# Ask the guy who just got a vasectomy. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 31, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686 "2010-07-31T15:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/21 "2010-08-01T11:01:36Z")
Congrats on taking such a positive step towards controlling your fertility and your future! Did you get a segment cut out and/or the ends cauterised? ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/22 "2010-08-01T16:14:55Z")
I gave a little plaque to a now former cow-orker that had had one. It said “Vasectomy is never having to say you’re sorry”. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/23 "2010-08-01T17:27:12Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > Are you in a monogamous relationship? If so, why not ask your SO to get her tubes tied? > > Have you ever been in a relationship with a woman? Jesus Christ, why don’t _you_ ask her to get her tubes tied? Have you considered basic anatomy? A tubal ligation is way more invasive and it’s a much more major surgery. According to Wiki, there is 40X higher likelihood of complications. There are [other options](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essure) as well. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/24 "2010-08-01T18:16:43Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > There are [other options](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essure) as well. That’s really cool. Thanks. Why doesn’t everyone do this now instead of the old method? ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/25 "2010-08-01T20:51:27Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > Are you in a monogamous relationship? If so, why not ask your SO to get her tubes tied? Was your child a broken condom baby? If not, why the jump from conventional birth control to going under the knife? This is the most idiotic thing I’ve ever read on the dope. Getting your tubes tied is an invasive, costly procedure. It’s not nearly as accurate as getting a vasectomy. To give you a rough idea, there are half a million vasectomies a year in the US. [Cite](http://www.harryfisch.com/vasectomyreversal.htm). Nothing else needs a cite in this post because a child’s understanding of Google will render the results. OP, glad you got it done. I’ll get my tubes tied (and he’ll get a vasectomy) when we’re done having kids. Controlling your own fertility destiny is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/26 "2010-08-02T09:02:06Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > > > There are [other options](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essure) as well. > > That’s really cool. Thanks. Why doesn’t everyone do this now instead of the old method? Lots of reasons: - If you have an intolerance to the metal it is made of - If you don’t want to wait 3 - 6 months to be sterile - If you are already open on the operating table (i.e, some people schedule a ligation immediately after a c-section) - If you don’t like the idea of having a foreign object inside of you - If you have a lopsided, oddly shaped or otherwise abnormal uterus or fallopian tubes - If you may want a uterine ablation at some point Just off the top of my head - there are probably many more reasons I haven’t considered! Don’t get me wrong - it’s an awesome procedure and I’m extremely happy I had it done, but it’s not for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/27 "2010-08-02T15:58:05Z")
How old are you? Did you have to sweet-talk your doc into approving it, or did he sign off on it readily? – FWIW, I got mine at 34 with no kids (long story). The doc was apprehensive at first, but then I asked him: “What would [my HMO, his employer] rather pay for: pregnancy, birth, and 18 years of child care, or a vasectomy?” He signed the authorization on the spot. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/28 "2010-08-02T16:40:45Z")
IANAD and all that, but your excessive bleeding doesn’t sound right at all. I don’t recall any bleeding when I had mine- if you’ve changed the dressings multiple times and there’s still blood, you might want to get that checked out. As far as how long to wait, my doc just said wait until I’m comfortable. For me that was on the 4th or 5th day- had it on a Friday morning and my wife gently coaxed one out of me on Tuesday or Wednesday, I can’t quite remember. It was almost 6 years ago. Good luck with the recovery and enjoy the peace of mind. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/29 "2010-08-02T18:52:00Z")
> [@Essured](#): > > Just off the top of my head - there are probably many more reasons I haven’t considered! > Don’t get me wrong - it’s an awesome procedure and I’m extremely happy I had it done, but it’s not for everyone. Is that where you got your user name? ---
**Author:** ![RalfCoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@RalfCoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RalfCoder)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/30 "2010-08-02T20:55:16Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > > [@NurseCarmen](#): > > > > I had one that went bad. Walked like a cowboy just off a horse for a month. Fucking doc decided he’d rather do it fast than right. > > Jusus! How much of a hurry could he have been in? It took my doctor all of ten minutes to do mine. Really? It took about 30 minutes for mine. But the doc had an intern or new associate with him, and was showing him the process. The kid looked about 17. Nothing in the procedure hurt, though, but it was a little unnerving to smell something burning midway through. El Nene, you’ve probably heard it already, but a bag of frozen peas can be your best friend for the next few days. Just refreeze them as needed. Oh, and pitch them when you don’t need them, too. Nobody wants to have them with supper when you’re done with them, knowwhatimean, Vern? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Nene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/da6949/32.png) [@El\_Nene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Nene)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/31 "2010-08-03T04:34:57Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > How old are you? Did you have to sweet-talk your doc into approving it, or did he sign off on it readily? > > – > > FWIW, I got mine at 34 with no kids (long story). The doc was apprehensive at first, but then I asked him: “What would [my HMO, his employer] rather pay for: pregnancy, birth, and 18 years of child care, or a vasectomy?” He signed the authorization on the spot. I’m 31 and no I didn’t have to sweet-talk my doctor. However, I was surprised that in a man’s world, I needed my wife to sign an authorization form in order to get it done. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/32 "2010-08-04T00:40:37Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Is that where you got your user name? Partly yes. And partly a play on words as well. It was (at the time) a pretty self-defining act on my part ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/33 "2010-08-04T00:48:03Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > I’m 31 and no I didn’t have to sweet-talk my doctor. However, I was surprised that in a man’s world, I needed my wife to sign an authorization form in order to get it done. This depends totally on the doctor. As in, whatever makes them comfortable in performing the procedure… I guess they figure if the wife signs off on it, you two have at least had a discussion about it, and that makes the doc more comfortable. Would be interesting to hear a doctor’s opinion on this. I haven’t heard of any laws that _require_ consent of the spouse, but it’s not uncommon for the doctor to want the consent. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/34 "2010-08-04T00:57:32Z")
This happened like fifteen years ago but a friend of mine wanted to get a vasectomy and the doc would hold these periodic meetings that he wanted people who were getting one to attend. Spouses/SOs were welcome. My friend was the only one who brought his wife. Besides them there were like eight men alone. The doc said that if any of them were keeping the procedure secret from their spouse to be sure to let him know so that he didn’t inadvertently say the wrong thing if he ran into him. He apparently made that mistake one time. Oops. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/35 "2010-08-04T02:00:02Z")
> [@El\_Nene](#): > > We’ve been using the pull-out method since our son was born and I was done playing the lottery. Good for you! Whatever the situation with your kid, it’s nice to hear this sort of thing \*before \* an accidental pregnancy. > [@Essured](#): > > > [@hajario](#): > > > > That’s really cool. Thanks. Why doesn’t everyone do this now instead of the old method? > > Lots of reasons: > > [snip] > > Just off the top of my head - there are probably many more reasons I haven’t considered! Someone I know just had a $2000 price tag quoted, so there’s that, too. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/36 "2010-08-04T02:12:13Z")
ETA: **hajario** , Why would people be doing it without telling their spouse? I literally can’t wait to get off BC pills. I remember dad (then 50) diapering my youngest brother (an accident). He took a long sigh and said “I need to get a vasectomy like, now”. I can’t imagine it would be a decision a woman wouldn’t want. But maybe I’m out of touch. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/37 "2010-08-04T03:04:56Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > Are you in a monogamous relationship? If so, why not ask your SO to get her tubes tied? > > Have you ever been in a relationship with a woman? My sister’s husband refuses to get a vasectomy (he thinks it will make him “less of a man”; I don’t think he could be any less of a man) instead suggesting she go through tubal ligation. It happens. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/38 "2010-08-04T03:19:37Z")
Any advice for a fella planning on getting one? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/39 "2010-08-04T03:30:42Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > ETA: **hajario** , Why would people be doing it without telling their spouse? I literally can’t wait to get off BC pills. Maybe the wife wanted another kid and the husband didn’t. Not exactly the most honest approach but very effective. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686/40 "2010-08-04T03:59:32Z")
> [@Silver\_Fire](#): > > \ > My sister’s husband refuses to get a vasectomy (he thinks it will make him “less of a man”; I don’t think he could be any less of a man) instead suggesting she go through tubal ligation. > > It happens. My husband doesn’t want me to get one either, because he knows it’s a much harder procedure for the woman, but he’s so afraid of needles that he gets ill just thinking about getting himself snipped. Sigh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-just-got-a-vasectomy/548686.md?page=3)