Unlike more drastic procedures, vasectomies are almost always done with a local. Mine was absolutely painless, but that may be partially due to it being done by an abdominal surgeon, not a urologist. Each incision was probably no more than an eighth of an inch long. The only strange sensation I remember was the feeling of the vas sliding inside me as he pulled out enough of it to work on.

The surgeon who did mine was called "Crazy Harry" by his associates. It seems that the prevalent word on vasectomies was, "The procedure is so simple that a qualified surgeon could perform it on himself." Harry, with a couple of other doctors standing by, put that notion to the test. Hence the nickname.

coinflipper_21 (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:02 pm Unlike more drastic procedures, vasectomies are almost always done with a local. Mine was absolutely painless, but that may be partially due to it being done by an abdominal surgeon, not a urologist. Each incision was probably no more than an eighth of an inch long. The only strange sensation I remember was the feeling of the vas sliding inside me as he pulled out enough of it to work on.

The surgeon who did mine was called "Crazy Harry" by his associates. It seems that the prevalent word on vasectomies was, "The procedure is so simple that a qualified surgeon could perform it on himself." Harry, with a couple of other doctors standing by, put that notion to the test. Hence the nickname.

I'd guess that an orchiectomy could be done that way too. Hum... I think Tanglog already did!!!

I had great concern about having a general anesthesia for my castration. I had some bad after effects from other surgery when done with a general. I could not see any reason to put my body through extra risk for an operation that could be easily preformed is a safe and less risky manner. I looked up side effects on WEBMD. Not the best source of information but is what you will find in many other places as well.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc ... plications

For general. When you here words like "to reduce the risk" "Anesthesia specialists use many safety measures to minimize the risk of aspiration." "Insertion or removal of airways may cause respiratory problems such as coughing; gagging; or muscle spasms in the voice box, or larynx or in the bronchial tubes in the lungs (bronchospasm). Insertion of airways also may cause an increase in blood pressure (hypertension) and heart rate (tachycardia). Other complications may include damage to teeth and lips, swelling in the larynx, sore throat, and hoarseness caused by injury or irritation of the larynx." "Other serious risks of general anesthesia include changes in blood pressure or heart rate or rhythm, heart attack, or stroke."

You can read the whole page. But why take any more risk then you need to take. It may take just a doctor and maybe a nurse to preform a local. I believe it will take a doctor, nurse and another surgical nurse or anesthesia doctor to do a general. If it takes two doctors to do the operation then it has to have more risks. It is just my opinion and my body. You have to weigh the risks for yourself.

pretty much 2nd most of what mrt said in his posts,

long ago my vasectomy, was painful, doc just said your tuff , hang in therethat tugging feeling all the way up in my gut was unnerving to say the least , along with the numbing wearing off during the closing up stitch:-\

as for the left or right orchi, hey get plugged in on that IV , look at the clock, and gee your waking up in another room about an hr later:p

and believe it or not, hurting less than when you went in;)

That waking up pain free rings the bell for me. I think I was really getting used to chronic pain in some weird way. When I woke up and that was gone and all I felt was sore from the incision? I want to cheer!

crankshaft (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:52 pm pretty much 2nd most of what mrt said in his posts,

long ago my vasectomy, was painful, doc just said your tuff , hang in therethat tugging feeling all the way up in my gut was unnerving to say the least , along with the numbing wearing off during the closing up stitch:-\

as for the left or right orchi, hey get plugged in on that IV , look at the clock, and gee your waking up in another room about an hr later:p

and believe it or not, hurting less than when you went in;)