bilateral orchiectomy.

[kristyk]

My endocrinologist first mention having a bilateral orchiectomy done about 6 years ago, and I ask him if we could revisit that thought another day, and he said sure but the procedure would cut back the amount of hormones your taking. Then early this year he had a sit down with me to discuss the procedure and how I would benefit from it.
I know he's right but I don't seem to be able to talk myself into it. As much as I'm not transitioning real soon I still think being able to cut down on my meds would be a healthier way for me to live, even if I never transition.

Any advice as to should a person on HRT have the procedure or health wise it really doesn't matter. I just know that many woman taking HRT can contract cancer but according to my doctor there's not much information out there on males taking HRT and high rates of cancer.

Just curious if your for bilateral orchiectomy or against it if your not transitioning soon.

KristyK

[Miranda-E]

It depends on the meds. Most orals are hard on the liver and cutting back can have many benefits.
It depends on where you live but an orchy is often the cheapest/only qualifying option available for getting an "f" on your ID.

[Shapeshiffter]

If there was a line to stand in waiting my turn I would have already been there. The money is waiting. I just need a letter. All of my ID's already say FEMALE. There is no way I will ever go back to a testosterone based life.

[Hope]

I had an orchi... just about a year ago... I am still planning to have SRS done... it is just a question of time and finances. But that puts me in a very different boat than you... so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.

Do it.

There is a HUGE difference between blocking the T in your blood, and having it NOT be there in the first place. Reducing your medication is awesome, but I actually didn't end up reducing mine THAT much... My E stayed the same, but my spiro went WAY down... (but not away all together oddly enough). But the effects went WAY up...

There are also other significant differences... You know... I can wear pretty much anything I want now... which is delightful...

Obviously it is a personal decision, but if you have been on HRT for 6 years... you don't have to worry about any sexual side-effects from the procedure... It isn't terribly painful... it is quick... defending on where you go it can be relatively inexpensive... and you can be rid of those awful... parts.

[Jorja]

While some may not intend to have SRS, many do. If you have a particular doctor in mind for this, consult with them before hand. Some doctors are against orchi and some aren't. Find out ahead of time and plan accordingly.

[kristyk]

My Dr. mentioned that I can get it down outside the USA and it could be cheaper. However it didn't mention any one doctor or institution to consider using. It's really exciting to think about the getting it done. As Hope said the effects go way up, I like the potential for less meds to be taken I seem to take so many tablets now. Then there's that whole thing of my cloths fitting so well mmmmm love that.

Any idea of an estimated cost to have the procedure done say in the USA and then also outside the USA
KristyK

[Miranda-E]

My Dr. mentioned that I can get it down outside the USA and it could be cheaper.
KristyK

It makes absolutely no sense that a Dr. would say this.
Without current cancer treatment and post scans, its often a $2000-$3000 outpatient procedure

[Catherine Hopkins]

It makes absolutely no sense that a Dr. would say this.
Without current cancer treatment and post scans, its often a $2000-$3000 outpatient procedure

7 years ago, 2 friends had it done in Thailand (by a reputable surgeon) and it cost then US$1500 (each - girl not ball). the exchange rate is less favourable now so that compares very closely to the US price.

The comments about consulting any surgeon you might ever consider going further with are valid.

Some won't touch you after. Some require that the scrotum be left intact and will only consider you after a mid-line incision. The reason some won't consider it at all it that they say the scrotal skin shrinks and reduces the amount of material they are left to work with.

[kristyk]

Catherine, after being on HRT for so many years, my scrotal skin has shrunk quiet a bit, so before I do have the procedure done I think I'll consult the surgeon to get their opinion on what's best.

Thanks Catherine, and Jorja for the insight

KristyK

[Raquel June]

The only real downside is if you want SRS from a doctor who doesn't do penile inversion. Suporn is a pretty good place to go for SRS, and here's his office's stock letter about orchi:


Dear __________,

We do not do bilateral orchiectomy (against it on principle at our
facility).

We advise against it for several reasons:

(1) it results in scar tissue on the scrotum (unless the incision
point was elsewhere) which results in lesser vaginal depth (as most of
the depth comes from the scrotal skin graft since Dr. Suporn does not
do penile skin inversion).

(2) it results in atrophied scrotum (esp. beyond 1 year
post-orchiectomy) which results in loss of scrotal tissue for lining
the depth of the vaginal wall.

(3) it diverts funds which could be contributed toward the cost of
SRS. Better to save your funds and have SRS ASAP.

(4) SRS becomes more difficult, and we have a surcharge of 80,000 THB
for those who have previously had orchiectomy before SRS. The surgery
takes an extra hour, and the result will be compromised to a greater
or lesser extent than had you not had prior orchiectomy.

For preparation for SRS with Dr. Suporn, it is a serious mistake to
have orchiectomy. You can simply quit both Androcur and
Spironolactone and only stay with feminising hormones
(estrogen/progesterone). They will still work. Some of our patients
who were adverse to antiandrogens have not taken them at all before
SRS. Some of them have been patients of Dr. Russell Reid. You can
ask Auntie Russell about it.

Dr. F.W. KIM PhD


So you just have to decide if you want SRS, and if so where you want SRS. And if orchi conflicts with your SRS plans then don't do it. But otherwise, well, ya kinda have to look into what reason you would possibly have for not wanting an orchi. Are you emotionally attached to them? :)

Many people I've talked to say that after they were on HRT a few years that they were able to greatly reduce their anti-androgens without their T shooting back up. So you might want to try that if you're not getting an orchi.

But anti-androgens aren't that hard on your liver in the first place -- unless you're on a really high dose of Cypro.

Regardless, I've never talked to someone who was sad they got an orchi. They feel better. Their clothes fit better. They don't have to take as many meds. And the meds seem to work a little better. Like Hope said.

[Linda St. John]

Raquel ..you said pretty well everything I would have said...never regreted my orchi back in 2004 and although I was able to reduce the androgens somewhat, apparently the adrenal glands were still putting out a fair dose of testosterone ! Anyhow , as I said ... life has been better since.
By the way - I was 50 at the time and decided not to go for SRS - I got basically the same info as stated in the above posts from my doctor n Montreal.
Linda

[natasha]

Orchi done two years ago, no regrets at all. SRS only an option if funds become available.

[kristyk]

Natasha looking at how you look so smooth front makes me want to have it done. I don't hate the little guys but I've been on HRT for so long they really don't work anyway. It would be so nice to have a pair of Kristy's jeans fit perfectly. I could have the procedure done in the late fall after I see my Dr. in September. That'll give me a chance to think it over some more.

Do any of you have even one regret on having the OCHI done. Such as Job issues with HR finding out through Ins. Or getting Life or health Insurance after you have it done. I know I worry to much that's what my doctor says also. My mother worried a lot and I've always been a lot like her.
Kristy :)

[EmilyLynn28]

I would love to get an orchiectomy. I am early in my transition, so it's a ways away still! :(

[Nicole Erin]

You could also google "Getting deeze cut off and health risks"

[Raquel June]

I used to worry about getting an orchi or SRS, not like I thought I would change my mind, but the idea of needing to be on medication for the rest of my life is kinda scary.

But then I was off HRT for a few months, and I just wasn't in a good place. If I ever had to stop taking estrogen, osteoporosis would be the least of my problems :)

[Traci Elizabeth]

My SRS doctor did NOT want his patients having any kind of orchi.