I don't usually post on forums; however, I think my experience will be helpful to others -- I know how it is. For what felt like months I'd research about Varicoceles, Varicocele Surgery, and the like and reading other peoples' stories certainly helped me.
Anyways, for insight, I'm 23 years old and consider myself athletic (5’10”, 185, about 12% body fat). I work out nearly every day whether it's running, lifting, or swimming. I noticed my varicocele early in my college career as I'd get a dull ache in no man's land when I'd run long distance without tight/athletic underwear, but it would never really be a big deal and would feel 100% again after a few hours or a nights sleep.
After much hesitation, I saw a urologist about 3 years ago, and was diagnosed with a varicocele, was told it's really no big deal, that I should have a semen analysis to see if its messing with my "boys" and that I should "stop running"...all I heard was "no big deal"
Fast forward 3 years and I'm going through the paperwork to join the Navy and find out a Varicocele will be an issue with MEPS. Back to the Urologist I go (different).
Again, diagnosed with a varicocele - but this time the doctor is very quick to recommend surgery. The varicocele has become a grade 3 on the scale. Obviously, it seemed unsightly to me, but never bothered me beyond the looks and it never was a problem with my sex life, so I pushed it aside. But hey, decided to get it fixed under his advice.
1 month later I had the surgery (bilateral micro varicolectomy) *I apparently had a very minor one on the right as well that I opted to get fixed while they’re at it. (they tend to switch sides if I only got one side is what the doc said)
Surgery was quick and I was out of the post op center within an hour of waking up from the general anesthesia. Felt coherent, but knew I was drugged as all hell. Woke up, downed maybe 3 juice boxes, some crackers, a bottle of water, had to pee (in order to leave had to pee first) and then walked out (wasn’t pleasant walking though).
Post – Op ----- Prepare to just be in bed for a few days. They say you can continue “regular” activity after 2 days…yeah no. The boys were more swollen than I thought possible after the first day. I was given 20+ pain pills (Percocet) – I only took 2 total, before bed the first two nights to help me sleep as I was restless lying around all day and unable to move without pain. Also, wearing supportive underwear is a must, especially if you want a speedy recovery. I wore a McDavid athletic supporter and some underarmour over that. Let me warn you, get a jock strap (athletic supporter) with a wide waist band because your massive swelling boys are going to pull it down, and over your best friend. Tight clothing over your Johnson will pinch the skin and freak you out with a blister upon waking up *been there done that, was gone within a few hours, but scared the c**p out of me* Ice was my best friend though, pretty much had a system of switching out ice packs every 20 min, but I wish I didn’t get lazy and did it more within the first 48 hours to reduce swelling. But I iced it regularly for about a week straight and stayed off my feet aside from walking around the house or doing quick errands (never on my feet for more than 30 min).
About 1 ½ weeks later -- the swelling has just about gone entirely, the outer bandages from the incision have fallen off, and all that remain or the stitches. There’s still some swelling, and it’s definitely still tender, but considering I was told the swelling will take up to a month to go down completely, Im happy with where I’m at. It’s worth noting, after the surgery, I pretty much quit drinking and transitioned my pretty much entirely fastfood diet to fruit, lean meat, and copious amounts of water.
Main Advice: Drink a LOT of water, high fiber diet, eat a lot of fruit (pineapple known to reduce swelling), drink more water, Ice within the first 48 hours at least once or twice per hour for 15min, REST, get a GOOD athletic supporter (the more support the less swelling)
what kind of surgical approach did u choose?
Sorry for the delayed reply, haven't been keeping track on here - I had the Micro surgical procedure. Not sure if that is the term that answers your question.
I had my surgery may 4 and after 10 days my right testicle is in pain after I had sex. And i think the vein in my right testicle is swollen. What should I do?
Well put I have had pain for over 40 years and it getting worst as I get older.
I had varicocele surgery and it failed. In the end I had varicocele embolization and that finally worked. i
Will it go away? I just can't understand why that area hurts because it kind of shouldn't.
I had tree cuts. Two on the sides where my Abdomen is and one in the middle where my navel is (for the camera).
The scars don't hurt that bad but the pain in my back area feels and i fear, that it might not go away .
Can you help me and tell me your thoughts?
had this Procedure 10 years ago and worked ok, but when i get hit in the left Testicle
Evan barely its sore for 1 month. And gets back to normal , but its very sensitive.
So basically never will be normal after this procedure, but beter than it was.