Considering all possible procedures that doctors do to people, the vasectomy probably ranks a 2-3/10. It is as difficult as a biopsy and can be much less than that. The procedure is usually done without general anesthesia because it is not necessary to put people completely under. There is a small area next to the scrotum that is numbed up so that you will not feel any pain in that area. Surgeons open a tiny incision, cut the vas deferens, close it, and sew the incision shut. It really is that simple. Of course, that area will be a little sore for a few days and may require some ice and painkillers. One important thing to keep in mind is that after the procedure is over, you should always use protection during sex until your semen has been shown to not have any sperm in it. There have been reports of couples still getting pregnant after a vasectomy because they didn't wait long enough.