Orchiectomy ?

[Guest JGomes]

Has anyone on here had this done ? What changes did you notice from doing this ?

[Guest Tamar]

I had the procedure in 2013. Quite frankly,it was life changing. The total (almost) removal of T from my system allowed Tamar to bloom. It also made tucking a heck of a lot easier.I'm happy to respond to direct questions, but to try and describe every way it has changed my life would take an essay.  

[Carolyn Marie]

My experience is very much like Tamar's.  There have been no down sides to it.  I like the way things look down there, and not being on Spiro is a godsend.  My one regret is going through my HMO for the procedure.  Oh, the doctor did a fine job, but grossly overcharged for it, and since my HMO had little or no experience with the procedure, they paid it without question.  I let my PCP know about it, and she said she would raise the issue with the Powers That Be.

Carolyn Marie

[Charlize]

I am glad that i had one.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Cecilia]

I'm going to ask my Trans MD about getting my Orchi as soon as I see her in August.   I cannot decide if general in a hospital or local in a surgical office is the better way to go.  Anyone have thoughts on that?  Note:  I have a phobia about general anesthesia.  Granted I need to absolutely get over that phobia anyway since BCBS pays 100% of FFS and my augmentation;  but I do not dislike the idea of my first surgery being a local one.  

[Carolyn Marie]

I have no idea about local anesthesia for an orchiectomy.  I didn't have any problems with being under for mine.

Carolyn Marie

[Cecilia]

44 minutes ago, Carolyn Marie said:

I have no idea about local anesthesia for an orchiectomy.  I didn't have any problems with being under for mine.

Carolyn Marie

Did you go to a full fledged hospital,  or like a surgical office that the MD owned?   Was it scary being put under?  Or do they do it fairly peacefully?  I have serious panic disorder and full blown panic attacks are just horrendous.

[Carolyn Marie]

It was a "day surgery" center in a hospital.  They do mostly outpatient surgeries.  It wasn't scary, and not very painful afterwards.  They gave me a bottle of pain pills, and I think I took one.  They prep you, monitor your vital signs, give you an intravenous dose of anesthetic, have you count down from 100, and you're asleep.  When you wake up, you're drowsy and out of it for 20 minutes or so, but that's it.  Shouldn't be anything to worry about.  I was out of the recovery station in less than an hour and on my way home, happy as a clam (although I don't really know how happy clams get).

Carolyn Marie

[DenimAndLace]

Cecilia,

I've been put under for surgery 3 times and although each time has been different, all were pleasant experiences.  I was scared the first time but my anesthesiologist kept me calm by telling me everything they were doing from the adhesive monitor sensors to what they were giving me and when the "sleepy meds" were administered.  The second time, I thought I was waiting for them to "do it" and then I woke up in recovery.  The last time, I got scared in the pre-op waiting room and before I knew what happened, my CRNA put something in my IV - it's the last thing I remember.  I've always been put under in the operating room but apparently bringing a hot mess into the operating room wasn't gonna happen on her watch!

The most important thing you can do is communicate with your doctors.  Your GP can give you Adavan or something to keep you calm before you get to the hospital and when you get your first nurse, tell them right away that you're anxious and your anesthesiologist will KEEP you calm and comfortable while you wait for the procedure.  I get that you're nervous but you can do it.

[Cecilia]

1 hour ago, DenimAndLace said:

Cecilia,

I've been put under for surgery 3 times and although each time has been different, all were pleasant experiences.  I was scared the first time but my anesthesiologist kept me calm by telling me everything they were doing from the adhesive monitor sensors to what they were giving me and when the "sleepy meds" were administered.  The second time, I thought I was waiting for them to "do it" and then I woke up in recovery.  The last time, I got scared in the pre-op waiting room and before I knew what happened, my CRNA put something in my IV - it's the last thing I remember.  I've always been put under in the operating room but apparently bringing a hot mess into the operating room wasn't gonna happen on her watch!

The most important thing you can do is communicate with your doctors.  Your GP can give you Adavan or something to keep you calm before you get to the hospital and when you get your first nurse, tell them right away that you're anxious and your anesthesiologist will KEEP you calm and comfortable while you wait for the procedure.  I get that you're nervous but you can do it.

I'm a fraidy-cat.  Always have been since I was a baby.  USAF was scary as heck,  especially in Saudi Arabia.  When I get worried I always just keep focused on what I am supposed to be doing and power through it;  though USAF was 25 years ago.   I think I got more timid with age.    I just know that I *NEED* my Orchi, my voice surgery,  my breast augmentation and my FFS.  So somehow I am going to have to pull myself together and get this done.