Ok, So I have a Hydrocele, Questions...

Hi
My name is Fredrik and I'm from Sweden and i have just gone through a hydrocele operation. The operation is fairly quick, took an hour for me. Relatively painless afterwards, though it a bit painfull when when sitting down and raising yourself from sitting position. Was it anything else you wondered about?

Fredrik

Yes, My UG doctor wants to do a removal operation.
How does the fluid then return, and why?
What are the after effects of such surgury?
No sexual sideeffects?

How long did you rest and recuperate?
Please elaborate. I am 52 and found left testicle shrunk.

There are two approaches to surgery on a hydrocele.

The first drains the fluid away with a needle. It may have to be done multiple times, as the fluid can return.



The second involves the removal of the sack that collects the fluid, and tacking it to the inside of the scrotum, inside out. This supposedly makes the scrotum absorb any future fluid.



It would seem to me that the recovery from the second surgery would be longer and have to be a little more painful. But when you're dealing with daily pain from pressure, discomfort from a large hydrocele, there's no reason not to consider one of these procedures.



Do some more research and ask your doctor to explain more about the operations. If he doesn't satisfy you, get a second opinion.



Good luck.

Let us know how it goes.

how much does this cost ?? the surgery

The surgeon should run you about a grand, but then the additional costs for the surgery center and other stuff could be over 10 grand. Insurance is nice to have for something like this.



**edited by moderator**

On Monday I'm going in for the operation, will i be able to walk right after the operation ?

I would not assume that you will walk normally after the operation. I would assume that you have somewhat of a limp or waddle.

You may also need some ice pack to reduce bruising. But you should ask your doctor. I would NOT Assume that you can't walk a little, but there will be a period of recouperation. You have to expect this after surgery!

Kevin B wrote:

Guest wrote:

On Monday I'm going in for the operation, will i be able to walk right after the operation ?

I would not assume that you will walk normally after the operation. I would assume that you have somewhat of a limp or waddle.
You may also need some ice pack to reduce bruising. But you should ask your doctor. I would NOT Assume that you can't walk a little, but there will be a period of recouperation. You have to expect this after surgery!

This is the easiest surgery ever! No real pain... can walk easily out of a surgery center. Yes, you just rest.... but otherwise... goes quite well with little to be concerned about! And just follow the pre and post instructions from doctor.... I would hope that no one would not have this done out of fear or dread. Definitely worth doing and just getting it over with!

Hi Fredrik,
I have a few questions for you regarding the presence of a hydrocele, since you've been through an operation. My questions are pre-surgery questions. Briefly: I've been to the ER several times for testicular pain, and a CT scan showed that I have a hydrocele. However, I was told that it should be painless, that it is most common in children, and that it should resolve itself naturally. I have been examined by a urologist who has refused to even look at the scans from the ER and has dismissed the hydrocele as a potential problem. My condition has persisted for a month, and I am age 36. My questions to you: 1) At what point does a doctor determine that surgery may be necessary, especially since I've been told it is not common? 2) What symptoms did you experience before your diagnosis was made, how was your diagnosis made, and at what point did doctors determine you needed surgery? I am thinking that I may need surgery, but I cannot get anyone to repeat a scan or take me seriously. I have had testicular pain for over a month now. Any advice you have (or anyone else) would be helpful. Thanks so much.
Zach

Hi...I just had my hydrocele op 2 weeks ago and I still have a large bulge.I know this is normal to have for a couple of weeks/months afterwards but I was wondering does anyone know can I get medication that would reduce the swelling quicker ?

I had the hydrocele operation 12 days ago. My left testicle was about the size of a tangerine maybe, between the size of a lemon and orange. It has been growing for over 10 yrs.  I am 58 155# and in good health, ride bicycle 30 miles a week, work out at gym 2-3 times per week, hike, and eat healthy.

After reading the forums I was reluctant to have the operation so I put it off for years. I think as a general rule people put more of their negative experiences on a forum. My experience so far has been better than I expected.

Operation was done under general anesthesia in an outpatient facility. I have not got all the bills in yet but expect it to cost $2500 to 3000, I’m in Tennessee. The sacariest part of the deal is anesthesia, at best you’ll probably end up with a soar throat, at worst they can kill you but that’s the same anytime you go under. I did not realize until the day after surgery that the anesthesiologist sometimes runs a tube down your trachea and controls your breathing with a machine. I coughed up quite a bit of blood and wondered why. They sometimes hit and damage your vocal cords. I had a real sore throat and raspy voice for the first week.

 

Now for the scrotum, I did my research on the internet and knew all the different procedures names and what they entailed. I watched youtube videos of the procedures and saw the good bad and ugly. I got referrals for doctors and interviewed 2. When I went to the Dr I knew what I wanted and how to discuss it. I did want a penrose drain to reduce swelling and hematomas, the Jaboulay's technique where the sac is sutured inside out on itself, and no attaching the testicle to anything. I also shaved my own balls in the shower so as not to have the added discomfort from some nurse doing a rush shave job on me. I think it made a difference in the days and weeks after when it starts growing back! Also go buy some black briefs that are snug but not too tight, you need room for all the gauze and swelling. They will be a lot more comfortable over the next 2 weeks than an athletic supporter. Black won’t show all the blood and fluid stains. Also I got the boxer briefs that are like briefs with more leg in them, it helps keep all the gauze in your pants. For sleeping use a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side.

 

Day of surgery, someone needs to go and stay with you because you will be out of it. I was awake about an hour after I went to sleep and putting on my sweats and shoes. Home to the couch!

 

After the surgery I kept ice on it the whole time except when I was sleeping at night. Frozen corn or peas worked best and put in zip locks that fit in your pants easily. Rotate hourly. 1st day just layed on the couch and tried to sleep. I never needed the pain meds, hydrocodone, but did take ibuprofen and advil continuously around the clock for a week. The pain was there but bearable and also lots of fluid draining and some bleeding from suture so had to change dressing every couple hours. 2nd day was swollen about the same size as before the surgery but expected that. Still enough pain where I didn’t want to get off the couch or walk. Day 3 I actually had to work, I am a pilot, and although very uncomfortable wearing pants instead of sweats I managed to get through the day. Day 4 I took the penrose drain out myself as per Dr. instructions. No big deal snip 1 suture and slowly pull it out, use more gauze in your pants. I went and played in my band for a 3 hour practice session mostly standing. Still don’t have a lot of stamina built up. Day 5 drain hole was already closing up with very little leakage. Pain was less every day but still hurts to wear regular pants and especially jeans. My girlfriend got me excited and jacked me off to make sure the plumbing still worked, no problem! Day 7 I did an easy workout of upper body. Day 8 we had intercourse, I’m feeling pretty good by now but it still hurts to sit very long on it. Day 11 did a almost normal workout at the gym, a little lighter weights and only ran about 5 minutes, the leg movement was irritating. Day 12 swelling is still going down, testicle is about twice as big as normal but it’s much smaller than before operation. It still is irritating to sit on it and the sutured area and drain hole area are tender, I put Neosporin on it and it seems to help. The hair growing back also is irritating. I think in another week I’ll be riding my bike again!

 

I would suggest if you are thinking about this operation, do your homework, pick a good doctor who does it on a regular basis, (mine did one the day I went to see him), pick a great anesthesiologist, pick a modern up to date surgery center to do it in, be healthy when you go in, and do it!

hello is this fredric from million dollar listings?

Hi,my name is Joe,I had hydrocele surgery on oct.02/2014,last week, of course duriing the operation did not feel anything, I was totaly under. after that there is pain which controlled by pain killer. sweeling is there and I have to see the surgoen in 6 weeks. Using ice pads helps with paiin and sweeling. you feel unconfortable.and out of commissin for few weeks. I had it for 6 years, and then decided to go with the operation. Good luck.

I had a hydrocele for roughly 10 years before I decided it was time to have it removed, due to the size it became. 

Im 40, active and healthy. All should've been straight forward.

My surgery was under an hour and I was in pain after, I was told this was normal. Wasn't given any advice or meds....Just go home and rest.

My wound became infected after I was re-dressed at out-patients dep't,using antibiotic gauze. The next day, this had caused my wound to open up as the skin had swollen so badly around the stitches and the infection was so bad.

I was put on a 2 week antibiotic course, which did clean things up. The aggrivated skin from this has left the scarring very lumpy and uncomfortable. 

I was told I was with the best surgeon for the job in the N.W of England.... I find it hard to believe. 

I have another removal next year....hopefully they can correct the mess that has been left from this one.