I figured it would be a shame if I didn't write a summary of my recent (26-Apr-18) orchiectomy.

Background: I'm a trans woman, so (obviously), this is written from that perspective. I've been taking spiro since Aug. 2016, with my dosing increasing over time, as my T levels were stubbornly staying in the low-normal range. And more disconcerting, was I was suffering many side-effects, especially related to the diuretic nature of the drug. Given the nature of my job, having extremely sudden, overpowering urges to use the bathroom; well, it's just bad.

I also wanted to phase my GRS. Because my T-levels were remaining so high, despite 300mg/day spiro, I wanted to reduce the overall impact of my vaginoplasty by already being accustomed to having trace levels of T. And, there is a (very) small possibility that I'll decide to forego the vaginoplasty all together, but definitely always wanted to be free of T.

The Procedure

The procedure itself was probably about as uneventful as it could be. Had to arrive at the hospital at 0645 for check-in. Once settled in my room, the nurse started an IV, and at about 0805 was wheeled down into the OR. They put on some music (fittingly as I later realized): Radioactive, by Imagine Dragons. The opening lyrics:

"I'm waking up to ash and dust

I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust

I'm breathing in the chemicals

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus

This is it, the apocalypse Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones

Enough to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age... ."

And that's about all I remember before the room started to tilt... and then I woke up. Asked if they're both gone. Yep. Awesome!

Recovery from the procedure was quick. I think I was discharged by 1030-ish after I ate a snack and pee-ed. Was given a prescription for Tylenol 3 (of which I only used a few). During the remainder of that day, my pain levels were tolerable. I think I took a couple of the T3s before going to bed, but I probably would have slept fine without. By that night, I had major swelling and bruising above and below the incision (midline scrotum). Also noticed some "hard" swelling in my scrotum, but was hesitant to poke around there very much. The next day was pretty rough -- I wasn't able to go no. 2 (was afraid to strain even the slightest), my appetite was gone, was feeling nauseous, tired; and was in noticable discomfort (maybe even pain). Took a couple more T3s in the afternoon, and had a 3-hour siesta. Felt not too bad afterwards and was finally able to break the log-jam in the bathroom later that night.

The next few days were pretty good - I stayed fairly active, going for walks, cooking, cleaining, shopping; even went out looking at condos (I'm house-hunting). And that "hard swelling" I mentioned earlier, yeah, that is still there. Today. Turns out, that type of swelling is not uncommon. It's the buildup of blood and fluid in the ends of the severed cords/vessels. This will slowly dissipate on its own, taking 2 - 3 months. So, although the twins are gone, in their place are two grape-sized lumps located at the top of my scrotum that seem stuck in place. Also, I'm still getting some seepage out of the incision. Had my doctor look at it day before yesterday, and he says it's probably a good thing it's still draining out, otherwise it would just be pooling in my scrotum. Is not infected or anything like that. He advised if it's not ceased seeping in two weeks, to contact the surgeon. Speaking of which, they will be contacting me for a follow up somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks post-op. Yeah, that long.

Post-op Observances

Immediately after operation, my bathroom habits return to what they were pre-spiro. No more bathroom visits in the middle of the night, and no more of those out-of-nowhere, sudden, pee-pee dance-urgent urges to go. My appetite is down slightly (which is a good thing). My libido is come back somewhat (I know, opposite of what you'd expect). Am feeling less dysphoric as more time goes by as well. Didn't expect that, either; but I'll take it A little more tired, seem to need more sleep than before (but maybe some of that is because my body is still healing a wound). Four days after the procedure (30-Apr), I had my bloodwork done, and my doctor said my T is at trace levels.

I think that's all the main points, but if you have any questions, don't be shy

-Mica

Thanks for posting your experiences and how you are progressing and changing. This is exactly what a lot of people are on here to learn and read about ! Please do us a favor and update this post as you go along and notice any changes or anything different.

It helps other men to know what to expect and how different castration can be for different men and especially what happens next !

Will do. But I will remind readers that, like most things in life, YMMV. Also, my experience post orchi may be different from most others' on this board since I've been taking, and will continue taking estrogen.

Thank you Mica, for sharing your story. I think that EA attracts all sorts of folks, from those that are wanting to become asexual (a true Eunuch) - myself - I still identfy as a Man, as to you - a person on a longer journey.

Thank you for sharing your story.

For sure.. I had discovered this board long time ago (probably sometime between '06 and '08) when I was still "lost in the woods" and was still terrified of starting that longer journey. Even though I often wish I could have started sooner, I'm just thankful that I finally took the first step.

Given the help I felt I had consumed over the years from these forums, it would have been unjust of me to not try to return just a little bit back.

Cheers, --m

Any chance you would like to share the name of your doctor and was it easy to get the appointment to have the Orchi?

I have no qualms on providing his name - Dr. (X); but bear in mind that he's based in Calgary, Alberta (Canada). I really have no idea whether or not (or how) his office (and the hospital where he does his surgeries) would entertain the idea of providing services to someone not within in the Alberta Health (publicly funded) system. I hear of the reverse quite often - that is, people from Canada travelling to the U.S. to seek medical procedures/care, but don't recall ever hearing of the opposite. I think your best bet would be someone like Dr. Arnkoff (or similar), located in the U.S., who do not require approval letters from psychiatrists.

Also, for me, it wasn't "easy" to get the appointment for the Orchi. Required extensive visits to a private Psychologist ($$), as well as seeing a Psychiatrist once every 3 months over a 1-year period. I could have got it performed a lot sooner had I continued my dialogue with Dr. Arnkoff, and travelled stateside to get it done. But I still would be required to see the Psych docs here in order to receive HRT meds, and have the possibility of GRS in the future.

Am now (a couple days shy of) 5-weeks post-op.

Healing: the incision finally fully closed up just prior to the 4-week mark. This had my concerned, but I did see my doctor 2-weeks post op. He examined everything, and said it looked ok, and if it hasn't stopped at the 4-week mark, to call the surgeon. The two "lumps" - hard swollen masses in my scrotum, have gotten smaller, but definitely have a ways to go. The smaller of the two is roughly 1/4" diameter; the other is about twice that size. Really looking forward to those being completely gone.

Psych changes: Definitely more emotional now than I used to be. The slightest thing, and my eyes will be tearing up. Need more sleep than I used to, and find it extremely easy (almost too easy) to nap now.

Physical changes: My appetite is down slightly from what it was pre-op, but it seems my body is trying hard to put on weight. My bathroom habits have vastly improved; which is due to no longer taking spiro. Way easier now to stay hydrated without making a trip to the bathroom every 30 minutes. I think I'm already noticing my skin getting even softer than it was, and body hair re-growing at a slower pace. Sadly, it doesn't appear that my facial hair (i.e. beard) is slowing down.

LIbido: Seems to have settled down a little, but probably still higher than pre-orchi. Orgasms are different. it's definitely harder to reach orgasm, and now completely dry (no ejaculate whatsoever), yet very strong - stronger than ever before. As while on Spiro, not achieving 100% erections, but hard enough to stimulate.

Congratulations, and thank you for sharing. Lots of info here of what to expect for others going the same way.

One always compares with oneself, I guess, but mostly the same. The lumps took a couple of months to go completely. Face hair? Still there, but much less at 6 months or so. Can't say about the spiro, never tried it.

Congratulations on your success and welcome to the eunuch family!