Your Vasectomy / at the Clinic

Most patients attend for the ‘one-stop’ service which includes both the counselling session and the procedure on the same day. This is on the understanding that you would have had the opportunity to read the information sent to you beforehand. Patients have the opportunity to request separate counselling and operation appointments allowing for a ‘cooling-off’ period.

Counsellor appointment

The vasectomy counsellor will see you prior to your attendance in the operating room. The counselling session usually lasts approximately 20 - 30 minutes. The counsellor will discuss with you and your partner if they accompany you, all aspects of vasectomy and its effects. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and cover any uncertainties at this appointment. Arrangements for sample collection and post-operative care will also be explained.

Vasectomy will not solve marital or sexual problems. But it can help you enjoy sexual relations more—free from the fear of unwanted pregnancy. And it can be the right choice if the female partner does not want or cannot take birth control pills or use other forms of contraception.

You will be asked to sign a consent form which will be sent to you beforehand; there is space on the form for your partner to sign, should you both wish, however, this is not compulsory. If Dr Boone is performing your vasectomy, your partner will be permitted to stay with you throughout the operation, if you both wish.

The vasectomy procedure

The operation itself usually takes 10 - 15 minutes. The method used is the minimal access technique - a type of keyhole surgery. It is performed under local anaesthetic using a fast acting anaesthetic to initially numb a small area of skin then the tubes themselves. Only one skin access point is needed to approach both tubes. A segment is removed from the sperm tubes (vas deferens) and the ends are sealed with electrocautery. No stitches are used to close the tubes or for skin closure. Blood loss is usually almost non-existent. Dr Boone and his team are very experienced at this technique and most men are pleasantly surprised to find the experience easily tolerated and almost pain-free.

A nurse may be present during your operation.

After your operation, you should not be in any discomfort and after a short recovery period, you should be able to travel home. WE recommend you ask your partner or a friend/relative to drive you home after the procedure, but many men choose to drive themselves.