Scalpel / No - Dr Jonathan Follows

Recommendations

Info

What You Need To Know About Your Vasectomy9After Your VasectomyTypically there is mild discomfort for 5to 10 days. It’s usually in the scrotum,but it may radiate to the groin or eventhe lower abdomen (Up in the ovarieslike a menstrual cramp!). It can be onesidedor bilateral. Swelling is usuallymild. It often only starts on the thirdor fourth day. That’s why you need tofollow instructions whether you thinkyou need to or not.Following these instructionscarefully will ensure the bestprospect for an uneventful recovery.Activity: Go straight home and do aslittle as possible for the rest of the day,and the next. No yardwork! No drivingrange! No lifting the baby! No horsingaround with the kids! Nothing! I mean it.Yes you can go to the bathroom butonly if you absolutely have to (joke).You can increase your activity graduallyday by day, but remember to always erron the side of caution. Exertion at workor sports, and sexual activity are bestavoided for a full week. Lift nothing
10 What You Need To Know About Your VasectomyAfter Your Vasectomy continued...over 15 lbs for the first three days andnothing over 50 pounds for the rest ofthe week. If in doubt, don’t do it!Sexual activity should also be avoidedfor the first week. If anything comes upjust ignore it and it will go down again.Ice: Apply an ice pack over the gauzeand athletic support as soon as you gethome and ice as much as possible overthe next few days. A dozen ice cubes(give or take) in a waterproof plasticbag is undoubtedly the cheapest andprobably the best. It will take a while forthe cold to penetrate all the gauze, butyou’ve got lots of time. You don’t wantto freeze it, you just want to keep it cool.Wound care: The small wound is sealedwith skin adhesive so there is no messor bother. There should be no seepageor bleeding from the wound. Still, havea peek every once in a while to makesure all is well. The gauze is just to keepsome pressure on the wound for the firstfew days. It also elevates and protectsthe scrotal contents from the forces ofgravity. Take the strap and gauze off inthe morning and have a gentle shower.Each day throw away one or two piecesof gauze closest to the skin before youstep back in, so that the gauze pack isdwindled down to nothing over time.Once the gauze is gone you may wantto keep using the support. If so, wearit outside your underwear to avoid therough cloth on tender skin. The support,with or without gauze should cradlethings nicely out of the way. We don’twant your testicles hanging down andbanging around.Alcohol: No drinking for at least thefirst 48 hours post-op. Alcohol can thinthe blood and/or cloud the judgment.Don’t risk it. It’s not a good idea todrink with ibuprofen in your systemanyways. Not only should you not drink,you should also stay away from drunks.Pain and its management: Weprovide you with ibuprofen 600 mg, 3times a day for a week. This is not justfor pain. It also prevents inflammation.Typically a mild delayed inflammatoryreaction begins around the third orfourth day and results in some swellingand pain around the vasectomy site,above the testicle on one side or theother, occasionally both. This is yourcue to take it easy and do more icingas necessary. People who get stomachupset from ibuprofen can substitute ananti-inflammatory like Celebrex. Thoseallergic to ibuprofen or aspirin cansubstitute acetaminophen if necessary.Remember, swelling is what this part ofthe anatomy prides itself in doing bestso take that anti-inflammatory for thefull week whether you think you needit or not.Call me promptly if you suspect aproblem may be developing.If there is:• Fever • Blood• Pain worse than a “3 out of 10”• Swelling larger than a grape.NOTE:Bruising under the skin is no greatconcern unless it is swollen or painful.
Page 3 and 4: 2 What You Need To Know About Your
Page 5: 4 What You Need To Know About Your
Page 8: What You Need To Know About Your Va
Page 13 and 14: 12 What You Need To Know About Your

Scalpel / No - Dr Jonathan Follows

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?