orchiectomy prep and recovery

[edmoloco]

I now have my orchiectomy set for thursday, sounds like it should be sooner to me? i was wondering if it was similar, recovery wise to a vascotomy? I'm guessing most of you have not had a Vas' but I had the misfortune of having one, then a year later having it redone. I did a search on recovery and it sounds a little harder to get over, but similar?

Still hoping its cyst.
Ed

[Fed]

The recovery from an orchiectomy is actually quite fast. Usually it's an outpatient procedure. I went in at 8 a.m., and was home by 1 p.m. The whole surgery lasts about 45 minutes, and once you are able to urinate, you will be discharged. You will be sore for several days (sweatpants will come in handy), and you will get pain meds, but you should keep taking them to a minimum because they cause constipation. You will be barred from doing any heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. I was back at work full time a week after the surgery, though walking kinda funny.

Hope this helps out,

[Scott]

i was wondering if it was similar, recovery wise to a vascotomy?

I had a vasectomy a few months after our twins were born. Four kids is enough for us!

Recovering from the vasectomy was faster. The orchiectomy requires a larger incision along the "bikini line" rather than a very small incision in the scrotum.

[edmoloco]

I'm hoping to avoid the meds.

I managed to get through both vasectomies just using ice for the first 3 days and hot baths after. A few beers now and then, but no pills. I'll try it again for the OT.

[Scott]

A bag of frozen peas works well. Allow yourself to use pain medication as needed for the first couple days at least.

[edmoloco]

how much time did you take off from work?

I guess I just trying to get some answers where there are none? 3-4 weeks ago I was looking at turning 39, father of 2 cool little girls, in the best shape I'v been in my life. 2 days ago the Dr. tells me I should have a testicle removed, and I was thinking, no way, lets do more test. now I need to know and I have to wait till thursday, they first wanted me to wait 2 weeks!! Im going out of my head a little trying to make plans for things I cant plan for. Thanks for the support, finding this forum, reading about and talking to people who have gone through what Im going through has been very helpfull.

[Fed]

To answer the title of your post, I only took about a week off, although I was able to do some computer work form home. I returned to the lab about a week after the surgery, and some of my colleagues were helpful in hauling heavy items when needed.

A TC diagnosis is definitely a curve ball. I was working on my first manuscript and getting geared up for cooking Thanksgiving dinner when I was diagnosed. The first few days are quite overwhelming, but I think the hardest part (apart from telling the family) was waiting for the pathology report after the I/O. The best you can do right now is keep your cool and stay informed. The cure rates for TC are quite high, and you will beat this.

Keep the questions coming!

[dadmo]

edmoloco:
You might want to keep some prune juice on hand incase the pain meds cause constipation. Believe my you're not going to want to have to push. With the operation scheduled for thurs you should be good to go for very light work on monday. My son had his out on a Friday and was back at school on Monday, just don't lift anything.
All of us here understand the terror of what is happening to you but take some comfort from how amazingly cureable this disease is when treated properly. Waiting for the test results will be tough on the whole family so do something nice with them and let them know that you will beat this. Please post your labs and we can try and give some guidance.

[edmoloco]

Well they call me lefty now

Had it out yesterday. I'm recovering ok, down to one perk every 5 hours. lots of couch time. labs should be in by wed. I'm still very hopefull its not cancer, but just a cyst or somting. the Dr. was also felt the chances of cancer were very slim.
Any way, just wanted to let you guys know, thanks for the support. its back to the couch for me.
ed