Should I get a vasectomy?

[Delirious]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasectomy

I have absolutly no desire to have kids...therefore I think the above procedure would be best suited for me.

Does anyone have any helpful words of advice one can share with us all about this idea? (Aka is that the best procedure, how much it'd cost in the US, any other precautions)
​

 

[F1GTR]

How about just not having sex?! Or wearing a condom?!

A vasectomy is a bit extreme.

 

[Jedi2016]

What does your significant other have to say about it? Or, if you don't have a significant other, you might find your options for marriage somewhat limited, since your wife might not feel the same way about children.

I'm not sure about the different procedures/costs these days, but it's a pretty simple procedure overall. I think they're doing it on an outpatient basis now. You go in, snip snip, you go home and rest your aching balls for a few days.

But my best advice would be that this should be a mutual decision between you and your partner.

 

[Der Alta]

Having gone through this operation, over 5 years ago, plus, having the concil of my brother, and father (both of whom had the operation), I can offer a good amount of advice.

I'm going to move this into the Ask GTPlanet! forum, as it'd be better suited for in depth informational questions.

My operation was on a Thursday Afternoon. lasted 1/2 hour. I took Friday off from work, and recovered over the weekend. Monday I was back at work (Desk job) and moving. I wasn't back up to speed, and it standing up felt like I had weights suspended from the boys. By Wednesday I was moving fine, and Thursday (one week later) the machines were fully operational.

My brother and father both have metal clips. I had my 1/4" of each tube removed, and the 4 open ends cauterized. I have no scarring, or tissue issues.

The worst part, perhaps, of my operation, was the male doctor (during surgery) commenting on the nice shaving job I did. No man should ever compliment another man on how well shaved that area is, unless visiting that area for one distinct reason. The other joke he pulled, was giving me the batteries from the cauterizing tool. Telling me to give them to my wife, as she'll need them for about a week.

There was no change in any function, or characteristic in my abilities. My wife noticed no difference either.

My reasons for having the operation, were because I've never wanted children. I know that I don't have the patience for children, and accepted that. I'm glad that I have had the operation.

The cost, was $10. I only had to pay for the Co-pay off my insurance. The full cost of the operation, I believe was $700.

If you have questions, either ask here, or feel free via PM.

 

[TB]

Like DA, and others, I've also had a vasectomy. Mind you, mine came after having 2 kids (both planned) and discovering that we are cystic fibrosis carriers. My wife and I had both agreed that we would only have 2 and the CF news solidified that. Even so, the decision to have a vasectomy was not an easy one. I would think about the long term effects before you go through with it, especially since you are only 22. Just because you don't want kids now doesn't mean that will be how you feel in 5 years. This isn't something that can just be undone. The doctor that did mine removed 1/8" of the vas, cauterized both ends, and then put a metal clip on them. Talk about thorough.

 

[Famine]

cauterized both ends, and then put a metal clip on them. Talk about thorough.

That must cause interesting questions at airport security scanners...


GTRacer4's question, and post, is startlingly pertinant.

 

[Keichi Tsuchiya]

You don't want children? Now? reconsider, you might regret it somewhere in the future. Some would call it being selfish, but some people have their reasons

Like the story of a bicycle messenger who tattooed his entire arm black told to me by my band director: "It seemed like a good idea...at the time."


Its good if you realize that having kids is not for you, but why must you go through such extreme measures? Self restraint should be the ONLY restraint.

 

[V1P3R]

I don't want children but at the same time I don't want to have surgery unless I absolutely need it.

The not having kids part is easy to control for me at least anyway.

 

[Omnis]

Seeing how my other post got deleted, may I at least ask why you'd consider the surgery when there are obviously convenient well-working contraceptives on the market?

 

[Sage]

Seeing how my other post got deleted, may I at least ask why you'd consider the surgery when there are obviously convenient well-working contraceptives on the market?

Because vasectomies have a failure rate of less then 1%, while other contraceptives generally have higher failure rates, even if used absolutely perfectly.

Plus, look at it this way: put a glove on your hand. Now try to touch something tactile, like a cashmere sweater. Now try touching it with the glove off. Notice the difference? I think it’s safe to say most people would rather have the glove off.

 

[Kylehnat]

How about just not having sex?! Or wearing a condom?!

Just how old are you?

"I'll take my sundae without the ice cream, please."

A vasectomy is an extreme measure for a 22 year-old. Most people I've talked to felt much differently about children at age 30 than they did at 20 (one way or the other). There are plenty of highly-effective methods of birth control that don't involve, um, tampering with the plumbing. You needn't shut off the water just because you're not thirsty.

 

[Der Alta]

Then again, you can put water in the freezer for use later on in life.

How about just not having sex?! Or wearing a condom?!

A vasectomy is a bit extreme.

If you'll note, Delerious has decided that he wants to engage in the activities, he just does not want the children. He's already made one decision, the condom would be the other decision. A vasectomy eliminates the need for a daily trip or non-spontaneous planning trip to the local store.

Sage's quote about Failure Rates is the another reason for a Vasectomy, as opposed to a condom.

Delerious' question was about the procedure itself, not about choosing how not to have children. Answers and advice about vasectomies, is what he's looking for.

And... I can remember being 15 and saying I don't want children. When I had the operation 20 years later, I was of the same opinion. Now 5 years later, and I'm still of that opinion. Some people know.

 

[F1GTR]

If you'll note, Delerious has decided that he wants to engage in the activities, he just does not want the children. He's already made one decision, the condom would be the other decision. A vasectomy eliminates the need for a daily trip or non-spontaneous planning trip to the local store.

Sage's quote about Failure Rates is the another reason for a Vasectomy, as opposed to a condom.

Delerious' question was about the procedure itself, not about choosing how not to have children. Answers and advice about vasectomies, is what he's looking for.

And... I can remember being 15 and saying I don't want children. When I had the operation 20 years later, I was of the same opinion. Now 5 years later, and I'm still of that opinion. Some people know.

Ah, I see, but in his original post he didn't specify whether he still would be 'engaging in the activities' so I assumed that he simply wanted to be celibate (hence the "not having sex" bit) as he is deeply religious (as shown in his other posts). It's my opinion that a vasectomy may not be the best option for him as there are other ways to prevent having children. However, it's his decision to make.

 

[Omnis]

Because vasectomies have a failure rate of less then 1%, while other contraceptives generally have higher failure rates, even if used absolutely perfectly.

Plus, look at it this way: put a glove on your hand. Now try to touch something tactile, like a cashmere sweater. Now try touching it with the glove off. Notice the difference? I think it’s safe to say most people would rather have the glove off.

Well, of course, but what if you had a fist full of gummy bears? The glove would protect your gummy bears when you don't want them to get on the sweater and when Suzie wants you to stop touching her cashmere sweater, you can still toss her a gummy bear or two to get her to stop bothering you. Vasectomy is like throwing your gummy bears out the window.



Okay, that was a horrible comparison. DA is right, though. Good luck with your vasectomy, Delirious...

 

[Sage]

Ah, I think you’re slightly mistaken there – sperm makes up a remarkably small percentage of semen, so it (supposedly) feels exactly the same for a snipped man. You can still throw your gummy bears at Suzy, but she just won’t get pregnant.

 

[Danoff]

The doctor that did mine removed 1/8" of the vas, cauterized both ends, and then put a metal clip on them. Talk about thorough.

You gotta wonder about that kind of thoroughness. Someday when I'm 40 and have 3 kids I'll probably start looking into this. But I've got to say that I won't be worrying too much about the effectiveness. If something slips through and she gets pregnant, it's not like you HAVE to have the child*. Sure that's not the way you want to handle things, but it allows you to accept a small level of risk (ie: ~1%).


*Barring any future supreme court decisions

 

[Omnis]

Ah, I think you’re slightly mistaken there – sperm makes up a remarkably small percentage of semen, so it (supposedly) feels exactly the same for a snipped man. You can still throw your gummy bears at Suzy, but she just won’t get pregnant.

gummy bears = sperm.

 

[Jondot]

Then again, you can put water in the freezer for use later on in life.

Exactly. If you're sick of contraceptives and really can't wait, freeze some sperm and have the operation. Of course, if you then decide to have kids later on in life and it doesn't... shall we say work, you're a bit stuffed. Just freeze lots of it, I guess. I don't know how the banks work, but something along those lines would be my choice if I had to make the decision. Just don't go storing it in ice cube trays along side your thanksgiving dinner.

 

[V1P3R]

I think it’s safe to say most people would rather have the glove off.

Last time I checked whether there's "gummy bears" or not involved and you don't use some kind of protection can't you still catch something?

 

[Keichi Tsuchiya]

And... I can remember being 15 and saying I don't want children. When I had the operation 20 years later, I was of the same opinion. Now 5 years later, and I'm still of that opinion. Some people know.

I may not be as old as you but I can tell you right now - You're not old yet, 40 years old is still somewhat young...and naive . But you probably have you reasons.

 

[Silverzone]

Man, don't take away your ability to have kids. If you do, what are you to do if later on you decide you want a child? If you want to avoid kids for now, just use a condom or see if your partner would consider birth control. You never know how you will feel about children 5 or 6 years down the line. just really think through it okay?

 

[Omnis]

At least donate your gummy bears to gummy-cell research or something.

 

[OZZYGT]

Just don't go storing it in ice cube trays along side your thanksgiving dinner.

Wow! that was epic, good one Jon. 👍

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While I'm not taking any sides in this semi-argument, and I don't plan to perform this operation myself, I am really interested in the pros and cons of this surgery.
This thread came in really handy because I have a question to make to both to TB and Der Alta, and if you feel that is getting too personal, then go ahead and remove this :
While performing the intercourse, does the satisfaction level at the end (orgasm) feel the same as when you did it before the vasectomy?

The reason why I ask this is because to me, an orgasm without the feeling of that "pull" or extraction of sperm from your body is too odd to imagine. And you know, that could be a huge factor in the decision making between performing a vasectomy and sticking up with preservatives.

Thank you

 

[Loon]

Thats a heck of a question Mr.Vito.

 

[Delirious]

1. My beliefs are only in sex IN marriage...

2. I feel the EXACT same way DA does...he has no desire for children, and knows that he doesn't have the patience...which I don't have.

Thanks much for the info, DA and TB.

So does anyone around here have any insights on this operation? Anyone feel the same way as me and DA do about kids?

 

[Loon]

Both my brothers 5 years were like "NO KIDS", now both are considering having a couple.

I'd say at least do the sperm bank thing just incase you change your mind.

 

[Delirious]

There's always the chance the sperm from the sperm bank wouldn't work...correct?

 

[Loon]

There probably is some percentage of the sperm bank idea not working, but its better than nothing.

 

[Slicks]

I am assuming, Delirious, that you are either single or out of marriage. Thus, according to your aforementioned religious beliefs, you are not having sex. Meaning, of course, that at this current time it is (more or less) a non-issue. Or at least not an urgent one. Now, that said, you do have a descision to make. As you've read earlier in the thread, you've got a fair number of options when it comes to contraceptives. The glove is always suggested, as are birth control pills. They usually work quite well. A vasectomy will work better. But abstinence will work best, and judging from your views, you have been practising it.

In My Humble Opinion, you should continue doing as you are right now. This is because, unlike abstinence or birth control pills, a vasectomy is permanent. And because it is permanent, I think it should be something that should be dicussed with your (eventual) partner. Your views may change and/or differ from hers, and this will likely become a hot topic in the future between you and her.

So just hold off! I think that, barring some unknown issue that GTP doesn't know about, you should just wait. Think about it, discuss it with a doctor, and most importantly your (future) partner. You'll know yourself better by then, and who knows. Your views may have changed.
👍

 

[guska]

At 22, the chances are that unless you have a health reason for wanting the procedure done, they won't do it. I know that in Australia, doctors won't perform permanent contraceptive procedures on males or females under the age 30, while some won't do it under age 35. The reason for this, as I understand it, is that people change their minds, and at 22, you have a lot of life to live still, and you may change your opinions. So, you don't the patience for children now, but that may change, my uncle had the snip at 26, before the age limit came in, for that very reason, along with a few moral reasons I won't go into. Now, however, he is one of the most o=patient step-parents I have ever seen.

So I would suggest that you think about it some more, I'm not saying you haven't thought about it properly, but just don't jump in too quickly.

gOoSe