Getting a vasectomy

[Circlenaut]

I've made up my mind a long time ago that I don't want kids. Even if I may possibly want kids, I'll MUCH rather adopt than father my own child. I'm 23 now, graduating with a Biotech degree and so will soon have some funds to get this done. I know that my current HMO (Tufts) covers vasectomies but I'd have to go through my primary care to get a referral and I'm not entirely sure he'll give me one (I'm expecting the typical, oh you're so young yada yada, are you sure? yada yada BS). I have an appointment with him in a few weeks, so I'll see. In case he denies me do any of you know what's the best stratagy for scouting out an urologist to do this out-of-pocket? Also, what should I expect damage wise (cost).

 

[manlymatt83]

90% chance you'll change your mind before your 30. Don't do it. You're too young.

Trust me. I know people who have gotten it done and regretted it later (females).

 

[KeithTalent]

This: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=325772&highlight=vasectomy

and this:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=93282&highlight=vasectomy

KT

 

[Nintendesert]

23 is rather young for it. You're not even close to done changing with life experiences and physically. You may not like the "you're too young" line, but its coming from older people that walked down that path before you and know.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Too young. IIWY I'd wait till 30 at least.

 

[Poulsonator]

Yep, wait. You're too young.

 

[Icepick]

Getting a vasectomy was one of the best decisions I ever made. There's nothing like getting to have as much sex as you want without the overhead of wrapping the rascal, the wife forgetting to take a pill, the contraceptive failing. It's very freeing for a man to be able to go at it any time or place with little forethought or preparation.

That said, I was 33 and had it done immediately following the birth of my third child.

 

[Dirigible]

I would have said the same thing when I was your age.

I became a dad when I was 35. Went mountain biking with my older son today. It's kind of nice.

Why rush?

 

[darrontrask]

well I had the same attitude at your age, actually until I was 32. My girlfriend at the time got pregnant still didnt think I wanted kids............now a happy parent of 3. Best time of my life so far are the ones involving them.

 

[moshquerade]

rash decision.

 

[Circlenaut]

To me, getting a vasectomy doesn't have much to do with deciding whether I may or may not want children later. As I've stated before, IF I want a child in the future I will only want to adopt. Why in God's name would I want to bring a child into this world if there are millions out there in need of a good home. Also I have Crohn's disease, I know I've got crappy genes and I take potent immunosuppressants that interferes with my DNA synthesis machinery. This drug (look up 6-MP) may possibly cause germ-line mutations. I've read some studies on men fathering children while taking 6-MP but those studies use a small sample and there's no study on the lives of children fathered by men taking 6-MP. Men taking 6-MP generally have a lower sperm count, but this may actually be confounded by the fact that IBS men are generally weaker compared to the normal population. For me it's too large a risk for any potential child I may have. The wife and I have already aborted one child last year because of this (she missed her BC without telling me). I've though about this for a long time and I'm certain about what I want. The wife and I are also getting a divorce in a year (as soon as we have time/money, we just want an amicable relationship) so it's a non-issue with her.

 

[jme5343]

$1000 bucks or so. I had to pay $200 out of pocket, just done a couple months ago. For me, it wasn't that pleasant. I didn't really have any issues during surgery (besides him losing the vas and having to squeeze things like a tube of toothpaste). I didn't have any swelling or problems initially, but the "no knife" thing ended up still making a 1" incision that they didn't stitch. I was out of the game for almost a month, if you get my drift.

All in all, I'd do it again, though.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Terrible. This idea.

 

[moshquerade]

To me, getting a vasectomy doesn't have much to do with deciding whether I may or may not want children later. As I've stated before, IF I want a child in the future I will only want to adopt. Why in God's name would I want to bring a child into this world if there are millions out there in need of a good home. Also I have Crohn's disease, I know I've got crappy genes and I take potent immunosuppressants that interferes with my DNA synthesis machinery. This drug (look up 6-MP) may possibly cause germ-line mutations. I've read some studies on men fathering children while taking 6-MP but those studies use a small sample and there's no study on the lives of children fathered by men taking 6-MP. Men taking 6-MP generally have a lower sperm count, but this may actually be confounded by the fact that IBS men are generally weaker compared to the normal population. For me it's too large a risk for any potential child I may have. The wife and I have already aborted one child last year because of this (she missed her BC without telling me). I've though about this for a long time and I'm certain about what I want. The wife and I are also getting a divorce in a year (as soon as we have time/money, we just want an amicable relationship) so it's a non-issue with her.

Should've put that in the OP.

So the wife and you aborted the child just on the chance it may have had issues or were you certain?

 

[OverVolt]

To me, getting a vasectomy doesn't have much to do with deciding whether I may or may not want children later. As I've stated before, IF I want a child in the future I will only want....................[snip]..........................what I want. The wife and I are also getting a divorce in a year (as soon as we have time/money, we just want an amicable relationship) so it's a non-issue with her.

Because then your kids would carry your genes? If your such a nice guy, then the world would be better with 2-3 kids of yours being nice people.

Durrrrr. I see this as obvious.

 

[Gardener]

OP, find a vasectomy clinic in a major city. I paid $450 about 8 years ago in Seattle. They have perfected the surgery to an art.

 

[Circlenaut]

Should've put that in the OP.

So the wife and you aborted the child just on the chance it may have had issues or were you certain?

Also the fact that we're really young and we don't want children... It was actually her decision. I got a call from her last year while I was in Brazil visiting my parents (I'm pregnant!). She was a bit hysterical. I just told her to relax and just have a good nights sleep. She calls me the next afternoon saying she has an appointment the next day to take the Abortifacient. Of course I didn't object. Also if you know what Crohn's is, you won't wish this damn disease on your worst enemy so don't judge me.

 

[moshquerade]

Also the fact that we're really young and we don't want children... It was actually her decision. I got a call from her last year while I was in Brazil visiting my parents (I'm pregnant!). She was a bit hysterical. I just told her to relax and just have a good nights sleep. She calls me the next afternoon saying she has an appointment the next day to take the Abortifacient. Of course I didn't object.

do either of your parents have crohns?

funny, i have a sister in law with crohns, she takes meds for it. she's also had three beautiful, healthy, wonderful children with my brother.

 

[Circlenaut]

Because then your kids would carry your genes? If your such a nice guy, then the world would be better with 2-3 kids of yours being nice people.

Durrrrr. I see this as obvious.

Right, like you're fucking genes really matter when it comes to raising a sentient being. Nurturing, love, education, culture matters a LOT more.

 

[Gardener]

$1000 bucks or so. I had to pay $200 out of pocket, just done a couple months ago. For me, it wasn't that pleasant. I didn't really have any issues during surgery (besides him losing the vas and having to squeeze things like a tube of toothpaste). I didn't have any swelling or problems initially, but the "no knife" thing ended up still making a 1" incision that they didn't stitch. I was out of the game for almost a month, if you get my drift.

All in all, I'd do it again, though.

Ouch!

My "no knife" procedure went well. Small incision, maybe 3/16". Had it done on a Friday, sat on an icepack that evening, took it easy the weekend, back to work on Monday, played soccer on Wednesday.

 

[IronWing]

Cheap, effective, go for it. If your primary care physician balks then request a new one. This isn't a medical decision so a physician should not serve as a gatekeeper.

 

[Gardener]

Right, like you're fucking genes really matter when it comes to raising a sentient being. Nurturing, love, education, culture matters a LOT more.

Right on dude. I'm from a family of 3 adopted children. That gene bullshit doesn't play.

 

[Circlenaut]

do either of your parents have crohns?

funny, i have a sister in law with crohns, she takes meds for it. she's also had three beautiful, healthy, wonderful children with my brother.

That's her choice to take the risk. All I'm saying is, in my opinion the risk is not worth it. Each person has a different threshold of risk. And no, I'm the only person in my family to have it so it's very likely that this is a novel mutation. Crohn's is just a manifestation of an impaired innate immune response to enteric flora that could be caused by a variety of mutated genes that fucks up the pathway. Look up SCID, it's one disease caused by a tens or hundreds of different mutations that knock out essential enzymes along various immunological signaling pathways.

 

[nickbits]

Go for it. Didnt want kids at 23, dont want them at 30. Id get one too if i wasnt so lazy.

 

[moshquerade]

That's her choice to take the risk. All I'm saying is, in my opinion the risk is not worth it. Each person has a different threshold of risk. And no, I'm the only person in my family to have it so it's very likely that this is a novel mutation. Crohn's is just a manifestation of an impaired innate immune response to enteric flora that could be caused by a variety of mutated genes that fucks up the pathway. Look up SCID, it's one disease caused by a tens or hundreds of different mutations that knock out essential enzymes along various immunological signaling pathways.

your mind is made up. i'm just saying anytime someone has a child there is the risk it may not be 100% normal. have you spoken to a Geneticist or just conducted your own research?

good luck.