to be more sensitive now than before. 

ProDarwin said:

Mine was definitely not a quick recovery like others have posted, but id say within 3-4 weeks it was back to normal.  Mostly just swelling took forever to go down, but also I would occasionally get the needle like pain your described.

This sounds about like my experience. After a couple weeks I talked to the doctor about it. He asked "Are you still using it?" I said yeah. He said "Yeah you'll be fine."

If it's make you have a funny face while you exert or bounce them around pain and not OUCH, that's within the realm of what I experienced.  I'd say it was easy to provoke an ache, not pain. It's pretty much gone away with time. Just... A hair sensitive... I'm several months out from it now and don't really have any of it now, pretty much back to normal. 

I'd still have the chat with the doc or nurse though. And extra support is not a bad idea. 

Mine was done 24 years ago. Supporter for the week after was most beneficial. Had it done on Friday, went back to work on Monday with no lifting. Still swelled up so went to supporter and that helped a lot. Also, even for a time after, if I had swelling, out came the frozen peas to take care of that.