Post-Operative Instructions

Congratulations on completing your vasectomy reversal! These guidelines will assist you in caring for yourself at home and support a smooth recovery. They include how to care for your incision, manage pain, and understand activity limits, as well as what to expect regarding fertility testing (semen samples) and follow-up appointments. Please read them thoroughly and don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Rest and Activity Restrictions

Rest: Plan to rest as much as possible for the first one to two days following surgery. On the day of surgery and during the first 24 hours, lie down and take it easy.
Gentle Movement: Starting the day after surgery, you may take short, gentle walks around your home.
Lifting Restrictions: Avoid lifting heavy items (generally nothing heavier than 10 pounds or 4.5 kg) for at least two weeks after surgery. Lifting heavy objects, such as children, grocery bags, or pet food bags, can strain your surgical site.
Strenuous Exercise: Do not engage in strenuous activities, including running, weightlifting, cycling, or intense workouts, for approximately two to four weeks after your operation.
Driving: Avoid driving for at least 24 to 48 hours following surgery, or while you are taking prescription pain medication.
Supportive Underwear: Wear snug, supportive underwear (such as briefs or a jockstrap) continuously for the first week. We will provide you with a scrotal support jockstrap. This support reduces excessive movement of your scrotum, helping to minimize pain, swelling, and protecting the incision site. Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes soiled.
Sexual Activity: Do not engage in sexual intercourse or masturbation (no ejaculation) for at least two weeks following surgery.
Additional Comfort Measures: You may take showers as directed in the incision care instructions provided below—warm water can be soothing. Some men find placing a small folded towel under the scrotum while sitting or lying down provides additional comfort and support. Also, prevent constipation (which pain medications can cause) by drinking plenty of water and using a stool softener if recommended. Straining during bowel movements can increase groin pain, so keeping stools soft will help your comfort during recovery.
When Pain Becomes a Problem: If your pain is not adequately controlled by medications (for example, you continue experiencing severe pain despite taking pain relievers as prescribed), or if your pain suddenly worsens after initially improving, please contact our office or your family physician immediately. Increasing or persistent pain could indicate a complication that requires prompt attention.

Incision Care and Hygiene

Keep It Clean and Dry: Proper incision care is essential for preventing infection. You may remove any bulky dressing the day after surgery and replace it with a clean dressing. Showering is generally permitted 48 hours after surgery. When you shower, gently let warm water and mild soap run over the incision area. Do not scrub or rub the incision. Carefully pat the area dry with a clean towel or allow it to air dry completely. Ensure the incision remains dry after showering.
Avoid Baths and Swimming: Do not take tub baths or use hot tubs, pools, or swim in the ocean for at least two weeks after surgery. Submerging the incision underwater too soon can introduce bacteria and increase your risk of infection.
Sutures and Tape: Your surgical incision is closed with dissolvable stitches beneath the skin, covered externally with small adhesive tapes (Steri-Strips). These typically dissolve or fall off on their own within one to two weeks. Do not pick at or pull on the stitches or tapes. It’s normal for the edges of the tapes to gradually peel away as they dry—allow them to come off naturally. If a piece of tape remains attached loosely after approximately 10 days, you may gently remove it.
Bandage Changes: Change your dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your incision or handling dressings.
Monitor for Drainage: A small amount of clear or slightly pinkish fluid draining from the incision during the first day after surgery is normal. However, if drainage continues beyond the first couple of days, becomes heavier, or shows signs of infection (such as thick, yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge), contact our office or your family physician immediately.

Signs of Complications

While most vasectomy reversal recoveries are smooth, it’s important to watch for signs of possible complications. Please contact our office immediately (using the provided on-call number) if you notice any of the following:

Fever or Chills: A temperature higher than 38°C, or shaking chills, may indicate an infection.
Worsening Pain: Your pain becomes significantly worse instead of gradually improving, or pain is not relieved by your prescribed medication.
Infection at the Incision Site: Signs of infection include increasing redness or warmth around the incision, increased tenderness rather than improvement, worsening swelling, or any discharge of pus (yellowish or greenish fluid) from the incision.

More information about post-vasectomy-reversal recovery is available at MyHealth Alberta.

Post-Operative Instructions

Red Deer