Prosthetic? No prosthetic?

[frogger]

Hi all. I was just diagnosed earlier this week, and have surgery an orchiectomy scheduled for this coming week. They're removing one testicle, the other looks okay.

So, I'm trying to decide on whether I should get an implant or not. I know it's ultimately up to me, but I'd love some feedback from those who got one, and those who didn't... and especially if you're still satisfied with your decision.

Thanks.

[Scott]

If you haven't already, search for past posts with the term "prosthetic," and you'll find opinions both for and against. (I didn't get one, and it was the right choice for me.)

[djmac]

I decided to get one... and had it ordered and everything... and then last minute, as they were strapping me to the operating table, just before they put me under, I told my surgeon I didn't want it. He asked me three times to confirm.

In the end, its up to you, but as for my decision not to get one, I'm very glad I didn't. It's not worth the risk of complications and the discomfort it can cause. On the cool days, I honestly can't tell a difference... I look the same! My fiancee agrees. On warm days, when the loner is hanging low, I can definitely see it. Looks kinda sad . I've switched from boxer briefs to briefs, which helped with the rubbing of the loner against my leg, but other than that, everything is the same.

One note: in my case, the left one (the one I lost) was significantly smaller than the right, so overall, didn't make much of a difference. The surgery cured my varicocele as well, so that was a bonus! Sometimes, I think it looks better now (but honestly, who really looks at your ball sack?)

Seriously, I wouldn't do it...but you have to decide for yourself. Best, let us know how you go!

djm

[Michael112]

I dont have a prosthetic but I want to get one, I made sure the surgeon is experienced with putting them in and he said to wait 1 year before getting it done so in afew months I will be getting one put in and if it gives me any trouble I will just get it redone, I am stubborn like that.

[Margaret]

Speaking as a woman who lives with a man who has only one testicle, my vote is to not get one put in. He looks fine (almost the same as he did before actually) and I would rather him not have a piece of plastic floating around in there. But in the end, it is up to you. Good luck.

[Michael112]

Tell the whole story Michael.


tell him you are the only man who has been spotted time and time again, by your lack of a testicle. I believe the one girl spotted it at 50 yards in the pitch black.

Or, has your feeling changed? Wouldn't want anyone to be confused by your posts

r

Im the man who gives off the vibe in bed of "hey why dont you play with my balls for abit" cause 3-4(out of about 5-6) diffrent girls have all gone for it so far.

[Kev332]

I did not get a "fakey" and i'm happy the way i am, but like you said, this is your decision, so if you think you'll be happier with a "pair", then go for it. I do remember a lot of posts where people say it feels weird and uncomfortable...

Best of luck.

-Kevin

[jaybird]

I did not get one. I figured if anything it would make running a little more comfortable....

One night I was with a girl and she reached below and looked right at me and said, "you had testicular cancer didn't you?". I said yes and we talked about it for a while before getting back to business. 2 years later i married her.

I guess I'm saying not to worry about it b/c when the right girl comes along she won't care.

[Michael112]

well, I think if you ask them to "look" then it would be more likely that they do ( based on your numbers) and if they do, more likely they would notice.

I dont get what your trying to say?

[DForinoLA]

Just wanted to add my two cents... I opted for the prosthesis and have no regrets at all about my decision - I'm a happier, more confident man because of it. Personally, I've encountered no problems with pain, discomfort, sizing, etc. and have been living with implants since 1991, so I do speak from experience. Like everyone else says here, the decision is ultimately yours - just remember there are two sides to every story. Do your research, ask questions, and go with your gut instinct - it's usually correct.

Hi all. I was just diagnosed earlier this week, and have surgery an orchiectomy scheduled for this coming week. They're removing one testicle, the other looks okay.

So, I'm trying to decide on whether I should get an implant or not. I know it's ultimately up to me, but I'd love some feedback from those who got one, and those who didn't... and especially if you're still satisfied with your decision.

Thanks.

[slimjim]

I'm a double "faux-nadder". I had my first fakey installed in 1983 when I was thirteen.....I was born with only one and at the time ('83), puberty was booming and I felt self conscious. With my recent diagnosis, I/O, I was prepared to leave that apartment empty, as I was denied coverage, but on the day of surgery, my insurance company approved it, so I opted to complete the pair. Now, 17 days post surgery, I'm back to riding my motorcycle to and from work, as well as riding offroad mountain biking daily, without incidence, discomfort or issues. I would say that it is definitely a personal decision, but I have had excellent experiences with mine. I feel very, "back to normal" and I think a big contributing factor to that is my ability to look down and feel complete, and for the most part "unaltered". I think the "empty" apartment would have left a lasting and constant reminder that cancer took away my ability to have kids. My prosthesis allows me to enter and exit the shower without revisiting my condition. Additionally, my prosthsises have provided me with a sense of normalcy, in that there are still familiar feelings....rubbing against the inner thigh, that "slapping" during intercourse, the way clothes fit etc..... in and of themselves, these are minor things, but when so many things change so quickly, anything that can keep the reminders to a minimum is a plus.

[Schtopper]

So, I'm trying to decide on whether I should get an implant or not. I know it's ultimately up to me, but I'd love some feedback from those who got one, and those who didn't... and especially if you're still satisfied with your decision.

I was born effectively with only 1 testicle, and although i gone through my whole life like this and got used to it for some reason i decided at 21 that i'd have a prosthetic fitted. Earlier this year i was diagnosed with TC and as a result lost my other testicle, the option as always was given to me to have a 2nd prosthetic fitted but would require a 2nd operation later on once treatment had ended or when they knew if i'd even need any.

I opt'd to not bother, when i had my first one fitted i had naively assumed it would be a simple case of open the scrotum and throw the fake one in and zip it up. It isn't, in fact it's a very similar operation to having one removed, they go through the top of the groin, through muscle and secure it in place. Now it's not the worst operation in the world by far, it's still only a day visit just like having one removed but none the less it is uncomfortable and painful for a good week or 2 and leaves you with yet another scar. After having the prosthetic fitted i have to say i was somewhat underwhelmed by the whole experience, things didn't really look that different (yeah it looked a bit fuller behind there but that was it) and i just decided it prolly wasn't worth the bother (or risk from the aneasthetic).

I'm in a steady relationship and at 29 don't feel any embarassment about only having 1 (and a fake at that) and so for me there was no point going through unnecessary surgery.

It's obviously your decision and only you can decide how you feel, but if it were me i would wait and see how you feel, you'll become accustomed to the way just one looks and feels very quickly and i honestly doubt you'll give it a second thought. Whether there's 1 there or 2 there it really doesn't look THAT much different without close inspection. Just give it a bit of time, see how you feel about it, obviously if it starts to get you down, or makes you consciously aware of it all the time then go for the prosthetic, end of the day it isn't a big operation but still there's always a risk with any operation especially one involving general anaesthetic.

[JamesC]

Just one more vote for getting a Prosthetic (or two) Mine make me feel more "male" and I know this is just me. I can only speak for myself. And when it comes right down to it this is really what you have to do as well.

Will having one make you feel better about yourself? If it doesn't matter to you it probably is best not to. If your ego or id or maleness (whatever) is tied up in having a "pair" then by all means go for it.

And for whats its worth I'm not yet 3 weeks post op and mine feels great. Its part of me and I'm happy I did it.

[Jay68442]

Hi frogger,
I had one of my testicles removed at 16 years old. I opted to stay with one and declined the prosthetic. Its been so long I don't remember why I decided not to. Anyway I can tell you I always felt uncomfortable when I started a new relationship. Having only one made me fell like some kind of oddity and I felt as though I had to explain. Not fun when you are going through your teen years and you just want to fit in and feel normal. It never caused a problem and no women ever left me because of it. It was always that first sexual encounter that felt very uncomfortable. If I had to do it over again at that age I would have opted to get the prosthetic. Just would have been a lot easier not having to describe my past to each new women. At this point in my life. 35 and married. I would not opt for a prosthetic. Just my opinion.
Good luck

[fuse929]

I'm 23 and I didn't get a prosthetic. Being a TC survivor is now a part of who I am, and if a person doesn't want all aspects of me, they get none of me. Simple as that.