A small bit of history first.

4 years ago my left testicle was removed due to chronic orchalgia. The reason for the orchalgia was discovered to be urine refluxing into the testicle. The urine reflux slowly created dead tissue which caused the pain. Removing the testicle 100% solved the problem.

No one knew at the time that I was taking spiro and my wish of becoming a eunuch was 50% complete.

Fast forward 4 years and last week I went to the doc for a checkup. He examined my remaining testicle and said "Have you noticed this lump on your testicle?" It definately was not there 3 months ago. The ultrasound shows an "intratesticular hypoechoic mass" and the labs don't look great. The doc says it is probably cancer and it must come out.

So next Friday I become the eunuch I have dreamed of for years.

While I am excited about becoming a eunuch the upcoming treatment for the cancer doesn't sound like it will be fun. But the 5 year cure rate is close to 100%.

Now comes the question. Currently with one testicle my scrotum is way too loose and sticks to my thigh, twists around, gets caught on everything and is always in the way.

Now that my scrotum will be empty should I ask the doc to remove it when he removes the testicle? Or does it shrink up on its own? I have a feeling that if I ask the doc to remove the scrotum he might think I am nuts. Do you think insurance would pay for what could be considered cosmetic surgery?

So that's my story. I am ready for what's to come and I know I have a great support group here at eunuch.org and the best of support from my family and friends.

bfleish (imported) wrote: Sun May 25, 2008 6:55 pm A small bit of history first.

So next Friday I become the eunuch I have dreamed of for years.

While I am excited about becoming a eunuch the upcoming treatment for the cancer doesn't sound like it will be fun. But the 5 year cure rate is close to 100%.

If it hasn't spread anywhere else, you should be fine. That's why the cure rate is so high. Testicular cancer, if caught in time, is probably the easiest to treat.

Last year, Godson3's uncle died of bone cancer. Actually, they weren't sure where it started. When he showed signs, he was already a mess. The chemo, etc., was extremely unpleasant. Of course, your case is totally different. I am not familiar with how much treatment you will need, but even the briefest of it is not pleasant at all.

bfleish (imported) wrote: Sun May 25, 2008 6:55 pm Now that my scrotum will be empty should I ask the doc to remove it when he removes the testicle? Or does it shrink up on its own? I have a feeling that if I ask the doc to remove the scrotum he might think I am nuts. Do you think insurance would pay for what could be considered cosmetic surgery?

Just explain to him how uncomfortable it already is with half a load in it, and how you expect it to be when it's empty. It might shrink up some, it might not. Some others here have the scrotum removed as well, and are quite happy with it. I'm sure they'll chime in, in time. The worst the Dr can do is look at you funny and say no.

And as always, welcome to the zoo.

I have heard fron Dr. K tht it shrinks a lot in about three months.

Most TG discussions I've read warn that castration to far in advance of the actual sex change operation will mean much less scrotum tissue for the surgeon to use for fashioning the vagina unless steps are taken to keep the tissues stretched. As always results may vary.

Why not voice concerns with the Dr. that you want to ensure all possible cancer carrying tissue be removed and that you'd feel more confident if that included your scrotum, too?

Regardless, best wishes for a successful operation and post op treatment with a 100% recovery. When you feel up to it, please keep us posted on your progress.

smoothie36 (imported) wrote: Mon May 26, 2008 8:51 am I have heard fron Dr. K tht it shrinks a lot in about three months.

Much has to do with age, tissue elasticity and initial size.

As with overweight people who experience dramatic weight loss, excess tissue usually hangs in flaps. Tissue does not just dissappear. It may shrink, however, but that takes time and sometimes the shrinkage is not enough to make a cosmetically pleasing appearance.

SO, ask your doctor. IT would be a simple task while you are still under anesthetic. I do not thaink that the request would be looked upon as out of line.

Scrotum removal??? My Urologist was against removing the scrotum at the time of the bilateral orchiectomy due to the swelling from the surgery. I waited six months and hated the hanging scrotum which showed no signs of shrinking. I had no trouble finding a cosmetic surgeon who was willing to remove the useless skin. Scrotal tissue is very thin and requires a skilled surgeon to do the job in a satisfactory manner. This is especially true if there is quite a lot of scrotal tissue surrounding the penis. They may have to perform a "Z" plasty surgery to remove all the skin. My insurance paid all the cost. By the way, there are two different approaches the Dr. can do. Either a scrotal reduction or scrotal removal. Insurance companies are easier to convince for payment if a scrotal reduction surgery is coded. Then the Dr. just reduces the scrotum to nothing and the result is the same. Dr. likes it because the reduction pays more. Don't be bashful in approaching a cosmetic surgeon and be clear about what you want the final product to look like. I love the feel and look of no scrotum and there is no summer discomfort. This is assuming you are not anticipating GRS or M2F in the future. Retaining all the tissue possible will assist in this surgery. Good luck.

Maybe just focus on what's important first.

Making sure the cancer is in remission.

Then, if a dangling scrotum is causing you difficulties, deal with that later.

First things first.