Hobart, Tasmania Vasectomy Doctor

Non-scalpel

vasectomies

in Tasmania.

Image of Dr Robbie, Vasectomy doctor in Hobart, Tasmania

Get ‘the snip’ without
the snip

There are many benefits to no scalpel vasectomies:

Less time in surgery

This scalpel-free method takes less time than a traditional vasectomy.
Your appointment will be about 20 minutes long.

Sedation-free

No fasting, no anaesthesia, no sedation.
Local anaesthetic is all that’s needed for this procedure.

Easier recovery

Using diathermy / electrocautery rather than blades to make incisions results in less bleeding and a lower chance of infection during recovery.

Save money

Less expensive than traditional vasectomy procedures.
With Medicare rebates, you’ll pay a little over $400 out of pocket for the procedure and post‑surgery testing.

How much does a no scalpel vasectomy cost?

There are 3 costs associated with this procedure, and all qualify for Medicare rebates.

$354.80

Total out of pocket cost for procedure.

=

$650

Paid to clinic.

$176 for consultation.
$474 for procedure.

-

$295.20

Medicare rebate.

Additionally, the post‑vasectomy semen analysis will cost approx. $70 after Medicare rebate.

Dr Robbie, Hobart-based vasectomy clinician

About Dr. Robbie

Dr. Robbie is a GP based in Southern Tasmania. He studied medicine at the University of Sydney and has worked in hospitals in Sydney (St. George and Sutherland) and Hobart (Royal Hobart).

Robbie has been delivering vasectomies since 2022, and aims to provide you with a smooth and comfortable experience from start to finish.

Frequently asked vasectomy questions

  • A vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of contraceptive, with a 99.9% success rate. It is a great option if your family is complete or you do not want children.

    Although there are many other forms of contraception available with varying degrees of effectiveness, many require the woman in the relationship to take hormones or undergo more extensive procedures. 

    The non-scalpel vasectomy procedure used by Dr. Robbie is almost painless, doesn’t require sedation, and is completed in approximately 20 minutes. 

    It’s important to note that vasectomy is considered irreversible, so please consider this while making your decision. Reversal procedures do exist, but they are not guaranteed to be effective and can be very expensive.

  • Vasectomies are considered irreversible, so please consider this while making your decision about this procedure.

    Although reversal procedures do exist, they are not guaranteed to be effective and can be very expensive.

  • As long as you were born a male, a vasectomy is an option to any adult regardless of marital or parental status.

  • Some medical conditions can make the vasectomy procedure more difficult. Dr. Robbie will perform an examination prior to the procedure, during your initial consultation.

    Please bring a list of all your medications to your initial consultation. 

    Dr. Robbie will also ask about any previous surgeries, including hernia operations, any abnormality of the urogenital system including the kidneys and bladder, and any metal implants or pacemakers.

  • Sperm is made in the testicle and travels through the vas deferens to connect with the rest of the plumbing at the prostate. Sperm makes up about 5% of semen volume with the majority of the remainder coming from the prostate and seminal vesicles.

    A vasectomy disconnects the sperm from that system, resulting in ejaculate without any sperm. All that to say, when your vasectomy is successful, and after an adjustment period, you’ll be happily shooting blanks.

    This image illustrates how the process works.

  • Although we advise that the decision to have a vasectomy is made with your partner, it is ultimately your decision to make and you do not need consent to have the procedure.

    It’s important to note that vasectomy is considered irreversible, so please consider this while making your decision. Reversal procedures do exist, but they are not guaranteed to be effective and can be very expensive.

  • Recovery usually lasts about 1-2 weeks, and how long you’ll need off work depends largely on the type of work you do. It could be a weekend, or it could be a little longer. You should plan to take it easy for the first couple of days after your procedure, avoiding physical labour or exercise.

    You’ll want to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise or driving long distances for the first 1-2 weeks after your procedure to minimise discomfort.

  • The only way to confirm if the procedure was a success is to do a post-vasectomy semen analysis. We generally do this analysis 4 months after the procedure, as it can take 3 months for sperm to travel along the vas as they mature. advise to have sex/ejaculate at least 2-3 times a week to move semen through the vas deferens and clear out the reservoir. 

    To avoid unwanted pregnancy, other forms of contraception until this test confirms the vasectomy has worked. More information on this topic will be provided at the time of your procedure.

  • Vasectomies are over 99.9% effective, but the procedure can rarely fail if one or both tubes rejoin, or there is a double tube on one side. 

    This is incredibly rare, and the post-vasectomy semen analysis will confirm if your procedure was successful.

  • You’ll be awake for the procedure, and it takes about 20 minutes. If booked for same day consultation and procedure please allow 2 hours for the whole process including recovery time after the procedure.

    Approximately 3-5mL of local anaesthetic is required to complete the procedure and keep you comfortable.

    Once the anaesthetic takes effect, a tiny opening will be made in the midline of the scrotum.

    A small section of tubing (vas) from each side will be sealed and cut so that the sperm can no longer get through. There are no stitches used after the procedure, and the opening will heal on its own.

    The procedure itself will take about 20 minutes, but please plan for approximately 2 hours overall for the initial consult and recovery time after the procedure.

  • Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so there’s no guarantee that you will feel no discomfort.

    Dr. Robbie will administer about 3-5mL of local anaesthetic to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Because this anaesthetic is delivered by needle, there will be a brief sting/pinching sensation before the anaesthetic kicks in and numbs the area. 

    There are no stitches used after the procedure, and the opening will heal on its own.

    • Please advise the clinic before the day of your procedure if you are taking any medications.

    • No more than 24 hours before the procedure, shave the entire scrotum and 1-2cm up the shaft of the penis. This image illustrates the areas to be shaved.

    • Immediately before coming to the clinic, please wash the area with warm water and soap.

    • Before arriving at the clinic, have a light meal.

    • You shouldn’t drive after the procedure, so please arrange transportation from the clinic.

  • After a short rest in the clinic you will be able to go home. You shouldn’t drive after the procedure, so please arrange transportation from the clinic.

    Immediately after the procedure and in the following days, you are likely to have some discomfort and slight swelling.

    To help with this:

    • Wear tight-fitting underwear for the first week, as this will help support the area.

    • Apply cold packs to the area (such as frozen peas or similar wrapped in a clean tea towel) to reduce swelling.

    • Paracetamol (i.e. Panadol) and ibuprofen (i.e. Nurofen) can help with the pain during recovery. Please advise the team if you have asthma or reflux, and they will recommend suitable pain management. 

    Recovery usually lasts about 1-2 weeks. You should plan to take it easy for the first couple of days after your procedure, avoiding physical labour or exercise.

    You’ll want to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise or driving long distances for the first 1-2 weeks after your procedure to minimise discomfort.

    Approximately 4 months after your procedure, you can complete a semen analysis to ensure all your swimmers have been cleared and the procedure was a success.

  • Once healed, usually after 7-10 days, you can have sex again as normal.

    We advise to have sex/ejaculate at least 2-3 times a week to move semen through the vas deferens and clear out the reservoir.

    Please continue to use contraception until a semen analysis is performed to ensure all semen has been cleared and the procedure was a success. We generally do this analysis 4 months after the procedure.

  • Vasectomy is an effective form of contraception, but does not provide protection from sexually transmitted infections.

    If you have casual sexual partners, condoms are recommended as the best form of protection from STIs.