Community Conversation => Transitioning => Gender Correction Surgery => Topic started by: Christine Eryn on April 30, 2008, 11:48:10 AM Return to Full Version
Title: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Christine Eryn on April 30, 2008, 11:48:10 AM
Post by: Christine Eryn on April 30, 2008, 11:48:10 AM
I posted this in the HRT forum, but deleted that post and thought it would make more sense here.
One of the first things my HRT doctor suggested is to get an orchi. When she mentioned "cut em off" I was like :icon_blink: That was late last year, I started HRT 7 months ago. At first I had remembered posts here and other research about maybe not having enough "stuff" to do a good GRS. Now I think before the economy and everything else gets worse, I'm now leaning towards the idea. Last time I saw my doctor she was pretty much insisting it, the whole "going uphill" thing.
I had a blood test last week and don't know the results yet. I've read an orchi would drastically cut HRT needs which makes obvious sense. I think how my T levels are might influence my decision.
To those that did it, how did it go? Did things, uh, deflate? When did you get it done in your transition timeframe and what was the ballpark price? How much did it help HRT? I did do a search here but it did not cover all the aspects I was looking for.
My utmost priority is FFS, no 2 ways about it. I thought I might get it this year but plans fell short. My target is 2009 no matter what. Shortly after I plan to get GRS.
One of the first things my HRT doctor suggested is to get an orchi. When she mentioned "cut em off" I was like :icon_blink: That was late last year, I started HRT 7 months ago. At first I had remembered posts here and other research about maybe not having enough "stuff" to do a good GRS. Now I think before the economy and everything else gets worse, I'm now leaning towards the idea. Last time I saw my doctor she was pretty much insisting it, the whole "going uphill" thing.
I had a blood test last week and don't know the results yet. I've read an orchi would drastically cut HRT needs which makes obvious sense. I think how my T levels are might influence my decision.
To those that did it, how did it go? Did things, uh, deflate? When did you get it done in your transition timeframe and what was the ballpark price? How much did it help HRT? I did do a search here but it did not cover all the aspects I was looking for.
My utmost priority is FFS, no 2 ways about it. I thought I might get it this year but plans fell short. My target is 2009 no matter what. Shortly after I plan to get GRS.
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: gothique11 on April 30, 2008, 06:27:48 PM
Post by: gothique11 on April 30, 2008, 06:27:48 PM
If I couldn't get grs (I'm very lucky that my government health insurance covers it) I would get an orchi. I don't know anyone who has one, but I've heard that it helps out a lot. Although, I've also heart that it has to be done correctly if you're planing grs in the future so the material they use isn't wrecked.
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Sandy on April 30, 2008, 07:47:14 PM
Post by: Sandy on April 30, 2008, 07:47:14 PM
I had an orchi about ten months before my SRS. At the time I was still not quite sure about whether or not to go through with SRS. But I did want to take some positive, irreversible step in my life to give myself psychological comfort. I also wanted to reduce or eliminate the amount of spironolactone that I was taking.
I talked the options over with my endocrinologist and talked about whether or not there would be sufficient scrotal tissue for SRS. My doctor told me that at my age, 55, and the amount of time I had been on HRT my scrotum had already shrunk as much as it would. He said it would be different if I were younger and would not have GRS until much later.
As far as how it went, check out my blog entry: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html)
I can't really tell you about the cost. My insurance did cover it, so it was done in a hospital with a full surgical staff. The amount billed to my insurance company was over $10,000. My deductible was $100. I've heard of clinics that will do it for less than $2000.
Post surgically, it did have an effect on my ability to have spontaneous erections and of course I no longer ejaculated. However I still had a bit of libido and could achieve an orgasm with bit of effort, though it was not as intense.
The surgeon who performed the operation was also my urologist and we had an extensive conversation regarding my needs. As a result when she performed the operation, she not only removed my testicles, she also removed additional cordage from my testicles as well in anticipation of my GRS. My GRS surgeon was grateful for this. If she hadn't done that, then as I healed, the residual cordage from my testicles would have receded into my body and made my GRS surgery more complex.
Following my orchiectomy, my endocrinologist reduced my spironolactone by fifty percent. I asked why not eliminate it all together? He told me that the adrenal gland produces about ten percent of the testosterone in the body and my testosterone levels were still a bit high so he still wanted suppression.
-Sandy
I talked the options over with my endocrinologist and talked about whether or not there would be sufficient scrotal tissue for SRS. My doctor told me that at my age, 55, and the amount of time I had been on HRT my scrotum had already shrunk as much as it would. He said it would be different if I were younger and would not have GRS until much later.
As far as how it went, check out my blog entry: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html)
I can't really tell you about the cost. My insurance did cover it, so it was done in a hospital with a full surgical staff. The amount billed to my insurance company was over $10,000. My deductible was $100. I've heard of clinics that will do it for less than $2000.
Post surgically, it did have an effect on my ability to have spontaneous erections and of course I no longer ejaculated. However I still had a bit of libido and could achieve an orgasm with bit of effort, though it was not as intense.
The surgeon who performed the operation was also my urologist and we had an extensive conversation regarding my needs. As a result when she performed the operation, she not only removed my testicles, she also removed additional cordage from my testicles as well in anticipation of my GRS. My GRS surgeon was grateful for this. If she hadn't done that, then as I healed, the residual cordage from my testicles would have receded into my body and made my GRS surgery more complex.
Following my orchiectomy, my endocrinologist reduced my spironolactone by fifty percent. I asked why not eliminate it all together? He told me that the adrenal gland produces about ten percent of the testosterone in the body and my testosterone levels were still a bit high so he still wanted suppression.
-Sandy
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: LynnER on April 30, 2008, 07:52:24 PM
Post by: LynnER on April 30, 2008, 07:52:24 PM
At what point did/would you get an orchi?
The moment I can afford it... Its going to take a very ling time to save up for GRS... and if they remove through the lower abdomen they don't have to touch the scrotal tissue leaving it viable for the future surgery...
Also on the same note, certain states consider an orchi to be enough of a surgery to change all your documentation to F... and I live in one of those states... So why wait the 5, 10 or 15 years it will take to get all that changed, when It can all be done so much sooner for the cost of such a minor operation...
The moment I can afford it... Its going to take a very ling time to save up for GRS... and if they remove through the lower abdomen they don't have to touch the scrotal tissue leaving it viable for the future surgery...
Also on the same note, certain states consider an orchi to be enough of a surgery to change all your documentation to F... and I live in one of those states... So why wait the 5, 10 or 15 years it will take to get all that changed, when It can all be done so much sooner for the cost of such a minor operation...
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Renee on May 04, 2008, 06:54:04 PM
Post by: Renee on May 04, 2008, 06:54:04 PM
I got an orchi 14 months ago and do not regreat it at all. I feel great an have not had any spiro in 6 months. They were removed from the scotum and there is no scar at all. The surgery is simple and only hurts for about a week and then no more bulge or night time erection ever. I do not know when I will have srs but my body and face have completly changed over the time since the surgery and my hormone cost is much less than before for me in my early 40's this was the way to go. Renee
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Christine Eryn on May 06, 2008, 02:03:07 AM
Post by: Christine Eryn on May 06, 2008, 02:03:07 AM
Wow, excellent info. Thanks everyone. :) If anyone else has a story, feel free to share.
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Beyond on May 06, 2008, 07:48:37 AM
Post by: Beyond on May 06, 2008, 07:48:37 AM
Quote from: Christine Eryn on April 30, 2008, 11:48:10 AM
I posted this in the HRT forum, but deleted that post and thought it would make more sense here.
One of the first things my HRT doctor suggested is to get an orchi. When she mentioned "cut em off" I was like :icon_blink: That was late last year, I started HRT 7 months ago. At first I had remembered posts here and other research about maybe not having enough "stuff" to do a good GRS. Now I think before the economy and everything else gets worse, I'm now leaning towards the idea. Last time I saw my doctor she was pretty much insisting it, the whole "going uphill" thing.
I had a blood test last week and don't know the results yet. I've read an orchi would drastically cut HRT needs which makes obvious sense. I think how my T levels are might influence my decision.
To those that did it, how did it go? Did things, uh, deflate? When did you get it done in your transition timeframe and what was the ballpark price? How much did it help HRT? I did do a search here but it did not cover all the aspects I was looking for.
My utmost priority is FFS, no 2 ways about it. I thought I might get it this year but plans fell short. My target is 2009 no matter what. Shortly after I plan to get GRS.
I don't know your age or medical history, but IF you're planning on SRS in the next 5 years I'd save the $2,000 and use it for other things.
Edit: Shrinkage happens whether you do an orchi or not, but it tends to be worse with an orchi.
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Mari on May 08, 2008, 04:43:16 AM
Post by: Mari on May 08, 2008, 04:43:16 AM
Quote from: LynnER on April 30, 2008, 07:52:24 PM
The moment I can afford it... Its going to take a very ling time to save up for GRS... and if they remove through the lower abdomen they don't have to touch the scrotal tissue leaving it viable for the future surgery...
I had unilateral orchidectomy (only one testicle) for health reasons; and as I've been told
they NEVER cut through scrotum
Title: Re: At what point did/would you get an orchi?
Post by: Pica Pica on May 08, 2008, 04:53:36 AM
Post by: Pica Pica on May 08, 2008, 04:53:36 AM
why is it an orchidectomy? who calls the dangly fellows orchies?