What should I expect if I decide to get a vasectomy?

If you’re thinking about birth control, a vasectomy can be a good option. It’s over 99% effective and doesn’t involve any impact on your hormones, so a vasectomy won’t affect your sex drive. Knowing what to expect when you get a vasectomy can help you be more relaxed before and after the procedure at our vasectomy clinic in Montreal, Ottawa, or Hawkesbury.

What is the best way to prep for a vasectomy?

The day before your procedure, you need to shave under your penis and the front of your scrotum. This allows the doctor at the vasectomy clinic to see the area better and reduces the chances of a post-vasectomy infection or epididymitis. The doctor may use alcohol to wipe your skin before the vasectomy, which can sting freshly shaven skin. On the day of the surgery, avoid using powder or deodorant on your genitals. You can eat breakfast or lunch as usual before the procedure.

What happens during a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is performed as an outpatient procedure at one of our vasectomy clinics in Ottawa, Montreal, or Hawkesbury. You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the skin and reduce discomfort. Once your skin is numb, the doctor uses a small instrument to puncture the skin to close the vas deferens. Stitches aren’t needed because the hole is very small. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes. You may experience some bruising, but the opening will close up within one to three days.

How long does it take to recover after a vasectomy?

Plan to rest for 48 to 72 hours after your vasectomy. Wear an athletic supporter for two to three days post-procedure. Avoid heavy lifting or yard work, but you can walk and drive. Once the pain subsides, you can gradually resume exercise or return to work. Some men need up to seven to fourteen days for a full recovery. A follow-up appointment isn’t necessary because there are no sutures.

Plan to use another birth control method once you resume sexual activities for three months following the vasectomy. You’ll need to bring a semen sample to a laboratory to confirm that no sperm is present.

Make an appointment with Dr. Bercier at one of our three vasectomy clinics in Hawkesbury, Montreal, or Ottawa.