Prosthetic testicle

My husband decided to not have one and the surgeon said it was a good decision as can get infection or if further surgery needed would need removing. To be honest it’s not really noticeable and although at first he said it felt strange he has got used to it and glad he decided not to have prosthetic.

The operation was very straightforward and the wound glued !! The only time strangely he felt aches was during his cycle of BEP chemo but it has gone now.

Wishing him all the best x

Alison c

Hello all, I recently went to my local Hospital to find out about having a prosthetic testicle as the Hopital removed one a few years ago and at the time I could not make up my mind if I wanted one or not, anyway when I went back they explained the NHS would no longer fund this ? seems very odd to me as where ever I look on line they appear to ?

Anyone have any updated information on NHS funding and this procedure ?

Thanks all  

Hi,

If you have a testicle removed due to cancer then yes the NHS does offer free prosthetics, and it is common practice for there to be a gap between removal of the testicle and the insertion of a prosthesis. I don't know if there is a maximum interval between the removal date and prosthetic insertion.

How long ago was it removed?

Who told you it was not NHS procedure to fund it for you now, and did they explain why?

G.

Hello, if I am to be totally honest it was removed as it was undescended and I was told this was a cancer risk. it was removed a long time ago now in 2008, at the time I was not aware you could have a prosthetic testicle replaced and the surgeon never give me much time to think if I wanted or did not want one, I did not have enough time to think but wished I had done now.

Its basically been bugging me for many years so I went to see a registrar at Poole Hospital in Dorset, he explained they no longer replace prosthetic testicles due to funding and its something I would need to go private with.

Thanks for your reply much appreciated.

Hi,

Ok, so almost 10 years ago and not a cancer diagnosis, but an increased risk. I don't know the rules in that case as I haven't heard anyone go that route on here, or whether there is a 'statute of limitations' on the free replacement.

May I ask why you're so much in favour of a bionic ball now? it seems that those who didn't bother are marginally happier than those that did (i.e. we hear some complaints from individuals who don't get on with their plastic friend, but almost none who miss the testicle).

Greg

Hi Greg hope you are well mate ? Is there any time limit if I had a change of mind for the bionic sphere? You know my case classic seminoma TC stage 1. 

Just curious, very happy with my decision up to now. Cheers 

Hi Metalman,

I lost a testicle 3 years ago through TC misdiagnosis. At surgery they put in a prosthetic which I subsequently had removed about 2 weeks later. I personally wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to get one fitted, they can be great for some people and hell for others. I did go through a phase where I was grieving most lost ball and I got a quote for going private and it was around £3,500 so thats always an option for you if you’re desperate. Its also worth considering that prosthetics usually tend to ride high at first and are stitched in place which can be uncomfortable. I particularly found sleeping on my front very uncomfortable as it felt like I was laying on a golf ball at times. Your scrotum will also need to stretch out to accommodate the prosthetic which will take time.

Cheers 

Paul

We have  a specilaist Testicular cancer nurse, Sue, I'll ask her...

Greg

Thanks for your replies and idea`s, I have never had two testicles where they should be which has caused me no end of drawbacks over the years, from not being able to shower in the gym to feeling somewhat inadequate in the bedroom and many other situations, my wife has no problem at all with it and I do have 3 kids but its always been an issue for me from a very early age, I cannot lie it has been a huge deal for me over my life, maybe if I had two throughout my life and then one was removed my feelings could be different.

If I was to be honest from such an young age its something I had only dreamed of having and I suppose I should be content as its who I am and its what I was born with ?

My train of thought is this..... you see so many people these days having various cosmetic surgeries which can be far more harmful and reading around the net this operations is pretty much in and out day surgery and the risks are reasonable so basically I could technically have something done that I have missed out on all my life from surgery which is technically fairly simple with reasonably  low risks.

I think it must sound strange and hard for anyone to understand unless you have actually been born this way.

Thanks for the replies and help

Response from our specialist TC nurse:

No there is no time limit. 

I have seen men at a few months to a few years having a prothesis fitted.

However, more recently some of the funding for this procedure has differed, So best to check with your local authorities 

Hope that helps 

Sue