Immediately after your vasectomy, you can usually expect any discomfort to be relatively mild.. Local anesthesia will begin to wear off an hour or so after the procedure. Your doctor will advise you of appropriate use of pain relievers..

Here are some general guidelines to for making your recovery uneventful and as comfortable as possible.

Getting Home.
Your doctor may advise you not to drive yourself home, so may need to arrange for transportation in advance. He or she will also determine when you are ready to travel, so don’t try to speed up the process. Go directly home to rest. You can expect to wear a snug scrotal support garment or jockey shorts immediately after the surgery and for about one week thereafter. Wear or bring these with you to your appointment.

Elevate your legs, stay off your feet, and use ice packs liberally to soothe the scrotal area during the first few days following your vasectomy to help minimize any swelling and discomfort.

Contact your doctor immediately if, in the first day or two following surgery, you experience any sudden fever, chills, increasing pain, swelling or drainage, any of which might be signs of infection.

The First Days.
Check with your doctor when you may resume taking showers, usually within a day or two. Do not take tub baths or submerge your body for at least 48 hours after surgery. This could expose your incision to bacteria and the risk of infection. Warm, 20-minute baths can be beneficial after the few days following your vasectomy.

Although you can expect some discomfort at first, lasting or significant pain is uncommon. However, don’t try to "tough it out" when it comes to postoperative pain. Let your doctor know if you experience an increase in discomfort, so you can receive the right medication.

Vasectomy procedures are often scheduled for a Thursday or Friday; this allows a weekend to recuperate before the start of the next workweek. It is not uncommon for men to return to work on the following Monday or Tuesday.

The First Few Weeks after Surgery
You should not consider, and probably won’t feel like, resuming sexual intercourse from 72 hours to a couple of weeks following surgery. Before you do resume sexual activity, remember that you will not be considered sterile for several weeks. Until your doctor determines that you are sterile, continue to use an alternate form of birth control. And you should also remember that a vasectomy does not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.
Once sexual activity is comfortable for you, it is important to resume ejaculation, since it takes between 10 and 20 ejaculations before any remaining sperm is released. In fact, sperm can remain in the semen for three to six months following your vasectomy.

You can expect your doctor to advise you when to bring in your first semen sample for examination. This is usually within three to four months after your vasectomy. You may be able to collect your seminal specimen at home and bring it directly lab. Use the sterile containers that are provided for all semen samples.

You are generally considered sterile only after your doctor makes that determination. You may be informed by post or at a follow up appointment.

In Summary:

• Discomfort following a vasectomy is usually mild, but expect to take time to rest and recuperate for a few days.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions, including his direction regarding rest and the use of pain medications and/or antibiotics.
• Many men begin to resume regular work activities after a few days of rest following the procedure.
• Sexual activities can usually be resumed after one to weeks, but sterility is not immediate.
• Your doctor will provide instructions regarding semen sample testing during the weeks following a vasectomy.