How long does vasectomy recovery take?

so it' safe to say that it took me a full 5 month to say that its completely healed. i am so happy!!!!

Unfortunately, I have been suffering with pain and sensitivity in my testicles ever since I had my no scalpel vasectomy back in August 2010. It has been an adventure from day one and at times, I regret having it even done. I have days where my right testicle feels like it is being pinched all day.....others I feel like my testicles have been hit by a baseball bat by the end of the day. On seeing my third urologist regarding this. He seems to have seen a few cases of this complication after vasectomy. However the correction to this problem has not been very promising as I have read countless others on other websites regarding this issue.  We have been doing nerve block injections direct into my right testicle. That has offered mixed results but not offered the end to this issue. We have discussed the removal of my epididymus (where the majority of the time the pain seems to usually start) ....he is not a fan of doing so as it only could offer only a 50% chance of relief .....it has a risk of stopping blood flow to the testicle which then could result in more surgery to have the testicle removed if it then dies from lack of blood flow.....he has also offered removal of the testicle as an option.....he has said that he has men who have had it done and claim it "it has changed their lives" with pain relief......but again, no guarantees that it would help......even with doing both of those options, he states the infamous "phantom pain" that some have had after these procedures........the only thing that has offered any relief is taking a pain medication called "nucynta" for me.  The problem is that it is an opiate and can become very addictive. Not something I want to be addicted to but for now, is helping take the edge off the discomfort or completely stopping the pain.......at this point, I am on the fence with the surgical options......I have two children already and not looking to have more .....hence why having the vasectomy in the first place......so not to worried about not having an epidydimus ....as for the testicle removal, not a guy with an ego so this "not a man" without one is not an issue for me if it relieved the pain. A man can function fine with only one testicle so that is ok for me.......so, unfortunately guys, this does happen.....the problems are that the doctor does not really point this out to you before it is done.....for the small percentage that it happens to, we have to find out the hard way.....after the procedure .......

My experience (41 yo) has been similar to this. After the procedure, I went home and loaded up on Vicodin. I was back at work the next day and had sex two days later. There has been some nagging aching, but no real pain, and after that first day, I haven't taken any pain killers at all (even ibuprofen). I'm now a week later and still have some minor discomfort, but snug underwear help A LOT. No boxers, gentlemen. The dissolvable stitches are still in place, and I'm hoping that within another week, both the dull ache and the stitches will be gone. I also had the kind with a single incision, btw, and there was only minor bruising and no swelling, nothing like what some guys have described with swollen, black/ball balls.

Tall are some babies.... Had this done last week op isn't to bad slight pain... Next day iced half hour on half hour offs swelling went down third day back to work... One stitch in the middle is annoying more then anything

I'm experiencing the same sentiment 3 weeks out. How are you doing today?

Great site and feedback, thought I would share mine.

 

Has the no scalpel method 02/02/2013, single incision about ½ cm long, no drugs before the procedure just a local shot for anesthetic in the sack.

 

Procedure took 10-15 min, no pain at all. Worst part is the needle to get things numb. Felt a bit of tugging during the op, I actually watched the second snip and cauterizing.

 

Pants up, out the door feeling surprised how quick and easy it was with no prescription in hand (I’m also surprised how many people im reading about that took drugs after for pain). Stopped for a couple pints and a light bite to eat on the way home.

 

ICE IS GOOD. Relaxed that day and the next with moderate movement, had very light intercourse about 24 hours after the op. No swelling, no blood from the incision (was glued shut, no stitches), all was going great.

 

Day 3 I went to work, was fine until the end of the day when the boys started to get a light ache to them, im on day 7 now, ache is still lingering. A couple more light intercourse days since the op, I have been wearing tight briefs for support, no jock strap.

 

All in all, things seem to be going good. Hoping this dull ache starts to recede in the coming days.

I had the procedure done 7 days ago.  Everyone I spoke to gave me the idea that it was going to be an easy procedure and a few  days later I was going to be good as new.  In my mind I almost painted this picture of me going to the candy store and buying the most colorfull lolypop, then walking out with a big grin on my face like a 7 year old boy who just got a new puppy.

That impression was very wrong!  I felt everything, all the cutting and pulling, it was the first time I had 2 women playing with my genitals and I was not enjoying it at all.  They could of at least bought me dinner first...how rude!  The first 3 days my junk was swolen bigger than the size of my fist, the next 4 days the sweeling slowly went down.  On the 5th day the pain from the sweling went down but the pain from the stiches got worse.  At least by now I could walk around and get somewhat back to my life.

It has been 7 days now and it still hurts, mainly when I stand up after sitting down and if I walk for more than 2 minutes.  It still hurts to wear underwear and my jim shorts have become my best friends.  I look forward to getting back to normal in a few days.

I don't want to discourage anyone from having this done, just know that yes it will hurt and yes it will suck, and anyone who tells you that you will have a LITTLE discomfort is full of c**p.  This is very uncomfortable and not a barrel of laughs, but eventually it will get better so it is worth it.

I hae mine done yesterday, and after reading about the issues others have experienced on this thread I was a bit concerned over the recovery. I live in Seattle, and we have a clinic here that specializes on vasectomies and the doctor has done about 20,000 of them. The procedure was simple and quick (~10 mins), as pleasant as it can be. The only thing I felt, and even that was not painful was the numbing. The hypospray felt like a rubber band snapping against the sack. The incision, only 1, was about 1/8 of an inch so stitches were not needed. I had no pain and in fact felt very little discomfort last night and today practically nothing. Have not needed painkillers, but i am enjoying the wife pampering me. Lets see how the coming days are, but so far so good. Will take it easy for a few days though not to overdo it.

sure, things can go wrong and complications may come later on but this was no big deal. Very happy I did it. I'd look for an experienced urologist though, and no needle no scalpel vasectomy.

36-year old with 3 kids here.  Day 16 for me.  Testicles are still very sensitive.  Quick movements often result in a slightly painful pulling sensation in my lower abdomen (pubic hair area).  

A day or two after my op, I started to feel better.  But then I plateaued (I think that's the word I'm looking for).  It didn't seem like I was making any further improvement.  So, being the worry wart that I am, I contacted my urologist.  He said that we would treat it like an infection.  This meant Naproxin and antibiotics.  

Finished my meds but still experiencing symptoms.  Some minor improvement but not as much as I was hoping for.  No pain during sex, no bruising, no knots...just a persistent pulling pain.  Sometimes I walk normally, other times I feel the urge to limp around because of the pulling sensation.  

My body does not recover well from injury.  In fact, one of the most frightening things about the surgery was the part where I urologist stopped what he was doing, ran to the door, and shouted for a nurse to come quick.  Apparently I am a bleeder and he was having trouble controlling it.  Not what you want to hear when someone is doing surgery on your balls.  

So with that in mind, I'm trying to stay positive that my pain will subside completely in time.  I can't play hockey or tennis yet which is driving me bonkers.  I talked to no less than 9 others who I know have had a vasectomy and none of them had any issues whatsoever.  So I really think that I, and the others in this forum who are experiencing prolonged problems, am just part of the unlucky minority.  I found this site after a search for "how long does pain last after a vasectomy."  I'm assuming others made it here in similar fashion.  Therefore I think that's why it seems there is so much doom and gloom here.  We're the ones who are seeking support on the Internet, not those lucky ones who had problem-free recoveries.  

 

34 y.o., just had vasectomy done Friday @ 1pm. Only took 30mins from start to finish, involving 2 tiny (4-6mm) cuts to either side of my scrotum. No pain during operation - only a sharp sting for each anesthetic injection, lasting a second or 2. During the op, I could feel all of the tugging/moving etc, but zero pain. Wife drove me straight home afterwards (30min trip), and I spent the next 6hrs in bed with ice applied, taking a mixture of regular strength paracetamol and ibuprofen. Also wore a new pair of supportive underpants, to keep everything well-supported and not 'hanging loose' or bouncing around.  Once anesthetic wore off (about 30mins after operation), I had no significant pain at all - mostly just an uncomfortable, dull ache. Went to bed about 9pm (about 7hrs after op), so no more ice. Had a restless night - uncomfortable to move too much, and I don't usually sleep on my back. Kept the paracetamol/ibuprofen doses up throughout the night. Took it very easy the next day (Saturday) - no more ice, but spent the day mainly in bed, on the couch etc - not walking/sitting very much at all.  It's now Sunday (2 days after operation), and I feel ok to walk, sit etc as long as I take things slowly - no sudden jolts. Now I'm only taking a dose of paracetamol every 6 hours or so, and I have no real pain - just an uncomfortable ache which seems to be lessening each day. I have had no obvious bruising or swelling at all so far. Personally, I can fully recommend this procedure!

My advice:

1. Do it - easiest and best form of permanent contraception.

2. Choose a reputable doctor/surgeon.

3. Follow ALL advice to the letter - supportive underpants/jockstrap for a few days; ice for many hours post-op; take it VERY easy for 48hrs.

Had a vasectomy on Nov 15th 2012 and have been in total agony ever since.

In March 2013 I was diagnosed with Post Vasectomy Bilateral Scrotal Pain (syndrome) - full blown PVPS in both testicles. I was told at this diagnosis that actually this is quite common affecting up to 14% of men who get a vasectomy. They sort of forgot to mention those stats when doing the vasectomy.

There would appear to be two camps - those that have PVP and those who don't have it yet - people who post within a week or two and say vasectomy is the best thing since sliced bread and others should get it done should really not tell others to get it done on the basis of they are fine after two weeks or so....PVPS can kick in anytime from 1 week to 10 years - so unless your vasectomy is over 10 years ago and you have been pain free for the last 10 years it is best not to recommend something that you may yet get (although I sincerely hope you don't).Simple fact is if it works it works - if it doesn't you are up a creek without a paddle as there is NO cure and it is LIFELONG.

The benefit if it works is obvious you are kid free - this is the only benefit however the downsides are legion if it doesn't work and you end up in the 14% bracket:

Painful erectionsPainful ejaculations at moment of climax and upto 72hrs afterprolonged opiate use including morphineexposing marriage / relationship to risk of destruction due to no sex life due to the aboveloss of pay/employment if you are in the top 5% group who get total debilitation - again straining relationshipsloss of ability to take part in physical activities / hobbies such as sport or even riding a motorbike!

The decision if to have a vasectomy should be based on one thing and that is sound and thorough research about the risks (guess who didn't do this!!?) and when you go for consults if the physician says it is either "simple and safe" or "low risk" or "no long term risk" then you should avoid these and find a physician who is willing to be honest with you. If after having read up on the like of PVP and having had an honest and open physician you decide to go ahead then very best of luck to you.

I thought I should add my experience as have spent so much time reading others.  From all this reading (a lot) I have deduced one important thing....it varies from person to person.  I had mine done 2 months ago, for 3 days i did NOTHING, swelling reduced and they were almost normal (bit big and saggy sack maybe).  Then bruising appeared followed by swelling, this lasted another 5 days (i had to take time off), the only thing that relieved it was warm bathes (great relief at that).  After the swelling subsided I could feel very hard tubes in my scrotum (like someone spaghetti but not as brittle), the doctor said to give it more time it was quite normal (?).  After a few weeks this did improve and they spaghetti is not as noticeable and even now continues to be better.  The issue now is my scrotum stretched during my swelling and is now saggy making my testicles rather annoying with mild pain but they do seem to be getting better slowly.   

So, for those with issues it probably will get better but it seems if you have one issue there may be more to come.   For some there will be no issues

If i could go back in time I would NOT do it again but it is a very personal decision.

Yep. I am 13 days post op and have the blue balls feeling still. Sex a few times in last week but tried gym yesterday and too much discomfort to really do anything. There is a small bump almost like an ingrown hair bump at the site of each small incision still that is slowly going away. I hope to be normal within the next week. Also, a little pain/discomfort when having sex that again hope will go away soon.

As to how long can the recovery be? Well in all honesty it can be life long recovery! They don't really tell you this do they?

There is a serious complication to this so called simple and safe procedure called Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome, sadly the diagnosis name gives little away about the problems and effects it can have.

I had a vasectomy in November 2012 and within a matter of one week was in extreme agony. In March 2013 I was diagnosed with Post Vasectomy Bilateral Scrotal Pain.

The effects of this:
An erection hurts like hell due to pain
A climax is agony at point of ejaculation and can ensure pain levels are kept high for upto 72hrs after the climax
A constant ache in the testicles ranging from low grade pain on a daily basis to debilitating pain on an hourly basis!

Figures vary for PVP / PVPS / Post Vasectomy Pain as many men do not report low grade pain or drop off the radar after a while. But a good indicative base would be between 3% and 14% will get post vasectomy pain, which can affect their lives to a greater or lesser degree.

A reversal is sometimes touted as a possible cure. Yes it can aid the pain (but it CAN return as well) but more importantly it should be noted that the reversal process itself can trigger post vasectomy pain, and if you already have it then that will only further compound the pain levels you are suffering.

The short of it is you stand over a 1 in 10 chance of post vasectomy pain syndrome, and if you do get diagnosed with this then there is no cure and the recovery period is life-long!

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My advice would obviously do not consider a vasectomy, the risks to your own body and your relationship are too great. However I recognise that is biased because I have PVP so my secondary advice would be ensure you read up fully on Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome. Familiarise yourself with the official risks and what a diagnosis can mean (and cost!) to you you in the long run

Had my vas 8 days ago, balls still swollen & in pain. Jockstrap made a big difference (didn't use one till day 6). My Dr mentioned nothing about continued pain. I'm pissed I didn't research this 1st. 15% still in pain at 7mo! WTF!