You should plan on the procedure taking 10-15 minutes on each side. After undressing below the waist, you will have the affected area sterilized and a sterile drape will be positioned. Then, Dr. Hettiarachchi will numb the area with a local anesthetic; the anesthetic is administered without a needle, so you should just feel a slight pinch or pluck, like picking a hair. If you have any pain during the procedure, tell Dr. H and he will give you more anesthetic. During the procedure, the ends of the vas deferens will be clipped, cauterized, and sealed to prevent regrowth. The hole made for the procedure is so small that you will not even require stitches, so you can go home after with minimal fuss.

Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen products for the week leading up to your vasectomy. The day before or morning of, shower and shave the area where the scrotum and penis meet. Wear comfortable clothing to the appointment and arrive approximately 15 minutes early to fill out procedure forms.

Ice the area after the procedure, rotating off and on for best results. You will receive a pain medication prescription for use after the local anesthetic wears off. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin for the first two days, but after that ibuprofen is very effective for managing pain.

Avoid activity and rest for the first 72 hours after your procedure. You may shower, but do not take a bath or use a hot tub for the first 72 hours. Within a week of the procedure, you should be able to return to all of your daily activities, including sexual activities.

No. The vasectomy is simply a procedure for male sterilization. There is no evidence that vasectomy leads to sexual dysfunction. The procedure works so that when the body produces sperm, it is reabsorbed rather than ejaculated. After having this procedure, there is a very small decrease in ejaculate that will not be noticeable or affect your sex life in any way. The procedure does not cause erectile dysfunction or lessen sex drive.

Vasectomy is a permanent form of birth control. If you are sure that you do not want any future children, this is the best option for you. It is a quick, easy, and safe procedure at our office.

As a permanent form of establishing male sterility, you may be concerned that at some point in the future you may wish to have children, even if at the present time, you're ready for a vasectomy. Fortunately, you have options, including a vasectomy reversal or banking your sperm. While a vasectomy reversal is invasive, costly and not 100% reliable, banking your sperm is relatively inexpensive and much more reliable.

If you're worried about the permanency of the vasectomy, be sure to speak with Dr. Hettiarachchi about the various options.

Vasectomy is permanent and more effective than pills or condoms. Once you are considered sterile, you do not need to take any additional steps for contraception (although vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases). There is only a 1 in 2000 chance of pregnancy after a patient has been determined sterile by vasectomy. Vasectomy is also less expensive and less invasive option than tubal ligation for permanent birth control.

Our procedure is designed to be performed without the use of needles or scalpels in order to minimize discomfort. During the procedure, you should not feel any sharp pain. If you do, let Dr. Hettiarachchi know and he will administer more local anesthetic.

In nearly every case, no. In very rare cases, a patient will experience chronic testicular discomfort after the procedure. However, this is not something that is common in any way, and should not affect your decision to get a vasectomy. Vasectomy does not cause any kind of cancer, including prostate or testicular.

The no-needle, no-scalpel procedure that we use at the Charlotte Center for Pelvic Health is just as effective as a traditional vasectomy procedure. In addition to this, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure leads to a quicker recovery and less chance of complication than traditional. There is also no anesthesia required, which can make the process more convenient and less expensive.