Can anyone who has been to Dr. Kimmel recently give us an update on his office and performance?

I had an orchiectomy performed by Kimmel a little under 7 weeks ago. Actually, I was quite nervous about it, based on all the horror stories I had read here about the state of his practice. Still, my desire to have this done out-weighed these concerns.

That said, I don't see what the fuss is about *at all*.. Everything was clean, he was very professional and friendly, and did everything possible to make sure I was comfortable. The surgery went very smoothly, and at no time did I feel that the doctor was performing poorly. The incision was a little over 5/8in, and he used 4 stitches, with no drain.

The after-care was great too, and he explained very clearly what I should and shouldn't do during the healing process. I received all necessary bandages, medications, etc, to last me as long as needed. He also called my hotel periodically to make sure everything was alright. The second day after the operation, he had me come back to his office so he could examine the area to make sure everything was OK.

From my experience, I would really recommend as much time as possible before attempting to travel. I stayed in the hotel for 3 days after the surgery, and then I had a 9 hour ordeal of flying, walking around airports, going through security, driving home from the airport, etc.. This really put a lot of strain on the incision, and caused a fair bit of bleeding. Of course there is a trade-off, the hotel costs around $110/night, so it might not be realistic to stay there longer than absolutely necessary.

The only thing I am a little unhappy about was Kimmel's estimate for recovery. He told me that I should be able to return to full physical activity in 3-4 weeks, and that the stitches should be removed after 3 weeks. This was a bit premature. After removing the stitches, the wound partially opened up and has taken significantly longer to heal. Only now, after almost 7 weeks, has the incision healed properly (well, almost, but not quite 100% yet). I think that if I would have waited until maybe 5 weeks before removing the stitches, things would have been much better.

Overall, I have no regrets about going to Dr. Kimmel, and I believe that he still has a fair number of surgeries left in him before retiring.

Sasha

well sounds like you have seen that this doc is up to what he dose as for healing just like everyone we all heal at differant speeds

alex9 (imported) wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:01 pm I had an orchiectomy performed by Kimmel a little under 7 weeks ago. Actually, I was quite nervous about it, based on all the horror stories I had read here about the state of his practice. Still, my desire to have this done out-weighed these concerns.

That said, I don't see what the fuss is about *at all*.. Everything was clean, he was very professional and friendly, and did everything possible to make sure I was comfortable. The surgery went very smoothly, and at no time did I feel that the doctor was performing poorly. The incision was a little over 5/8in, and he used 4 stitches, with no drain.

The after-care was great too, and he explained very clearly what I should and shouldn't do during the healing process. I received all necessary bandages, medications, etc, to last me as long as needed. He also called my hotel periodically to make sure everything was alright. The second day after the operation, he had me come back to his office so he could examine the area to make sure everything was OK.

From my experience, I would really recommend as much time as possible before attempting to travel. I stayed in the hotel for 3 days after the surgery, and then I had a 9 hour ordeal of flying, walking around airports, going through security, driving home from the airport, etc.. This really put a lot of strain on the incision, and caused a fair bit of bleeding. Of course there is a trade-off, the hotel costs around $110/night, so it might not be realistic to stay there longer than absolutely necessary.

The only thing I am a little unhappy about was Kimmel's estimate for recovery. He told me that I should be able to return to full physical activity in 3-4 weeks, and that the stitches should be removed after 3 weeks. This was a bit premature. After removing the stitches, the wound partially opened up and has taken significantly longer to heal. Only now, after almost 7 weeks, has the incision healed properly (well, almost, but not quite 100% yet). I think that if I would have waited until maybe 5 weeks before removing the stitches, things would have been much better.

Overall, I have no regrets about going to Dr. Kimmel, and I believe that he still has a fair number of surgeries left in him before retiring.

Sasha

I'm glad everything went well for you. As far as the increased healing time, it might have been because of the travel time so soon after surgery. You should have been able to be fairly active after 3-4 weeks. I had my scrotum removed along with being castrated and

Hairless (imported) wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:53 pm I was back to work in 12 days.

Dr. Alter used a drain for me that I think sped the healing process. They don't usually use drains if the scrotum is not removed as that leaves a place for the blood and other lovely juices to go. I was happy these juices were removed and didn't have to dissipate on their own. Maybe the drain should always be used with castration.

Hairless (imported) wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:45 am Dr. Alter used a drain for me that I think sped the healing process. They don't usually use drains if the scrotum is not removed

This re-raises the following question: if you know you want the

whole scrotum removed, should you get it done all at once or

have the orchiectomy first separately? You can get all the

important effects (except cosmetic) with less pain&drain&drama

if you just do the orc' first. But will you still need a drain and

second bout of equal or greater pain (for a merely cosmetic payoff)

if you go back? Or does having gotten the first part out of the

way make the second part go smoother? Or would it really be

better to do both at once just so you DON'T have to go through it

twice, EVEN if it's tougher?

My experience with this was having both done at once Dr K. and I discussed delay and he recomended all at once due to the fact that the trauma to the body is slightly more if done at the same time as castration but it is just as bad as castration if done seperately. after two years I still agree I had little swelling and almost no bruising. One recommendation is follow the post op guidlines religeously or you will have complications. I followed them and I had Zero complications.

greeneg (imported) wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:29 pm This re-raises the following question: if you know you want the

whole scrotum removed, should you get it done all at once or

have the orchiectomy first separately? You can get all the

important effects (except cosmetic) with less pain&drain&drama

if you just do the orc' first. But will you still need a drain and

second bout of equal or greater pain (for a merely cosmetic payoff)

if you go back? Or does having gotten the first part out of the

way make the second part go smoother? Or would it really be

better to do both at once just so you DON'T have to go through it

twice, EVEN if it's tougher?

Greeneg: Philip is absolutely correct here. The drain is not something to worry about. Mine was in for 4 days. It was a little annoying, but did not cause me any pain. If your goal is to be smooth behind your penis and you don't want your scrotum for later SRS, it is much easier to get it done all at once. There will be less cost in travel and doctor visits etc. If your worried about the length of time to heal, being back to work in 12 days wasn't bad. Granted being a locomotive engineer is a sit down job and in that not to stressful, but I had a 70lb. travel bag I had to throw up on the engine. I would say for me to be at 100% might have taken 2 months, but I was in very good shape after 2 weeks.I had no problems at all. I do think the quality of the surgeon has a lot to do with that though. That is why I have advised everyone to weigh what you gain against what you lose when choosing a surgeon. There is much more to consider than just the price of the surgery.

Hi all, I still haven't had my spine surgery. We have been getting the run around by the insurance company and today they said they will not pay for the disc replacement that I want. I do not wish to be fused at three levels. That just leads to more trouble down the road. My surgeon said that a disc replacement at the upper level will save the ones above from abnormal ware. The next step is to appeal the decision and hope for the best. I don't know what I'll do if they don't approve it. They won't let me pay for the part they don't want to. I would have to pay for it all. What is insurance for? Why should they be able to dictate what treatments I can have? Kind of sound like the problems many of us have had getting castrated. That I did have to pay for myself.

About 2 years ago I exchanged a few emails with Dr. Spector regardingthe "Nuclear Option". He told me that he was retired and could schedule an appointmrnt with Dr. Kimmel for me. I asked if I would be able to keep my testicles afterward. Dr. Spector told me that Pennslvania law requiered that they be disposed of as medical waist.

If I am going to spend the money on a medical proffesional, I want to have a souvenir to show for it (besides my scar). Is there a Dr. who will let me take them home in a jar? I would consider going overseas but I don't think I could get them through customs either.

Hairless (imported) wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:44 pm Hi all, I still haven't had my spine surgery. We have been getting the run around by the insurance company and today they said they will not pay for the disc replacement that I want. I do not wish to be fused at three levels. That just leads to more trouble down the road. My surgeon said that a disc replacement at the upper level will save the ones above from abnormal ware. The next step is to appeal the decision and hope for the best. I don't know what I'll do if they don't approve it. They won't let me pay for the part they don't want to. I would have to pay for it all. What is insurance for? Why should they be able to dictate what treatments I can have? Kind of sound like the problems many of us have had getting castrated. That I did have to pay for myself.

Hi Hairless,

I'm in the same boat as you. It's about a month shy of being two years dealing with my back injury now. The problem is the insurance doesn't want to pay for the specialist. I do have lawyers working for me trying to get them to pay for it. All the while I have to deal with severe pain at times and I don't have the money to pay for it myself.

Unlike back surgery, going to Kimmel is relatively cheap and about the only one in the USA I know of wil

micropenis (imported) wrote: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:12 am ling to do this on an elective basis without question.

About 2 years ago I exchanged a few emails with Dr. Spector regardingthe "Nuclear Option". He told me that he was retired and could schedule an appointmrnt with Dr. Kimmel for me. I asked if I would be able to keep my testicles afterward. Dr. Spector told me that Pennslvania law requiered that they be disposed of as medical waist.

If I am going to spend the money on a medical proffesional, I want to have a souvenir to show for it (besides my scar). Is there a Dr. who will let me take them home in a jar? I would consider going overseas bu

t I don't think I could get them through customs either.

Whatever you do, steer clear of Spector (if he's even still around). Deal with Dr Kimmel directly.

I do know of a few that have kept theirs after surgery, although I don't know how they convinced the doctor to let them keep them.

Personally I didn't want them to begin with, so there was no regret not bringing them home with me (and yes I did ask).