Prosthetic testicle

I had a testicle removed at age 19, and have regretted ever since not asking about a prosthesis at the time (it certainly wasn't offered then). That was 35 years ago. Personally, I'd say have one put in. As you say, you wouldn't want to have it done after the event which is why I haven't done anything about it.

I had my left testicle removed and was warned by multiple doctors and specialists that having a prosthetic put in when they removed the original would increase the chances of infection. Because of this, I came to the decision that my health was more important than the appearance of something that isn't seen by hardly anyone.

It's been around 3 weeks since the surgery now and I don't regret not having the prosthetic. To me it doesn't feel any different, and I've even been assured it looks fine and is not really that noticeable.  The other reason why I took such careful consideration about the risk of infection was because I knew I'd be having chemotherapy to fight the cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes, because chemotherapy reduces your immune system, I was afraid if I did get an infection, it would delay the chemotherapy, or there would be residual infection left over that might strike once my immune system got low during the chemotherapy.

Hope this helps you both and please feel free to ask any questions via private message or otherwise.
Best wishes and luck
Lee  

Hi Clair

I had an operation to remove my left testicle in February and I did not want a prosthesis because of the recent  problems with industrial silicone being used in prosthetic testicles. My surgeon agreed that in the light of recent events it was sensible. I also did not want the extra discomfort of having one inserted. Aesthetically I don't really notice much difference as I never spent too much time looking at my testicles anyway. And yes the remaining testicle balances out. It's your husband's choice but he's best to do what he's most comfortable with. Hope this helps.

Cheers

Rich

Hi Lee,

Hope you are well and coping, Ive not been on here for a while, had the op this time last year and getting there slowly, few complications with the testosterone being regulated but am getting there, it is a little more difficult as I had both of mine removed but as I say am getting there, again I opted for having both prosthesis, cosmetic really as I felt I needed them, dont know why but hey, makes me look and look male, (in the mind) lol

hope your getting on, and if anyone needs advice or help give me  a shout to, not a nice thing to go through so shout.

Take care

Mark

Hi All

Thank you for your responses - in the end my husband decided not to get the prosthetic. On the day of the operation we asked his surgeon his opinion and he said if he was even slightly unsure to not have it.

My husband seems pretty happy with the way its turned out, you can't really tell that one's gone (he can tell but I mean to look down there) and he's not unbalanced or anything that some of his bloke mates suggested he might be.

Thanks again to all of you for taking the time to reply, hope you are all doing well

C

Frankly i am now getting used to it and it no longer seems 'strange' And I have to say tight trousers are more comfortable.

Everything seems to still work as well,. so what's not to like?

:-)

I am of the honest opinion that this is all a load of nonsense dreamed up why the happy clappy care-y share-y  'if you scratch your finger you must have counselling' brigade.

I feel bloody lucky to be alive and to live in an age when drastic surgery and chemotherapy is almost routine enough that people have the TIME to worry about 'self image' etc etc.

I can still remember days - early days when antibiotics were a rare and precious thing and a cut or a boil was something you treated with concern, and lancing, strong disinfectants and poultices were used because people could (and did) die of massive bacterial infections from minor wounds.

If you make it past testicular cancer, you have avoided death. Not being the same afterwards is inevitable, and to have cosmetic surgery to pretend it never happened is - well actually its denial of what can actually be a positive experience.

So chaps, wear your scars, and your tight trousers, with pride! Like service medals in the War of Life!

Dear Itzman,

I find your comment to be rather harsh and offensive. To accuse any of our fellow sufferers to be being in denial just becuase they opt for a prosthesis is not acceptable. Each will have their reason for making either decision - some after much thought, others on the toss of a coin. Neither of them need to be insulted for making their decision.

Greg

I agree, i had one removed nine years ago, and felt ok about it, and didnt feel the need for myself to have a replacement put it. I certainly wouldnt knock anyone for wanting to have one put in.

Now after nine years of being in remission and losing my second testicle to testicular cancer and having scars all over my body, i am now deciding at this point in my life to consider having two new ones put in.

Everyone's reasoning and stage in there life will determine how they feel at that particular time but that should be your own decisions and not preached to other people in a hope to sway them in anyway. Its up to them what they are feeling to overcome such a horrible disease. All suffers should be grateful for still being alive but it doesnt stop people from wanting to try and feel normal again and regain a similiar standard of life

Hello guys!

I'm 20, diagnosed with cancer January, had the Inguinal Orchidectomy (I/O) early February, I opted for the prosthetic which was installed at the same time, which due to my age and being at university I felt was the only option for me. It was installed at the same time as the I/O

The prosthetic is attatched near the incision (can be felt above the testicle, feels different, but its presence is enough to not feel completely alien to the absence of the spermatic chord), and anchored to the base of the scrotum using stitching. This may vary between surgeons and method. The implant will be silicon or saline filled and its sizing is matched to your testicle as it is removed. There are many many differing views on how these feel. Some hate them due to the sheer difference in feeling, wishing that they did not have something unnatural implanted. Some love them, having a very quick recovery- and enjoying them visually. I must state that having the prosthetic installed is very unlikely to replicate what having two testicles felt like. If you have one remaining testicle and your only worries are about your appearance in the shower room/bedroom, I would advise against getting one. Everyone looks different in so many ways, especially downstairs. I know people who have embraced riding solo and haven't looked back.

Due to the invasive nature of the surgery and the loose scrotal skin, theres going to be a LOT of swelling! It will go down, some stating it can ride uncomfortably high, due to remaining swelling and scar tissue attatching itself to the prosthetic, but has sorted itself out around 6-12 months down the line. I am not that far, but mine does ride high 3 months in. Incision healing will take 2-3 weeks. The pain from the incision is the worst I have experienced in my life, but you will be up and about soon enough.

Now, my own personal experience- 

My prosthetic has been the sole reason my recovery process from cancer surgery has been a sheer screaming nightmare, over a far too long period of time. From the damage having the removal does to the skin, and then the implantation of a foreign object causes a ridiculous amount of discomfort. I initially remember the swelling being awful, looking like one big hockey ball underneath my penis, and then the stitching making sitting down VERY uncomfortable. After time, this went down but the smallest knock would cause it to come back. The pressure caused too much and the stitch split, causing an open wound on my scrotum and fluid draining. This got infected, it finally healed. Then it burst again. It has prevented me from returning to sport 3 months down the line and destroyed my confidence with women at such a young age.

The procedure is purely aesthetic- Most of the people in long-term relationships and marriage usually opt against the prosthetic, and are very happy that they did. The majority of people my own age and single seem to opt for it, yet I unfortunately have never been able to discuss with anyone elses opinion.

My advice is the same advice I would give to me in the consultation room, Its simply not worth it and you will reach a moment when you finally accept yourself, and it will be fantastic. In the case for the warriors who have had to have both testicles removed, prosthetics change castration to readjustment. I would have not had the prosthetic had I known this would happen, but would most certainly have opted for them if I had to have both testicles removed, or god forbid have to lose another. Whatever he decides the best wishes to the both of you.

I'm sorry for the length of this post I just wished to be as helpful as possible, there is such limited information for this which was very irritating for me. (the majority of search results lead to testicle implants in dogs and cats- no kidding!) Of course I am only one personal opinion and experience.

Please feel free to message on here if you have any more questions and I would be happy to answer.

(and itzman, from diagnosis to surgery and then chemo/surveillance- which is such a lengthy process, can have such a massive impact, even on the most mentally and physically strong of people. Everyone here clearly understands your views, but the manner you have presented them in is unproductive and simply quite rude.) 

Hi Grizzly,

You've had one heck of a journey, and hope things are ok now. Had I read your post before my orchidectomy I would have heeded your story and not had a prosthetic, and I think I'd be ok with that for many of the reasons you state.

I did opt for the prosthetic, under the notion I was under the knife anyway and the incremental risk seemed low to me. Mine went trouble free - in as a day-patient, went for a walk the day after (1 mile), two days later I went back to work. There was some soreness, but I didn't need any painkillers after the first 3 days - 3 weeks later the incision seemed pretty well healed, and 4 weeks later I was back in the gym (exercising gently). I didn't suffer any of the swelling or issues you have. Others who went through the experience at the same time as me at Addenbrookes seem to have faired equally well. It might be that we've been lucky, and ~10% (not sure where I read that, perhaps in the pre-op documentation?) have problems with infections.

Given the balance of risks and odds I'm not sure now whether I'd advise anyone to go either route, I reckon I'd be ok having chosen either i.e. I wouldn't really miss it/ it hangs ok . I think your post is excellent in that it explains what can happen from a direct personal narrative and people need to know what can happen, and also on the topic of single or dual orchidectomy which must make the decision much harder.

All the best for the future.

G.