Vasectomy recovery (jockstrap?)

Drewster · 03:14 AM

PREAMBLE, JANUARY 2010

This thread started in April 2007, and follows the story of my own vasectomy recovery. My recovery wasn't typical, due to the discovery of other underlying issues. It turns out that I had a previously unknown varicocele, and then a spermatocele as well.

Please keep this in mind as you read the thread.
END PREAMBLE

I'm getting The Snip in a few weeks. I understand that rest and support are in order for the first few days, and I've heard that a jockstrap is a good idea. But I don't own a jock, and haven't worn one since... geez, little league (age 11) or so.

For those who've done this, what did you do for support those first few tender days? I wear boxer briefs, and I'm thinking they won't be sufficient.

I have bike shorts, which by design keep the boys snug up against the torso. Any reason they wouldn't do?

If a jockstrap, any recommendations?

Old7 · 04-29-2007, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewster

I'm getting The Snip in a few weeks. I understand that rest and support are in order for the first few days, and I've heard that a jockstrap is a good idea. But I don't own a jock, and haven't worn one since... geez, little league (age 11) or so.

For those who've done this, what did you do for support those first few tender days? I wear boxer briefs, and I'm thinking they won't be sufficient.

I have bike shorts, which by design keep the boys snug up against the torso. Any reason they wouldn't do?

If a jockstrap, any recommendations?

I would think that a jockstrap might be too confining. I found that my jockey shorts were just fine. Bike shorts should work just fine. I can't think of any reason why they wouldn't.

My only recommendation would be, don't go dancing. I had a friend that decided that he felt just fine the first night. So he and his wife went dancing. Everything was fine until the vicodin wore off. He spent the next couple of days flat on his back. And vicodin didn't even touch the pain.

Gus · 04-29-2007, 06:23 AM

I wore a jockstrap for about a week after my vasectomy. I never had any pain during my recovery. I just bought whatever they had at the local sports store. Not being a homosexual or a woman, I don't have bicycle shorts.

JPriller · 04-29-2007, 09:08 AM

I did the jockstrap thing. It worked okay when sitting down, moving around less so. I'd say bicycle shorts would be at least worth a try, or some sports "compression shorts":

http://www.return2fitness.net/Compre...pression-short

these are worn by baseball players and the like, so they're MUCH more manly than bicycle shorts (though I think they're probably the same thing)

the compression bit is on your thigh muscles, btw, not your "equipment". That's just kept in place.

Michael · 04-29-2007, 11:31 AM

I laid around on the couch the next day and all was well the following day. No need to change underwear or anything. Just take it easy the day or two after.

Agatha · 04-29-2007, 11:46 AM

You can get the brief that supports a cup. They're very snug, without the butt straps. It's what I got for Inigo and it worked well.

JAB · 04-29-2007, 12:19 PM

Heck, they sent me home wearing a jock strap. Honestly, support is a very good thing afterwards. I'd worry about anything too snug, since extra pressure isn't something you really want down there for the first few days.

/jab

jookie · 04-29-2007, 12:23 PM

Decently snug boxer briefs and a couple of bags of frozen peas did me fine for the couple days following.

Agatha · 04-29-2007, 12:27 PM

Main thing is that you want something that will keep your testicles up high and close to your body. Inigo stated that when they dangled is when they hurt.

Drewster · 04-29-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agatha

You can get the brief that supports a cup. They're very snug, without the butt straps. It's what I got for Inigo and it worked well.

There is such a thing? Where might I find some?

Pablo · 04-29-2007, 02:59 PM

I wore a jockstrap.

I know someone who did not. He forgot for a moment about the recent surgery, ran to catch up with someone, and was rather sorry.

Agatha · 04-29-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewster

There is such a thing? Where might I find some?

We found it at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods area.

InigoMontoya · 06:45 PM

Yes, jockstrap was good.

Was feeling right as rain after about 12 hours. Took the jock off... OMG. Learned my lesson in about 0.00000341 seconds give or take a picosecond or two.

Jockstrap went back on for another 48 hours. Jock gooood. Jock best frieeeeend.

edit: As for those existing with a full back and not those ridiculous straps? They make all sorts....
http://www.bikeathletic.com/product.aspx?catId=9

walters · 04-30-2007, 10:15 AM

Yep, I wore a jockstrap, too (first and last time in my life, actually). When I phased it out and wasn't quite sure I threw it in the back seat of my car in case I needed it at work. Then I forgot about it until some friends got in the back seat (it looked pretty nasty with the iodine stains and all). Oops.

And one more definite yes vote for frozen peas.

Huntwood · 04-30-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewster

But I don't own a jock, and haven't worn one since... geez, little league (age 11) or so.

Jock straps were a required part of our dress code during P.E. in grades 8-10. It wasn't for you?

BTW, our coach strictly enforced this dress code and performed an inspection each time class was in session. Failure to wear one was punishable by having to do a bunch of squat-thrusts.

TreborPugly · 04-30-2007, 12:34 PM

I believe they required a jock strap for leaving the doctor's office because it held the bandages in place. I don't remember how much I used it in the following days, but I do remember that the first one I got was too small (no, not that way - too small around the waist and legs), and it was a huge hassle to get that one off and a bigger one on.

TimB · 04-30-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntwood

BTW, our coach strictly enforced this dress code and performed an inspection each time class was in session. Failure to wear one was punishable by having to do a bunch of squat-thrusts.

-=Tim=-

Huntwood · 04-30-2007, 01:21 PM

I suppose I should give further clarification how the inspection was done. At the beginning of each class, we had to line up in rows and columns on the gym floor, like a grid. It was required that our grid be perfectly and accurately lined up. The sargent - oops, I mean coach - then slowly walked from left to right in front of us, and as he passed each row of students he stopped, and looked down the row. At this point, each of us standing in that row was required to pull the left strap out from under our shorts, and stretch it away from our thighs, and then release that strap so that it snaps back against our thighs. In addition, it was not enough to just lightly pull that strap out. We had to pull it far away out from our thighs so that it snapped back loudly, making a loud snapping sound as it struck our thighs. He then moved to the next row of people and the process repeated for each row.

Rarely did anybody forget their jock strap, but occasionally it happened, and the guy was always punished when it happened.

I could tell other slightly shocking stories of our experiences with this P.E. coach.

Wilhite · 04-30-2007, 01:28 PM

I got nothin' except to say how queasy this thread has made me feel...

keirgrey · 04-30-2007, 02:27 PM

Tighty whities were all that were required by the doctor I used.

Drewster · 04-30-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntwood

Jock straps were a required part of our dress code during P.E. in grades 8-10. It wasn't for you?

Nope. We had to wear jocks for little league, supposedly with a cup, but I never wore the cup. I've taken a soccer ball to the nards, and it wasn't nearly as distracting as that damn cup. Never required for PE in junior/high school.

In reading, it appears that this is a generational thing -- young guys today simply don't wear jockstraps, and neither to professional athletes. Compression shorts yes, perhaps with a cup, but never jockstraps. I'm guessing I was on the front end of that shift.

Huntwood · 04-30-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewster

In reading, it appears that this is a generational thing

That could be. As a data point, I graduated high school in 1979, so grades 8-10 (when jockey straps were required for us) would have been 1974-1977 for me. From 1977-1979 I joined the cross country and track teams, and I think I wore jockey straps then too, but it's possible (I can't remember) there might have been teammates who just wore underwear instead.

mbklein · 04-30-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewster

Nope. We had to wear jocks for little league, supposedly with a cup, but I never wore the cup. I've taken a soccer ball to the nards, and it wasn't nearly as distracting as that damn cup. Never required for PE in junior/high school.

My friend Joel took a softball to the nards while catching a game of fast-pitch.* He was wearing a cup, which split in two. He was in pain for a week. I hate to think what would have happened to him had he been going cup-commando.

* There's some evidence that the pitcher, who was amazingly accurate, did it to him on purpose. They had just been having a rather tense disagreement on the mound over how to pitch to the next couple of batters.

DougF · 04-30-2007, 04:10 PM

I'm 36 and have never worn a jock. They weren't required at any level of gym in the schools I went to. I played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and they weren't required there, either. They also were not required in elementary or junior high basketball when I played.

JYoung · 04-30-2007, 09:38 PM

(Crosses legs)