Vasectomy Doctor in Bend, OR

A typical vasectomy procedure requires that two small incisions be made on the patient’s scrotum in order to access the vas deferens. Dr. Neeb utilizes an even less invasive procedure that is often referred to as a no-scalpel vasectomy or a keyhole vasectomy.

Dr. Andrew Neeb specializes in providing no-scalpel vasectomy procedures at his urology office in Bend, OR Learn more about a no-scalpel vasectomy and call to schedule your appointment today!

How Does It Work?

Rather than making a sizable incision on the scrotum, the no-scalpel vasectomy is performed entirely through a puncture made in the scrotal sac.

This hole is so small that stitches are rarely ever required after the procedure is complete. A topical anesthetic is applied to ensure that no pain is felt during the vasectomy.

The process is much the same as a standard vasectomy with the ultimate goal being to prevent the patient from having children in the future. To achieve sterilization, the vas deferens must be severed.

These two tubes are responsible for transporting a man’s sperm to his semen, which is stored in the testes. By cutting the vas deferens, it becomes impossible for this sperm to travel outside of the body and potentially fertilize a woman’s eggs.

During a keyhole vasectomy, each of these tubes are gently manipulated until they protrude through the puncture site. Once Dr. Neeb has a clear visual of the area, the vas deferens are cut and blocked permanently.

Benefits of a No-Scalpel Vasectomy

Any type of vasectomy presents a number of advantages to each potential patient. Men who are looking to avoid future children in a way that is safe, effective, and affordable are often considered primary candidates for this kind of procedure.

Aside from the regular benefits of a vasectomy, the no-scalpel procedure also allows for:

• Shorter recovery time
• Reduced risk of complications such as infection or bleeding
• The ability to resume sexual activities much sooner
• No scarring
• The ability to perform the procedure from one of our convenient urology clinic locations

Patients should expect a mild amount of discomfort following their no-scalpel vasectomy. This pain should begin to gradually decrease almost immediately, though a majority of our patients report feeling little to no pain at all.

We recommend that patients rest for at least one or two days post-procedure. Shortly after this period, you should be able to return to regular activities. If you are unsure about whether or not it is safe to engage in any routine task, please consult with your physician.

It is important for patients to share all relevant information with Dr. Neeb, as these may influence the result of the vasectomy. For example, be sure to communicate any known allergies or effects caused by common medications or topical anesthetics. It is also critical to address and questions or concerns during this preliminary stage so that patients can be well informed and educated about their procedure.

Exact instructions will be given prior to arriving at Oregon Men’s Health for your vasectomy. While these guidelines may vary, they generally include:

• Avoiding blood thinners, anti-inflammatories, or aspirin in the few days leading up to the procedure
• Eat a small, nutritious meal before the vasectomy to prevent lightheadedness or nausea that can occur after fasting for several hours
• Wearing an athletic supporter or tight-fitting undergarments to support the treatment area after the vasectomy
• Shower before surgery to ensure the site is appropriately cleaned before the procedure
• You may also be asked to shave the genitals yourself, or this may be done in the office before the vasectomy begins
• Arrange to have a friend or family member help to care for you after the procedure is complete

Depending upon Dr. Neeb’s chosen approach, a vasectomy may be performed using various specialized techniques. While traditional surgery to complete a vasectomy is still a highly effective option, many urologists now offer minimally invasive options for men who wish to complete this procedure.

No matter what method is selected, the process remains relatively the same. To begin, the patient will be numbed so that they are comfortable throughout the entire treatment, at which point a small incision will be made so that Dr. Neeb has access to the patient’s vas deferens. The vas deferens are two tubes responsible for carrying a man’s semen from the testicles to create semen. Without the vas deferens, sperm have no way to exit the body and fertilize a woman’s egg, meaning that pregnancy is not possible.

After the vas deferens are cut and quickly sealed using highly focused heat at the ends of each tube, the procedure is essentially complete. A stitch or two may be made to close the treatment site, though the incision is usually so small that it can be left to heal on its own.

Recovery from a vasectomy, especially one that is performed using minimally invasive techniques, is quite minimal. Patients should expect some soreness and swelling in the first 24-48 hours after their vasectomy, though this should dissipate quickly so long as they rest and limit their activities as much as possible during this period.

Most men are able to return to work and other everyday responsibilities within 2-3 days following their vasectomy, though it is advised to avoid any heavy lifting or other strenuous activity until you receive proper clearance from Dr. Neeb.

The most common side effects after a vasectomy are mild pain, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Of course it is still possible for more severe issues to occur, though they are incredibly rare. These include:

• Infection
• Chronic pain
• Failure to prevent pregnancy
• Granuloma (inflammation caused by leaking sperm)
• Spermatocele formation (a small cyst of the upper testicle region)
• Hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac of tissue that grows within the scrotum)

Individuals at risk for more serious complications include those who have suffered testicular cancer or testicular disease, though even in these outlying groups rarely encounter serious side effects caused by a vasectomy. Be sure to discuss your own individual risk factors with Dr. Neeb to determine if a vasectomy is a safe option for you.

No. A vasectomy has absolutely no proven effect on a man’s sex drive, sexual functions, or pleasure during sex. There are many common myths surrounding this particular question, though all evidence clearly shows that the only difference a man should notice after a vasectomy compared to his life before is that he is no longer able to father children.

Please be very aware that the results of a vasectomy are not immediate. Dr. Neeb will need to test the patient’s sperm in the weeks following a vasectomy to determine if the procedure was in fact successful at preventing the production and transfer of sperm through the vas deferens. During this time, men are instructed not to engage in unprotected sex, as this could lead to a potential pregnancy.

A vasectomy is more than 99% effective. Of the few cases in which a pregnancy does occur after a vasectomy, a majority are within the first year after the procedure is performed.

There is a procedure for that as well! A vasectomy reversal may be offered to men who have previously undergone a vasectomy and later wish to conceive a child.

It is of course advised for patients to carefully consider this possibility before they complete a vasectomy, as vasectomy reversal procedures are not guaranteed to be effective. Men may also consider storing their sperm in a sperm bank prior to a vasectomy as a sort of safeguard to this potential situation.