No Scalpel, No Needle Vasectomy
Dr. Valiulis is a trained family doctor who performs vasectomies, using the no scalpel, no needle technique. She performs this in-office procedure for permanent birth control in anatomic males.
Patients may be referred to Dr. Valiulis by another physician.
Vasectomy Information
This website is designed to provide you with information about vasectomy, and to help you determine whether this procedure is right for you. It also contains useful information about preparation before the procedure, and recovery afterward.
Here are some frequently asked questions about vasectomy:
What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a procedure that is intended to permanently make an anatomic male sterile. Sperm are produced in the testicles, and carried out of the body through 2 tubes called the Vas Deferens. A vasectomy is done by cutting these tubes. When the tubes are cut, the sperm can no longer exit the penis to result in a pregnancy.
How reliable is it for preventing pregnancy?
Failure rate of vasectomy is approximately 1 in 1000. Rarely, the procedure is unsuccessful due to technical challenges. Very rarely, after a successful procedure, the sperm are later able to travel from one cut end of the vas deferens to the other. This occurs 1 in 2000 procedures. You will be asked to collect sperm samples at specific intervals after the procedure to make sure you are sterile.
Does it last forever?
A vasectomy is meant to be permanent. If you are not absolutely certain that you do not want to have biological children, this procedure is not the right choice for you. If you have had a vasectomy, and your life’s circumstances change, it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, but this is a more complicated procedure without a guarantee of success. It is also important to know that vasectomy reversal would not be covered by OHIP, meaning you would need to pay out of pocket for that procedure.
About the Procedure:
A vasectomy is a minor operation that is done by a doctor in the office. You will not be put to sleep. Instead, you will receive freezing that will numb the area to ensure you are comfortable. Some patients will also choose to take a medication before their procedure to help them feel relaxed. At our clinic, we use a jet injector device, so the freezing is administered using air pressure, and not with a needle. The doctor makes one small cut, approximately 1cm or less, on the front of the scrotum, and accesses both Vas Deferens tubes through that single incision. One at a time, the vas deferens is lifted through the incision, then is cut, and cauterized (burned) to seal the opening. No scalpels are used, as the no-scalpel technique has been shown to reduce bleeding and pain. The whole procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Once the procedure is complete, the incision is closed with skin glue.
What is the recovery time after the procedure?
After the procedure, you should rest and limit your activity, particularly walking and standing, for 48 hours. You will be advised to ice the area every hour for 10-15 minutes at a time for the rest of the day, and you may wish to take medication to reduce pain and swelling. You should not lift anything over 25 pounds for 5 days afterward. Most patients are able to return to work on the third day, unless their work requires heavy physical exertion. Sexual activity is not recommended for 4 days after surgery, in order to allow the soft tissues to heal, and scarring over the cut section of the tubes to begin.
What are the risks of the procedure?
Vasectomy is quite a minor operation, and is usually tolerated very well. However, every procedure carries some degree of risk. Most patients can expect to have some mild swelling, bruising, and pain for a few days. Less common complications are a blood clot or hematoma (1/300 cases), infection (1/1000 cases) and very rarely, chronic scrotal pain (1/1000 cases). Most of these complications can be treated, and improve with time.
Can I stop using birth control right away?
NO, you must NOT stop using birth control immediately after vasectomy. Sperm is stored along the genital tract, and it takes approximately 20 ejaculations, or 3 months, for stored sperm to be cleared out after the tubes are cut. You will be provided with a sample collection kit so that your semen can be tested at that point to make sure the vasectomy was successful. Once your samples are processed, your doctor will inform you whether it is safe to stop birth control.
Will the procedure affect my sexual function?
Vasectomy will not affect your sexual function. It does not affect erections or ability to ejaculate. Semen is made up of many different components, and the sperm is only responsible for 10% of the volume of ejaculate, so most patients do not notice a change to their semen volume at all. In fact, many patients report increased sexual satisfaction after vasectomy, as they no longer worry about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.
Will the procedure affect my ability to urinate?
Vasectomy does not affect your urinary system at all.
If you have any further questions, please request a referral for consultation with Dr. Valiulis.
