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Having a vasectomy in today's modern medical world is a very minor surgical procedure that only takes around 20 minutes to perform. The thought of what they are going to do to you is much worse than the reality of what actually happens.

The surgeon will begin by shaving and numbing the testicular area; then they will proceed to make small incisions and tie off the tubes that produce the sperm. After a few minutes you will be stitched up and a jock strap will be adorned to restrict movement and give you some support for the rest of the day.

There is relatively little pain involved during the procedure or after it. Bruising will occur in the hours after surgery and it is severe but painless. Pretty much as few as 2 or 3 hours after the operation you will be back on your feet and walking around gingerly again, not really in pain but more of a cautious gait due to the thought of taking a knock in the general area that has been tampered with.

Most men who have the operation can return to work the very next day. Of course this depends on what sort of work it is that you do. Office workers or those who sit down whilst doing there job can safely return to work the next day, for those who have a physical or manual job that involves straining and heavy lifting may wish to take a few days off work whilst the body begins to heal itself a little. Your surgeon will explain how long you should refrain from heavy lifting but a few days will be more than sufficient.

To put any man's mind at rest at how painful it all is, I was back on my motorbike the day after surgery, and I played a snooker match that night which can involve getting into some dodgy positions with one leg one the table. I was fine, a little tentative but had no pain whatsoever and was back at work the very day after surgery.

The bruising lasted for a few weeks but that was all I had to endure. Rest assured, from one man to another it truly isn't anywhere near as painful as the thought of it all appears to be. It is far less intrusive a procedure than having your partner or wife undergo sterilisation, which I believe can be quite an ordeal.

Choosing to have a vasectomy must be done so after thought though as it is irreversible in the main. Any attempt to reverse the surgery will not be done on the NHS and you will have to pay for it yourself with no guarantee that it will work. Ensure you and your partner are both fully decided that you do not want any more children then book in to see your local GP and they will do the rest. Waiting time in the UK is around 6 to 9 months which varies whether you decide to be awake or asleep through surgery. Staying awake during surgery will push you up the list and you will be seen much quicker.

Of course we men being men can use what we have gone through to get a little TLC and sympathy. It sure will get you out of household chores for a few days and you will be able to lounge around while your partner runs the home for a bit. You may wish to book a few fays off work if you have holiday entitlement to make a real unwind period of it all, but for those who need the money or simply can't have any time off work, you will be able to return the very next day.

Learn more about this author, Neil Dixon.
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