Did he have prostate surgery or a vasectomy?

[Catherine9533]

My husband of 29 years and I are divorcing.  He abandoned my children and me and sent me an e-mail that he was unhappy.  A lot of thinking and searching helped me realize where he had gone.  He had moved into the home of a woman we had met just 3 months prior.  He has said he just rents a room from her.  I have been told by friends that I would be stupid to believe such.  He has lied numerous times about this situation to my children and I can prove those lies.  In our state he is guilty of abandonment.  I can't prove adultry.  It would help if I could.

My husband is 52 years old in great health.  He had never been to a urologist during our marriage.  He did have yearly check-ups with our internist.  He had never had a vasectomy in his lifetime.  I had my tubes tied at childbirth to complete our childbearing.  

His father and my father had the reaming out procedure on their prostates years ago.  I don't think that procedure is done much anymore.  Has FloMax replaced that procedure?

I think my attorney can question my husband about an e-mail he sent my daughter (a nurse).  This e-mail was sent 3 months after he left home.  He complains to her, "I had to have prostate related surgery earlier in the week.  I didn't think I would ever have to go through surgery without my little nurse, but I guess you were tied up.  I'm home and OK.  Other than a sore scrotum and belly, all is the same."  I know it was a one day surgery .  

I am feeling he had a vasectomy instead of prostate surgery, and I think my attorney could get him tripped up in depositions by asking him to explain what was done at the prostate surgery.  Do you think I am totally wrong in my idea, or might it be worth pursuing at depositions?  

Thanks so much for any help you can give.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  Without being more familiar with the case, it is difficult to say.  In general, it should be pretty clear to the patient whether the surgery was a prostatectomy or a vasectomy.  The vasectomy would be approached via through the scrotum, and a prostatectomy not.  

Unfortunately, the description does not give enough information to conclude one way or the other, and thus, I cannot give an opinion whether a prostatectomy or vasectomy was performed.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
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