Anne Arundel Urology

Vasectomy Instructions

Pre Procedure Instructions

  1. You may have a light meal 1 - 2 hours before the procedure.
  2. Discontinue the following medications as directed:
    1. Aspirin 10 days prior
    2. Plavix 7 days prior
    3. Coumadin 5 days prior
    All Anti Inflammatory medications, all over the counter medications, all vitamins, all supplements and all herbal remedies must be discontinued 7 days prior to the procedure.
  3. You may take TYLENOL ONLY for pain relief the week prior to the procedure.
  4. Shave the FRONT of the scrotum the morning of your procedure.
  5. Shower with soap and water the night before and again after shaving on the day of the procedure.
  6. Bring an Athletic Supporter to the procedure with you.
  7. Review and sign the CONSENT form prior to the procedure. Your spouse needs to sign as the witness to your signature. Bring the completed consent form with you the day of your procedure.
  8. Review and sign the DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS below. Bring this form with you also.
  9. You MUST have someone drive you to and from the procedure.
  10. A staff member from the Surgery Center will call you prior to the procedure to review your Medical and Surgical History and the Medications you are currently taking.

Post Procedure & Discharge Instructions

  1. Apply ICE PACKS to the scrotum 10 minutes of each hour while awake for the first 24 hours after surgery ( a bag of frozen peas or corn work nicely). Make sure that the ice packs are not placed on bare skin.
  2. Bed rest for 24 hours, except to go to the bathroom.
  3. You may shower after 24 hours.
  4. You may perform usual activities after 24 hours as tolerated, but no heavy work or lifting more than 20 lbs. for 1 week.
  5. Starting after 48 hours, you may sit in a tub of warm water twice daily for additional comfort, if needed. Keep the water warm and soak for 10-15 minutes. Do not sit in the tub if you still have bleeding from your incision.
  6. Wear the supporter for at least 3-4 days and thereafter for as long as it gives you comfort. Change the dressing using 4 x 4 gauze (available in any drug store) as necessary.
  7. Your may resume sexual relations after 72 hours, but CONTINUE EFFECTIVE CONTRACEPTION until it has been proven that your semen specimen contains no sperm. The surgery does NOT provide immediate sterility.
  8. Some bruising(black and blue), draining (oozing) from the incision, swelling or mild tenderness of the scrotum are not unusual. The edges of the incision may pull apart slightly and heal rather slowly. There may be a knot present which remains for several months. These are all part of the normal healing process and are nothing to worry about.
  9. Approximately 8 – 10 weeks after your vasectomy, drop off a specimen at either office: Annapolis or Glen Burnie. Bring the specimen in a small, clean, wide mouth container (NOT A CONDOM) within 1-2 hours of collection. The specimen must be accepted by a staff member. Please make sure that you have labeled the container with your name and date of birth. Hours for accepting specimens are as follows:

    ANNAPOLIS Office , Suite 130 - Monday thru Friday 9am to 3pm.
    GLEN BURNIE Office , Suite 503 - Call ext . 200 for specific drop off times.

  10. Call the office immediately if you have any of the following:
    FEVER > 101◦ and / or CHILLS
    FOUL SMELLING and / or PURULENT DISCHARGE
    NAUSEA and / or VOMITING PAIN NOT RELIEVED BY PAIN MEDICATION
    EXCESSIVE SWELLING
  11. You may take over the counter Tylenol or pain medication (if prescribed) for pain relief. DO NOT TAKE ANY ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS, OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS or SUPPLEMENTS FOR 1 WEEK AFTER THE PROCEDURE.
  12. A member of our staff will call you the day after the procedure to follow up with you.