A PLASTIC surgeon decided to carry out a vasectomy on himself and shared the horrifying moment in a video that’s now gone viral.
Dr Chen Weinong, a father of three, decided to get ‘the snip’ as a “gift for his wife” to ensure they don’t have any more children.
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The doctor from Taiwan told Sun Health that due to his expertise and the importance of the area, he believed it was safest to carry out the surgery himself.
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that prevents pregnancy by cutting or sealing the tubes that carry sperm.
It’s a permanent form of male birth control.
Vasectomies are common in the UK, with around 11,000 performed each year.
Read more on penile issues
But doing it yourself is unusual and Dr Chen’s video came with a strict “do not try this at home” warning.
The procedure uses local anaesthetic to numb the genitals, so Dr Chen is fully conscious in the video.
In a clip published on Facebook and Instagram for “educational purposes”, Dr Chen can be seen laying back in a surgical chair while he uses a scalpel and surgical clamp to carry out the operation.
At one point he leans back in what seems like a moment of pain during the hour-long procedure.
But he quickly carries on and finishes by stitching himself up with ‘catgut’ — a natural surgical thread made from the purified collagen of animal intestines.
Writing on social media he said: ‘It was a strange feeling to touch and suture my own urethra.”
He also told Sun Health: “The operation was very sterile, and I followed the steps.
“It went smoothly, and I was completely normal the next day. I posted this just to share my personal experience.”
While Dr Chen performed the procedure on himself, there was a urologist present on the day to offer assistance.
His wife, Dr Zhang Fengshu, who also has a surgical and plastic surgery license, was also present.
A vasectomy usually takes about 15–30 minutes and is generally considered a relatively painless procedure due to local anaesthetic.
Most men will experience some mild discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the scrotum afterwards, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
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The most painful part tends to be the anaesthetic injection itself.
Dr Chen said while he did experience some pain and discomfort the night following the surgery, he felt fine by the next morning.
His video has now gained more than 4 million views across various social media.
This isn’t the first time a doctor has carried out a vasectomy on himself.
Back in 2001 is was reported GP Jonathan Heatley, who had his own health centre in Horsham, West Sussex, performed a DIY procedure.
What is a vasectomy and what is the success rate?
VASECTOMY is the name given to a minor operation that works to blocks sperm from being ejaculated during sex.
During the surgery, the tubes that carry the fluid from a man’s testicles to the penis are cut, blocked or sealed.
The NHS explains: “This prevents sperm from reaching the seminal fluid (semen), which is ejaculated from the penis during sex.
“There will be no sperm in the semen, so a woman’s egg can’t be fertilised.”
Surprisingly, the life-changing operation can be carried out in just 15 minutes.
The procedure is typically carried out under local anaesthetic, so is often relatively painless.
People that undertake a vasectomy are urged to keep using alternative forms of contraception to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases.
The NHS website reveals that the vasectomy is more than 99 per cent effective.
They estimate: “Out of 2,000 men who are sterilised, one will get a woman pregnant during the rest of his lifetime.”
But just like all forms of contraception, there is still a small chance of fertility after the procedure.
