Orchiectomy cost and concerns

[Chris8080]

Confirmation from my primary care that the orchi was a complete success:

"I hope things went ok with Dr Oates. Your estradiol is 196, which is exactly where we want it to be, and your testosterone is 53, which is nearing the level we would expect for someone assigned female at birth.

Hugs, Devlyn

Good news indeed and from both doctors. 

[Devlyn]

How's your recovery going, Chris?

[Chris8080]

How's your recovery going, Chris?

Good, I am quite pleased actually and feeling pretty lucky. Did get some bruising, top of the scrotum on each side of the P. Looks very much from the size, square corners & shape that it is where they pulled off tape. Yikes, that must be some tape. Got some minor discomfort, wouldn't call it pain really but some discomfort mostly when standing up or sitting down when the leg muscles squeeze on the tubes but even that is greatly reduced today and it's only 3 days. Feel nothing while sitting, walking, laying down, just when getting up or down. Still some minor swelling, it's kind of a curved frown across the low belly, hasn't gone down yet. Not a hint of bleeding since a few hours after the surgery. Bottom line is that I feel wonderful and quite fortunate. Not to mention soooo happy. 

[Devlyn]

Awesome, that's what we want to hear! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[StacyRenee]

I'll be calling to schedule a consultation on Monday. I found a plastic surgeon that does GCS as well as orchiectomy surgeries. Thank you for all of your posts, Devlyn. As well as everyone else that's posted. Great information!

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[Ashley3]

Confirmation from my primary care that the orchi was a complete success:

"... your testosterone is 53, which is nearing the level we would expect for someone assigned female at birth."

Not forgetting a genetic male can be assigned female at birth... ...I think I get that your doc is saying your T level is nearing that of a genetic female at birth...  I'm curious, does "at birth" actually matter here?

Putting my boring over-scrutinizing of logic here aside... Congratulations! No more Spiro I assume? ... what it must be like to be a hydrated woman... one day I may find out. 

[StacyRenee]

 Well I got some disappointing news today. I contacted the nearest surgeon's office that does orchiectomy surgery. He only does this procedure as an inguinal incision which means it's general anesthetic surgery. It'll cost $6000. I was hoping for a local anesthetic operation which would be considerably cheaper. (I've seen anecdotal costs of $2500 to $3500). I have the $3500 I expected to need. So now it looks as if I'll have to wait until after the first of the year. Seems like there's always one more obstacle after another. Feeling a bit depressed about having to wait even longer.

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[Devlyn]

Confirmation from my primary care that the orchi was a complete success:

"... your testosterone is 53, which is nearing the level we would expect for someone assigned female at birth."

Not forgetting a genetic male can be assigned female at birth... ...I think I get that your doc is saying your T level is nearing that of a genetic female at birth...  I'm curious, does "at birth" actually matter here?

Putting my boring over-scrutinizing of logic here aside... Congratulations! No more Spiro I assume? ... what it must be like to be a hydrated woman... one day I may find out. 

Spiro is long gone. I kinda miss the salt cravings, to be honest! 

Well I got some disappointing news today. I contacted the nearest surgeon's office that does orchiectomy surgery. He only does this procedure as an inguinal incision which means it's general anesthetic surgery. It'll cost $6000. I was hoping for a local anesthetic operation which would be considerably cheaper. (I've seen anecdotal costs of $2500 to $3500). I have the $3500 I expected to need. So now it looks as if I'll have to wait until after the first of the year. Seems like there's always one more obstacle after another. Feeling a bit depressed about having to wait even longer.

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Awww.    I had general anesthesia, I'm waiting for the bill to show up to see what the insurance covered. Hopefully I'll be paying the additional $3,000 out of pocket expenses and they'll pick up the rest.

Hugs, Devlyn

[AnneK]

Spiro is long gone. I kinda miss the salt cravings, to be honest! 

Did you ever see this old Star Trek show?   
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Man_Trap_(episode)

[Laurie]

Did you ever see this old Star Trek show?   
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Man_Trap_(episode)

I knew that was the one you were linking Anne lol

[Chris8080]

Devlyn, any more updates on the healing up? Been a few days since you added anything.

I too am waiting to find out about the insurance. Near as I can tell all the hospital did was to verify that my insurance is current but not what they will pay for or not pay. I still have no idea of what the costs will be insurance or not. I spoke with my surgeon the day before surgery and he was fine with using a local. On the morning of the surgery a doc shows up and says this is better with general anesthetic and says he has recommended a general to my surgeon. I'm in pre-op with tubes sticking out of both arms and tell him I would rather have a local because last time I had general I about died, I ended up in the ER the next day all day with an IV in each arm. This doc says he will make sure that doesn't happen and wham, lights out. Woke up and it was all over. Guess I had a general.

Still waiting to find out costs and what the insurance will cover. My experience with this hospital and medical network is that it will take about two months before I get co-pay bills etc. Regardless the deed is done and they can't put them back so the bills will be what the bills are I guess.

[Chris8080]

Well I got some disappointing news today. I contacted the nearest surgeon's office that does orchiectomy surgery. He only does this procedure as an inguinal incision which means it's general anesthetic surgery. It'll cost $6000.

Have you looked around for any other doctors in your area? He may not be the only one. I am well versed on how tough the waiting is, it may be worthwhile to spend some time looking/shopping around.

[BeverlyAnn]

I spoke with my surgeon the day before surgery and he was fine with using a local. On the morning of the surgery a doc shows up and says this is better with general anesthetic and says he has recommended a general to my surgeon. I'm in pre-op with tubes sticking out of both arms and tell him I would rather have a local because last time I had general I about died, I ended up in the ER the next day all day with an IV in each arm. This doc says he will make sure that doesn't happen and wham, lights out. Woke up and it was all over. Guess I had a general.

I think some doctors flinch from having a patient awake during an orchi fearing the patient might freak out when the removal begins so they opt for general.  Plus it's more money.

[StacyRenee]

I have looked around. The closest is three hours away. The next closest is 6 hours away, and they only do general as well. I don't have a price quote from them, but I'm sure it's in the same price range. Unfortunately, my insurance covers nothing when it comes to transgender medical care. I set up a Health Savings Account anticipating this, but could only afford to contribute $5000 a year to it. After the hormone costs, I'd hoped the rest could cover the orchi. If I have to travel any further,  I'll be spending the same money on travel and lodging as I would anyways.

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[Chris8080]

I think some doctors flinch from having a patient awake during an orchi fearing the patient might freak out when the removal begins so they opt for general. Plus it's more money.

More money alright. The doc doing the anesthetics gets as much or more than the surgeon and he alone accounts for at least half the bill. Any wonder why he so strongly recommends a general?

Yeah I can see where some people might freak if awake. Don't think I would have, in fact I would have loved to watch. Get them ready to snip and hand me the scissors. 

I've been told, even from my own surgeon when he agreed to do the surgery that with a local it would be outpatient surgery and with a general it would mean an over night stay in the hos[ital. Didn't happen that way though, I was walking out the door of the hospital within a few hours. checked in at 7 AM, into preop about 7:30 and was back at the hotel around 11:30 AM.

[Devlyn]

I'm doing well, everything is going in the right direction. I can still feel some bumps and swelling but it's reducing daily.

Dr Oates said that general anesthesia made it easier for everyone involved.    I was concerned with when the local would be administered. Fortunately that comes after you go to happyland, and it is there to control pain until you can get meds into your system.

Hugs, Devlyn

[AnneK]

and with a general it would mean an over night stay in the hos[ital

I had a general when I had some wisdom teeth out.  It was done in the doctor's office and I was out of there shortly after.  However, I had to have someone take me home and stay with me for a few hours.  The total cost was less than what the you say the general costs.

[Chris8080]

Happyland? It was lights out like light switch, came to in post op with all the tubes & stuff already removed. I have no idea what sorts of drugs were in those IV bags hanging there, no doubt some kind if pain reliever included or at least I would think so. Haven't had or needed so much as an aspirin since the surgery. 7 days for me now and no trace of what bruising there was remains. Next to no swelling remains either. Tenderness is now reduced to almost nothing and the knots on the ends of the tubes are smaller and have moved up inside out of the scrotum. Stitches remain, I don't know how long it's supposed to take for self dissolving stitches to go away, best I can say is that not in 7 days. Seems odd that the incision and the stitches are not sore or tender or numb, no redness or swelling. Basically nothing, gotta look to see the stitches are still there.

[Chris8080]

However, I had to have someone take me home and stay with me for a few hours. 

Oh yeah, no doubt. I've done some pretty silly things in my lifetime but general anesthetics, surgery and a steering wheel all in the same morning is not one of them. For me it wasn't home after it was back to the hotel less than 10 minutes away, home is 3 1/2 hours away.

[AnneK]

 
Oh yeah, no doubt. I've done some pretty silly things in my lifetime but general anesthetics, surgery and a steering wheel all in the same morning is not one of them. For me it wasn't home after it was back to the hotel less than 10 minutes away, home is 3 1/2 hours away.

I wasn't planning on driving, but even taking a taxi was ruled out.  Someone had to be there, in case of problems.