Hi!

I have read so many experiences of orchiectomies with complications that heal months and cause suffering. I wonder, if it is done correctly, how much time it takes to heal? I mean wound closed and swelling gone. Could it take a week or two?

I've had surgery much more complicated than orchiectomy, and I healed from that basically in 3 weeks. stiches out and no pain. I was able to walk after 2 or 3 days and after 1 week I could walk quite ok.

This suffering for 3 or more months does not sound right to me. Even a month is little too long for orchie i think.

So, any quick healing experiences?

I had my first one done ( right side ) in 1987 it was radicle the doctor removed it from the abdomen that took a little time to heal up about 2 to 3 weeks, but the the left side was done basic I was up and moving around about a week little to no pain I Guess it all depends on who doing the procedure I had left the doctors no choice but to remove them.

Erikboy,

My surgeries were done separately. This first I had a small bleeder, that caused some swellin, and took about two weeks to feel better. The second , no complications, and i was out cleaning leaves out of the pool later that day. felt great , and no complications at all.

Ray

I have not been castrated yet but have had a biopsy done on my testicles. My doctor insisted on a general anesthetic as he said this would be fairly involved. An incision was made in the scrotum and a testicle was pulled out. It had a piece about 1cc removed for pathological examination. The testicle was sewn back up and everything put back in place and the scrotum was sutured. The other testicle had a needle biopsy to confirm it was similar to the first one. The incision was sutured with a continuous disolveable stitch. So it was much like a castration except the testicle was not removed. My doctor has since scheduled my castration and has stated it will be easier than the biopsy.

Anyway, I went back to work the next day- not strenuous but I was there. I took Tylenol 3 for a couple days (14 in total). I was never bandaged as such, just had a wad of gauze in a jock for a day or two. I took a careful shower the next day. Discomfort gradually increased for about 3 days before starting to subside. Some bruising and swelling developed but nothing unusual. The stitch(s) really started to itch and the knot kept getting tangled in my underwear so I cut the knot off at 12 days. I didn't try to pull out the remaining thread then but gradually cut off loose pieces for a couple days till it was all out on day 15. The thread seemed in good condition whenever I cut off a piece so I'm not sure how long it would have remained intact without me helping it along. My incision was horizontal at the bottom of one of the grooves in the scrotum so it was much more even to suture up than a verticle incision which would go over numerous grooves and ridges. There must be a better term for that but it escapes me now.

My bi-lateral orchiectomy is scheduled for next week. My wife will take me there and drive me home. My doctor has also agreed to do this with only a local anesthetic this time. Based on my previous experience and my doctor's statement that this surgery will be easier, I am planning on driving her to work the next morning.

I'd be willing to bet that the probability of a good outcome to all this is better in a sterile, hospital setting than an unknown office in Philadelphia. But it is noticable more costly as well.

Mine were also removed in separate procedures. Both were removed through the scrotum, although by the same veterinarian/friend. He made certain that the very short cord retracted into the abdomen in both cases - no adhesions in the sac. The healing in both cases was about 3 weeks. Also, in both cases I was up and walking and living life normally within a day, returning to work after 2 days in the 2nd procedure and 3 days after the first. I also took one pain-killer in both cases to get me up and walking on the same day. Everything I've learned is that the area heals rapidly because of the abundant blood supply.

Both my balls were removed at the same time. Apart from the initial swelling immediately following the op, walking was no problem and I was able to go back to work a couple of days later.

I did, however, suffer a minor infection (always a risk) about a week later which caused further swelling and made my scrotum appear as if it still contained balls.

A course of antibiotics soon cleared this up and I was more or less healed within three weeks.

Hi!

erikboy (imported) wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:26 am I have read so many experiences of orchiectomies with complications that heal months and cause suffering. I wonder, if it is done correctly, how much time it takes to heal? I mean wound closed and swelling gone. Could it take a week or two?

I've had surgery much more complicated than orchiectomy, and I healed from that basically in 3 weeks. stiches out and no pain. I was able to walk after 2 or 3 days and after 1 week I could walk quite ok.

This suffering for 3 or more months does not sound right to me. Even a month is little too long for orchie i think.

So, any quick healing experiences?

I had my done by a Urology Surgeon. I took it really easy for a couple of days (Took the pain meds) and work the supporter, iced the area. Was able to get around ok. I went back to work fairly quickly. Black and blue of course but otherwise no problems. Complete healing so I don't have anyway to feel I had it done does take a while but the pain etc is minimal. Scars take a while to heal and I still do recomend Maderma cream to reduce the scars.

When you hear horror stories remember first that people who don't have problems don't post as often. Second don't factor in the results from fringe doctors or cutters (sorry) Vets? Its clearly not the same if having surgery in an office room vs a hospital or worse some hotel or Dog & Cat Hospital.

mrt (imported) wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:28 pm When you hear horror stories remember first that people who don't have problems don't post as often. Second don't factor in the results from fringe doctors or cutters (sorry) Vets? Its clearly not the same if having surgery in an office room vs a hospital or worse some hotel or Dog & Cat Hospital.

That is one of the reasons I asked how it is normally healing. Based on my own related experiences, if everything is ok, then sutures can be removed on 7th-10th day. swelling starts to go down after 3-5 days. and after 2 weeks it should look pretty healed without coloring and swelling. wound would be slightly painful for touch for months.

Only thing I can't imagine how cords will heal. After initial swelling they probably start to disappear. Is it possible to touch them or feel them even after everything is healed?

Erikboy,

I had a bilateral orchiectomy two weeks ago today. My doctor put in a surgical drain so I had absolutely no bruising or swelling. The most post-surgey discomfort came from the inguinal areas, about even with the top of my penis and out into the groin. This wasn't from cutting but just tugging on the connecting tissues to give him some slack for operating room. He used dissolvable sutures so they are still there but incisions have healed pretty well and can be handled without any problem. Yes, there is still a lot of residual stuff inside my scrotum. I expect it to shrink but don't have any idea of a time frame.

My feeling is that you are fine in two weeks.

i had surgery done on my scrotum a few years after i was castrated

never a problem..i was up and around a day after

dont know how the doctor sewed it up ..no drains and i could see no stitches ..and none needed to be removed..he said they would just dissolve..he did a excellent job