Hey Devlyn, good for you.
I consider an orchiectomy to be a very sound choice for reducing our medication needs and their associated risks and for the comforting permanence it provides.
I had mine over a year ago as a birthday gift for myself. I respectfully recommend you keep your testicular sack in the event that you ever consider going for GCS where they need that donor material for vaginal lips. A dear friend had hers about the same time, at a different place with a surgeon who does the "works" too. The university medical center charges for her were about 10K.
My charges were about 5 grand but I have a good Kaiser Plan and paid $10.00. I also recommend you consider having it done with a local anesthetic and sedation as I did. I mostly "slept" through the procedure, less than an hour, but avoided a general anesthetic with the associated risks, costs and recovery. My initial recovery was very quick and I was home on the couch within hours. My pain was well controlled by oral medications, ice bags and mostly laying around for a week. Sensitivity and the ability to return to work after that varies for individuals but it is easy to recommend two weeks off at a minimum.
The unexpectedly wonderful sense of permanence, no more AAs, no possibility of slipping back has been very reassuring. I was certain of my decision and gave myself years to consider it. I am less certain about any next surgical steps but have greater confidence if that choice becomes more obvious. I am happy for now.
It took some time to recover from years on AAs with some pedal edema and a rebalancing of body fluids. Very happy to be off those drugs and have a more simple and effective drug regimen for going forward. So nice to have much less bulk to my shrunken basket and shenis. I have no need to tuck, can wear what I like and always crossed my legs anyway but now with more comfort. Your gona love it!
