By Mountain Family Health Centers & Dr. Chris Tonozzi, MD
Mountain Family Health Centers is offering vasectomies this holiday season. Vasectomy is a surgery in which a small opening (approximately 1 cm) is made in the skin of the scrotum (the skin around the testicles). The right and left vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm) is brought out through the opening and a section of this tube is cut out. This prevents sperm, which usually travel from the testicles to the penis, from being ejaculated during sex, preventing pregnancy. Vasectomy is almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you think a vasectomy is right for you, call us at 970-945-2840 to schedule your consult. During that appointment we will choose a date to do the surgery.
How much does it cost? Insurance generally covers vasectomy. If you don’t have insurance, Mountain Family has sliding fee scale program that may provide a discount. If you do not qualify for the sliding scale program and your insurance does not cover vasectomy, the charge is $80 – $150 for the consult (doctor’s appointment preceding the procedure) plus $721 for the procedure and follow-up appointment.
Want to pay up front and lower the price? At Mountain Family we honor a 20% paid-in-full discount when you pay at the time of service. If you pay for the consult and vasectomy at the time of service, you qualify for a 20% discount on each. That means the cost is $64 – $120 for the consult plus $576.80 for the vasectomy and follow-up appointment.
Will the surgery be painful? We use several techniques to minimize pain. Medicines are prescribed to take before the surgery to help you relax, and to prevent pain. A local anesthetic (numbing medicine) is injected in the scrotum at the beginning of the surgery to prevent any feeling in the area. Dr. Chris Tonozzi, one of our experienced physicians here at Mountain Family Health Centers, uses a vasectomy technique called no-scalpel vasectomy. The opening in the skin is very small, reducing the need for skin to be cut. This minimizes pain, swelling, bleeding and other complications.
How much recovery time will I need? It’s recommended that you have 2 – 3 days off from work, depending on what kind of work or physical activities you normally do. Within a week after surgery, most patients are back to regular full activity, including work and sports. You should wait about a week after surgery before resuming sex.
Will it affect enjoyment of sex? The surgery doesn’t affect hormones or how a man has sex. For many couples, knowing that they have 100% effective birth control, helps them enjoy sex more. The semen (the liquid ejaculated during sex) will not have sperm in it any longer, but the man will still have semen, and it will look the same
When can I sign up? Now! If you think a vasectomy is right for you during the holiday season, call us at (970) 945-2840 to schedule your consult. During that appointment we will choose a date to do the surgery.