Vasectomy - immediate aftermath and logistics

[LegoInMySlippers]

My husband is a arranging a vasectomy, and I'm just wondering about the immediate aftermath and logistics.

I was imagining driving him somewhere local-ish. But actually he's been given an appointment an awkward journey away which is not very feasible to drive. It would be walk-tube-train-walk(or taxi) home and take a good hour. I'm torn between going with the flow and thinking it's no big deal, and worrying he's given himself an unnecessarily uncomfortable journey home. He's been known to come over a bit funny when hurt or witnessing medical stuff etc, which I haven't reminded him of but is on my mind

He doesn't like to fuss and I'm trying not to here, I just want it done with the least drama all round, but also to show care to my husband who is doing something for the convenience of us both! From experience, do they confidently stride out of the clinic and jump on the tube as if nothing has happened, or will a small amount of tlc be nice and is it maybe worth broaching the subject of trying to get something more local?
Any advice would be very much appreciated!

My brother and husband have both had one. DB was barely affected at all, he was a bit sore for a day, I think he had it done within walking distance, and he was back on his motorbike within a few days. He’s often had funny turns around medical stuff, fainted when he tried to give blood and they asked him not to try again.

DH is incredibly hardcore, not squeamish and rarely complains about anything. He was fine during and just after his vasectomy then felt like utter crap and was in so much pain he spent the next few days in bed with an ice pack on his undercarriage. It was way worse than either us expected.

So, unhelpfully, I’d say it completely depends. The journey home is probably okay as the anaesthetic will still be working but the bit after might be a bit rough.

Despite that, DH says it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made and I’m happy to say I agree.

I used to assist at vasectomies and do the after care for men having them. It really depends on the person as some of them are fine with the procedure and walk out with no problem while some of them faint, feel dizzy and walk out with their legs bandied out like a cowboy as if their balls have grown enormous 😄

He will have a local anaesthetic so that will stay effective for awhile and applying an ice pack to the area every so often in the first 24 hours can help with swelling and provide comfort. I’d say trying to go somewhere local is preferable if at all possible as sitting on hard public transport seats and being jostled may be unpleasant, but he will not be in agony or anything so if he feels able to travel further and wants to then he’ll likely survive.

Dh had a longer journey and they told him to basically stay somewhere overnight (a cheap premier inn in the end) rather than do the jostling train straight away after, he wasn’t in total agony.
might be worth looking for somewhere closer by if possible?

Thanks both for the insights. Haha yes I can quite imagine the cowboy walk poor sods!

He seems to think (or he is saying at least) that he'll have a couple of days off running just in case 🙄 but otherwise be unaffected... This could be true and I hope it is. But I'm very keen to avoid having to manhandle a swooning cowboy through London and out the other side on public transport, for my sake as much as his!

I think I'll push him on the detail again and see if he can book something closer, there is surely something.

A lot will depend on the person doing it and how its done.

Hopefully it'll be a no-scalpel technique, I was fine after mine - doing orthopaedic surgery the following day.....

Double briefs of a snug fit to apply some pressure, changed frequently to avoid moisture / sweatiness....

He should not be running a couple of days after, he needs to let the wound heal. Usually the advice is no strenuous exercise or lifting for 2 weeks. I know some men resume after only 7-10 days if they have no pain or swelling at all but 2 days is too soon, he could do himself some damage.

Can't he just get an Uber home or something?

He might be totally fine, he might be feeling pretty tender. It makes sense to assume he's the latter in advance.

Fwiw DH's was pretty local, he took a cab home, but was working the next day without any issues and back to his usual activities very quickly.

Yes I know @wordywitch and I think he knows too really. I think that's more confident-sounding talk to reassure himself and to play it down to me - he will wait an appropriate time, although I imagine he'll get grumpy about it after a week.

Yes we could Uber, it would take about an hour so reasonably £ but we could well afford it. Or we could drive if determined and sorted parking but I don't know how close we'd get. It's just he's being a bit funny about the train being fine and obvious (he commutes for work when not WFH so it is obvious really) and looked baffled I'd make any other suggestion as it's unnecessary 🤷‍♀️ I'll gently check once more if he would like to find different options but I'll have to just go with what he wants I think.

If he's so sure he'll be fine on the train, you can always leave him to it. It's not like he will be incapable of using the Uber app or calling a cab on the day. Why worry about it more than he is?

That is a very good point. The reason is that I do love and worry about him which I think (hope!) is normal. But you're right, he is capable of sorting himself out, so there is no need to be more concerned than he is. I will go with him because he has asked me to.

Some clinics will want someone to escort him home in case he feels unwell or faint on the journey so best check with them what their policy is. They can’t MAKE him have an escort of course but it’s recommended.

I'm definitely going with him.