Before Your Vasectomy

Registration and review

If you are considering a vasectomy, you must first complete the registration form on our website. It is imperative that you provide your full medical history in this form, including any current medications that you are taking.

• Previous scrotal or groin surgery: particular attention needs to be paid to this, because men may not always recall having had childhood surgery for, for example, an undescended testicle or a childhood hernia. This can influence whether you are suitable for a vasectomy under local anaesthetic.
• Blood thinning medications: we need to know if you are taking any, because these can increase your risk of bleeding complications.

At the end of the registration form you choose your procedure date from the times available.

Dr Foley will review the information that you have provided. If he feels that, based on the medical information in your registration form, you require a pre-operative consultation, you will be contacted. This may simply be a telephone consultation, or he may request that you attend in person for a pre-operative examination to determine your suitability for a local anaesthetic vasectomy.

The wait time for a vasectomy procedure varies but is usually a few weeks. We open new appointment slots every month.

A scrotal examination is not necessary before the day of the vasectomy. On the day, Dr Foley will examine the scrotum and its contents. In very rare cases, the doctor may not be able to perform the operation.

Preparing for the procedure

The second step is the vasectomy itself. To prepare, before the operation, either alone or with the help of your partner, you must shave the entire scrotum and penis.

• Shaving: you can do this the day before or the day of the vasectomy. A blade razor with shaving cream is recommended. Electric razors are not recommended as they are more irritating. We recommend avoiding hair removal cream, as some men with sensitive skin may experience significant irritation. TODO: Dr Foley’s brief references “See the example of proper shaving” as a link. Awaiting the shaving diagram/illustration before this can be linked.
• Underwear: since we will be putting a dressing on your scrotum afterwards and we don’t want it to fall into your trousers, please wear tight-fitting underwear, preferably sporty fit briefs, on the day of the operation. No loose-fitting boxer shorts, please.
• Medication: do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs in the week leading up to your vasectomy. These medications thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding. If you need to take pain medication during this time, take paracetamol instead.
• Eating and drinking: you can eat and drink normally before and after the procedure.
• If you are unwell: if you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you wash your hands and wear a mask upon arrival at the clinic.

Your appointment

• Getting here and home: you can come alone or accompanied by someone who usually lives with you (your partner). As the operation is performed under local anaesthesia only, you can drive yourself home.
• Arrive 10 minutes early: it is imperative that you arrive at the time set for your appointment, which is 10 minutes before your procedure time.
• Allow about an hour: you will be at the clinic for approximately one hour, including the vasectomy itself.
• What happens: a member of staff will call you from the waiting room and escort you to the room where you will have your vasectomy by Dr Foley. He will go through the procedure with you and ask you to sign the vasectomy consent form, and provide you with the necessary materials for the advice on post-operative care and for the post-vasectomy semen analysis.