orchiectomy... detail, requirements, etc

[Guest Jo-88]

Im thinking about getting an orchiectomy at some point in the near future (4-6 months) but Im not sure yet. Im still really early on in my transition and I haven't even started my real life experience (though I can't freakin wait!!). Generally speaking what are the requirements before a doctor will perform the operation? How much money are we talking about? Ive heard that people have gotten it done for around $1500 but Ive also heard people paying $6-8k for it as well. Also how big of an issue is it if I don't plan to get SRS for at least 2-3 years? I know that the scrotal tissue will shrink but I've also been told that this can be easily countered by simply stretching it daily.

I sent an email to Dr. Reed in Miami inquiring about it but haven't gotten a response yet. I live in Florida so driving down to Miami really isn't that big of a deal but I have a feeling he is going to be on the expensive side. Is there any doctors in Florida that anyone would recommend I contact?

[Guest Mia J]

That is one of my goals for this year also.

I don't have cost details but you should be able to do it as an out patient.

Mia

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Well, the prices do vary....and it is done by urologists, too......Some get testicular cancer and have them removed.....

But, your avatar looks younger and you might consider having sperm saved if you may want children in the future...

But if you don't plan SRS for a few years, an orchi is certainly an option....

Huggggggs

Dee Jay

[Guest Jo-88]

.

Well, the prices do vary....and it is done by urologists, too......Some get testicular cancer and have them removed.....

But, your avatar looks younger and you might consider having sperm saved if you may want children in the future...

But if you don't plan SRS for a few years, an orchi is certainly an option....

Huggggggs

Dee Jay

Well Ive been on cypro for 6 months, so I don't think I could donate sperm at this point anyway. But honestly that doesn't bother me, I don't want to be a father in any capacity...If I have kids I will adopt, there are plenty of kids already in this world that need a family

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Im thinking about getting an orchiectomy at some point in the near future (4-6 months) but Im not sure yet. Im still really early on in my transition and I haven't even started my real life experience (though I can't freakin wait!!). Generally speaking what are the requirements before a doctor will perform the operation? How much money are we talking about? Ive heard that people have gotten it done for around $1500 but Ive also heard people paying $6-8k for it as well. Also how big of an issue is it if I don't plan to get SRS for at least 2-3 years? I know that the scrotal tissue will shrink but I've also been told that this can be easily countered by simply stretching it daily.

I sent an email to Dr. Reed in Miami inquiring about it but haven't gotten a response yet. I live in Florida so driving down to Miami really isn't that big of a deal but I have a feeling he is going to be on the expensive side. Is there any doctors in Florida that anyone would recommend I contact?

Seek therapy before you undergo anything. Surgeries like this are irreversable. The monetary cost of an orchi is the last concern. You need to make sure that this is where you want to go. Moreover, an orchi reduces your ability to have a successful sex change operation if you need one. Please think carefully and get really goood advice from those who know you well and have worked with you before you go down this path.... OK?

Love

Brenda

[Guest Jo-88]

Im thinking about getting an orchiectomy at some point in the near future (4-6 months) but Im not sure yet. Im still really early on in my transition and I haven't even started my real life experience (though I can't freakin wait!!). Generally speaking what are the requirements before a doctor will perform the operation? How much money are we talking about? Ive heard that people have gotten it done for around $1500 but Ive also heard people paying $6-8k for it as well. Also how big of an issue is it if I don't plan to get SRS for at least 2-3 years? I know that the scrotal tissue will shrink but I've also been told that this can be easily countered by simply stretching it daily.

I sent an email to Dr. Reed in Miami inquiring about it but haven't gotten a response yet. I live in Florida so driving down to Miami really isn't that big of a deal but I have a feeling he is going to be on the expensive side. Is there any doctors in Florida that anyone would recommend I contact?

Seek therapy before you undergo anything. Surgeries like this are irreversable. The monetary cost of an orchi is the last concern. You need to make sure that this is where you want to go. Moreover, an orchi reduces your ability to have a successful sex change operation if you need one. Please think carefully and get really goood advice from those who know you well and have worked with you before you go down this path.... OK?

Love

Brenda

For sure, I actually sent my gender therapist (he did my HRT assessment) an email recently letting him know I wan't to come back in and discuss this with him. So yea I intend to take it slow and do it right. Also yes, I am very concerned with how it will affect SRS results later on, does anyone know if stretching is actually sufficient to maintain enough tissue? As far as cost goes, its easy to say that I shouldn't be concerned about that but unlike a lot of people on here I haven't had been able to get my career off the ground yet, im still in school and basically living off financial aid.... so yea, cost is a huuuge concern. Theres simply no way I can afford more than about $2500 but preferably I would like to find someone that will do it cheaper... even still I've got some saving to do if decide to go through with it.

[Guest Jo-88]

Talked to my gender therapist today for an hour... we both agree I am ready for this but he wants me to come in a few more times to iron out the details. Basically he wants me to give him a fairly precise timeline for my transition and how I intend to accomplish each step along the way. We both agree that timing is paramount so I need to put pen to paper and really think this all out... so far Ive definitely just been winging it with only very loose plans. I think having every step planned out will make me feel better about everything. He also gave me the contact information for a few urologists that his other clients have recommended and told me to go ahead and start calling around just to get their criteria. He also told me that he wont write the assessment letter until Ive quit smoking cigarettes... so yea, now I have an incentive to finally quit (clever guy lol, hes been riding me about that since before he wrote my HRT assessment).

Btw this is completely unrelated but I got my ears pierced today and my arms and legs waxed!!! My mom owns a hair salon so it was all free It feels so good to have my legs smooth minus all the cuts haha (I suck at shaving).

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Hi Jodie

I have considered this as well and even talked with a Urologist through my health plan and he suggested I just save the money for SRS. A few months ago I contacted Dr. Toby Meltzers office in Arizona and he wants around $2300-2800 for an Orchi. Depends if you have to have it done in the hospital or not.

Hugs,

Susan

[Guest Jo-88]

Im still a ways off from getting the surgery but I have decided for sure that I want to do this... its gonna be at least 2-3 years till I can get SRS which is long enough for me to benefit from it but not so long that It would mess with my SRS results. The biggest issue is cost, but I also am not sure who Im going to ask to come with me since I wont be able to drive myself home afterwords. I don't exactly want any of my friends or relatives to know that Im getting it done, its just a bit too private for me to share... this is actually something I want to talk to my therapist about.

It is possible that my insurance might cover part of it but I don't know yet. If there was some way I could get a urologist to deem it medically necessary then they would cover it entirely... but Im pretty sure thats not possible.

[Guest Nova Maria]

Although I complete agree with Susan that Meltzer is a highly talented surgeon, it's not really necessary to have a feminization specialist perform your orchi, should you decide to have one. Men with testicular cancer are the highest volume of orchiectomy patients, so a qualified urologist should be fine.

Also, if you have the surgery, have the doctor cut in a way that damages as little of the scrotum as possible. It's often possible to make the incision of the thigh and remove the testicle laparoscopically. This way, the scrotum is perfectly intact for when and if you choose to have SRS.

And, not to lecture, but I highly advocate storing semen for all trans women. Although having children is hardly one of your priorities now, your thoughts might change in the future. My attitude is always "better safe than sorry." Just some thoughts of mine. But, as always, do what's right for YOU!

Good luck! --Nova

[Guest Jo-88]

Although I complete agree with Susan that Meltzer is a highly talented surgeon, it's not really necessary to have a feminization specialist perform your orchi, should you decide to have one. Men with testicular cancer are the highest volume of orchiectomy patients, so a qualified urologist should be fine.

Also, if you have the surgery, have the doctor cut in a way that damages as little of the scrotum as possible. It's often possible to make the incision of the thigh and remove the testicle laparoscopically. This way, the scrotum is perfectly intact for when and if you choose to have SRS.

And, not to lecture, but I highly advocate storing semen for all trans women. Although having children is hardly one of your priorities now, your thoughts might change in the future. My attitude is always "better safe than sorry." Just some thoughts of mine. But, as always, do what's right for YOU!

Good luck! --Nova

Yea I plan to see a urologist when the time is right. As far as the procedure itself, Im actually leaning towards an inguinal orchiectomy where they remove them through your abdomen without making any incisions on the scrotum, ... only downside is that its more expensive and not many doctors seem to do it that way. I have found one urologist here in FL that says specifically on his website that he does bilateral orchiectomy for transgendered women but doesn't specify what style of procedure he does. All he does say is that he does it under general anesthesia vs local which in my opinion already makes it worth every penny of his $2600 fee. Also since he has experience with trans patients Im sure he is aware of the issues with scrotal scarring, of course I would still bring it up to him but it would seem like he would know what to do. Btw if any one wants a link to him just PM me.

Also as far as banking sperm... Im not sure thats even possible for me. As I mentioned in one of my other threads I've been self administering HRT for 7 months or so. I recently got my HRT letter from my GT and have discontinued self medicating in prep for blood tests so that I can get prescribed an HRT regimen legitimately. I stopped about 3 weeks ago and so far I am still barely able to maintain an erection and have literally zero ejaculate (sorry if thats too much info haha). I think that cypro has already destroyed my chances of having any children of my own. But again this doesn't really bother me... I know I'm only 23 but I am actually a big proponent of adoption, theres a lot of kids already born that could use a good home so not being able to reproduce really has little bearing on my decision.

[Guest angelina1813]

Aloha,

I had my orchi done about 11 years ago in thailand among a combination of other surgeries. It was the best decision of my life. By that time I already had been living full time and on hormones for 10 years. The thing you need to understand is that my doctor told me that if I plan to get my srs done that I should do it soon as the scrotal skin may shrink leaving little room to create the major and minora...

However, 11 years have past for me and yes, it did shrink, but I've recently been using premarin cream on the are leading down towards my bum hole and have notice that the elasticity of the skin has become amazingly loose. It was recommended to me by another dr here in Hawaii who use to do corrective surgery on many US doctor srs surgeons not so great srs jobs. She said that that would indeed help to prep the area prior to surgery. And she is aboslutely right!!!! I am due for my surgery OMG 3 weeks from now in Bangkok with Dr. Preecha and I'm super excited!