I guess I was fortunate then when dealing with pain after my surgeries. (yes, my orchi was done in a two step procedue). Either I have a high pain threshhold or I was not bothered by the pain. I took only one pain pill each time. I don't like them because of bowel problems when on them. I just used ibuprophen whenever I felt I needed it...which was not much.. By the 3rd day I was off them altogether and just udsed ice packs to keep any swelling down. And only did that for about 4 days each time.

Hash,

Im actually taking NOTHING but Jarrows Bone Up as a supplement, other wise nothing out of the ordinary, to update my bike ride, I decided that I would do the 50 mile ride on Friday last, and then again on Sunday, both rides were AWESOME, I plan on doing this 50 mile ride each sunday weather and schedule permitting.

I know I have been very fortunate with my outcome after the orchiectomy.

Ken

Joel9146 (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:05 pm Well it has been 9 days since my surgery. SOmehow it seems like it has been many MONTHS.

For the first week I was in a fair amount of pain and lived on pain meds for at least 5 days.

I expected the pain, and naturally I expected to wake up and find an empty scrotum. Well the exact opposite occured. I had a significant amount of swelling and my balls are far far larger than they have ever been. They are just enormous!

Well actually the balls are GONE, but look like they are there and each one almost as large as a tennis ball. They feel heavy and I must keep them very well suported or they begin to hurt more and more with each step I take.

I understand this is not unuasual and not a problem, but I was very suprised by it.

Did anyone else experience this swelling after the surgery???? How long does it last????

Don't know who did your surgery but this is the reason Dr. Arnkoff started putting in Penrose drains; to control some of that initial swelling of the scrotum. I had significant swelling all over the pubic area which mostly went away by about day 10. Took another week for the rest of the swelling in my scrotum to go away so the only thing I'm concerned about (I think it's completely normal) is the swollen cords which are about the size of my little finger, very firm and they extend into the scrotum. I'm supposed to touch bases with Dr. Arnkoff again in a couple of days so I'll ask about that then.

As mentioned; it may merit having it checked as there have been a few, albeit very few, individuals who experienced an unexpected bleed in the scrotum.

I also had Dr. Arnkoff put in the drains and I think that was a key reason I didnt get a lot swelling, but I am also waiting for the cords to reduce and retract after a month. I know it can take awhile but anybody have an average on the time for the cords to disappear.

The doctor who did my orchiectomy, back in 1986, put in two drains, through a single stab wound. Because I had not developed cancer, the orchiectomy cord transection was fairly close to the testicles, leaving most of the cord intact. The combination of minimal surgical tissue excision, along with the drains, may have been a significant reason why I had no swelling difficulties, no pain difficulties, and was able to be fully functional at work the next day, having had the orchiectomy done late in the day.

After about 5 days (I do not remember exactly), in accord with the doctor's instructions, I simply pulled the drains out, as there had not been much of any drainage.

I continue to wonder whether doctors who are skilled at doing outpatient vasectomies with minimal complications may not have developed the best surgical techniques for minimal post-surgical-complication orchiectomies?

As for cord stump disappearance, mine seem to be much as they were when they were cut; after more than 25 years, I have yet to notice significant reduction and/or retraction.

DavidB (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:21 am I also had Dr. Arnkoff put in the drains and I think that was a key reason I didnt get a lot swelling, but I am also waiting for the cords to reduce and retract after a month. I know it can take awhile but anybody have an average on the time for the cords to disappear.

I'm supposed to send him a few more pictures today, I intend to ask him about the cords although in the last few days mine have started to get back to normal size however the ends are still quite swollen for about the last two inches and still in the scrotum. I've also still got about 3 or 4 stitches which I'm wondering about. The information page he gave me said 10 to 20 days for those to come out and while I had a couple come out at about 10 days it's now been 22 days since mine was done.

If he gives me any information in response to the e-mail and pictures I'll let you know but the last time he commented on pictures all he said was "it's healing normally".

Hi I didnt have any drains and I ended up with a large and painfull clot which is still there after 10 weeks and causes some pain but is much better. I rode my bike for the first time yesturday and after 5 miles the pain was ok with drugs but is still sore today the clot needs to go and my scrotum just gets in the way, they did say the clot may take 4 to 5 months to clear and that I had to wait 6 months before they would remove my scrotum but still the main thing is done and thats what matters.

Thanks

I guess I must have been fortunate with my surgery, mine were removed via the inguinal canal I had No swelling of any significance. I did take all my meds as prescribed.

Ken

zeebster (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:51 am I'm supposed to send him a few more pictures today, I intend to ask him about the cords although in the last few days mine have started to get back to normal size however the ends are still quite swollen for about the last two inches and still in the scrotum. I've also still got about 3 or 4 stitches which I'm wondering about. The information page he gave me said 10 to 20 days for those to come out and while I had a couple come out at about 10 days it's now been 22 days since mine was done.

If he gives me any information in response to the e-mail and pictures I'll let you know but the last time he commented on pictures all he said was "it's healing normally".

You might have to take a tweezer and pull them out. They should come right out as they will have disolved on the inside. You dont want to leave them in as they can become a point of infection.

DavidB (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:21 am I also had Dr. Arnkoff put in the drains and I think that was a key reason I didnt get a lot swelling, but I am also waiting for the cords to reduce and retract after a month. I know it can take awhile but anybody have an average on the time for the cords to disappear.

Much will depend on how high up the cord your testicles were detached. I'm 6 1/2 year post-castration and I can still feel my cords in my scrotum, if I wish to.

--LT