Vasectomy has a short recovery time. In fact, you can get back to work after a few days, and full recovery can happen in about a week or two, depending on your current health condition.
But that doesn’t mean you should treat it without caution. It is, after all, a surgery, and you must take care of yourself.
In this post, we will share tips such as how to sleep after vasectomy, the best underwear after vasectomy, and many more.
What is Vasectomy?
This is a surgical procedure with the objective of permanent contraception. In this, the male vasa deferentia is either sealed or cut and tied. When the procedure is done, the sperm could not enter into the urethra. And this means, it will prevent fertilization through sexual intercourse. Most patients are not required to get hospitalized, especially if the incisions are tiny.
Legally, men who are over 18 years old are allowed to have a vasectomy.
Tips on How to Sleep After Vasectomy
While it isn’t a major procedure, as we’ve said, you still need to take care of yourself. One of the ways to recover fast is to get enough quality sleep. However, it can be uncomfortable first. Thus, learning a few sleeping techniques is always a good idea.
Sleeping Positions After Vasectomy
For side sleepers, what we recommend is that you place a pillow in between your legs. This will help lessen the pressure off the incision.
The suggested position is sleeping on your back. You may place a pillow under your knees for added comfort. For stomach sleepers, unfortunately, you need to change your position as this is the worst type. In fact, it is never recommended.
Sleep on the Lower Level of Your Home
If in case you live in a multi-level home and your bedroom is upstairs, you should sleep on the lower level for a few days. The constant movement of going up and down may result in not just discomfort but also swelling. If you can have a makeshift bed, that should work fine for now.
Wear Supportive Underwear
It is highly recommended that you wear supportive underwear too. This can protect the incision and the tissues as it will keep everything in place. The product works best, especially if you keep on tossing and turning as you sleep. Your surgeon will likely recommend the days you need to wear it.
Meanwhile, here’s a great brand that you can purchase right away.
SKYSPER Men’s Jockstrap Underwear
This jockstrap is made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. What’s great about this product is that you can easily clean it. It can be washed by hand or by machine. It is also breathable, so that’s added comfort for you. While this is ideal for athletes, it can be used by people who recently underwent surgery.
One of its users even claimed that the supportive underwear is so comfortable, he might even forget wearing boxers. In that case, this is a great buy!
Taking Care Of Yourself After A Vasectomy
And since we are talking about getting full recovery, this section is quite fitting. Now, let’s talk about the best practices after your procedure.
Do Not Take a Shower Right Away
It is recommended not to take a shower for at least 24 hours after your procedure. You may take your first bath after 48 hours. But make sure that your genitals are clean and dry all the time.
Change Your Underwear
You must change into a clean pair of underwear at least once a day. This can lessen the risk of infection. You see, even if it is a small incision, there are still risks. And you have to be extremely careful.
Do Not Take Aspirin and Ibuprofen
This might seem like an odd tip, considering that both are effective painkillers. But according to experts, you should avoid the aforementioned medications within 48 hours as it could even worsen the swelling and bruising around the incision. Ice packs are still the best remedy to manage your pain. We recommend that you use an ice pack for 20 minutes before you go to bed. This should be placed over your supportive underwear.
Get as Much Rest as You Can
This tip is a no-brainer, but a lot of patients do not follow it. However, rest is crucial if you want to recover the fastest possible time. We encourage that for a few days, try to cancel all your engagements. Plus, stay away from intense physical activities. Do not carry or lift anything heavy. In addition to that, lie down while your feet are elevated. This should increase circulation, which is an important factor for healing.
Can You Have Sex Immediately After Vasectomy?
You need to wait a week before you can start having sex again. You see, this is a critical part of recovery. However, you need to understand that there is still a possibility of getting pregnant as there could be stored sperm that has to come out. In that case, you need to use a contraceptive.
Also, do not panic if you see blood in your semen. This is normal during the first ejaculations after your procedure.
Before you have unprotected sex, you must visit your urologist to check that your sperm count is zero. And according to experts, you should ejaculate at least 20 times to clear your semen of sperm.
You can watch this short video for other tips on how to take care of yourself after a vasectomy.
What are the Risks of Vasectomy?
Here are few complications you need to watch out for.
- Bleeding
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Minor pain
- Infection at the incision
- Testicular cyst
When to Call A Urologist?
The symptoms above are normal and should go away after a few days. But if in case you experience chilling, or you notice a lump on your scrotum, or worse, you have a fever, do not hesitate to go back to your urologist. You might be given additional medications or treatments to fully recover.
Conclusion, How To Sleep After Vasectomy
Learning how to sleep after vasectomy is one of the ways to fully heal and recover fast. But don’t forget that there are other techniques too. Make sure to follow the tips above religiously. And most importantly, you need to see your doctor for necessary checkups and if there are special medications required.
