My biggest problem....

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Frankly, I don't see what difference it makes with what you use to crimp the blood vessels. I'd guess your failure was due to the fact that the jaws weren't wide enough.

A vice-grips does not provide enough pressure to crush the spermatic cord. A Burdizzo with it's double fulcrum and long handles produces much more force and still it isn't necessarily enough to do the job. --FLO--

[plix (imported)]

Something about my trip to Philly that I forgot to add before, something that kristoff brought to my memory when he suggested bringing someone along in another thread.

I didn't bring anyone along, which really could have been a problem had I not met a lesbian couple while recovering in Kimmel's office. I actually met one of the partners first, while she was waiting for her TG partner to be done. We talked, and since they were staying in the same hotel I was, she decided she would help me as I recovered over the next several days. She would go out and get food for me because I wasn't supposed to be on my feet. She went out and filled my script for post-op meds. She also was willing to talk to me and offer friendship and support. I do owe her a lot because without her I don't know what I would have done about food. Plus I ended up making two great friends (even though I haven't heard from either since).

Having that extra support from them made things turn out great for me, and I think you would be ok if you went to Philly with support, be it family/friends or meeting new friends by chance. You never know who else will be going to see Kimmel on that same day

[Kangan (imported)]

Yes, the logistics of going to Philly by myself would be difficult. My wife would go except that we have animals at home to take care of and we have no one to help us.

Any volunteers to go with me? I'd still prefer to get this done locally. I'm not infavor of DIY but that is looking more and more like a real possiblity....

[bryan (imported)]

Kangan,

I went to Philly by myself and being alone wasn't a big issue. In fact, I'm glad no one was around to see me in bed for two days with a big crotch (due to the ice bag).

You can go for short walks post-surgery. Dr. Kimmel's main advice was: "No quick movements." Don't walk fast, don't stop suddenly. There's a pharmacy across the street from the hotel. There's also some restaurants and a Whole Foods grocery nearby.

I don't know of any DIY castration which hasn't necessitated medical intervention at some point. Emergency room bills are outrageous. Once discovered, DIY castrators usually have to go through mandatory counselling. Even in the best case where someone successfully used a burdizzo and withstood the pain and swelling, a urologist was consulted later to remove the dead testicles.

Terri

[Slammr (imported)]

Yes, the logistics of going to Philly by myself would be difficult. My wife would go except that we have animals at home to take care of and we have no one to help us.

Any volunteers to go with me? I'd still prefer to get this done locally. I'm not infavor of DIY but that is looking more and more like a real possiblity....

Do it yourself, and You're going to end up in the emergency room at some time, and it will cost you much more than the trip to Philly. Kimmel's fee at $2000 -- $2500 is much cheaper than emergency room costs. I had carpal tunnel surgery done, a very simple operation, and the charges were over $5000, just for the hospital, and I was there only for a few hours. You would be looking at thousands of dollars for which your insurance probably wouldn't pay, since the injury was self inflicted.

Also, if the newspapers catch wind of it, you might be subjected to unfavorable publicity, and you could probably expect to spend some time with a shrink, at your expense. DIY is never a good idea. You could even endanger -- probably would endanger -- your life. Better to keep the balls than do it yourself. Some here have tried. FEW have succeeded.

[Kangan (imported)]

DIY castration is not what I want. Another reason why I didn't spend $23 for a bander and some bands at the local farm supply store.

I did want to get some info about what happens after being castrated by Dr. Kimmel. I do thank all who replied for thier input.

I am wondering (and I guess I will have to telephone Dr. Kimmel to get the answer)... were all of you folks castrated through abdomenal incisions? I would prefer a scrotal incision as it would seem to be less damaging and prone to swelling and complications. Or am I wrong about this?

When I had my vasectomy, the swelling was mostly in my cords due to all the cutting and pulling etc. It would seem logical that a simple scrotal incision and the cutting and cauterizing of the cords would be considerably less traumatic than a full inguinal incision.

If I have to go to Philly, I want to minimise the down time.

[Hairless (imported)]

Dr. Kimmel like most doctors use the scrotum incision method. The abdominal method requires a hospital stay and takes a lot longer to recover from. The only problem with the scrotum method is that some doctors seem to have trouble removing enough of the chords so they don't cause problems later on. I've raved probably too much about this subject, but it's a problem you don't want to have. The latest guys here, that have had Kimmel castrate them, seem not to have as much trouble as some have had in the past. Maybe he's doing a better job now. Just make sure he removes most, if not all of the chords so they don't attach themselves to some place that will be bothersome. I have also heard of some doctors that attach the chords to, I believe the abdominal wall, so they don't attach thenselves somewhere that will be painful. Don't let him be lazy, ask him to remove the chords too, even if the incision needs to be a little larger. You'll be glad you did. My doctor did it for me and I have had no problems at all. So it can be done. Good luck, Steve

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Dear Kangan,

I had my surgery with Dr. Kimmel this past March and other than a few minor problems, some of which may have been own fault, I have had no problems with cord attachment or anything else.

If you would like a detailed account of my surgical experience, please look at my thread in the gay, bi and transgendered forum of this site.

[kristoff]

Dr. Kimmel like most doctors use the scrotum incision method. The abdominal method requires a hospital stay and takes a lot longer to recover from. The only problem with the scrotum method is that some doctors seem to have trouble removing enough of the chords so they don't cause problems later on. I've raved probably too much about this subject, but it's a problem you don't want to have. The latest guys here, that have had Kimmel castrate them, seem not to have as much trouble as some have had in the past. Maybe he's doing a better job now. Just make sure he removes most, if not all of the chords so they don't attach themselves to some place that will be bothersome. I have also heard of some doctors that attach the chords to, I believe the abdominal wall, so they don't attach thenselves somewhere that will be painful. Don't let him be lazy, ask him to remove the chords too, even if the incision needs to be a little larger. You'll be glad you did. My doctor did it for me and I have had no problems at all. So it can be done. Good luck, Steve

It is next to impossible to remove significant parts of the cords through a scotal incision. Too much is just not reachable that way. One can only stretch it a bit and cut it a touch shorter. Most folks experience no problem at all in this area. A few do; so worth the risk I suspect.

[Hairless (imported)]

It is next to impossible to remove significant parts of the cords through a scotal incision. Too much is just not reachable that way. One can only stretch it a bit and cut it a touch shorter. Most folks experience no problem at all in this area. A few do; so worth the risk I suspect.

I just sent Dr. Alter an e-mail asking him about the chord question. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss understand what can and can't be done. Since we both think each other is full of beans, I thought I would try to get the straight dope. I do like Mexican food, but the beans tend to attack me. But they are good.

Here are his qualifications:

"Dr. Gary Alter is one of only a handful physicians in the United States who is Board Certified in both urology and plastic surgery. He is in the private practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills, California, subspecializing in genital reconstruction. Dr Gary Alter also has a private practice in Manhattan, New York.

Labiaplasty Surgeon

Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, UCLA

Genital reconstruction plastic surgeon

Beverly Hills Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified Urologist

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Urological Association

Member, Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons

Doctor Alter is an acknowledged leader in genital reconstruction by combining the strengths of both specialties. He has extensive knowledge of genital anatomy as well as expertise in minimizing scars, transferring tissue, and improving cosmetic appearance".

If this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I don't know who does. If I get an answer to my e-mail I'll post the results. Steve