I had my initial consultation with Dr. Swartz today. It looks like I’ll be getting snipped in a couple weeks.
Yes, I’m getting a vasectomy, and if that seems like too much information, you’re probably reading the wrong blog.
Actually I think talking about the procedure is important. It’s one of the most effective means of birth control, and it’s far less invasive than the equivalent surgical procedure for females, the tubal ligation. In fact, a vasectomy only takes about fifteen minutes to perform and in most cases it’s virtually painless. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’m not in that minority that does experience some painful swelling.
But in spite of these advantages, many men are scared of vasectomies, and tubal ligations are more common. This, despite the fact that a tubal ligation is a more serious procedure with greater risks. I don’t want to cast aspersions on any individual or couple’s choice, but I think that reveals a certain bias. Let’s face it — men have a certain amount of anxiety about their “junk.”
So, anyway, before you can get it done, you have to go in for an initial consultation, which is what I did today, and I’m pretty much determined to go forward with this.
There are only a couple of considerations. One is that I shouldn’t ride a bike for a good week after the procedure. I use the bike to take Persephone to daycare in the morning, so we’ll time this to coincide with Persephone’s holiday break. I will probably also need a friend to take me to and from the doctor’s office; as mentioned the whole thing only takes fifteen minutes.
The other consideration is insurance. I seem to have met my deductible because the battery of alcohol injections I’ve been getting in my foot are considered “surgery” by Humana, as crazy as that sounds. My deductible resets at the end of the calendar year, so I’m keen to get this taken care of before then.
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Here’s to a smooth, swift and quick healing procedure!
Actually, the procedure itself takes 2-3 minutes. I was in and out of the place in 30 minutes, which included watching a corny video.
I have witnessed the “big V” and really was amazed at how simple a procedure it was–very little “yuck” factor as compared to a tubal–way easier on the recovery. In fact a root canal is much worse… My ex had his snip and the doc even joked that he would snip the first vas and I would do the second. The ex took it easy for the weekend, had one tiny superficial bruise. He took a total of two ibuprofen and had no swelling or other complications.–he also had no issues trying out the re-routed plumbing the next day. From the men I know who have had it done, most state that it was really nothing.
I’ve known friends to vastly different physical reactions, from the weekend recovery listed above, to mild discomfort for a few weeks to having very bad swelling. Just listen to your body and take it easy for at least a week.
Is snippage really necessary? I thought y’all were sort of, y’know, not really in much “risk” to begin with.
What about the poor bastard who has to shave your taint?
Thumbs up!
Garvey, I’ve been scratching my head (uh, no pun intended) trying to figure out what you might be referring to — I can actually think of several things, but I don’t recall putting any of it out here on the blog. So maybe I should just say — trust me, it’s necessary.
Gotcha. For some reason, I misread/misremembered past posts.