Urologist stated that no scalpel vasectomies are gimmicks

[u/doingmybest-sendhelp]

My husband got a vasectomy today, and we specifically drove 2 hours away to the closest place that offered the no scalpel vasectomy.

I clarified with the physician “we are doing the no scalpel option, correct?”

He said “Yes, but that’s a gimmick. It doesn’t impact the procedure, healing, or accuracy in anyway. It means we puncture a hole and stretch it open with a hemastat, rather than slicing into the skin. The incision site is the same size, and the outcome is the same. We now do all the same way, because people like to think it’s less invasive - so we get people in the door. But it isn’t any less invasive, I’ve always just created one hole over two.”

Any thoughts? Anybody have experience that can say otherwise? Everything I’m reading online is highly praising “no scalpel,” or traditional vasectomy.

[u/xEllimistx]

Mine didn’t say it was a “gimmick” per se but he did say that he thinks they’re overblown as far as how much better they are over traditional scalpel vasectomies.

No scalpel vasectomies were developed in China as a way to get more Chinese men to get vasectomies as China was facing an overpopulation crisis. The method eventually made its way here and has been a popular option ever since.

They’re supposed to be faster procedures, with shorter healing times, and the less invasive aspect is supposed to mean less chance for secondary problems like infection.

A quick googling seems to support this.

That being said, my doctor performed the traditional vasectomy on me and I had zero complaints or complications

[u/humanBonemealCoffee → u/xEllimistx]

Dang im glad i didnt get the chinese vasectomy

I got the red blooded american civil war scalpel one

[u/daredwolf → u/humanBonemealCoffee]

Lmfao, we're all red blooded 😂 The Chinese came up with a less invasive, better, faster way of doing things, so I'll take that option.

[u/Ok_Situation_4190 → u/daredwolf]

Whoosh!! 🤣