Appointment for orchiectomy

[Amy1988]

Well I made an appointment with my PC physician for a referral to a urologist for orchiectomy.  I'll have to find one who is willing to do it by informed consent but I'm doubtful.  Then there is insurance. Will they be willing to code so insurance will pay?

[Jessica Merriman]

Hi Amy! This is my only personal opinion, but anti androgens will be much cheaper right now if money is or could possibly be a problem. I know you want an orchie very bad, but I wish you would slow down just a little. If you don't have a good Therapist you should get one or reconsider getting one as they could help you quite a bit with your transition. They don't just listen, but also provide documentation for future procedures, consult with other medical providers and make sure your health is the number one priority. Anyway, I want to thank you for not attempting the do it yourself method you had talked about earlier. It showed a very good decision making thought process. I was worried you would do it and live with regret the rest of your life. 

[Amy1988]

Hi Amy! This is my only personal opinion, but anti androgens will be much cheaper right now if money is or could possibly be a problem. I know you want an orchie very bad, but I wish you would slow down just a little. If you don't have a good Therapist you should get one or reconsider getting one as they could help you quite a bit with your transition. They don't just listen, but also provide documentation for future procedures, consult with other medical providers and make sure your health is the number one priority. Anyway, I want to thank you for not attempting the do it yourself method you had talked about earlier. It showed a very good decision making thought process. I was worried you would do it and live with regret the rest of your life. 

Thank you for your advice but an orchiectomy is just the best option for me.  I'm taking anti androgen and estrogen topical but I'm afraid they are going to kill me.  An orchiectomy would solve a lot of problems.

[Keira]

Thank you for your advice but an orchiectomy is just the best option for me.  I'm taking anti androgen and estrogen topical but I'm afraid they are going to kill me.  An orchiectomy would solve a lot of problems.

You do realize that you will have to be on estrogen for the rest of your life right? Otherwise your bones will become brittle (osteoporosis) and your breasts will shrink.

If your blood levels and dosage are being monitored by a doctor you don't have anything to worry about for the most part. And technically most doctors won't do informed consent, and even fewer will do it without you having been on HRT for a year at least.

-Skyla

[Jessica Merriman]

  I'm taking anti androgen and estrogen topical but I'm afraid they are going to kill me.  An orchiectomy would solve a lot of problems.

What does your HRT doctor say about this? Have they given the OK for an Orchiectomy? If not insurance will not cover it.

[Rachel]

Amy, I hate my gonads and always have.

On HRT for 10 months and they are 1/3 the size now. I think of it as slow and sweet revenge.

I thought of orchiectomy many times and I may do that in the future perhaps a year. By that time they may be irrelevant. Pretty void now, serve no purpose and they can not hurt me now. 

[Miss_Bungle1991]

Well I made an appointment with my PC physician for a referral to a urologist for orchiectomy.  I'll have to find one who is willing to do it by informed consent but I'm doubtful.  Then there is insurance. Will they be willing to code so insurance will pay?

Don't be so quick to cast doubt. I had mine done via informed consent. My therapist would have wrote me a letter in 30 seconds but the surgeon didn't need it. I just had to sign some papers saying, basically, that I couldn't sue them later on if I "regret" what I did.

That was NEVER going to happen.

Pretty sure they will code it properly. They want to get paid, after all.

[Amy1988]

You do realize that you will have to be on estrogen for the rest of your life right? Otherwise your bones will become brittle (osteoporosis) and your breasts will shrink.

If your blood levels and dosage are being monitored by a doctor you don't have anything to worry about for the most part. And technically most doctors won't do informed consent, and even fewer will do it without you having been on HRT for a year at least.

-Skyla

Well they are coming out with or without the help from a doctor.  And yrs I will have to take estrogen but not near as much since I won't be fighting against T.

[Amy1988]

What does your HRT doctor say about this? Have they given the OK for an Orchiectomy? If not insurance will not cover it.

Is have no HRT doc.

[Cindy]

You need to talk to a gender specialist Honey

[Amy1988]

You need to talk to a gender specialist Honey

I saw my PC physician today and she is going to find a Urologist who will perform the orchiectomy.  She will let me know next week. 

[Jessica Merriman]

I saw my PC physician today and she is going to find a Urologist who will perform the orchiectomy.  She will let me know next week.

I think you are missing the point sweetie. A PC is fine, but you really need to see a Therapist, especially when you say they (testicles) are coming out with or without help. We are not judging, only concerned about you. The other thing is YES, you will have to take "E" the rest of your life for proper bone support. Simply having an Orchiectomy doesn't mean you can go without "E". You are dealing with things you need to have professional support and education for, please find it. We all want to see you happy and well adjusted, so don't take these hard questions and advice the wrong way at all.

[Amy1988]

I think you are missing the point sweetie. A PC is fine, but you really need to see a Therapist, especially when you say they (testicles) are coming out with or without help. We are not judging, only concerned about you. The other thing is YES, you will have to take "E" the rest of your life for proper bone support. Simply having an Orchiectomy doesn't mean you can go without "E". You are dealing with things you need to have professional support and education for, please find it. We all want to see you happy and well adjusted, so don't take these hard questions and advice the wrong way at all.

I have no interest in a therapist.  They are useless and I pray to God I don't have to go through one just to get consent to change my own body.  I'm an adult not a child and it's my body.  A therapist will only string you along dangling a carrot out in front of you taking your money and there is no guarantee they will ever write a consent letter anyway.  This orchiectomy is going to happen one way or the other. 

[Jessica Merriman]

I have no interest in a therapist.  They are useless and I pray to God I don't have to go through one just to get consent to change my own body.  I'm an adult not a child and it's my body.  A therapist will only string you along dangling a carrot out in front of you taking your money and there is no guarantee they will ever write a consent letter anyway.  This orchiectomy is going to happen one way or the other.

I am so sorry you feel this way, but like you said it is your body. Some of the finest minds here have tried to help you with this issue, so please harbor no ill will towards this great place or anyone here if your procedure goes wrong or the outcome is negative. I wish you the best in your life.