How Long To Keep a Bandage On After Vasectomy

“How long do I keep the bandage on after a vasectomy?” That’s probably the first thing I hear after finishing the procedure. That, and sometimes, “Wait, is that it?”

The moments right after a vasectomy can feel a little surreal. Most men stand up with a look of disbelief—“I know something happened, but it still feels numb.” It’s a bit strange, but totally normal.

Some guys also wonder if they need to walk like a cowboy afterward. Nope. Just walk normally. Back when sutures were used, some men did a cowboy walk to avoid irritation, but we haven’t done vasectomies like that in over a decade. And no, you don’t need to tiptoe around when bending over. You shouldn’t go for a run or hit the gym just yet, but everyday movements are completely fine.

What Kind of Bandage Do You Need?

For a no-scalpel vasectomy, a simple cotton ball is enough for a dressing. Some men expect something more dramatic, but the incision is about the same size as a flu shot or a blood test. No big gauze pads or heavy wrappings—just a tiny bandage does the job.

After the procedure, the skin takes about 24 hours to heal over. This is why keeping the bandage on for at least that long is important. The area will still be a little damp from the antiseptic spray we use—typically a combination of Chlorhexidine and Cetrimide. This antiseptic blend has a few advantages over others: it won’t stain your skin or clothes, it kills germs on contact, and it keeps working overnight. To get the most benefit from it, I recommend skipping your shower for the first 24 hours. Let the antiseptic do its thing while your skin heals.

When to Take the Bandage Off

The next day, when you finally take that long-awaited shower, you might see a small dot of blood on the cotton ball—kind of like when you get a blood test. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal. Just toss the bandage in the bin, pat the area dry after your shower, and put on some fresh underwear.

That’s it. That’s how long to keep the bandage on after a vasectomy.

If you feel more comfortable keeping a bandage on longer, that’s totally fine. It won’t cause any harm. If you have some sterile cotton balls or gauze at home, you can use those, but at this point, a simple bandaid will probably work better.

What If the Bandage Falls Off Early?

Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Maybe you forgot to wear supportive briefs, and the cotton ball won’t stay put. In that case, I’ll usually apply a bandaid instead. It’s not a bad option, but it has two drawbacks:

1. Scrotal skin moves—a lot. It contracts and relaxes, which means most bandaids don’t stick well for long.
2. The skin is still damp from the antiseptic immediately after the procedure, making it tricky for bandaids to stay put.

If your bandage gets dirty or falls off before 24 hours—maybe while going to the bathroom—it’s best to replace it with a fresh one. Don’t reuse it. Just grab a new cotton ball, some gauze, or another bandaid to keep the area clean while the skin finishes healing.

For more details on post-vasectomy recovery, check out Managing Vasectomy Recovery Pain – Expectations and Tips.

Need More Help?

If you have any concerns or questions about your recovery, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re happy to help make your recovery as smooth as possible.

Following these simple steps will help ensure proper healing and minimize any risk of infection. And before you know it, you’ll be fully healed and back to normal—minus the need for birth control!