Ouch...

[msucleoscar (imported)]

Hi Jared, thanks for keep on updating. Have you lost any muscle mass/strength? Do you experience any lowered energy level?

I'm six weeks as of about exactly right now. So I suppose it it's time for an update.

I would say the incision would be considered sealed up officially at about five weeks post op, or maybe just a couple of days prior to five weeks. The wound is still deep and visible where the drain was placed on the right side, but it has finally stopped oozing anything. I even dared to hit the hot tub last night and had no issues. That is the first time I've done anything other than a shower since the surgery. At about three weeks my wife and I had tried to remove some of the internal stitches without much luck. We we're able to clip one spot where there was a loop exposed close to the surface, but whenever we tried to pull either end, it just tugged on stuff inside and hurt. I was cleaning out the wound earlier this week and tried again to pull on one of the lose ends poking out, and was surprised that about 1/2" of the, suture came out effortlessly.

The balled-up scrotal skin has almost completely flattened out by now, and I eventually figured out they we're caused primarily by the internal stitches rather than the external.

Once in a while, like about once daily, I'll get a random shot of pain at the incision as if it got jabbed or stretched. I've got no explanation for this, other than maybe nerves re-growing. The cords occasionally ache just a little but never more than just a little discomfort. They've shrunk down some, but are still clearly swollen. They are probably about 3/4" thick and 1.5" in length at this point, and continue to diminish oh so slowly. He left me with quite a but of cord, probably just like yours, cut off near the testicle. My bag is completely loose on the bottom, but still somewhat full on top. It still shrinks up when cold or during sex.

The only hurdle I may still be facing its that it seems like both my cords are attached to the incision on my scrotum. I sent the Dr. a text and he said to see how it looks at six months. It apparently isn't a big issue. It does cause discomfort, but only if the skin is pulled, which unfortunately can happen during intercourse or other fun bedroom activities.

Endocrine-wise, things are really good. Zero hot flashes so far, but remember I was on Androcur prior to surgery. Seems like my emotions are a little closer to the surface these days. Not only do I tear up a little more easily at sad stuff, but I get impatient a little more easily as well so I have to make an increased effort to keep a level head at times. Spontaneous erections have almost stopped, though I get one during the night or early morning once a week or so. I can still perform in the bedroom just fine, but it takes some physical stimulation as well as the visual and mental stimulation. Basically, my wife and I both need to be involved. I have yet to have an orgasm during intercourse since the surgery, and there is far less sensation than before during sex. I can have one with some manual stimulation after sex, and those orgasms are still as good as I remember them being. Before meds or surgery, I'd lay awake for hours needing sex sometimes, but now it's no big deal at all to skip sex all together if my wife isn't up to it. That is really great, as it was one ofif the issues I really wanted to address with this surgery. I'm still super attracted to my wife and like to touch and hold her during the day as we cross paths at home. She says I've done this a lot more the last few weeks. But that doesn't automatically translate to ask urgent need for sex. It's actually pretty nice!

[Jared_in_UT (imported)]

Hi Jared, thanks for keep on updating. Have you lost any muscle mass/strength? Do you experience any lowered energy level?

Both, but I've already had the displeasure of dealing with that crap for the last couple of years thanks to the Androcur. In the 6 weeks since surgery, I can't really say that it's much different than a medium to low dose of Androcur (cyproterone acetate, 50mg 2x daily), maybe just a little stronger effects than the pills. In glad it hasn't been much of a shock for me to adjust to.

Compared to before I began blocking testosterone, I've probably lost 15 pounds of muscle and gained 10 pounds back as fat. I'm about 6'1" and 195 lbs currently. I eat a bit less now than I did then, but I end up eating a lot of not-great food and a ton of chocolate.

[Jared_in_UT (imported)]

Well, it's been over a month since I've updated this. I'm now at 11 weeks and a day post op., and feel like I've probably settled into my groove by now.

The incision is 90% or more healed now, with the only troublesome spot being the end where the drain was placed. My cord has certainly healed to my scrotum here which continues to cause some discomfort. It's not painful, but feels like a gentle pinch on my sack every time I clear my throat, cough, etc. The cords themselves have shrunken down considerably. They are now maybe 3/4" long and the ends are like a pencil eraser. I'm going to see a urologist early next year to see about the attached cord. Hopefully, they will determine it's medically necessary to remove the scrotum to fix the issue. Maybe I'm dreaming though! Really, having the empty scrotum hasn't been much of an issue. I may be singing a different tune when the hot summer weather returns.

My sex drive is way down physically. It's an odd experience really - I logically want sex because I know it's totally awesome. But my body has a difficult time following through with those thoughts and leading me to action. Sex still happens every week or two (way less than before!) and everything works as was intended. But I've found its a lot harder to focus and to avoid distracting thoughts during sex. To be honest, I'

ve yet to have an orgasm during intercourse,

yet I'm always able to finish up with my hands afterwards. Orgasms are a little less intense now, but also last a little longer.

So aside from sex and urges being a bit different now, not a lot has changed vs being on the Androcur. I'd say I'm satisfied with the results of the surgery so far.

[theemptyone (imported)]

Thanks for the update Jared. I find it interesting that some people are able to get erections and have sex after castration. I'm six months post op, and I don't think I've gotten a full erection since.

I've masturbated a few times since, but with a half-erection, and almost nothing comes out.

Well, it's been over a month since I've updated this. I'm now at 11 weeks and a day post op., and feel like I've probably settled into my groove by now.

The incision is 90% or more healed now, with the only troublesome spot being the end where the drain was placed. My cord has certainly healed to my scrotum here which continues to cause some discomfort. It's not painful, but feels like a gentle pinch on my sack every time I clear my throat, cough, etc. The cords themselves have shrunken down considerably. They are now maybe 3/4" long and the ends are like a pencil eraser. I'm going to see a urologist early next year to see about the attached cord. Hopefully, they will determine it's medically necessary to remove the scrotum to fix the issue. Maybe I'm dreaming though! Really, having the empty scrotum hasn't been much of an issue. I may be singing a different tune when the hot summer weather returns.

My sex drive is way down physically. It's an odd experience really - I logically want sex because I know it's totally awesome. But my body has a difficult time following through with those thoughts and leading me to action. Sex still happens every week or two (way less than before!) and everything works as was intended. But I've found its a lot harder to focus and to avoid distracting thoughts during sex. To be honest, I'

900]
ve yet to have an orgasm during intercourse,

yet I'm always able to finish up with my hands afterwards. Orgasms are a little less intense now, but also last a little longer.

So aside from sex and urges being a bit different now, not a lot has changed vs being on the Androcur. I'
[/quote]
d say I'm satisfied with the results of the surgery so far.

[Jared_in_UT (imported)]

Thanks for the update Jared. I find it interesting that some people are able to get erections and have sex after castration. I'm six months post op, and I don't think I've gotten a full erection since.

I've masturbated a few times since, but with a half-erection, and almost nothing comes out.

I think being open with my wife about the possible side effects of the surgery beforehand and planning for the worst has helped a lot. I'm finding that erections are now a lot more dependent on my state of mind. It used to be that I could get hard with just a casual thought about sex. But now, it takes some persistence and focus. I'm sure that me worrying about my wife's judgement of my performance in the heat of the moment wouldn't help much. While i don't get as rock hard as before, or as easily, going into this new phase with both of us fully knowing that I could have never had another erection makes it pretty easy to be happy with 80% of what I used to have. Make sense?

On another note, I've still never had a hot flash. I'm sure I have the long term Androcur use to thank for that.

[Jared_in_UT (imported)]

Alright, after much deliberation I have decided to share some photos of my experience with a simple bilateral orchiectomy. These will obviously not be anywhere near work appropriate and show nudity and surgical scenery. The one thing I will ask, and this is on the honor system, is that you don't save these, or post these on other sites, or use them for your own sexual gratification. Please show a guy some respect, as I'm trying to share some very personal info to help educate those who need answers, just like some of you did for me.

Thanks

http://imgur.com/a/Cq0RL

[Frida G Cavic (imported)]

Seeing your pictures I would definitely preferr inguinal via, although I don´t know If I have that option. I´ve saw that in other pics (mr stehenbleiben´s ) where inguinal via was performed there was no significant swelling, and the wound healed faster with no complications such as bleeding pos-op and of course intact scrotum.

[Losethem (imported)]

Once you let the genie out of the bottle, it will be incredibly difficult to put it back in. If you don't want 'em spread around I'd take them down as quickly as possible. They WILL show up elsewhere without your permission.

That said, I'd be happy to watermark them for you with a watermark of your choice if you'd like to upload them with a bit more, but not fool proof, safety.

--LT

[unencumbered (imported)]

Seeing your pictures I would definitely preferr inguinal via, although I don´t know If I have that option. I´ve saw that in other pics (mr stehenbleiben´s ) where inguinal via was performed there was no significant swelling, and the wound healed faster with no complications such as bleeding pos-op and of course intact scrotum.

Not to mention no remaining spermatic cords to cause post-surgical problems. By intact scrotum, I assume you mean retaining its natural look. The only drawback of a radical orchiectomy is possible nerve damage causing some degree of numbness in near the incision. I had some but I am not aware of it. Overall, things were pretty much back to normal for me in just a matter of a few days after my surgery.

[Frida G Cavic (imported)]

Once you let the genie out of the bottle, it will be incredibly difficult to put it back in. If you don't want 'em spread around I'd take them down as quickly as possible. They WILL show up elsewhere without your permission.

That said, I'd be happy to watermark them for you with a watermark of your choice if you'd like to upload them with a bit more, but not fool proof, safety.

--LT

yes you can´t take in control what is already uploaded on the net, so you are at your own risk when uploading anything specially photos. you can find how to disabling the right button of the mouse to avoid download your pics, I´ve seen in some webpages that they disable the right button.