Quote from: Belladona on January 20, 2019, 08:03:38 PM
I got to choose the ingiunal method, I'm very grateful to get it done at no cost.
The urologist told me that he contacted some places around the world like universities and surgical wards and stuff; the method preferred for transgender patients was through the scrotum, people arguing for the ingiunal method seems to be only a internet trend.
After having my orchiectomy done ingiunal I would tend to agree with medical knowledge over the internet. What I think has started the confusion:
1.Back before dissolving stitches perhaps the scars were larger and that caused trouble with the scrotal method.
2.Some places only offer ingiunal (probably for money reasons) leading patients to believe that its the superior way.
3.Maybe forums spreading misleading information to stop people from operating on themselves
4. Confusion over skin shrinkage
5. Personal choice/bias
I think my urologist was right, technically it is recommended to do an orchiectomy in the most simplest way with fewer incisions and faster healing time. There is no technical advantage between the two methods and doesn't affect SRS in the future as long as the scrotum isn't also removed. However after getting an orchiectomy there is the possibility of skin shinking, this can happen regardless of method used.
Why I chose ingiunal against my urologist was mainly because of body dysphoria and I think this factor does sway other peoples choice of method.
Hi Belladona, 20 January 2019
To answer the question in the title of this thread: Does it really matter which orchiectomy method is used??
The answer is: YES!!Hope I'm not butting in here; I had my Orchiectomy Friday 13 April 2018. I had the Bilateral, Inguinal, Radical, Orchiectomy, which is what I wanted. The doctor I chose only does inguinal, which is why he was high on my list of choices. My research indicated that inguinal was the least invasive, the least traumatic and the fastest healing.
My surgery took about 35 minutes, I walked out on my own power. had no pain just minor discomfort for two days which was handled by a total of 6 Tylenol over the two days. The two incisions were about 1 to 1.5 inches in length, were sutured with dissolvable sutures with no visible thread, all done internally. They were healed in one week and I was back doing heavy duty work after a week and a half.
It's now a little over 3/4 of a year since my surgery and the scars are almost invisible; I have to look very carefully to find them.
My opinion of the simple is that it is next to the most traumatic for the patient; the Subcapsular orchiectomy, in my opinion is more traumatic than the other two, reason being more tissue is disturbed during this procedure.
If you want to see what you missed by having the inguinal instead of the simple, look for Devlyn's chronicle of her simple orchi. I think you will have a different opinion once you read it and see the pictures. I have pictures of mine, unfortunately I'm not allowed to post them here. If I were allowed they would be here for all to see.
My surgery cost $3500.00 total for, pre surgical consultation, Pre surgical checkup, surgery, anesthesia, operating room, pre and post care nurses, three post op checkups. I did receive a 5% discount off the price I quoted due to being a Veteran.
From everything I have read, the simple is performed by surgeons because it is easier for them or they do not have the necessary skill to do the Inguinal. Don't take this as gospel, it's my opinion based on my research and experience.
I'm sorry you had to have additional work done, especially within the bladder and urethra. I had a similar experience sans the Orchi, when I was 17. It wasn't a pleasant experience. Had you not needed the additional procedures, I'm sure your post surgical recovery would have been less painful and less traumatic. I have posted on this subject elsewhere on Susan's, just don't remember the threads.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Best Always, Love
Christine