Theo Cisu MD I Urologist and Vasectomy Clinic
Richmond families researching vasectomy options often find limited choices.
Large hospital systems like VCU Health and Bon Secours offer vasectomy through their urology departments – but with 6-12 week wait times, rotating residents, and surgeons who perform the procedure only occasionally as part of broader urology practices. Smaller private practices exist, but many perform 10-20 vasectomies per year, using older scalpel-and-needle techniques, with varying levels of specialized expertise.
Dr. Theodore Cisu serves Richmond and Central Virginia differently: specialized vasectomy focus, hundreds of procedures annually, modern no-scalpel no-needle technique, and appointment availability measured in days, not months.
Located 90 minutes west via I-64 in Charlottesville and Fishersville, Dr. Cisu's practice offers Richmond-area patients a focused, experienced alternative. For a one-time procedure that takes 20 minutes and requires no follow-up visits beyond semen analysis (which can be done in Richmond), many families find the short drive worthwhile for significantly better expertise.
Here's what Richmond residents need to know about vasectomy care in Central Virginia, why surgical volume matters more than proximity, and how to make the 90-minute drive work for your schedule.
Distance matters less when you're making one trip for a 20-minute procedure. Quality and experience matter more.
Medical research consistently shows procedure volume directly correlates with surgical outcomes. Surgeons who perform 100+ vasectomies annually have:
Dr. Cisu performs 100+ vasectomies yearly. Many Richmond-area providers perform 10-30.
This isn't a criticism of general urologists – they handle complex kidney surgeries, prostate cancer treatment, urinary dysfunction, and dozens of other conditions. Vasectomy is one small part of their practice. For Dr. Cisu, vasectomy is a core focus with dedicated expertise.
General urologists in Richmond hospital systems manage:
This breadth is valuable for complex conditions. But for vasectomy – a specific, routine, minimally invasive procedure – you benefit more from a surgeon who performs hundreds annually and has perfected the technique.
Would you rather have your vasectomy performed by a surgeon who does 2-3 per month alongside their other responsibilities, or a surgeon who does 2-3 per week and has optimized every aspect of the procedure?
Richmond patients who choose Dr. Cisu consistently cite this specialization as the deciding factor – worth the drive for better expertise on a permanent procedure.
Not all vasectomies are performed the same way. Some Richmond providers still use:
Dr. Cisu uses no-scalpel, no-needle technique exclusively – a modern approach that reduces pain by 25-40%, speeds recovery, and eliminates the elements men fear most. This technique isn't universally adopted in Richmond yet, despite being recommended by the American Urological Association.
Richmond hospital systems often quote 6-12 week wait times for vasectomy consultations. Dr. Cisu's practice typically schedules consultations within 1-2 weeks, with procedures often available within 2-4 weeks total – or same-day consultation + procedure for patients who prefer to complete everything in one trip.
For a 90-minute drive, getting scheduled weeks faster makes the travel time a non-issue.
Richmond hospital-based vasectomies often involve:
Dr. Cisu's office-based practice provides upfront pricing, includes consultation in the package, eliminates facility fees by using in-office procedure rooms, and gives clear insurance estimates before scheduling.
Richmond patients report total costs 15-30% lower at Dr. Cisu's practice versus Richmond hospital systems, even factoring in the 90-minute drive and gas costs.
Dr. Cisu serves patients throughout Central Virginia, with Richmond representing a significant portion of the practice.
Richmond to Charlottesville via I-64 West: 90 minutes
Richmond to Fishersville via I-64 West: 90 minutes (slightly less to Fishersville)
Both offices are directly accessible via I-64 with no complicated routing. You're on one highway the entire trip.
Driving 90 minutes to Charlottesville/Fishersville for a scheduled appointment, completing the procedure in 90 minutes total, and driving home adds up to 4.5 hours total – only slightly longer than navigating Richmond's healthcare systems, but with significantly better expertise.
If you live in Short Pump, Glen Allen, or western Henrico County, you're actually closer to Dr. Cisu's Charlottesville office than to downtown Richmond hospitals. The drive is 75-80 minutes, making it even more convenient.
Patients regularly travel from:
All have straightforward I-64 access heading west toward Charlottesville.
Vasectomy technique matters as much as surgeon experience. Dr. Cisu uses the most modern approach available.
Traditional vasectomy (still used by some Richmond providers):
No-scalpel vasectomy:
Traditional vasectomy anesthesia:
No-needle anesthesia (jet injector):
Studies comparing traditional vs. no-scalpel technique show:
Same 99.85% effectiveness, significantly better patient experience.
Only about 60-70% of U.S. urologists have adopted no-scalpel vasectomy. Fewer use no-needle anesthesia (requires $2,000-$5,000 jet injector device). Some Richmond hospital systems still default to traditional scalpel-and-needle methods.
If you're driving 20 minutes to a Richmond provider using outdated techniques, or 90 minutes to Dr. Cisu using modern methods, the extra hour gains you decades of improved technique.
"I researched vasectomy providers in Richmond and found most still used scalpel incisions. Dr. Cisu's no-scalpel approach made the drive worth it – I was back to normal in 4 days." – Glen Allen resident
"My friend had vasectomy at a Richmond hospital and said the needle injections were the worst part. Dr. Cisu's no-needle method was way easier than I expected." – Midlothian resident
Richmond hospital-based vasectomy:
Dr. Cisu's office-based vasectomy:
Richmond patients save $500-$1,200+ on average versus hospital-based procedures, even before factoring in faster appointment availability.
Dr. Cisu accepts major Virginia insurance plans commonly used by Richmond residents:
The practice handles insurance verification before scheduling and provides clear out-of-pocket estimates based on your specific plan, deductible status, and coverage details.
Richmond residents don't need to make two trips. Dr. Cisu offers virtual consultations via secure video call for initial evaluation.
This eliminates a separate consultation trip and lets you complete everything in one visit.
Some Richmond patients prefer ultra-convenience: arrive, consult, and complete the vasectomy the same day.
Dr. Cisu accommodates this when possible. You'll:
Requirements:
Not every patient wants same-day – many prefer time between consultation and procedure to discuss with their partner or think it over. But for Richmond residents who've already researched thoroughly and want efficiency, it's available.
Post-vasectomy semen testing (required at 10-12 weeks to confirm sterility) doesn't require returning to Charlottesville.
Dr. Cisu provides a lab requisition you can use at:
You collect the sample at home, drop it off at a Richmond lab within 1 hour, and results are sent directly to Dr. Cisu for review. He'll call or email to confirm you're cleared.
No need for additional travel.
Richmond patients want to know: How does this actually work? Here's the typical timeline.
Most Richmond patients drive themselves home after vasectomy. The procedure uses only local anesthetic – you're fully alert and capable of driving.
Some men prefer having someone drive them due to anxiety or just for company. It's personal preference, not medical necessity.
You'll still be numb from the local anesthetic for the first 1-2 hours post-procedure. The 90-minute drive home typically feels fine.
Tips for comfort:
Most patients report the drive home being easier than expected. You're not in pain – you're mostly numb and ready to get home to rest.
Once home, follow standard vasectomy recovery protocol:
Your recovery happens in Richmond. You don't need to return to Charlottesville unless complications arise (rare – less than 2-3% of cases).
Dr. Cisu's office follows up by phone 2-3 days post-procedure to check on your recovery. If you have questions or concerns, you call the office directly.
For the tiny percentage of patients who develop complications (infection, significant swelling, etc.), Dr. Cisu coordinates with Richmond-area physicians or urgent care centers if in-office evaluation isn't practical. In 15+ years of practice, this has been necessary fewer than 5 times.
Richmond patients can choose between two offices based on preference and geography.
540 Radford Lane, Suite 250
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 823-7896
Richmond patients who prefer slightly more urban setting, want proximity to Charlottesville dining/shopping for post-procedure errands (though you should go straight home), or have family in the Charlottesville area.
70 Medical Center Drive, Suite 107
Fishersville, VA 22939
Phone: (540) 332-5630
Richmond patients who prefer quieter suburban medical setting, want 2-5 minutes less driving, or like the proximity to Augusta Health hospital (Dr. Cisu has active privileges there).
Dr. Cisu alternates between both locations throughout the week. When you schedule, the office will offer available times at both locations so you can choose based on your preference.
Some weeks have earlier availability at one location vs. the other. If timing matters, ask "Which location has the soonest opening?"
Dr. Cisu maintains active surgical privileges at Augusta Health, a 255-bed regional hospital in Fishersville serving Central Virginia.
In the extremely rare event of a vasectomy complication requiring hospital intervention (occurs in <0.1% of cases), Dr. Cisu has direct admitting privileges and operating room access at Augusta Health.
Augusta Health's urology department handles complex kidney, prostate, and urological surgeries. Dr. Cisu's privileges demonstrate credibility – the hospital has reviewed his training, outcomes, and surgical competence.
Hospitals grant privileges only to physicians meeting strict credentialing requirements: board certification, peer review, continuing education, malpractice history, and outcomes monitoring.
If a patient has complex medical history (bleeding disorders, prior scrotal surgery, anatomical variations), Dr. Cisu can consult Augusta Health's anesthesiology, hematology, or other specialists as needed.
You're not seeing a "strip mall vasectomy clinic" with no institutional backing. Dr. Cisu operates within Virginia's mainstream medical system with full hospital credentialing and support.
If you develop a concern post-procedure while in Richmond and can't easily return to Charlottesville, Dr. Cisu can coordinate with Richmond-area physicians through professional medical networks and provide medical records/consultation as needed.
Richmond families often default to large hospital systems (VCU Health, Bon Secours, Henrico Doctors' Hospital) because they're familiar and local. Here's an honest comparison.
Richmond hospital systems:
Dr. Cisu's practice:
You'll likely get scheduled faster driving 90 minutes than waiting in Richmond's queue.
Typical Richmond hospital urologist:
Dr. Cisu:
Higher volume typically means better outcomes, faster procedures, and more refined technique.
Richmond hospital urology departments:
Dr. Cisu's practice:
"I started at VCU Health but got frustrated with the 8-week wait just to see a urologist. Found Dr. Cisu online, had a virtual consultation within a week, and completed the procedure 10 days later. Way better experience." – Church Hill resident
"Bon Secours quoted me $2,800 out-of-pocket with my insurance. Dr. Cisu's office was $900 total. The drive saved me $1,900 and I got better care." – Chesterfield resident
If you have complex medical conditions requiring multidisciplinary care (severe bleeding disorders, prior pelvic surgery complications, immunocompromised), a large hospital system's resources may be appropriate.
For healthy men seeking routine vasectomy, specialized expertise beats institutional size.
Dr. Cisu's practice serves 400+ Virginia families annually for vasectomy and men's health needs.
Richmond-area patients represent approximately 30-35% of the vasectomy practice – a significant portion reflecting both the metro area's size and the value families place on specialized expertise.
Post-procedure satisfaction surveys from Richmond-area patients show:
Richmond patients frequently mention:
Vasectomy is obviously a one-time procedure. But Dr. Cisu's practice sees multiple forms of "repeat" business from Richmond:
Richmond represents Dr. Cisu's largest geographic expansion beyond Charlottesville's immediate area – driven entirely by patient referrals and online research.
Vasectomy is an intimate, permanent decision. Richmond families trust Dr. Cisu's practice because:
The 90-minute drive becomes irrelevant when you're confident in the quality.
Most Richmond families choose Option 1 or 2 to minimize travel.
Avoid rush hour if possible:
Go straight home. Don't stop in Charlottesville for shopping, dining, or errands. Your recovery starts immediately – rest at home in Richmond.
Most Richmond patients schedule their procedure on a Thursday or Friday so they have the weekend for initial recovery. Return to desk work Monday or Tuesday. Return to physical work the following week.
Richmond families don't need to compromise on vasectomy quality, wait weeks for appointments, or accept outdated techniques just because options are local.
Dr. Cisu's Central Virginia practice offers Richmond-area residents:
The 90-minute I-64 drive is straightforward, highway-only, and required just once for most patients. Semen analysis happens in Richmond at any local lab.
For a one-time, permanent procedure, the extra hour each way gains you decades of specialized expertise, refined technique, and significantly better patient experience.
...consistently choose to make the drive.
Want to discuss recovery expectations for your specific situation?
Contact Dr. Theodore Cisu
Phone:
(434) 823-7896 (Charlottesville)
(540) 332-5630 (Fishersville)
Charlottesville/Crozet Office:
540 Radford Lane, Suite 250
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 823-7896
Fishersville Office:
70 Medical Center Drive, Suite 107
Fishersville, VA 22939
Phone: (540) 332-5630
Online: theocisumd.com/book-an-appointment
Dr. Cisu performs all vasectomies using the no-scalpel, no-needle technique, which research shows reduces recovery time by 25-50% compared to traditional methods. Schedule a consultation to learn more about the procedure, recovery expectations, and whether vasectomy is right for you.
Most consultations are available within 1-2 weeks. Get your questions answered before making any decisions.