A common question after a vasectomy and as well microscopic vasectomy reversals is “What is the significance of skin bruising around the vasectomy site?” More importantly to the patient inquiring about this is, “Is anything wrong or does anything need to be done?”
“You and your staff were wonderful! I love the relaxed and laid back atmosphere that y’all provided especially the Music! Definitely helped my anxiety. Thank you.”
Our procedure room is equipped with a Bose Bluetooth speaker synched with Amazon Prime Music, Pandora and Spotify. The music is an important part of making for as pleasant a vasectomy experience as possible. That Dr. McHugh performs 25-30 vasectomies a month and 50-60 vasectomy reversals a year, helps also!
Most casual observers will think of the North Star as the brightest star, in fact it is Sirius. (The North Star is known for its dependable location in the sky, not its brightness.)
According to Greek mythology, Sirius was the dog of the hunter Orion, and the ancient Romans placed the star in the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “Greater Dog”). The Romans thus referred to the sweltering period when the rising of the sun and Sirius converged as the “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog star.”
By the 1500s, the English world began to call the same summertime point on the astronomical calendar as the “dog days.”
After the vasectomy bullet points. | FAQ and What to expect after your procedure.
After the Vasectomy Bullet Points: Dr. McHugh is one of the Southeast’s most experienced no scalpel vasectomy and microscopic vasectomy reversals.
You have had your vasectomy…here are some “after the procedure” instructions and a heads up on potential issues that are peculiar to having a vasectomy.
The small opening at the midline of the upper strotum does not have a suture and will close on its own. A thin film of Neosporin ointment daily is recommended. Any spotting/oozing is usually corrected with pressure to the incision site for 30 minutes.
You can shower the day after the procedure, but don’t let water hit the procedure site directly.
Ice to the scrotum after the procedure helps with swelling and with discomfort. (Lidocaine is used at the opening and along the course of the vas tubes so there is anesthesia for an hour or so after the procedure.)
You’ll be given something for pain, this is to be used in an “as needed fashion.” If you don’t have pain, don’t take it or use Advil or Aleve. Taking a half a pill is acceptable.
Try to be off your feet with the scrotum elevated strictly for the first 24 hours and then as much as possible for the next two days. Most patient who have the procedure on a Thursday or Friday take it easy over the weekend and return to work on Monday. If you have a strenuous job, you may want to gradually get back into your routine.
For the first week after the vasectomy, compression underwear to stabilize the scrotum and elevation of the scrotum with a rolled sheet when sitting can reduce any swelling.
No sexual activity for one week.
No unprotected sexual activity until we have evaluated two negative specimens. It takes approximately 25 ejaculations to clear the tube beyond the vasectomy site. (A couple can achieve pregnancy if there is unprotected sexual activity before the sperm has completely cleared.) We recommend evaluation of specimens as a rule at 6-8 weeks. It is not about the time since the vasectomy, it is about the number of ejaculations.
Even though the opening is in the middle of the upper scrotum, the vasectomy sites are on the left and right underneath the skin. Discomfort, bruising or asymmetrical swelling is not uncommon, but should slowly improve over several days.
Each patient is given two specimen containers after the procedure and there are several options regarding checking the post-vasectomy specimen. Dr. McHugh examines semen specimens with a microscope at no expense. (The best days for dropping off the specimen is Monday, Wednesday and Friday-but it best to call to be sure he is available to examine.) For out of town patients, specimens can be taken to a local hospital for a “post vasectomy” semen analysis (we can fax an order) or use online test kits such as spermcheck.com.
It is not unusual, maybe 5-10% of specimens, will have a rare sperm. This just means that more time/ejaculations are necessary to completely clear all of the sperm. We will require two consecutive completely negative evaluations.
There are no special instructions about the specimen. If you obtain the specimen in the morning and drop off later in the day, this is not a problem. We are not doing a formal count, only the presence of absence of sperm. We will call you back with the results that day.
Concerns you may have after the procedure-How to contact us.
If any issues arise that you have questions about, feel free to contact us using the form below.
We will be happy to speak to you (770) 535-0000 or if you feel it is necessary, we will arrange for an examination in the office at no expense to you.
Our email: ngurology@gmail.com (Dr. McHugh replies on weekends!)
You also can utilize our text to email option. (You text your comment/concern and it comes immediately to our email. We check our email numerous times a day and on weekends.) The response comes back to you as a text. Here’s the number: 770-376-5616
Thank you for allowing us to participate in your care.
Posted on Google
Kevin Restrepo
2026-05-11
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing experience. Quick, easy and painless. Did not even have to use nitrous oxide. Awake the whole time and the doc makes it such a smooth 9 min process.
Posted on Google
Basic Dad Email
2026-05-04
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great crew. Answered all my questions. Excellent customer service. Provided great follow-up and checking in post op. Glad this is only something you do once. So grateful for their expertise, kindness, and patience.
Posted on Google
Daniel Brown
2026-04-16
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Dr. McHugh is a pro. He knows his craft well. Everyone at his office was so professional. Everything was straightforward with no hassle. The vasectomy surgery was a snap (pun intended). And actually almost no pain or complication. I had a hernia surgery two years ago that was so much worse. Didn't post pictures for obvious reasons.
Can't recommend him more.
Posted on Google
Casey Shoemate
2026-04-13
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We are thankful we found Dr McHugh when we did to do my husband’s vasectomy reversal. He is a wonderful doctor and Nurse Lacey was such a blessing. It’s obvious Dr McHugh is experienced, loves his family, and wants to give other families their best chance.
I wish it wasn’t so hard to find a good doctor to help bring a life into the world and I feel sad for those who have had to go through what I have to find one.
Posted on Google
Stephen Ferrell
2026-04-12
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great staff! They make the experience as easy as possible!
Posted on Google
Garrick Richards
2026-04-10
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Best medical experience I have had! The team is amazing and I can confirm why they are highly recommended!! Thanks Megan, Daphne and staff!! My wife is a practice administrator and she was seriously considering poaching some of y’all!! Lol!
Posted on Google
Joseph Tapley
2026-04-06
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent experience. Very nice people with great knowledge and concern for your needs. My recovery has been great with no issues. Thanks again team. 😎😎😎
Posted on Google
Jeff McHugh
2026-03-27
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I cannot recommend Dr. McHugh and his team highly enough. From the moment I checked in to the moment I walked out the door, the entire process was seamless and professional.
The customer service was incredible; the administrative staff made the paperwork easy, and the nurses were absolutely fantastic—personable, reassuring, and clearly experts at what they do.
Dr. McHugh himself was phenomenal. He talked me through the steps, and the procedure was over in a surprisingly short amount of time. I felt zero stress throughout the visit. If you’re considering this procedure, this is the place to go. I’m extremely grateful for the top-tier care I received! -TM
Posted on Google
Jacob Born
2026-03-20
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The experience was great. This was something I dreaded doing but these guys made the experience a breeze. I will recommend to anyone who will listen!
Posted on Google
Casey King
2026-03-16
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Dr McHugh and his staff did an amazing job with me and my wife during my reversal. They treated us so well from the beginning to the end. We went to Dr. McHugh because he was the most experienced and happens to be 5 hours away. I’m day 4 right now and am doing well. I will update if the surgery was successful. If the Lord allows we may have another baby. Also, I love the fact that if I have questions I can ask the Dr himself or his lovely staff.
Vasectomies and Reversals Performed by Dr. McHugh Since 2020!
A common question asked is whether the reversal will be harder if clips were used or if the patient was told by the urologist “I took out a section and burned it.”
In the vast majority of cases this has no influence on the microscopic vasectomy procedure.
The procedure is harder if both sides of the vasectomy were done in the vas deferens closest to the testicle-the convoluted vas. This area is smaller in diameter and not straight (convoluted) and this makes the repair a little harder.
Whether clips or burned, there is not difference in how difficult the reversal will be. Having had clips makes the area of the vasectomy easier to locate.
The amount of vas tube removed is usually not an issue unless there is a very large segment removed and this is customarily not done.
Of note, if you have had two vasectomies done, this could be an issue. If you had a complication after the vasectomy, say a large hematoma or infection that had to resolve or be operated on, these may affect the repair. On all unusual issues, be sure to make the reversal doctor aware.
Bullet points/instructions for the post vasectomy reversal operative period:
You can shower but for the first two to three days, don’t let water hit the operative site directly.
A thin layer of Neosporin over the suture sites daily is recommended.
A formal dressing is not required but one 4×4 gauze between underwear and the sutures may be more comfortable.
The sutures dissolve-but not all at the same time. Some separation of the skin in areas is not uncommon and resolves.
The feeling of a “lump” under the skin above either testicle is not uncommon, this is where the body is reacting to the surgical procedure. (It is not uncommon to have this on one side but not the other.)
Compression underwear for three weeks. (This is preferred to the traditional “jock strap.”)
No sexual activity for three weeks. Slowly returning to your normal exercise at that time can resume as well.
The more you can be off your feet the first week following the procedure the less swelling you will have. Some bruising of the skin around the suture sites is common.
Patients can walk and even drive if necessary after 5 days if wearing compression underwear and being careful. Again, the more you are off your feet the better.
The testicles begin producing normal sperm again in 4-6 months, depending on the length of time from the vasectomy. (The longer the interval from the vasectomy, the slower return to sperm production.)
If you desire to have an evaluation of a semen specimen to check for the presence of sperm, one would wait until the 4-6 month period after the reversal. The presence of sperm is a very good sign, however it is not unusual for a longer interval is required for the return of sperm. A specimen can be given to our office and can be quickly evaluated for the presence of sperm. If a formal semen analysis is desired which provides an actual count of sperm, an order can be placed to your local hospital negating having to travel to Gainesville.
If pregnancy occurs, it is usually in the 6-18 month time frame.
If pregnancy occurs…we’d appreciate a picture.
Finally…we appreciate the opportunity to participate in your care.
Georgia’s most experienced No Scalpel Vasectomy and Microscopic Vasectomy Reversal urologist.