Orchiectomy recovery time?

[cbuysse]

I had my Orchiectomy on 5/5 so 16 days ago and I still have considerable swelling wear the left testicle used to reside. I have hematoma( roughly 2inches by 3inches) that feels like a hard mass. The urologists said not to worry just blood collected and it will be reabsorbed over the next few weeks. It is too painful to sit upright longer than 5 minutes or stand more than 15minutes. I just have read how people were back at work 5 days later and I am wondering why it seems to be taking so long for me to recover. I will say that post op they never told me to put ice on the area and to walk around to get things moving. I was discharged immediately after the surgery and the swelling appeared 12 hours later and was the size of a small cantaloupe. I am very anxious to get back to work and I was just hoping you all could let me know if my recovery time was normal and if there is anything I can do to speed it up.

[Scott]

Cantaloupe-sized is much larger than we typically hear, which is more often about the same size as the missing testicle or a grape. It is true that the body should reabsorb the hematoma. It sounds as though that process is already well underway.

[cbuysse]

Thanks Scott, I think the problem was they never told me to put on ice on it before i went home after the surgery. In hinesite i should have known to just put ice on it regardless of being told or not. I was just not in a good mental state it being two days after diagnosis. It is very uncomfortable though and keeping me from work but I guess i will just keep taking hot baths and wait. Thanks again I really appreciate all the help everyone on this site gives so readily.

[Don]

Always remember that the surgery effects each person differently.. Some people glide right throught with no problems and return to work within a week while other are in severe pain and are sidelined for 2-3 weeks.. The most important thing is that the operation is successful and hopefully will be all it takes to cure your condition!!!!! Best of luck in your recovery!!!!!! DON

[BREwing]

cbuysse,

I can tell you that it took me about 3 weeks to get back to normal after my surgery. I also found that the ice packs were a life saver for me!!! Really helped in getting rid of the discomfort. You should be fine by Memorial Day!

Take care!

[cbuysse]

Thanks I was starting to feel like I was the only one that took this long to feel better. I guess the swelling just takes it's sweet time going away. I was going heat then ice then heat but Dr. told me to switch to straight heat now to get rid of swelling. I think i may go back to alternating heat/ice i was getting better results with that. Thanks again.

[indiana9]

My urologist recommended using frozen peas wrapped in paper towel on my post orchiectomy incision and that seemed to work very well for me (frozen corn wasn't nearly as effective )Everybody is a little different when it comes to surgery recovery time, so just go with the flow and you will be feeling better before you know it! Good luck.
Brian

[laidback93]

I don't remember if I iced it or not. I just remember I recovered very quickly and was back to work in about 3-4 days. Keep in mind that I work in an office so I just sit all day.

[Kev332]

Yeah, i dont think i ever put ice down there after my surgery, but i remember it being very sore. Just the thought of putting ice down there gives me the chills!

[cbuysse]

I went to the Dr. about it again today because the surgery was 20 days ago and I still have a hard mass where my testicle was that is about 2inches by 3inches. He said it was still just the hematoma from surgery and it could take 2 months to go away. Unbelievable. I have an office job as well, I just can't sit up for longer than about 20 minutes at a time because it is too uncomfortable. I basically have a huge bruise and pressure on it is painful. I told the Dr. about you guys and that my recovery time did not seem normal and his response was, " no it's not normal, you had excessive bleeding and subsequent swelling." He went on to say if the swelling was not gone in 2 months he would have to go in inguinally again and remove the blood collected there. In the mean time I am taking a lot of hot baths to get the blood circulating and out.

[dadmo]

cbuysse:
That complication really stinks but at least it just discomfort and nothing cancer related.

[Kev332]

cbuysse,

Well its good that you went back to the doctor and you know what it is. Just try and take it easy and take it one day at a time. Hopefully within a few weeks everying gets back to normal.