I had my testicles removed for a slightly different reason, but I knew this was what I wanted and am thankful every single day that they are gone. As for the TRT injections, this is not your only option. I know lots of guys use Androgel. I use a product called Axiron, made by Eli Lilly. It is in a metered pump and is applied under the armpits. My endocrinologist wanted to put me on the injection, but I refused, I don't need the up and down swings as the T works through my system. I use 1 pump of Axiron daily and this works very well for me. Another thing that I didn't like about injectable T is that they use a needle the size of a bloody hosepipe, meaning you will have a sore ass for a week after each injection.

Good luck with the surgery and don't be nervous about it, it is well worth it. I am sure that within a very short period you will be happy that you have gone through the surgery and can be looking forward to a much better quality of life.

I guess I need to do more updates. FYI, I'm taking my time & making sure I'm doing the right thing here. My PCP just had me do a 1 month withdrawal from my Depo-Provera shots so we could get a baseline reading on my T count without supression. I've been getting a booster every two weeks so I had a rough two weeks! Man was I glad to get that booster shot!

One thing that I will say taking a two week break from T supression helped confirm that going the surgical route will probably be the best route to go.

Another interesting development is that my wife and I meet with a marriage counselor every two weeks. Our marriage counselor is a Masters level Christian counselor & is from the same fairly conservative church that most of my family is from. My wife & I have been seeing her for the better part of a year now. She has done wonders for helping our marriage! A couple of weeks ago when we were in a thought "What the heck! I'm going to drop this on her & see what she has to say!" To my surprise after asking a few questions & some discussion, she advised me that she thought if I decided it was the best decision that she had no problem with it and could very well be a permanent solution for my Bipolar Mood Swings & I should go for it! Didn't expect that!

So anyway, getting closer. Should be meeting with Urologist any time. Just waiting on call from my PCP's Scheduler to let me know when the pre-op appointment is!

Good luck! It sounds like you are going about this the right way and will have it done by a skilled urologist in a hospital. Keep us posted.

"Castrated with a scrotal reduction by my urologist"

Just curious- Is there any advantage or disadvantage to keeping to keeping to scrotum or reducing/removing the scrotum & how does that effect healing time?

As a reminder here, my reason is for mental health reasons. Most notably that doing T reduction shots is having incredible, positive effects on stopping my Bipolar mood swings!

I left my scrotum on for about 9 months after I had myself castrated. I did not want two things to be concerned with at the same time. Also everything was resolved when it came time to remove my scrotum, I got the perfect smooth result, like nothing was ever there.

bigdude1 (imported) wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2015 6:13 am "Castrated with a scrotal reduction by my urologist"

Just curious- Is there any advantage or disadvantage to keeping to keeping to scrotum or reducing/removing the scrotum & how does that effect healing time?

As a reminder here, my reason is for mental health reasons. Most notably that doing T reduction shots is having incredible, positive effects on stopping my Bipolar mood swings!

Some EAers have written that it's better to wait a while rather than have both done at once. I had not considered both at the same time until my urologist brought it up. Keep in mind I had a reduction, not a removal. Now that the swelling as pretty much subsided I'd say he took at least half, maybe more. Even with some internal swelling still present my scrotum is about the size of a ping pong ball and is expected to continue shrinking for a couple months according to the doc. Another factor was Medicare. The doc told me if he did the reduction along with the castration Medicare would cover it. If it were done as a separate surgery at a later date Medicare would consider it an elective cosmetic surgery and not cover it. I figure there was nothing to lose by going for it. If I'm not happy with the result and want more gone I can always get another surgery if it bothers me that much. You ask if there are any advantages or disadvantages. I can't say but I seem to be healing at about the same speed as many other EA members have written in these forums.

smoothie36 (imported) wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:02 am I left my scrotum on for about 9 months after I had myself castrated. I did not want two things to be concerned with at the same time. Also everything was resolved when it came time to remove my scrotum, I got the perfect smooth result, like nothing was ever there.

Smothie, is all your scrotum gone or is there still a little loose skin like a remnant of scrotum present? Was your removal done by a plastic surgeon? After I'm totally healed if I'm not satisfied I may have another surgery. I have to take in to consideration how bad I want it gone and the $$$$$$$$.

Pre-Op consultation with Urologist was scheduled this afternoon for October 6th.

Getting VERY nervous!

Don't be nervous, look forward to the new you after surgery. All I felt when I was scheduled was excitement, I could not wait to get it done and now that the surgery is 18 months behind me, I am happy as Larry and I don't miss my testicles at all, in fact I am thankful every day that they are no longer with me. My castration was a very positive experience and I am very happy that it was done.

Don't be nervous. I had my bilateral orchi done by a urologist exactly a month ago, and I only wish I had done it years ago! The scrotal scar is barely noticeable, my energy levels are the same, and maybe even increased since now my bipolar mood swings and gender dysphoria are gone. I also find that I can concentrate better than I used to. I was driving the day after the surgery, doing my normal stuff within a few days. Good luck with your consultation, but don't be too nervous, being T-free is awesome!