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Vasectomy in Denver, CO

Get Exceptional Vasectomy Care From the Experts at TUCC

Men’s sexual health can be an uncomfortable subject. Still, over 500,000 U.S. men receive vasectomies each year. And if you’re considering one for yourself, it’s probably easier than you think. The typical vasectomy takes about half an hour, it’s done using local anesthesia, and you’ll recover quickly with minimal discomfort.

TUCC physicians offer a compassionate and straightforward approach that considers your concerns, and they perform thousands of vasectomies each year. 

We’ll walk you through every step of your procedure—from the initial consultation to post-op treatment—while providing as much information and guidance as possible.

In addition, TUCC offers no-scalpel vasectomies with a fast operating time, minimal postoperative pain, and a decreased risk of bleeding and infection. 

Learning about vasectomies should be as quick and painless as the procedure itself. So take control of your sexual health—starting here!

Dr. Richard Heppe

Dr. Heppe was recognized as a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Top Doc by 5280 Magazine in the category of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Click here to learn more.

What is a Vasectomy?

Also called male sterilization, a vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure meant to effectively and permanently protect against pregnancy.

In fact, a vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other birth control method (aside from abstinence).

Compared to female sterilization, vasectomy is more straightforward, more effective, and often
performed as an outpatient procedure. It also has fewer complications and is much less expensive.

How is a Vasectomy Performed?

Minimally invasive vasectomies cut and close the vas deferens, the tubes that deliver sperm from the testes. 

The outpatient procedure is performed under local anesthesia. During the vasectomy, the physician feels for the vas deferens under the skin of the scrotum and holds them in place while injecting a local anesthetic, using either a tiny needle or other injectors to numb the surgical site completely.

The anesthetic takes effect immediately, and the surgeon will make a small opening in the skin to expose the vas deferens. 

At this point, the tubes are quickly grasped, cut, and sealed off. Other than a slight “tugging” sensation, there is minimal discomfort and almost no bleeding. 

Generally, the procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you may not even need stitches to close the incision—it’s that minimal!

There are three primary vasectomy methods:

  • Conventional Vasectomy: Performed using a scalpel to make incisions in the scrotum, with one incision in the middle of the scrotum or two incisions, one on each side. Since the incisions are larger, sutures are often used to close the area. 
  • No-Scalpel Vasectomy: A minimally invasive procedure using specially designed instruments to make smaller-sized openings in the scrotum. The special tools used are a vas ring clamp and vas dissector.
  • Vas Clip Vasectomy: This procedure pinches the vas deferens tubes closed without dividing them. The tubes are left intact, with no section removed, cauterized, or “tied off.”

Patient Preparation for a Vasectomy

Your physician might ask you to stop taking certain medications for one week before the procedure—including some types of blood thinners. So be sure to discuss any medications you may be taking with your TUCC physician. 

Wear comfortable clothing on the day of the vasectomy. And before leaving your home, take a hot shower, cleaning the scrotal area thoroughly with soap and water. 

Your scrotum will be shaved and cleaned before the procedure. And while you will be awake for the vasectomy, local anesthesia will be used. You won’t feel any pain, only minor discomfort. Still, some patients may request medication to reduce anxiety. 

Also, feel free to bring a pair of earbuds or headphones so you can listen to your favorite soothing music. 

After Your Vasectomy

Your scrotum will be numb for a few hours after a vasectomy. Once home, you may put cold packs on the area (for example, a bag of frozen peas) and lie on your back as much as you can for the rest of the day. 

Mild discomfort or pain is normal after a vasectomy and should be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Wearing snug underwear or a jockstrap will help ease discomfort and support the area. You may have some swelling and minor pain in your scrotum for a few days after the surgery.

The dressing covering the incision should be changed when stained or soiled. You can use small sterile gauze squares found at any drugstore. The dressing can be removed when dry or stain-free, usually within a day. 

You can expect a small amount of oozing—and while this can be disconcerting, it’s normal. If there is bleeding, you should temporarily pinch or compress the skin until the bleeding stops, just as you would if you cut yourself shaving.

Possible Complications of Vasectomy

Complications are a rare possibility, as with any medical procedure. 

A small percentage of men could experience ongoing pain or discomfort after the vasectomy. This should be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. In rare cases, additional medical treatment or surgery may be needed.

Other rare but possible complications of vasectomy include:

  • Bleeding under the skin may cause swelling or bruising (call your doctor if your scrotum swells a lot soon after your surgery).
  • Infection at the incision site (infections rarely occur inside the scrotum).
  • A small lump caused by sperm leaking from a vas deferens into nearby tissue. This is usually not painful, but it can be treated with rest and pain medicine if it is. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to remove the lump, called a “sperm granuloma.”
  • Vas deferens swelling. 
  • In rare cases, the vas deferens may grow back together.

Experience and efficiency you can trust.

Streamlined Process
When men are ready for a vasectomy, they just want to get it over with. That’s why at The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC), we provide streamlined and exceptional care. With your appointments and the procedure in a single location, we give you quick answers every step of the way and avoid delays.

Experience and Expertise Matter
We know what we’re doing. Every year, we perform thousands of vasectomies. Plus, TUCC is nationally recognized for its urology research programs. 

We Support and Respect Our Patients
We are second to none when it comes to a positive patient experience. TUCC doctors, advanced practice providers, and clinical specialists work closely to deliver a thoughtful experience. We consider you an integral part of your care team and respect your voice and choices.

Patient Stories

DJ Bedz Vibes With His TUCC Vasectomy

“It doesn’t affect testosterone levels at all. It doesn’t affect erections at all, and actually, many guys say that sex is so much better afterward because you’re not worried about getting your partner pregnant. The fear factor goes down a lot.” – Dr. Richard Heppe, MD, TUCC

Like many guys, DJ Bedz from FLO 107.1 FM had plenty of concerns before getting his vasectomy—and that’s why Dr. Richard Heppe joined his show to clear the air on vasectomy procedures. 

His concerns about how a vasectomy might affect his sex drive were fully answered; DJ Bedz told his listeners that he specifically chose the Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC) for this procedure because we are Colorado’s men’s health experts, performing more than 1,900 vasectomies each year.

Vasectomy FAQs

A vasectomy is 99.99 percent effective in preventing pregnancies, making it a one-time procedure that provides permanent contraception.

Vasectomy surgery usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.

If you are paying out-of-pocket, without insurance, a vasectomy usually costs about $1,000.

Some insurance plans will pay for a vasectomy. You can call the number on your insurance card to find out if your policy covers it.

You may feel some discomfort or slight pain after your vasectomy, but you shouldn’t be in excruciating pain. During the vasectomy, you will only feel a tugging sensation. 

A vasectomy is permanent male sterilization. However, vasectomy reversal procedures are performed in an outpatient setting at TUCC.

A vasectomy will not decrease your sex drive because it does not affect the production of the male hormone testosterone. It also does not affect your ability to get an erection or ejaculate semen.

A vasectomy will not affect a man’s virility or testosterone levels.

Your scrotum may be bruised and swollen for 1-2 weeks. However, you should be able to return to work or your routine on the day after surgery.

You must wait seven days before resuming sexual activity. And you must implement birth control measures until your doctor analyzes your semen to confirm there’s no sperm present in the ejaculate. That’s usually done about eight weeks following the procedure. 

Sure! Engaging in intercourse before a vasectomy will not affect the procedure.

Yep! Your testes will still make sperm, and you will still be able to ejaculate. 

We’re here to help.

For appointments at any TUCC location, request an appointment online.