5 Tips For Preparing For A Vasectomy
If you and your partner have decided you are not interested in adding to your family, a vasectomy can be a great option. Once you have a vasectomy you will no longer need to worry about an unplanned pregnancy, and can enjoy a sexual relationship without the need for condoms or other forms of birth control. Here are five tips for making sure you are as prepared as possible for your vasectomy:
Make Sure You Are Emotionally Ready
Even if having a vasectomy is the best decision for your family, you and your partner may experience unexpected emotional effects once your decision to not have any more (or any) children becomes final. Make sure to talk openly and frequently about this decision in the months leading up to your surgery. Some couples find that marriage counseling helps them to process the decision to have a vasectomy in a positive and constructive way.
Prepare to Rest Afterward
Your surgeon will give you a clear idea of how much time you will need to rest after your surgery, but the important thing is to follow their directions and not attempt to be up and about sooner than your body is ready. Prepare ahead of time by making sure you have a comfortable and quiet area of the home to rest, as well as plenty to do in the form of Netflix movies, magazines, or even video games.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
It's a good idea to wear or bring comfortable, stretchy pants such as sweat pants to your surgery since this is most likely what you will want to wear home. Most men also find that snug-fitting briefs provide the support they need after their surgery much more effectively than boxers.
Pick up Pain Medication Ahead of Time
Once the anesthesia from your surgery wears off, you will experience pain unless you plan ahead and begin taking your prescribed dosage of pain medication right away. To make this as simple as possible, it's a great idea to ask for your prescription ahead of time and pick it up from the pharmacy before your surgery instead of after.
Make a Plan for Your Kids
If you have small children at home, you may want to make a plan for keeping them away from you for a day or two to avoid accidental rough housing or bumping up against the surgical area. This may be a great time to enlist the help of grandparents or other trusted babysitters.
By following these tips, you will help ensure that your vasectomy procedure and post-vasectomy recovery go as well as possible for you as well as your partner.