Orchiectomy Questions

[Charlize]

I appear to finally be approaching my goal with surgery scheduled in a little over a week. At this point several questions arise and while i know everyones experience is different perhaps others here have some answers.

Amount of post op pain and an idea of the duration of that discomfort.

Ways of handling that pain. Is sitting hard?

Your overall satisfaction with how you feel without having to block the T.

Did it make any difference in looks?

I don't mean to pry. These are very personal questions. Perhaps i should have brought up each one to Dr. McGinn but she is so busy and i was a bit scattered in my thoughts when we discussed the procedure. Plus it was two years+ ago. Health issues have held me back and now nerves act up as the time approaches. This will be the only surgery i've ever had other than open heart surgery and many catheterizations. This one is chosen for a different reason than simply continuing life and perhaps i can be better prepared.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Carolyn Marie]

That's great news, Charlize. I know how long and difficult a wait its been for the approval. Here are my answers to your questions.

I appear to finally be approaching my goal with surgery scheduled in a little over a week. At this point several questions arise and while i know everyones experience is different perhaps others here have some answers.

Amount of post op pain and an idea of the duration of that discomfort.

Relatively mild pain, and short lived. I got an Rx for 20 pain pills, and took one. I do have a fairly high tolerance for pain, though.

Ways of handling that pain. Is sitting hard?

Other than the one pain pill, I didn't have to do anything special. it was sore and tender for a couple of days, and a bit swollen. So I would avoid those tight jeans.

Your overall satisfaction with how you feel without having to block the T.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, I give it a 10! I hated taking Spiro; too many side effects.

Did it make any difference in looks?

I think so. I never tuck any more, and one of the first purchases I made afterwards was a bathing suit. Of course, there is still something there, but it, um, fits better, if you know what I mean. I can cross my legs easier, too.

Good luck, Charlize!

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest KerryUK]

Hi Charlize,

My procedure (as I'm sure you know) was different as I opted for the cosmetic vaginaplasty but I feel I can still give you insight. You see, part of my procedure involved the orchidectomy.

After the operation, it felt tender and bruised in that area where the testes go if you tuck them. I've not had any phantom limb feelings since they've been gone but - for the 2 weeks post-op up until I could restart my HRT, I did experience some quite severe 'night sweats'. The only pain relief I needed was paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

I know it's a different outcome Charlize but my procedure has not been anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I so hope that this helps.

Hugs

Kerry

[Guest LesleyAnne]

Hi Charlize,

Very little pain, however I did fight a leakage (blood) problem for close to a month. So I just wore a depends during that time.

Sitting wasn't a problem, but like Carolyn Marie stated stay away from tight fitting jeans.

I now have somewhat of an inny (indentation) there, and the lampost disappears which is so, so nice

I can wear tight jeans with no sign of what used to be, and they now sit higher on the waist. Plus I can cross my legs like a lady

I can use the Climara 50 patch and my blood is that of a pre-menopausal female. My T level was like .3 whatever that means

I do not have hot flashes at all, my chest is still telling me the estrogen is working. I absolutely would do it again in a heartbeat.

I think you will be very, very happy with the overall benefits.

Congratulations, I am so happy for you!!!

Big hug girl

[Guest Tamar]

Yup. It's all good Charlize. Minimal pain,practically completely healed within 8 weeks,tucking is a breeze,jeans fit,t levels practically nothing,no hormone adjustment needed.

Random phantom pains occasionally, but not severe,just enough to make you pause briefly. E seems to work soo much better when it's not conflicting with the t. All the best dear. Hugs.

[Guest Kristol]

May I be so bold as to ask what this does to sex drive?

And congratulations Charlize! I hope it brings you that much closer to who you are.

HuGe HuGz

Kristol

[Guest Tamar]

In my case,as t levels fell through the floor,the sex drive evaporated. As usual,ymmv.

[Carolyn Marie]

May I be so bold as to ask what this does to sex drive?

I had been on HRT for about four years before my surgery, and that had pretty much ended my desire and ability to carry it out.

Carolyn Marie

[Charlize]

My sex drive motored over the hill with HRT alone. I presume this will lower that need even more. That is not to say that i don't welcome intimacy it simply means i don't feel compelled to instigate it. I'm more of a passive partner at this point. i'll be able to tell you more in a week if i can sit at the table and type.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest LesleyAnne]

Sex drive????

What's that? Tis but a distant memory. And to be honest, I thought I would care, but it turns out I don't.

For me anyway it's a blessing to not even think about it.

This is why I shake my head when I hear hurtful comments about my motivation for wanting to use the women's restroom.

[Guest Kristol]

Thanks for the info girls.

[Guest KerryUK]

Sex drive????

This is why I shake my head when I hear hurtful comments about my motivation for wanting to use the women's restroom.

Hurtful comments? Where are you supposed to go Lesley - you are a woman aren't you? I don't know, PEOPLE.

[Charlize]

Thank you all for your responses. I am a bit of a nervous nelly and thoughts and emotions are running at speed right now. Tomorrow i'll be at the hospital at 7:00 am. If all goes well i will be home in the afternoon.

It may be Thursday before i will be able to answer any of my own questions. Actually it may be much longer but eventually i'll grow into the answers. First thing will probably be just sitting down.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest KerryUK]

All the best Charlize, you'll be fine - just you see.

Hugs

Kerry

[Guest LesleyAnne]

You'll be back, and awake before you know it. You'll feel very different, in a very nice way

JustMeUK wrote "Hurtful comments? Where are you supposed to go Lesley - you are a woman aren't you? I don't know, PEOPLE."

Yep "PEOPLE" We have one particular politician over here running for president that gave a speech about Transgender MtF just wanting to use the women's restroom to ogle naked women and molest them. He made the statement in one of his speech's, and I'll try to quote " If I would have known that you could just call yourself a woman when I was in High School, I'd have told the coach that I felt like a girl today, and need to shower with the girls in the women's locker room "

Of course this idiot got a big laugh from all of his followers that he was giving the speech to......

We have a big clash going on over here by trying to pass laws that would allow Transgender people to use the restroom of the gender they identify with, but there is a lot of push back from some clergy, and certain politicians that to let us use the restroom of our perceived gender is a scam perpetrated by the Trans community. It would just allow us to legally go into the restroom of our choice just so we can do unspeakable things to women and children.

And as I mentioned above "Sex Drive????" I just would like to go do my business and get out.

And really what molester would even take the effort to get dressed up as a woman just so he could get into the women's restroom? "PEOPLE?" They don't use their brain to think.......it's just a hat rack!

Arghh!

Welcome to Transphobia America.

[Guest Kristol]

You'll be back, and awake before you know it. You'll feel very different, in a very nice way

JustMeUK wrote "Hurtful comments? Where are you supposed to go Lesley - you are a woman aren't you? I don't know, PEOPLE."

Yep "PEOPLE" We have one particular politician over here running for president that gave a speech about Transgender MtF just wanting to use the women's restroom to ogle naked women and molest them. He made the statement in one of his speech's, and I'll try to quote " If I would have known that you could just call yourself a woman when I was in High School, I'd have told the coach that I felt like a girl today, and need to shower with the girls in the women's locker room "

Of course this idiot got a big laugh from all of his followers that he was giving the speech to......

We have a big clash going on over here by trying to pass laws that would allow Transgender people to use the restroom of the gender they identify with, but there is a lot of push back from some clergy, and certain politicians that to let us use the restroom of our perceived gender is a scam perpetrated by the Trans community. It would just allow us to legally go into the restroom of our choice just so we can do unspeakable things to women and children.

And as I mentioned above "Sex Drive????" I just would like to go do my business and get out.

And really what molester would even take the effort to get dressed up as a woman just so he could get into the women's restroom? "PEOPLE?" They don't use their brain to think.......it's just a hat rack!

Arghh!

Welcome to Transphobia America.

Okay, then by that logic, lesbians and gay men shouldn't be allowed to use the washrooms of the same sex, as they might ogle the strait people.

I think the politician is exposing a part of his own personality that is... questionable. He's basically saying if he could get away with it, he'd do it.

[Guest KerryUK]

Kristol and LealeyAnne,

I agree with both of you.

That Politician is not only showing his doubtful trustworthiness but is also showing ignorance and bigotry.

I'd like to add that there aren't only male paedophiles, there are also female ones. They already visit the ladies toilets but ...............

Idiot politicians who get on their soapboxes and start ranting, can't seem to get it into their heads that we use the ladies toilets because we present AND identify as women. To 'prove' this, we have to go through a lot of assessment and HRT treatment. Thankfully, as more and more about us is televised, the ignorance gets less and less and these idiots are shown up for what they are.

[Guest]

Hope you're home recovering, Charlize.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest KerryUK]

Hope you're home recovering, Charlize.

Huggs,

Joann

Me too Charlize, all the very best.

Kerry x