The No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy is a virtually pain-free way to undergo a vasectomy.

Dr. Chapman is an expert in the performance of the No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy, and is one of the only doctors in Houston who is able to offer this procedure to his patients.

The No-Scalpel Vasectomy is the standard technique most Urologists use to perform a vasectomy.  At the start of this procedure, the surgeon numbs the scrotal skin and vas deferens using an injection of numbing medicine such as lidocaine.  This numbing is the most painful part of the procedure, as it involves a hypodermic needle stuck into the scrotum.

Dr. Chapman takes this technique to the next logical evolution by offering the No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy.  In this procedure, the numbing is done with a painless spray that delivers the numbing liquid through the skin without the need for a steel needle.  This technique spares the patient from the pain of the injection and allows for a pain-free No-Scalpel Vasectomy to be performed.

Why use Dr. Chapman?

If you are interested in having a No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy, call us at (832) 753-4300!

• Dr. Chapman is an expert at this procedure, having done thousands of them.  In 2023 alone he did over 1200 of them!
• Dr. Chapman uses self-absorbing sutures internally rather than metal clips.  Patients who have had vasectomies with metal clips can feel them in their scrotum for the rest of their lives.
• Dr. Chapman performs an open-ended vasectomy. This may lead to less sperm build-up in the testicles and reduce post-operative pain
• Dr. Chapman does the entire procedure through one tiny poke hole in the scrotum, whereas most other doctors have to make two separate holes.
• Dr. Chapman performs them in his office, saving you the expense of a surgery center and anesthesia charge
• Dr. Chapman can provide either Xanax or Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) in his office to help alleviate anxiety.
• Dr. Chapman provides the follow up visits and semen sample analysis for free
• Dr. Chapman is one of the few urologists in Houston qualified to perform a No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy

Vasectomy is one of the safest and most effective methods of permanent birth control.  It is much safer and less expensive than tubal ligation.  Every year more than 500,000 men in North America choose vasectomy.  A vasectomy is 99.8% effective!

The No-Scalpel Vasectomy differs from a conventional vasectomy in that is does not require the use of a scalpel or knife to cut the skin.  Instead, the physician uses a specially designed instrument to make a tiny opening in the skin.  The vasectomy is then done through this tiny hole, and no stitches are needed to close the opening which heals quickly with virtually no scarring.

The No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy uses an anesthesia technique that is essentially painless.  A jet injector is used that sprays the anesthesia through the skin, numbing it instantly.  Many patients feel nothing at all, while some describe it as a slight snapping sensation that instantly dissipates.

We will discuss the procedure in detail in person and you will have a brief physical exam.  We will discuss the pre-operative preparation and post-operative care, and what you should expect during and after the procedure.  We will also go over all of the risks associated with vasectomies. 

Yes.  All contraceptive methods have risks as well as benefits.  The risk of a complication from a vasectomy is very low, but they are possible.

There are both short-term and long-term possible effects from vasectomies.  In the immediate post-operative period, bleeding (hematoma) or infection can occur, but the likelihood of these occurring is low.

In the long term, it is possible for a vasectomy to fail.  This is called recanalization and is why vasectomies are not guaranteed to be 100% effective.  The human body has an amazing capacity to heal, and sometimes the sperm cells find a way to bridge the gap between the cut ends of the tube resulting in returned fertility.

Next, it is possible for sperm to leak out of the vas deferens into the scrotum causing a small, hard lump called a sperm granuloma.  A spermatocele, or cyst filled with sperm, may also occur.  These are non-dangerous and non-painful conditions that generally go unnoticed.

Lastly, in rare instances, a patient may develop Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome.  This is a painful condition that can lead to further surgeries down the road such as reversal of the vasectomy to try to alleviate blockage, removal of the epididymis, or even, in the worst case, removal of a testicle.  This is why Dr. Chapman does not use metal clips and does an open-ended vasectomy.  These techniques should help prevent long-term pain.

How will a Vasectomy affect me?  Vasectomy is NOT castration.  It does not effect your hormones or sexual functions.  Your penis and testicles are not altered.  It does not cause voice changes, loss of body hair, or decreased interest in sex.  You still produce semen and your erection and ejaculation are still the same.  All a vasectomy does is interrupt the tubes that carry the sperm away from the testicles.  The only way to tell if a man has had a vasectomy is to look at the semen under the microscope and see that there is no sperm in the semen.  Everything else stays the exact same.  Also, the body naturally reabsorbs the unused sperm, just as it did before the vasectomy.

Can I discontinue other birth control methods right away?  No!  After the vasectomy, there is still a lot of sperm left in the body waiting to come out.  It takes weeks, and even sometimes months, for all of the sperm above the vasectomy site to work its way out.  You are not considered sterile until you have two post-surgical semen tests that show no sperm, and you have to continue using birth control until then. At Pearland Urology, we do the semen checks in our office and we give you the results the same day, typically within a few minutes to hours.  We do these checks for free, as opposed to other practices that force you to pay a lab fee or buy self-check kits. 

Is Vasectomy painful?  No!  You may feel mild discomfort when the local anesthetic is given, but then you are instantly numb.  Some men feel a "tugging" sensation during the procedure, and others describe it as a "heaviness."  Most men rate it at a "1" on a 1-10 scale.  After surgery, you may be a little sore for a few days. 

How long does it take?  We get asked this a lot!  The short answer is: about 10 minutes.  The long answer is:  we don't time them.  At Pearland Urology, we're not interested in trying to set records for the fastest vasectomy.  We're interested in setting records for the best and most accurate vasectomy.  Dr. Chapman does so many of these that he is able to do them quickly and painlessly, but he has never set a timer to see how fast he does them.  He likes to say "rushing during surgery is always a mistake."  At Pearland Urology, we set aside way more than enough time for each patient so we can make sure the vasectomy is done right!

Why stitches instead of clips?  This is a really important question.  First, metal clips are not more effective than stitches in terms of vasectomy success rate.  In fact, the way most doctors use metal clips is probably actually less effective than stitches.  Dr. Chapman performs what is called a "tissue interposition" when he does a vasectomy.  This means that he actually sews your own living tissue over the top of one of the ends of the cut vas deferens.  This creates a living barrier between the two ends and prevents sperm from being able to cross over from one cut end to the other.  The stitches then dissolve, and this barrier stays in place because it heals that way.  When most doctors use metal clips, they just clip the tubes and drop them back in place.  Over time, the clips actually cut through the vas deferens and fall off, and then the two cut ends of the tubes are just looking right at each other.  This is how they are able to regrow and reconnect.  The clips then are just floating around near the tubes they cut through, and these clips can touch and irritate nerves in the scrotum thereby causing discomfort for the rest of the patient's life.  So using stitches is probably more effective and leads to less problems in the future than using metal clips.  

I'm really nervous.  Do you offer any type of anesthesia?  Yes, we do!  We offer two options in the office.  First, we have Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication.  The cost for this medication is $10.  It takes at least 45 minutes to work, so if you want to take this medication, you will need to arrive at your appointment an hour early and you will have to have a driver with you, as you cannot drive while on this medication.  While the Xanax is fairly inexpensive, some patients note that it is not as strong as they would like.  For that reason, we also offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, in the office.  If you choose this option, you do not need to arrive early nor do you need to bring a driver with you.  We will put the nitrous on you right before the procedure starts (it acts very quickly), and when the procedure is over we will take it off.  It wears off completely in just a few minutes, so you will be able to drive home.  Unfortunately, nitrous oxide is expensive, so there is more of a cost associated with it.  If you choose this option, it is an extra $100 added to the procedure, and it is not covered by any insurance.

When can I resume normal activity?  The day of the vasectomy and the next day, you will need to use an ice pack to keep your scrotum cold to prevent swelling and hematoma formation.  Generally, two to three days rest is recovery enough for men to return to work and to resume most normal, non-strenuous physical activity.  Sex and other more strenuous physical activity can usually be resumed 7 days after the procedure.

Does Vasectomy pose long term health risks?  Many studies have looked at the long-term health effects of vasectomy.  The evidence suggests that there are no significant long-term health risks.  Men who have had a vasectomy are no more likely to develop cancer, heart disease, or other health problems.

Can a Vasectomy be reversed?  In many cases, it can be.  However, vasectomy reversals are expensive procedures and they do not always work.  A vasectomy should be considered a permanent procedure.  If you are considering getting it reversed in the future, you should reconsider whether or not getting a vasectomy is right for you.

Can I have a Vasectomy even if I'm young, single, or don't have kids?  Yes!  Dr. Chapman does not force his patients to have kids before he'll do a vasectomy.  He believes having children is a personal decision, and not the right choice for everyone.  While many doctors will not do vasectomies on single, young, childless men, Dr. Chapman will perform a vasectomy on anyone 18 years old or over, regardless of marital status or lack of children.

Vasectomies are covered by most insurances.  This means that your insurance company has negotiated a discounted rate for you with Pearland Urology.  Some insurances cover the procedure with no out-of-pocket expense for the patient, while others have a minimal co-pay.  Every insurance company has different rates.  We are happy to contact your insurance company on your behalf to get you an estimate of what it will cost for you to have a consultation and a vasectomy.  Keep in mind that this is only an estimate, and it is provided by your insurance company, not Pearland Urology.  

If you do not have insurance, or your insurance does not cover vasectomies, the cost for the consultation is $335 and the procedure itself is $775. 

Once the vasectomy has been done, whether or not it was covered by insurance, there are no further fees for any follow up visits related to the vasectomy or for your semen checks.

Dr. Chapman does have a cancellation policy.  We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of coming in for your procedure.  We request that you give us 1 weeks' notice so that we can fill your vacant spot on our schedule.

The full Cancellation Policy can be found in our New Patient paperwork located under the "Patient Forms" tab.   

1. Shave or clip the hair on the front of the scrotum.

2. Thoroughly clean the scrotum and groin the morning of the surgery.

3. Bring an athletic supporter with you.

4. We offer Xanax (an anti-anxiety drug) at a price of $10.  If you choose to take this medication, come to your appointment at least 45 minutes early to allow it time to work, and make sure you have someone who can drive you home.

5. We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as an alternative to Xanax.  The charge for the nitrous oxide is $100.  You do not need come early for this, and you do not need a driver.

If you are interested in having a No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy, call us at (832) 753-4300!