For those who have had an orchie

[Bree-asaurus]

How long did it take for the swelling to go away?

How many of you had incisions in the scrotum and how many had two incisions in the public area?

Since my surgery on Thursday, the swelling has gone down a lot, but it's still quite swollen. Healing well... but I'm just wondering how long until the swelling is gone.

[Lorileah]

all surgeries take 7-10 days to get close to original.

FWIW, there are several ways to do "orchies" as you call them. From a veterinary point of view (which is my point :) I have done thousands on dogs and cats) the scrotal incisions are easier to do but the scrotum is more sensitive. The penile ( how I do dogs) is a single incision and it is in skin and it heals faster. As far as swelling goes, that is dependent on the size of the vessels and the amount of bleeding. In most cases (again in my experience) there is very little bleeding BUT older and larger patients can and do have seepage either from the skin incision or a vessel in the scrotum which can lead to a hematoma. It literally looks like the testes are still there. This usually subsides in a week or so and in some cases hot packing helps.

Sorry Bree I have never done a human and I know there may be some differences but basically the surgery is the same. Humans do tend to swell more on other surgeries. I don't know why.

[Bree-asaurus]

Yeah, we just had our puppy fixed and he seemed to be over it in a day... and his swelling was gone in a few days. Oh if only it was that easy for me lol!

[Debglam]

Bree,

I hope you heal quickly and as painlessly as possible, but unlike the FFS threads, please DON'T post a photo! :heehee:

Get well soon!
Debby

[Clueless]

Not sure how much this applies. I had a single incision Vas & it wasn't too bad, except for a very long month afterward. I was very sore for the next day or so, but not bad enough to use the pain meds. I didn't notice all that much swelling, but I didn't look too close or touch that area either. I did wear a tight athletic supporter just after the surgery & for the next week. I didn't walk around at all after I got home and for the whole day after, except to get food or use the bathroom. I think staying vertical & not moving around much just after surgery helps to keep the swelling down. Hope you feel better ASAP.

[Kate T]

I've had a vasectomy and it was more than a week before I could sleep without a pillow between my knee's!

In my experience (also with animals, like Lorileah) the degree of swelling depends a lot on the experience / technical expertise of the surgeon, was haemostasis used (cauterising any bleeding vessels, not necessary but helps decrease post op swelling), activity level post surgery (too much activity encourages swelling) and the use of antiinflammatories post op.

If you have a lot of swelling I would suggest:
1. Use hot and cold packs alternating (you said you were around 5-6 days post op?) on the area.
2. Use painkillers. Paracetamol 1000mg 2-3 times a day is generally pretty safe. You may consider one of the NSAID's like Nurofen (Ibuprofen) as it may reduce the swelling more than paracetamol BUT it does have a higher risk of side effects.
3. Make sure the incision is clean and dry. You shouldn't have any discharge and the incision edges should be a healthy pink slightly red colour.

Hope you are feeling better!

[Mikaela]

Get well soon Bree!


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