High-Performance, No-Scalpel Vasectomy in Austin, TX

Trust high-level, minimally invasive vasectomy to Dr. Parviz Kavoussi, the only fellowship-trained vasectomy surgeon in the Austin, TX area.

Half a million men undergo vasectomy in the United States every year. This is a safe, effective form of contraception. Men who undergo vasectomy at Austin Center for Vasectomy & Vasectomy Reversal comfortably watch television during the procedure and most state it was over before they knew it.

What is a Vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a minor procedure where the tube that sperm pass through from the testicle to reach the semen, known as the vas deferens, is blocked for contraception to not allow sperm to reach the semen.

Anesthesia for vasectomy:

A prescription for Valium will be offered to be taken 40 minutes prior to the procedure to help minimize anxiety on the day of the procedure for men who elect to take it. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area were the procedure is performed. Doing so contributes to a minimal discomfort experience. Although the overwhelming majority of men undergoing vasectomy tolerate it extremely well, vasectomy may be offered under anesthesia, which is performed at a surgery center, if there is a great deal of anxiety or concern about having the procedure performed under local anesthesia in the office.

The No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique:

The no-scalpel technique employs microsurgical spreading instruments rather than cutting instruments. Two tiny punctures are made in the skin to access the vasa deferentia but more importantly, the spreading instrument is used to gently move important structures such as blood vessels, lymphatic channels, and nerves away from the vas deferens prior to dividing the vas deferens. Preserving these structures with this technique has been shown to decrease the rate of infection, hematoma (bleeding), and discomfort, when compared to the traditional vasectomy technique. Men who undergo the no-scalpel vasectomy also resume sexual activity sooner after the procedure and enjoy a shorter procedure time than men who undergo the traditional technique.

Optimizing vasectomy success:

Dr. Kavoussi uses the technique advocated by the American Urological Association guidelines to block the vas deferens. Once the vas deferens has been divided, a device called an electrocautery is used to seal the inside of the vas deferens tubes shut. Following that, a technique known as a tissue interposition is performed. This means that tissue that naturally lives near the vas deferens is sutured in place between the divided ends of the vas deferens to create a wall to not allow the ends to grow back together. This technique has been shown to minimize the ends of the vas deferens recanalizing, or growing back together in a man’s lifetime to less than 0.5%, which is as effective as a vasectomy can be. This technique also does not require placement of foreign objects such as clips or permanent sutures on the vas deferens. Although all vasectomies should be performed with the intention of permanent sterilization, Dr. Kavoussi performs vasectomy in a manner that makes it as effective as possible, while making it technically reversible for men who change their minds in the future.

Prior to the vasectomy:

Wear loose comfortable clothing to the office on the day of the procedure. If you are comfortable doing so, shaving the hair off the scrotum will be helpful. Otherwise, it may be done for you in the office prior to the vasectomy if needed. Notify us if you are taking any blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plavix, Eliquist, Pradaxa, Savaysa, Xarelto, Aggrenox, Ticlid, Persantine, Dipyridamole, or Lovenox in order to be given direction prior to the vasectomy. Plan on having a driver bring you to and from the office the day of your vasectomy

Following the vasectomy:

Some swelling, bruising, and soreness should be expected once the numbing medicine that was used during the procedure wears off, this is normal. The majority of men tolerate this extremely well. Do not do any heavy lifting, strenuous activity, or sexual activity for 1 week following the vasectomy. As swelling is the main source of discomfort after vasectomy, it is recommended to use an ice pack on the scrotum on the day of and the day following the vasectomy to minimize swelling and soreness. Optimally, you will be asked to use an ice pack for about 20 minute intervals on followed by 20 minute intervals off. You will be placed in snug mesh underwear which will be provided by our clinic to keep the scrotum elevated to wear home to minimize swelling. The day following the vasectomy, you may remove the mesh underwear and shower, and it is recommended that you then wear tight fitting underpants such as briefs or boxer-briefs for 2 weeks following the vasectomy. Early on following the procedure it is not uncommon to have some bleeding from the punctures in the skin, do not be alarmed by this. The majority of men, on average, will completely recover from the vasectomy within a week and many men return to work 2 days after the vasectomy, as long as the work does not call for physically strenuous activity or heavy lifting. You will be offered a prescription for a narcotic pain medicine for after the vasectomy. If you require this do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or consume alcohol while on it. If you do not require anything this strong, you may use Tylenol. Urinary function is not impacted vasectomy. Sexual functions such as erections, orgasm, and ejaculation are typically not impacted by an uncomplicated vasectomy. As only a small percentage of the semen volume is made up of the sperm coming from the testicle, no significant change in ejaculatory volume should be noticed after vasectomy.

Post-vasectomy semen analysis:

A semen analysis will be performed 8 weeks following the vasectomy and you will be seen for follow up. Do not consider yourself sterile after the vasectomy until the semen analysis has been reviewed with you and you have been cleared to stop contraception. This semen analysis performed by highly trained andrology lab personnel is a more accurate assessment of sterility than home sperm tests.

With his expertise in the male reproductive system, Dr. Kavoussi was honored to write the chapter on Surgical, radiographic, and endoscopic anatomy of the male reproductive system in the 11th and 12th editions of Campbell-Walsh textbook of Urology, as well as the chapter on vasectomy and other scrotal surgery in the 10th edition of Campbell-Walsh textbook of Urology. This is universally considered the premier urological textbook world-wide and is known as “the bible” of urology.

To schedule a private consultation with the award-winning and widely recognized Dr. Kavoussi in either of our three Vasectomy Austin clinics (Westlake, South Austin and Round Rock), call (512) 444-1414 extension 2 or request an appointment online.