Care at Home after a Vasectomy

How You Might Feel After Your Operation

• You may feel slightly nauseated, dizzy or sleepy after the procedure.
• You may have a slight temperature for 2 days.
• Some bruising, mild swelling and discomfort are common.

• You may remove the bandage from the incision and shower or bath after 24 hours.
• Keep scrotum up on a rolled towel at night.
• Use ice packs and wear a scrotal support to reduce swelling (see below.)

• Take only the medication for pain that your surgeon prescribes.
• Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing medications for 24 hours after your procedure.
• Follow your surgeon’s order about when to start taking your usual routine medications.
• An ice pack may be used on your scrotum to relieve pain-apply the ice pack for 15 minutes and take it off for 15 minutes throughout the day. Do not leave the ice pack on continuously.
  

Nutrition

• Eat light foods for the first day, such as tea, toast, soup and Jell-O®
• If diabetic, follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding diet and medication.
• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours.

• Do not engage in strenuous exercise or lifting for 1 week.
• Ask your doctor when you may resume sexual activity and return to work.

Follow-Up Care

• Your surgeon will give you instructions about follow-up tests.

You need to contact your doctor if you have:

• A fever that persists after 2 days;
• Bright red bleeding from your incisions;
• Swelling, pain or a foul smelling discharge at your incisions;
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that persists after 24 hours;
• Severe pain unrelieved by pain medications.