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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP attitude post vasectomy driving me mad

195 replies

bobthebuilder03 · 29/03/2026 00:33

I'm not posting and running, I'll likely reply properly in the morning!

DP had a vasectomy on friday. he is in pain, I’m not denying that. he’s quite swollen and bruised and moving very gingerly. he has also openly said before he’s not the best with pain and can be a bit dramatic with it which probably isn’t helping how I’m viewing this. The last surgery he had was his wisdom teeth removed whilst I was pregnant with youngest and he was complaining about the pain and every part of it which was frustrating. I am usually sympathetic when he's ill though as he does suffer badly with asthma so I don't dislike him and in not being horrible and unsympathetic towards him

our house is awkward at the best of times. 3 storey, kitchen on the bottom, living room on the middle floor and bedrooms at the top so everything involves stairs. not ideal when you’ve just had that done, I do get it.

yesterday he mostly rested which I thought was fair enough. his brother came round (they’re less than a year apart) and made a few comments which rubbed me up the wrong way tbh. things like he’d never have it done, what if we split up and he wants kids with someone else etc. DP sort of laughed but also didn’t exactly shut it down. for context DP is 34 and it was mainly his idea anyway as I can’t use hormonal contraception and we were fed up with condoms after a false positive scare last summer.

today I went out for a bit and he stayed home with our youngest (12, perfectly happy on his xbox and doesn’t need supervising every second). DP basically rested and gamed too which again, fine.

but his attitude towards me is what’s getting to me now. he’s really snappy. I’ll ask if he’s ok and get “well obviously not” or if I don’t jump up immediately he’ll sigh or go “forget it then”. earlier I said I’d just sat down after going up and down twice already and he went “sorry for being inconvenient after surgery” in that tone.

and the constant asking honestly I don’t think I’ve sat down for more than 5 mins this evening. as soon as I sit it’s can you get me another ice pack, can you grab me a drink, can you bring snacks. I don’t mind helping but it’s relentless and he doesn’t think ahead at all, like asking for one thing at a time knowing full well I have to go down two flights each time.

I did say could you maybe ask for a couple of things at once or tell me before I sit down and he got funny and said I clearly don’t understand how uncomfortable he is and that I’m being a bit unsympathetic.

I feel like I’ve been quite patient but I’m starting to feel more like a skivvy than a partner tbh, especially with the tone he’s taking.

AIBU to be annoyed at his attitude rather than the actual situation?

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 29/03/2026 00:35

Blimey. Remind him what you went through in pregnancy and childbirth!

StMichaelPenkevil · 29/03/2026 00:39

You are absolutely NOT being unreasonable. He’s being a big baby and hopefully this won’t last too long but he’ll probably milk it as much as he can!

bobthebuilder03 · 29/03/2026 00:42

part of me is wondering if those comments from his brother about “manhood” have got in his head a bit as well because he’s definitely more prickly than usual. I forgot to add in the op it was things like “couldn’t be me, I’d feel like less of a man” and “what if you two split and you meet someone else who wants kids, you’ve shut that down now”. also a couple of digs about “letting her make that decision for you” which isn’t even true as it was mainly DP’s idea anyway. I could tell DP was a bit awkward about it, but not really shutting it down either.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 29/03/2026 00:44

What painkillers is he on? It might be why he's disorganised. He's at peak swelling time, things should be better in a couple of days. I'd preempt what he might want and take over the care. I'd say the same to a male poster after his wife had a procedure. He isn't responsible for what his brother says and probably can't be bothered getting into it. Just count down the days.

AnotherDogWontHurt · 29/03/2026 00:49

His brother sounds immature so if those comments have actually got to him, he needs to grow up.

Your partner sounds like he is trying to make you feel in some way bad for him being in pain, like it’s partly your fault. I’d tell him that I’m happy to let him rest and fetch things for him, but he needs to think ahead as I won’t be constantly going up and downstairs.

Frostynoman · 29/03/2026 00:53

Sounds like he is punishing you and has some regrets. How supportive was he post partum?

BreakingBroken · 29/03/2026 00:59

Sounds like poor pain control. What’s he taking? And hopefully he’s not a redhead?

PeriPrime · 29/03/2026 02:04

Frostynoman · 29/03/2026 00:53

Sounds like he is punishing you and has some regrets. How supportive was he post partum?

This was going to be my exact post too. Also, say no. Or ill get it next time i go downstairs.

AnotherDogWontHurt · 29/03/2026 02:08

BreakingBroken · 29/03/2026 00:59

Sounds like poor pain control. What’s he taking? And hopefully he’s not a redhead?

He’s managing to game so can’t be in that much pain when staying still, yet is still treating OP like shit.

KimuraTan · 29/03/2026 02:13

AnotherDogWontHurt · 29/03/2026 00:49

His brother sounds immature so if those comments have actually got to him, he needs to grow up.

Your partner sounds like he is trying to make you feel in some way bad for him being in pain, like it’s partly your fault. I’d tell him that I’m happy to let him rest and fetch things for him, but he needs to think ahead as I won’t be constantly going up and downstairs.

Plenty of women do this after childbirth - no matter how easy or invasive. „rub my back , bring me a water bottle, carry my handbag, make me a cup of tea“

Yes, I have experienced childbirth so those of you who are feeling offended - just back off. In a partnership you try and show some empathy for your loved one - big or small and afford your partner some kindness. Just because this one‘s a man doesn’t mean you have to minimise his pain or discredit his recovery. Could you imagine a woman on mumsnet being given the advice to stop complaining or just getting on with it after surgery??

It’s your partner OP so try and be less callous - „well, he wanted it“ and ride this out to enjoy the benefits of his decision - no more babies and more fun in the bedroom without any worries.

gentileprof7 · 29/03/2026 02:27

To be fair, it sounds quite painful. Tooth extraction can also be quite painful. My mum claims it's the worst pain she's ever had.

BreakingBroken · 29/03/2026 02:31

@AnotherDogWontHurt gaming as a distraction to the pain simply means when he’s not “lost” in the game the fact that he’s in pain comes back to haunt you.

Focussingonme · 29/03/2026 02:43

He's being ridiculous. My DH had his vasectomy just over a week ago, 2pm in the afternoon and went back to work (trade) the next day. Tell him to up his pain meds and crack on. You have more anaesthetic to have a tooth removed. The swelling is bad but you are supposed to keep moving to help the blood flow, he's making it worse.

I am sympathetic but have had 2 c-sections, one under GA and had to get on alone after 4 days when he went back to work both times. Keeping myself and a newborn baby fed and cared for not gaming on my xbox. A fact that has been mentioned in this house!! Tell him to get a grip and his brother is an idiot.

RawBloomers · 29/03/2026 03:02

He's in pain (and known to be a bit of a baby about pain) I wouldn't read anything into his snappy demeanour, or his failure to correct his brother other than that he's in pain and not in the mood.

The asking for things every few minutes is annoying. I can see why, in being just post surgery, he might not really be up to ordering his thoughts and planning for what he might need. As a PP said, you could do some of that for him. Also, if it's not pain related, may tell him to write it on a list and you'll make a trip downstairs in half an hour and get him everything on it.

YourSassyPanda · 29/03/2026 03:10

I’d go out or go and sit in the bedroom instead unless he was an absolute angel to you when you gave birth. I say this as someone whose capable adult DH was back in work (actual physical graft, not sitting at a computer) the day after his “snip”. It’s not a complicated operation these days and this is not a favour to you from him, it’s him taking responsibility for his own reproductive system as you have had to for all of the years prior.

Fearfulsaints · 29/03/2026 03:36

I am a bit lost about what day it is, but I think you ran out of patience on the main recovery day?
Hopefully he will be a bit brighter and less snappy today.

MyJollyPinkDuck · 29/03/2026 03:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

TheCurious0range · 29/03/2026 03:47

When an acquaintance made similar comments to DH he said I've got my family , I'm not really into the idea of multiple children with various women. (The other guy is on wife 3 and has 5 DC across them).

DH WFH for a couple of days then had the weekend then was back at work on the Monday, he didn't cycle to work for a couple of weeks but I think that was fear more than anything. If he had it done Friday I'd give him a bit of grace Saturday it sounds like your house layout is the most irritating part

Flatandhappy · 29/03/2026 03:55

Tell him to grow the fuck up. DH had his two weeks after our youngest (unplanned) was born so he knew there was no point in looking for sympathy. Op was in the afternoon and he was back at work the next day. I agree his brother’s comments probably haven’t helped but that’s not your problem.

AnotherDogWontHurt · 29/03/2026 04:08

Flatandhappy · 29/03/2026 03:55

Tell him to grow the fuck up. DH had his two weeks after our youngest (unplanned) was born so he knew there was no point in looking for sympathy. Op was in the afternoon and he was back at work the next day. I agree his brother’s comments probably haven’t helped but that’s not your problem.

Tbf, men can be affected differently, some have more pain swelling than others, but it doesn’t excuse his treatment of the OP.

Walkden · 29/03/2026 04:12

"He's being ridiculous. My DH had his vasectomy just over a week ago, 2pm in the afternoon and went back to work (trade) the next day"

Be that as it may, some men have more of a reaction, perhaps the person doing was the procedure was a little less deft, precise in their movements etc. not to mention people recover at different rates and 1 to 2% of men suffer permanent testicular pain after this procedure

Imagine a woman was posting about being in pain after birth and some man on here to mainsplain "your being ridiculous my wife was fine after 1 day etc.".

usedtobeaylis · 29/03/2026 04:27

KimuraTan · 29/03/2026 02:13

Plenty of women do this after childbirth - no matter how easy or invasive. „rub my back , bring me a water bottle, carry my handbag, make me a cup of tea“

Yes, I have experienced childbirth so those of you who are feeling offended - just back off. In a partnership you try and show some empathy for your loved one - big or small and afford your partner some kindness. Just because this one‘s a man doesn’t mean you have to minimise his pain or discredit his recovery. Could you imagine a woman on mumsnet being given the advice to stop complaining or just getting on with it after surgery??

It’s your partner OP so try and be less callous - „well, he wanted it“ and ride this out to enjoy the benefits of his decision - no more babies and more fun in the bedroom without any worries.

Edited

She's not being callous at all, she just doesn't want to go up and down two flights of stairs all day long. And she doesn't have to.

TheKhakiQuail · 29/03/2026 04:36

Walkden · 29/03/2026 04:12

"He's being ridiculous. My DH had his vasectomy just over a week ago, 2pm in the afternoon and went back to work (trade) the next day"

Be that as it may, some men have more of a reaction, perhaps the person doing was the procedure was a little less deft, precise in their movements etc. not to mention people recover at different rates and 1 to 2% of men suffer permanent testicular pain after this procedure

Imagine a woman was posting about being in pain after birth and some man on here to mainsplain "your being ridiculous my wife was fine after 1 day etc.".

This. I was up and about a few hours after having my first baby, but there is no way in hell I would judge another woman who might be sore or exhausted for weeks. Even the same person going through a procedure or birth twice can have very different recoveries each time.

StarryStaryNight · 29/03/2026 04:37

The problem is the stairs. Oh and his brother for saying those things while your dh is in pain. Can he not ask the 12 year old to fetch things? If you have an insulated lunch bag he can keep the icepacks in it. Is he taking codiene for the discomfort? In a few days he'll feel better.

JandLandG · 29/03/2026 04:38

I mean...fucking hell.

Is that what actual life is like for loads of people in 2026? Really?

I'm a fella - and an older one now, tbh.

I started coming here in...maybe 2008ish.

Because I like vaguely educated ppl having vaguely educated and informed discussions.

And I like messing about and taking the mickey.

But now, Mumsnet seems to be mainly about absolute dickhead fellas being absolute nob heads.

Yep, this is a women's forum, so I guess that on fella's fora there are plenty of tales of absolute dickhead women being absolute nob heads.

Are there really that many absolute fucking pricks behaving like this?

Fucking hell.

I mean, we all have our moments, but...Jesus Christ. What the fuck is wrong with people?