No Needle, No Scalpel324 West Bay Drive NW
Suite 105 Olympia, WA 98502 360.742.3562Our goal is to make this simple, quick, low risk procedure readily accessible
to our community in order to improve community health outcomes and reduce costs to families. Dr. Timothy Zola
|
What is no needle no scalpel vasectomy anyway?
No needle: The no-needle technique has made vasectomy nearly painless. Instead of using a needle and syringe to numb or anesthetize the scrotum, a small hypojet spray is used. Although not completely sensation-free, many men compare the feeling of the hypojet spray to that of a rubber band snap. This is a technique introduced by Dr. Charles Wilson in the late 1990s. No scalpel: Instead of making two incisions on the scrotum with a scalpel, a small ring clamp is used to isolate the vas deferens in the center of the scrotum and a very pointy hemostat is used to make a small hole in the scrotum. This is all through the area of skin anesthetized by the hypojet spray. The hole is so small that sutures or stiches are not needed afterwards. Dr. Li Shunquiang developed this vasectomy technique in China in 1974. How effective is it?
Vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of permanent birth control with a failure rate of just 1 in 2000. By comparison, the failure rate of condoms is 300 out of every 2000 uses and the failure rate of birth control pills is 160 out of 2000. Recovery time?
On the day after the procedure, you may walk and drive as much as you like, but no sports, yard work, swimming, or heavy lifting for 7 days. After 7 days, there are no restrictions but it is recommended to slowly ease back into your regular activities. If your job is sedentary (office work or supervisor), you may return to work immediately. If your job involves physically strenuous activity, you may want to consider taking a couple of days off of work. We can provide you with a ‘doctor’s note’ if needed. Will I have a lot of pain during and after the procedure?
Most men say that they experience no or very little pain during and after the procedure. Although there is no guarantee of a 100% pain-free procedure, we take every step necessary to ensure patient comfort. The local anesthetic medication along with ibuprofen following the procedure provides adequate pain control for almost all of our patients. However, if you find that you are more sensitive to pain than the average person, Dr. Zola can prescribe a pain medication for you following the procedure. Can you ‘put me under’ during the procedure?
Although some men think that ‘going under’ will be more pleasant than being awake during the procedure, the side effects of general anesthesia tend to be far more unpleasant and last a lot longer than the 15-30 minutes that the procedure takes. However, if anxiety prevents you from being able to tolerate the procedure, Dr. Zola can write you a prescription for a mild sedative prior to the procedure. What is the risk of complications?
Although the risk of complications are very low, no procedure is 100% risk-free. Complications occur in roughly 1-2% of men who have a vasectomy. There is a range of possible complications, most of which are very minor, such as mild achiness. In rare cases, a serious complication can arise, such as an infection. Sex life
There is no decrease in libido, erection, or orgasm after a vasectomy. This is backed up by a great deal of experience and scientific findings. In fact, many couples actually report an improved sex life following vasectomy. Can my partner watch?
Yes, partners are encouraged to be present at the counseling session and may be present during the procedure to offer support. Whether or not a partner is present during the procedure is the decision of both the patient and his partner. How much does it is cost?
Most insurance plans cover the cost of vasectomy. The cash price at our office for a vasectomy is $900. This includes a consultation, the procedure, and follow-up semen testing. We never charge a ‘facility fee’ because we perform the procedure in our clinic rather than at a surgery center. We feel that our office setting is more comfortable and cost-effective for our patients. Do you take insurance?
Yes. We currently accept Cigna, Premera, Regence, LifeWise, Uniform, Community Health Plan of Washington, HMA, Bridgespan, Aetna, United Healthcare, Kaiser Options PPO, First Choice Network, Tricare, Coordinated Care, Amerigroup, Care Credit, and Apple Health. This list will continue to expand as we develop additional partnerships with area insurance companies, so please call us if you don’t see your insurance company on the list.
Will vasectomy provide any protection from STDs?
No, not even a little bit. |