Kids are expensive! I have three wonderful children, but I may need a second job to pay for all of them. $233,610 is the estimated average cost to keep a child alive until age 18. Of course this does NOT include V-bucks, Disney World, summer camp, baseball equipment, prom dresses, tons of car insurance, college tuition, and (gasp!) weddings.
If you are satisfied with the size of your family, there is a permanent solution. No, it does not involve celibacy or cutting off anything. It’s a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy in Nashville.
So what is a vasectomy? These are some of the most common (and humorous!) questions that are asked by men and their partners. Be sure to also check out our Vasectomy FAQ page.
Top 5 Vasectomy Questions from Men
What is a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a minor procedure performed in our office. “Minor” is doctor speak for: you are awake, you go home the same day, there is very little risk, you won’t be whining. I will sever the tubes (the vas deferens) that carry the swimmers to the swimming pool. If the swimmers cannot reach the swimming pool, no more members of your family will appear.
If you don’t use a needle or a scalpel then how do you perform the procedure?
The no-needle part involves a cool gizmo called a Madajet. Rather than bore you with a description, just check out this vasectomy video. (WARNING: This video contains graphic content). No, it doesn’t really hurt. The no-scalpel part is a little gimmicky, but by not using a knife I can make a less traumatic skin poke (doctor speak for small incision).
Dude, are you going to cut off my balls???
Having your testicles removed is known as castration. No, we won’t cut them off. Unless of course you don’t ever want to be interested in sex again.
So speaking of sex will things in the bedroom change? How long after a vasectomy can I have sex?
Give sex a break for about 3-7 days after a vasectomy. The good news is that sex after a vasectomy will not change. Since very little fluid comes from the testicles, ejaculation after a vasectomy is no different. Most importantly, erections and testosterone levels will be unaffected.
Does a vasectomy hurt? Will you knock me out for the vasectomy?
The pain after a vasectomy is not as bad as you’d think. At Pazona MD here in Nashville, we offer nitrous oxide or laughing gas. 80% of men choose “the gas” and are glad they did. You’re still awake for the procedure, but you’ll be laughing so hard from the gas that you won’t care what I’m doing.
Since a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy is minimally invasive, the vasectomy recovery time is shorter and easier as well.
Top 5 Vasectomy Questions From Women
We know someone who had a vasectomy, and they got pregnant immediately afterwards! What is the effectiveness of a vasectomy? How long after a vasectomy until a zero sperm count?
A swing and a miss does occur. RARELY. (1/2500 vasectomies) But this is a partnership procedure. I do my part, but you have to do yours as well.
Your “homework” is to send in a semen sample after 8 weeks and 20 ejaculations. Until the sperm check, you must use contraception! The price for not turning in the assignment isn’t an F. It’s an extra bedroom, another college tuition, and lots of “Mom! Dad!… can I get $20?”
He doesn’t do so well with pain. What is the recovery time from a vasectomy?
Pain after a vasectomy is minor. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and a Pazona MD ice pack is all that’s necessary. For at least 3 days give him a break from the “honey-do” list. After 3 days he’s free to return to all activity, using common sense. Which I fully admit is lacking in a lot of us men.
What is the cost of a vasectomy? Is a vasectomy covered by insurance?
The out-of-pocket cost for a vasectomy varies depending on your insurance coverage. Sometimes it’s covered 100% and other times you have to pay completely out-of-pocket. As a worst-case scenario, the self-pay rate for a vasectomy in Nashville with Pazona MD is $1000. Trust us, it’s a lot cheaper than another kid.
Can a vasectomy can cause prostate cancer?
A recent meta-analysis (collection of 53 studies) from JAMA concluded that there is no “association between vasectomy and high-grade, advanced-stage, or fatal prostate cancer.”
Any link between a vasectomy and future prostate cancer diagnosis is an association. Men who have had a vasectomy are more likely to seek medical attention and receive a diagnosis in comparison to men who avoid the doctor all together.
What are the side effects of a vasectomy?
Side effects from a vasectomy are luckily uncommon. Bleeding is rare but can occur in the first 72 hours. It would present with swelling, severe pain and is not subtle. Chronic pain is seen in only 1/1000 men after a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy.
Top 5 Things I Wish My Patients Knew About a Vasectomy
Find an experienced board-certified urologist
A vasectomy in skilled hands can be a pretty simple, painless procedure. Who performs your vasectomy, is as important as how the vasectomy is performed.
Make sure he/she offers a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy with nitrous oxide. If they don’t look elsewhere. A vasectomy in Nashville with Pazona MD will be worth your trip. Music City is not just a destination for bachelorette parties 😉
The lifetime cost of a vasectomy is cheaper and safer than all other birth control options
If you look at cost alone, a vasectomy is still less expensive than years of condoms, birth control pills or IUDs. When you factor in safety and efficacy. It’s a no brainer. A vasectomy is the BEST long-term option for permanent birth control.
Vasectomy vs. tubal ligation? There’s no debate.
Unless a woman is immediately post-partum or having a related surgery, there is no reason to ever ask your partner to have a tubal ligation. It requires general anesthesia and can have rare, fatal consequences.
In comparison, you’ll have some laughing gas in our office and be out in 10 minutes. I’ll even let you pick the Pandora station. Speaking of time ….
How long does a vasectomy take?
A vasectomy in skilled hands should only take 10-15 minutes. Occasionally, a patient will have testicles that hug the body and make it more time-consuming. Those exceptions aside, we can have you in and out of the office in no time.
How do I find a urologist who can perform a vasectomy near me?
Start with a Google search. Any doctor who is passionate about providing a great patient experience will have a strong online reputation and highlight a no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy.
Ask friends and colleagues. You’d be surprised how many men have had a vasectomy. See if they had a great experience with someone.
Lastly, travel to the right doctor if necessary. This is important. Saying it’s a sensitive area is the understatement of the year. You want skilled hands working on your business. This is not the time to go see the person who’s inexperienced or doesn’t make you feel comfortable.
Conclusions
Check out my FAQ section or better yet, just make an appointment for a consultation. It may be the best investment your family has ever made.
And seriously, I won’t cut off anyone’s balls.
Dr. P
