The vasectomy reversal process takes about 2 or 3 hours maximum. The procedure requires the use of a local or general anesthesia. This is a painless outpatient surgery. However, if you have fears about surgery and other surgical procedures, it is advisable that you tell your doctor about it. You can request to have the general anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
After the surgery, you need to stay at the hospital until the effects of the general anesthesia is gone. You can still feel slight discomfort or a bit of pain from the surgery. The doctor will give you a prescription for the analgesics or pain relievers. If you feel nagging pain after and see some bruising, you can put on some ice packs on the scrotum. This will ease your pain and helps control the inflammation. The usual pain relievers are Mortrin, Advil, or Tylenol.
Bruising and swelling are normal after the surgery. However, if these symptoms persist 7 days after the surgery and the discomfort is growing, you need to visit the doctor for examination. Feeling some intensifying level of pain or throbbing pain on the sutured area may be a cause for worry. You need to consult your doctor immediately to ease your discomfort. Although there are times that you will see some bloody discharge, this is not a cause for worry. It is normal after the surgery.
The average healing period is about 30 days. The doctor will send you home with prescription for your pain and instructions for your activities within the first 30 days. It is advisable that you spend the first 7 days on bed rest because this is crucial to your recuperation. You should not do any activities that would likely stress you out because this is your recovery phase. You can use a recliner to make you feel comfortable for the first four weeks.
Following the prescription is critical to your health. You should follow all prescribed dos and don’ts diligently. This would only be for the first 30 days. After a month, you could go back to your day-to-day activities. Sex is one thing that you need to avoid during the first 30 days. It is crucial to the sutured area that you do not do any form of ejaculation.
Bath and Shower
You can take a shower after 48 hours from surgery but you cannot take a bath in a bathtub. The doctor will also restrict you from swimming for the first 30 days. You might be able to see the sutures in the opened region of the scrotum. Please do not attempt to remove them because they will be gone in a matter of 2 weeks. These sutures will dissolve on their own within 15 days from surgery.
Swelling and Bruising Symptoms
Observe the swelling and bruising in your scrotum or anywhere near the scrotum sutured area. If the scrotum begins to swell like the size of an orange, then there is a need to see your doctor and ask for medication. You are developing an inflammation that needs immediate treatment. Your doctor needs to examine the infection for adequate treatment.
After surgery follow up consultation
Your doctor will ask you to come to the clinic for appointment after the surgery. You might need to submit a semen sample for analysis after 30 days. You must understand that you should not have sex or any form of ejaculation at least 3 days before the semen sample analysis. This will affect the consistency of your results.
Seomul Evans is a SEO consultant for Vasectomy Reversal and a contributor for a leading health blog.