Community Conversation => Transitioning => Gender Correction Surgery => Topic started by: Nigella on August 17, 2008, 06:06:06 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Nigella on August 17, 2008, 06:06:06 PM
Hi all,

I am curious about the removal of the testies as a procedure for mtf's. Is this a common pratice in the states? I have not heard it is so common here in the UK and personally only know of mtf's having SRS.

Are there advantages of having this done even though a person may later have SRS?

I'm a bit of a newbee to surgical proceedures so hope you don't think these are silly questions.

hugs

Nigella
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Nero on August 17, 2008, 06:08:01 PM
Hi Nigella. I've heard if you plan SRS later, not to have an orchi because you need all that tissue for your parts.
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Shana A on August 17, 2008, 06:16:59 PM
It is an option that some consider though, as once the testes are gone, they can't produce any more testosterone.

Z
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Janet_Girl on August 17, 2008, 06:35:41 PM

http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/orchiectomy/index.html (http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/orchiectomy/index.html)

This is a link to the TS Road Map on Orchiectomy.  I hope that I have not broken ant rules, just trying to help.  You might also look in the Wiki.

I am thinking about going this way, but I am going to talk to my Doctor about it.


Mistress Janet

Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: fae_reborn on August 18, 2008, 12:13:13 AM
If you are planning on having SRS within several months to a year, it doesn't seem worth it because of the cost.  Most surgeons don't give a discount, and some won't perform SRS if you've had an Orchiectomy.  To compliment Nero's comment, if you have an Orchi the tissue may shrink, which means the SRS surgeon has less material and thus your results (vaginal depth) may not be as good.

However, if you're not planning on having SRS for several years, or at all (as in my case), then an Orchi might be a good intermediate (or final) step which can eliminate testosterone production and prevent some of the risks of long-term HRT.

Jenn
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Sandy on August 18, 2008, 09:49:31 AM
Quote from: stardust on August 17, 2008, 06:06:06 PM
Hi all,

I am curious about the removal of the testies as a procedure for mtf's. Is this a common pratice in the states? I have not heard it is so common here in the UK and personally only know of mtf's having SRS.

Are there advantages of having this done even though a person may later have SRS?

I'm a bit of a newbee to surgical proceedures so hope you don't think these are silly questions.

hugs

Nigella
Nigella:

For a quick synopsis here is my experience:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,13143.0.html)

What has been commented up to now is pretty accurate.  Depending on how long you've been on anti-androgines, you may have already experienced some shrinkage already.  Cost is definetely a concern, unless you can have it paid for by insurance.

If you are planning to have GRS eventually, make that clear to your surgeon.  My surgeon made sure to remove additional tissue from mine in anticipation of my eventual surgery.  Mostly it was the tubes and connective tissue that attached the testes.  It made it a bit easier for my GRS surgeon

The major advantage of having an orchi even though you may later have GRS is to reduce your need for anti-androgens.  Also you may get some psychological comfort from knowing you have taken a permanent step in your transition.

These are not silly questions.  Feel free to ask.  Also check out the wiki here.  It is quite informative.

-Sandy
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Janet_Girl on August 18, 2008, 04:51:25 PM

Sandy,

I went and read your posting on your Orchi.  And I am still giggling.  I did find it informative and I am looking forward to talking with my doctors about mine.  Kaiser can perform the procedure if my doctors approve.

Mistress Janet

Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Elwood on August 18, 2008, 05:16:56 PM
Like Nero said, you might want to save that tissue for a vaginaplasty. (or is it vaginoplasty?) But you really should listen to the girls here. I'm a dummy, lol.
Title: Re: Orchiectomy Questions
Post by: Nigella on August 18, 2008, 05:24:39 PM
Thanks everyone,

You given me much to think about. I will be having GRS in about 2/3 years time I hope so it seems a shortish time scale. My concern is the testosteron in my body on my head of hair, lol. I have become aware of thinning at the crown and I expressed this concern at my last Gid appointment. My docs said that the fenisteride should slow and stop any further progression, 50yrs old this year, omg. I am on estrodail (about 5 months )and fenisteride ( 3 months ).  They are lowish doses as my body has developed even in that short space of time so my doc just wants me to stay on that dosage unless things stop progessing.

hugs

Nigella