Vasectomy Stitches: What to Expect

Understanding Vasectomy Stitches and What to Expect

Vasectomy is a common procedure opted by men who want permanent contraception. It involves cutting and sealing off the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis. This prevents sperm from getting mixed with semen and reaching the female partner during intercourse.

Like any surgical procedure, vasectomy also leaves behind some stitches and bruising. The stitches are necessary to close up the tiny incisions made on each side of the scrotum to access the tubes. The bruising occurs from the minor trauma of the surgical procedure.

Most men have concerns about the vasectomy stitches, especially around how long they take to dissolve and what they will look like. Knowing what to expect regarding vasectomy stitches can help ease some anxiety before the procedure.

Where are the Vasectomy Stitches Located?

The vasectomy stitches will be located on either side of the scrotum. There will usually be one stitch on the right side and one stitch on the left side where the vasectomy incisions were made.

The vasectomy procedure involves making a small opening on each side of the scrotum to access the tubes that need to be cut and sealed. Once the tubes are blocked off, the tiny openings need to be closed with stitches.

The stitches are usually dissolvable and are under the skin, so they cannot be seen from the outside. The stitch knots may feel like tiny bumps under the skin around the incision sites.

What Do Vasectomy Stitches Look Like?

Vasectomy stitches are very small, usually around 1 cm long. They are placed just under the skin to close the incisions made to access the tubes.

Since they are dissolvable stitches, they will slowly get absorbed by the body over time. As they dissolve, the incisions will close up and heal completely.

Right after the vasectomy, you may be able to feel small, hard bumps under the skin on either side of the scrotum near the incision sites. These are the knots of the dissolvable stitches.

There will also be some reddening and bruising of the skin around the stitch sites. This is normal right after surgery and should resolve within a week or two.

How Long Do Vasectomy Stitches Take to Dissolve?

Dissolvable vasectomy stitches typically take around 2-3 weeks to completely dissolve and get absorbed by the body. However, the timing can vary from person to person.

Factors like age, health status, metabolism rate, and wound healing process affect how long the stitches take to breakdown. For some men, the stitches may dissolve in 10-14 days while others may take up to 4 weeks.

The vasectomy incisions will be healed enough within a week for the stitches to be ready to start dissolving. Complete dissolution and absorption of the sutures happens gradually over the following few weeks.

As the stitches dissolve, you will notice the bumps under the skin get smaller and eventually disappear completely. The incision sites will also look less red and feel less sore over time.

Signs of Infected Vasectomy Stitches

While dissolving stitches are designed to be absorbed by the body, sometimes they can get infected. Signs of infected vasectomy stitches include:

Increasing redness, swelling, or bleeding at the incision sites
Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the incisions
Fever or flu-like symptoms
Intense pain that is not relieved by medication
Hard, warm, and very tender lumps under the skin at the stitch sites

If you notice any of these warning signs, contact your doctor right away. You may need antibiotics to clear an infection. Rarely, infected dissolving stitches may need to be surgically removed.

How to Care for Vasectomy Stitches

To help your vasectomy stitches heal well and minimize complications:

Wear snug fitting underwear after the surgery to support the scrotum
Apply an ice pack to the stitches area to reduce swelling
Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed for discomfort
Keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection
Avoid sex and vigorous physical activity until the incisions have fully healed
Attend all follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor healing

Proper wound care and allowing time for the stitches to dissolve are vital for proper healing after a vasectomy procedure. Avoid scrubbing or scratching the area while stitches are present.

What to Expect During Recovery from a Vasectomy

Knowing what to expect after a vasectomy can help ease worries and ensure proper recovery. Here's an overview of the vasectomy healing timeline:

Early Recovery: First 3 Days

The first 72 hours after a vasectomy involve the most discomfort, restriction, and risk of complications like bleeding and infection:

Stay off your feet as much as possible and limit activity
Wear snug underwear and use ice packs to limit swelling
Keep incisions clean and dry to prevent infection
Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed for discomfort
Continue icing 3 times a day for 10-15 minutes for 2 days

First Week of Recovery

The first week after a vasectomy is when you will experience the most bruising, swelling, and soreness around the incision sites. Other tips for the first week include:

No sex, heavy lifting, or strenuous exercise
You may return to light activity like walking
Bruising and tenderness will increase over the first 3 days, before gradually improving
Continue to monitor the incisions for signs of infection
You may return to work, but avoid heavy physical exertion

2 Weeks After Vasectomy

Two weeks after the vasectomy, you should notice improvements in pain levels and mobility:

Bruising and tenderness should be significantly reduced
You may return to more strenuous activity like jogging or weight lifting
Swimming or bathing is okay as long as the incisions are healed
You may resume sexual activity as long as significant swelling has subsided

4 Weeks After Vasectomy

By 4 weeks, most men are healing well with minimal pain or swelling:

Your energy levels and activity tolerance should be back to normal
All swelling should be resolved and bruising long gone
Stitches are fully dissolved and absorbed by week 4
Resume normal sexual activity as tolerated
Follow up with your doctor to confirm healing is complete before relying on vasectomy for birth control

Recovery is gradual, so be patient and allow your body time to heal. Within a month of surgery, most men are back to 100% after a routine vasectomy procedure.

What Are Normal Side Effects After a Vasectomy?

It is common to have some side effects in the first few weeks after a vasectomy. These are normal and should resolve with time.

Tenderness and Bruising

The most common side effect is tenderness of the scrotum near the incisions, along with some bruising. This is from internal bleeding and inflammation triggered by the surgical trauma.

Bruising and tenderness often worsen 2-3 days after the vasectomy before gradually improving. Wearing snug underwear and using ice packs can help minimize bruising.