Congrats Gav, that's great for you and your other half

gav

gee

Congrats. I like 'g'wan the tacheman' so I'll just repeat that.

Are you already somewhere that you have to move all your stuff out of on the same day?

afgavinstan wrote:

Aaaaaand yup, no space on the rota for me to be off on moving day. So need to be up at 0430, do a shift, and move shit for days on end. Fucking class.

Red bull Gav. Also maybe make friends with a patient and chief a pill or two. One sofa in each hand m8

Can you just tell your boss that you're moving house and you need the day off? Obviously I don't know about the UK but being given the day off to move house here is obligatory.

Done all that. Decision lies with the bosses. One who does the rota explained there's no wriggle room or folk to cover so I'm fucked. Chance I'll get the following week off, but not the exact days I need.

Went for virgin media in the end, superfast, can install and activate on my own so zero downtime, and £110 cashback via Top Cashback. That'll do.

Here's a fun Thursday question for you:

Anyone had a vestectomy and willing to share their experience??

Something I'm very much considering, simply so my wife doesn't have to go back on birth control which will screw her hormones up. I need to go and speak to the GP first I believe. I know it won't be super pleasant but interested if anyone has done it!

MattyJ wrote:

Here's a fun Thursday question for you: Anyone had a vestectomy and willing to share their experience?? Something I'm very much considering, simply so my wife doesn't have to go back on birth control which will screw her hormones up. I need to go and speak to the GP first I believe. I know it won't be super pleasant but interested if anyone has done it!

I've had a vasectomy.  The procedure itself was relatively straight forward - about half an hour in a GP surgery.  They used the "scalpel free" technique which tends to have slightly better outcomes, and is generally quicker.  (Just a bit of local, and a small incision on either side to let them access the vas).

It's worth booking a week off work as things can be a bit uncomfortable following the Op for about a week or so.  (Car ride home was uncomfortable...)

The most important thing to remember about a vasectomy is that the vast majority are irreversible.  You shouldn't have one if there is any possibility at all of you changing your mind.  (I have seen people who had a vasectomy and then regretted it following a divorce or in one awful case a tragedy involving the kids.)  I opted for one as I can't realistically imagine raising more kids no matter what, and it wasn't fair to keep expecting my wife to go through the many issues she experienced with birth control.

The second thing to warn you about is that you have to submit a semen sample several months after the procedure to make sure it's worked.  Very occassionally things "rewire" themselves, so this is more important than you might think it is. Use other contraception until you've had the all clear.

Possible side effects include long term testicular pain, bleeding, a thing called a granuloma (basically a collection of sperm that eventually disappears) or infection.  Most of those, barring the chronic testicular pain, are either self limiting or easily treated - and can usually be avoided by following the advice from the doctor.  The chronic pain thing is rare.

If none of that puts you off, go for it. Despite all of the above, it's not a massive deal, and it's much, much safer than sterilisation is in women. After a week of feeling uncomfortable and moaning a lot (as is my way), I've not thought about it since, and everything's entirely back to normal now.

Mine was done almost exactly 8 yrs ago at 32. Doctor asked questions about why so young but I was convinced. He referred me to a hospital who done it under anaesthetic in a small theatre but I've heard of people getting done on their lunch break. Sent home with two grapefruit in a hammock and my GP signed me off for two weeks. Friends have asked their GP in recent years and are being told they have to go private for mad money. Guess I was lucky.
To answer common questions I'm asked, there's been no change in libido or volume of fluid. Sperm make up a small part of semen.
As Tin says, consider it irreversible so have a number of chats with your missus about it to be 100% sure. We love the idea of having a big clan around us but it wasn't something we'd realistically do but had to be sure.
Good luck. PM me if you want.

Yup cheers both, always good to have stories from those who have been through it

Late to the party but congrats Gav... now get to IKEA and buy a load of candles and shit.

But it won't be as cheap as IKEA's.