Why the scrotal rework?

Not sure who you are asking, but many that have just had an orchie w/o removing the scrotum report that the empty sack is an annoyance as it gets caught in clothing, or gets sweaty and sticks to the legs, and so on... Some also dislike the appearance, and prefer the "smooth look" I've seen many here report getting the scrotum removed later if they didn't have it done as part of the original procedure for whatever reason...

I had my scrotum done as part of the process, and am glad that I did. However I'd note that several who had the scrotum done separately reported that the recovery was more painful and took longer than the orchie did. My experience having both done is that

WheelyFixed wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2024 1:56 pm I never really noticed anything that

was just the balls, but the scrotum removal incision was quite painful and took a few weeks to fully heal...

WheelyFixed

An update, I have been sitting on a referral to a specialist for a month, and last Friday I made an appointment for the specialist. First appointment is on 21 November. For me this is an exploratory meeting, and between now and then I will be building my list of questions.

Does anyone have some medical questions they wish they did ask early in the process?

First off, a repeat of my standard suggestion to new folks, download a copy of the WPATH Standards of Care v.8, and ideally read all of it, but definitely at least the eunuch chapter... Knowing what the protocols and procedures that are involved will help. In many ways I think much of the process is like a job interview in that you will be asked a lot of questions to make sure you understand just what you are getting into, and how it will effect you and your life, etc. as well as your ability to give informed consent.... HOW you answer the questions can be as important as what your answers are, and knowing what they are looking for can help you answer in the way they are looking for...

It is definitely important to be able to show that you have "done your homework" about the medical and mental effects of castration - you should know enough to be able to tell them most, if not all of what they will tell you about side effects and consequences and that you have considered these carefully.... Given the serious and irreversible nature of getting castrated, a major part of SOC v8 is focused on making sure that you are really sure that you know what you are getting into, and not just doing it as a 'fantasy fulfillment' thing....

You should have a pretty good idea of what you want to have as an end result, AND what you DON'T want - i.e. any desire for vaginoplasty? Or do you just want an orchie, possible scrotectomy, or nullification? What do you think you'd want for hormones (they probably will not want you to go 'hormone free')

The biggest questions probably are more administrative in that you will want to find out what specific requirements they have, insurance coverage, time frames and so on. If they want you to have a trial period of chemical castration (it is likely they will) what your options are for medications, and pluses and minuses of each....

I hope this is helpful...

WheelyFixed

AussieNSFW (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 2:23 am An update, I have been sitting on a referral to a specialist for a month, and last Friday I made an appointment for the specialist. First appointment is on 21 November. For me this is an exploratory meeting, and between now and then I will be building my list of questions.

Does anyone have some medical questions they wish they did ask early in the process?

Congrats on your upcoming appointment. My question is how to prevent osteoporosis from starting once my testosterone drop.

Thanks that is very helpful (as usual)

sftineun (imported) wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 2:10 pm Congrats on your upcoming appointment. My question is how to prevent osteoporosis from starting once my testosterone drop.

Thank you - great point.

sftineun (imported) wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2024 2:10 pm Congrats on your upcoming appointment. My question is how to prevent osteoporosis from starting once my testosterone drop.

You should start by getting a bone density scan before or soon after surgery to get your "baseline" - then talk w/ a good Endocrinologist who is willing to discuss alternatives besides the usual supplemental T - i.e. one w/ experience in working w/ trans patients...

Basically some folks try to do it w/ Calcium and other supplements plus exercise, but this seems to be limited in how well it works long term.

The best option is some form of hormone replacement - with three main choices...

1. Testosterone - to get you into at least the "low normal" male range - downside is that is putting back what a lot of us got cut to get away from...

2. Estrogen - shots or patches to the average level of a pre-menopausal female (oral is not a good idea) - works but side effects include feminization aka

3. SERMS - Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators which supposedly act like estrogen for bone and mental health w/o triggering the feminzing that comes w/ Estrogen... Downside is supposed to be a higher risk of blood clots...

WheelyFixed

Thanks, because of some other conditions I met the threshold for Medicare to cover the cost of the bone scan. Apparently I have better bones than for people my age.

Good to hear you got the scan (I assume your Medicare isn't the same as my US Medicare, not that it matters.... ) Having good bone health at baseline is good since it gives you a bit more flexibility in options for maintaining bone health after surgery....

I'm on the opposite side of that equation because I already have poor bone health because of my SCI. Bone health was one of the biggest concerns the TG doc had about signing off on even chemical castration, let alone surgery. It's one of the reasons I'm so strongly in favor of doing something in the way of hormone supplements. Being in a chair increases my blood clot risk, so she ruled out SERMs, and I didn't want T, so was left with E as my only option... Overall I'm pretty happy with the choice, as I seem to be staying healthy on it, like how I feel and while I'm not thrilled with the bigger boobs, I can live with them (and don't expect any further growth)

WheelyFixed