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Jay Lake
Date: 2008-12-02 21:09
Subject: [personal] Getting myself neutered
Security: Public
Tags:funny, health, personal, photos

Now it can be told…

(Amusing stuff, at least in my opinion, but under a cut for medical TMI and reader mercy)

Yesterday morning I went over to the OHSU clinic and had myself neutered. It’s not a vas deferens from before, but enough to keep me from ever being a 60-something (or older) high school dad. The timing of this had more to do with my insurance burn rate than anything else, frankly.

So there I was, lying largely nude on a table under a bright light while three enthusiastic gentlemen with sharp pointy objects rummaged around Where Man Was Not Meant To Go.

I said to the attending physician, “This will be the most fun I have all week.” His response, “Wow, am I sorry for you.” I didn’t even get a full Brazilian out of the deal, just a refreshing wipe down.

A few other high points…

The most unpleasant part of the whole business were the injections of local anesthetic. Talk about your sharp pointy objects in the wrooooong place.

OHSU is a teaching institution, so my gentlemen were the attending physician, the resident and a med student. This meant the entire procedure was narrated in detail, with various exploratory movements and teachable moments, and the odd bit of language confusion. Just what you want to hear all about.

Then there was the accidental clamping of a certain sensitive portion lying between the twin locii of medical attention, which had not been anesthetized. I kicked like a frog. This is a bad idea when the boys are rummaging around inside your wedding tackle.

After that we had “Ooops!” followed by muttered cursing. I looked up and asked what the problem was. (Avoiding a consternated affect in the interests of surgical amity.) “Well, we lost one end.” So they went fishing down inside. That’s the side that ached more later, too.

Mostly though, it was boring. Future generations of me shall ever be denied, but I wound up wishing I’d brought my iPhone onto the operating table so I could play Sudoku or read my email. I mean, they didn’t even give me Valium. Since then I’ve been sitting on frozen peas, at least until they became crotch-warmed peas and went back into the freezer. The bags are getting pretty mushy, too.

Once the surgery was done, the medical personnel vacated and left me alone in the room with the used instrument tray. In the interests of science and future writing research, I took some rather TMI photos, some of which are a bit arty. If you’re interested in that sort of thing (work-safe, just very icky), here they are. You Have Been Warned.

I’m off sex, masturbation and bicycling until next week. This pretty much knocks off three of my four primary forms of physical exercise, but it’s a small price to pay for the gift of sterility.

Originally published at jlake.com. You can comment here or there.

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Peter Hollo
User: [info]frogworth
Date: 2008-12-03 05:15 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Four form of exercise please?
Inquiring (very inquiring, aright) minds wish to know...

Thanks, that was a very entertaining, if somewhat gratuitous, story. You should try writing more :P

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Jay Lake
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 05:23 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Why, walking of course. Get your mind out of the gutter, Hollo.

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Peter Hollo
User: [info]frogworth
Date: 2008-12-03 05:25 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Uh wait... the gutter was already well-populated by two of the available forms of exercise. I was merely making an innocent inquiry. Or enquiry. Never sure there.

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Gail Carriger: Deep Thought
User: [info]gailcarriger
Date: 2008-12-03 18:57 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:Deep Thought

I applaud your anti-procreative stance. I'd do it myself, but this requires a full on psyche exam, major surgery and isn't covered by my insurance. What with that and the ability to pee standing up, I admit it, I envy the male anatomy.

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Mark Teppo
User: [info]markteppo
Date: 2008-12-03 05:21 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Yeah, that frog kick reaction is a strange thing. When I had mine done, the doc clamped on something down there and I felt it like a live wire all the way down to my big toe.

I had the laser finish. Talk about weird. Smelling that wee bit of burning flesh, seeing the smoke, and realizing, "Yep, fire next to my bits. Never thought I'd be calmly letting that happen."

I used frozen popcorn kernels, less likely to get all mushy. Look at us. Sharing post-op tips. It's almost like we've been neutered, er, civilized.

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Jay Lake
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 05:23 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Oh, yeah, totally forgot about the sonic screwdriver. The smell was kind of, well...

Good tip on the popcorn. Thanks!

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it's a great life, if you don't weaken: holmes confidence
User: [info]matociquala
Date: 2008-12-03 12:52 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:holmes confidence

...I'm so totally borrowing the popcorn kernel thing. (I'm neutering a character, you see. That's what we call in the business a telling detail.)

(Thank you, Mark! Also, hi! Conversations you're not usually having with your former instructors for a thousand!)

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Mark Teppo: balloons!
User: [info]markteppo
Date: 2008-12-03 13:28 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:balloons!

Yeah, this is not your usual Jeopardy category.

Now I can proudly point to this scene when it appears and say, "Yep. My sacrifice; her gain."

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Jay Lake: jay-electrode
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 13:48 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:jay-electrode

As for me, I now have a lot more sympathy for split pea soup.

Or was that spilt pee soup?

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Dan/Дмитрий
User: [info]icedrake
Date: 2008-12-04 00:45 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

That's more in the unusual bodymod category, I believe.

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biomekanic
User: [info]biomekanic
Date: 2008-12-03 05:37 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Ouch.

Here's to a speedy recovery.

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summers_place: Coffee laughing
User: [info]summers_place
Date: 2008-12-03 05:42 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:Coffee laughing

Well, I see they left your punning tackle unmolested, at any rate.

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jeffsoesbe: elmerfudd careful
User: [info]jeffsoesbe
Date: 2008-12-03 05:56 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:elmerfudd careful

Ah, "getting fixed". I had my fixin' done about 6 or so years ago. I was chatting and cracking jokes with the surgeon and he said "most people are more nervous about this". Turned out he was a conservative dude who loved hunting. I made sure to be very careful with the topics of conversation.

As a note, the universal hand symbol for "getting fixed" when talking to another guy is index and middle finger making a scissors motion with hand parallel to the ground.

(example)
Other Guy: So, where were you Monday?
You: Oh, I was (makes "getting fixed" hand symbol)
Other Guy: Oh! (reacts either with horror or sympathy, depending on neuter status)

As for chilling the bits (and in fact, chilling any injured body part) a bag of frozen peas is marvelous. Inside a thin towel. Frostbite down under is no fun.

Hopefully you won't have any swelling or reaction, unlike one of the neighborhood dads who ended up with the nickname "Elephant Man"...

Here's to a speedy recovery!

- yeff

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User: [info]spir123
Date: 2008-12-03 06:29 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Jay, You manage to make what might be an unpleasant topic absolutely entertaining. Hope you are not too uncomfortable.
Peace.

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thecrimsony
User: [info]thecrimsony
Date: 2008-12-03 06:32 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

My father always bragged about walking home from his vasectomy. I still remember when he did it in front of some of my friends and one of them commented he'd done the same just last year after his son was born. My dad countered with "Son, this was 1973. You want to compare, get a time machine or a rusty butterknife." Possibly the funniest things he's ever said.

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martianmooncrab
User: [info]martianmooncrab
Date: 2008-12-03 06:38 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

if you go feral, then you dont have to worry since you have been neutered.

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Brenda Cooper: bleeding hearts
User: [info]bjcooper
Date: 2008-12-03 06:48 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:bleeding hearts

Don't you mean then WE don't need to worry? :)

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martianmooncrab
User: [info]martianmooncrab
Date: 2008-12-03 08:29 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

hmm, I never thought of it that way... grin

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Jay Lake: jay-eye
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 16:19 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:jay-eye

There's still plenty to worry about...

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russ: romanes eunt domus
User: [info]goulo
Date: 2008-12-03 07:55 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:romanes eunt domus

Good luck to your twin loci!

(I think your "twin locii" is a misspelling!)

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austspecfic
User: [info]austspecfic
Date: 2008-12-03 08:21 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Not game enough to look at arty piccie. Hope you feel better soon and are fit for exercise.

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martyn44
User: [info]martyn44
Date: 2008-12-03 09:01 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Now that took me back a while. Not sure I wanted to go back there in quite such vivid detail, though. You are now a Real Man.

Not that you weren't before, of course.

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Bob
User: [info]yourbob
Date: 2008-12-03 09:14 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Sometimes, I'm just glad I'm gay.

Speedy recovery without complications or irritation.

And I won't be eating pea soup at your place any time soon.

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it's a great life, if you don't weaken: criminal minds prentiss facepalm
User: [info]matociquala
Date: 2008-12-03 12:50 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:criminal minds prentiss facepalm

Indeed! Being gay does often involve a speedy recovery without complications or irritation!

...sorry. It was just lying there. Ahem.

So to speak.

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Bob
User: [info]yourbob
Date: 2008-12-03 17:18 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

And bears just can't leave anything just lying around. Yeah, I know. :)

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lauriemann
User: [info]lauriemann
Date: 2008-12-03 12:07 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

The ice bag will help.

I know more about this than the average woman because Jim's first vasectomy failed so he had to get it done again. Within a few weeks, while a little traumatized, he was fine.

So, yes, when they tell you to come back in a few weeks to have a sperm count, DO IT!

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Lawrence M. Schoen
User: [info]klingonguy
Date: 2008-12-03 12:49 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

I didn’t even get a full Brazilian out of the deal

arrgghhh. curse my visualization reflexes. arrgghhh!

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it's a great life, if you don't weaken: criminal minds hotch somewhat incongruou
User: [info]matociquala
Date: 2008-12-03 12:49 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:criminal minds hotch somewhat incongruou

Congratulations on your sterility!

(If only they made a card for that.)

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it's a great life, if you don't weaken: spies mfu illya all wet
User: [info]matociquala
Date: 2008-12-03 15:29 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:spies mfu illya all wet

The future: Tasteless, but convenient.

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Jay Lake: jay-laughing
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 15:34 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:jay-laughing

The future: Tasteless, but convenient.

Much like my wardrobe.

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Kristine Smith: Peter
User: [info]kristine_smith
Date: 2008-12-03 15:36 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:Peter

I blame Teh Google.

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Jay Lake: pissed-skeleton
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 15:33 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:pissed-skeleton

This implies the availability of a condolences on your unsuccessful vasectomy card. Which could conveniently double as a new baby card, I should think.

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Bob
User: [info]yourbob
Date: 2008-12-03 17:21 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/ce2fbb178e21acff4b164ac57c15509aae259182

And no, I didn't create it. Ah, the wonders of google.

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jeffsoesbe: patrick stewart smile
User: [info]jeffsoesbe
Date: 2008-12-10 15:08 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:patrick stewart smile

A fun part of that site: The most popular user-generated cards. Today's:

"I wish I wouldn't have already paid Blagojevich for that Senate seat."

"I got rid of all my vices by turning them into habits."

"I snuck a bunch of booze into work today using my stomach."

LOL!

- yeff

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Elizabeth Coleman
User: [info]criada
Date: 2008-12-03 15:29 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

There's all those unloved blank cards, going unused, crying out to be scrawled in...
Just get one with lots of kittens on the front.

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the delusionist: baby grace
User: [info]strumglory
Date: 2008-12-03 16:19 (UTC)
Subject: Neutered is not an accurate label.
Keyword:baby grace

Being someone who used to work at a spay/neuter clinic and watched about 20 animals lose their testicles each day, there is a big difference between a vasectomy and getting neutered.

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Jay Lake: graffiti-smiling
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-03 16:20 (UTC)
Subject: Re: Neutered is not an accurate label.
Keyword:graffiti-smiling

I know this, actually. Was reaching for teh funnie. ;p

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willyumtx
User: [info]willyumtx
Date: 2008-12-03 18:46 (UTC)
Subject: Re: Neutered is not an accurate label.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD3IXGyHt9c

I'm scared to watch this video. But read about it.

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the delusionist
User: [info]strumglory
Date: 2008-12-04 00:55 (UTC)
Subject: Re: Neutered is not an accurate label.

Perhaps all that eye-witness neuteration gave me a funnybonectomy.

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Grant Kruger
User: [info]thirdworld
Date: 2008-12-03 17:18 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Normally I'd offer hugs, but I guess this time I'll have to wait until your balls heal.

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dionysus1999
User: [info]dionysus1999
Date: 2008-12-03 18:44 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

We should start an LJ blog called "my vasectomy". The highlights of mine were country music, an intern, and seeing the chunks they cut out afterwards. Wish I would have asked to keep them.

The afterword was when I saw my PCP six months later and he asked if I had complications. Nope. He had complications for a whole year afterwards! Didn't tell about that when he wrote the referral.

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An empty picture frame
User: [info]burger_eater
Date: 2008-12-03 18:54 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

I've been thinking of having this done, but your post convinces me I'd need to be out cold for it.

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J.K.Richárd
User: [info]neutronjockey
Date: 2008-12-10 16:50 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

I was out cold for mine earlier this year (May?).

"Oh wow, I can feel my face tingling from the anesthesia....."

Next thing I new I was waking up in the recovery room.

Easy-peasy.

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Aaron Leis
User: [info]ripperbard
Date: 2008-12-04 00:12 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Congrats, mate. I did mine the end of September. Doc asked if I had any questions so I said, "You have done this before, right?" He laughed and said "Good question."

But yeah, drove myself there and home, cleaned up some stuff the dogs tore up, popped a hydrocode, filled an icepack, then sat around and watched Doctor Who for a few days. First sample was due election day, which I declared Sterility Groundhog Day to predict the election (my bits were correct, btw), and I just got the all-clear a few weeks ago.

Welcome to the land of the sterile. We're happy to have ya!

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heatherdoodle
User: [info]heatherdoodle
Date: 2008-12-04 03:16 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

My recommendation is to keep away from The Child's pointy knees and elbows for a month or two. We had a very vivacious three-year-old girl who didn't understand about these things. My husband still has what we call the Cringe sometimes when the kids get rambunctious. Not that yours is that young, of course. Or necessarily that lively.

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J.K.Richárd
User: [info]neutronjockey
Date: 2008-12-10 16:49 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

I’m off sex, masturbation and bicycling until next week.

4 Days! 4 Days gorramit. That's all I could tolerate.

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Jay Lake: graffiti-bikes
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2008-12-10 16:50 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:graffiti-bikes

Just had to get back on the bike, did you?

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J.K.Richárd
User: [info]neutronjockey
Date: 2008-12-10 16:51 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

No.
Anytime you have automotive maintenance you always test-drive the vehicle in safe conditions before taking out in the open road and flooring it.

Gone in 60 Seconds.

*sniffle*

:P

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