Urologist Turned Down

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Greetings Tribe,

I paid out of pocket to see two urologist and both doctors denied my request for a simple bilateral orchidectomy.

How do I find a doctor that will perform this for me?

I'm in the U.S. near NCY

Have full medical

Support of my wife

A letter from my MD

Your reply is greatly appreciated.

[sparkey49 (imported)]

What does the letter from your MD say as the necessity? Most urologist won't do it if not a medical necessity. There is a Dr. Arknof.

[Losethem (imported)]

Greetings Tribe,

I paid out of pocket to see two urologist and both doctors denied my request for a simple bilateral orchidectomy.

How do I find a doctor that will perform this for me?

I'm in the U.S. near NCY

Have full medical

Support of my wife

A letter from my MD

Your reply is greatly appreciated.

You're shopping in the wrong pool of doctors. There are several doctors in the USA who will do it, but you may need to travel. You've cleared a big hurdle in having a letter, though you do not indicate if this letter is from a therapist or your regular MD. I feel I need a bit of clarification there to help you and move you down the road to orchiectomy.

There is a doctor in Michigan who will remove a mans testicles with only informed consent. That means, you don't need a letter, you tell him you want him to remove your balls, you sign the waivers, and your balls come off. If your ultimate goal is nullification (The removal of both your testicles AND penis), then I would not use his services, but he seems to be able to perform orchiectomy without complications.

His name is Dr. Marc Arnkoff, and he is in Detroit, MI. Charges around $4,000 to remove a set of testicles, last I heard.

If you have a therapist letter, I may have options for you to explore that are fairly certain to potentially possible. I know of at least 3 doctors who will perform a voluntary orchiectomy with a support letter. Two are in California, and one is in Texas. Though I have a friend who recently had his testicles removed in Virginia, using a letter. This area of VA is about 6-7 hours drive from NYC.

--LT

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

My MD is an In-Network Psychiatrist and the letter states I am competent and sites my physical discomfort. Although, I should add, my Internist did not detect any reason for my complaint. So after the Urologists did their exam, they too, didn't find any cause for my discomfort. I have heard of Dr. Arknof in Michigan. Any idea if his office requires a referral?

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Thank you, LT. Your information is very helpful. I don't mind traveling but I would like to remain in the U.S. so Michigan, California, Texas, Virginia, etc... wouldn't be an issue.

I've heard of Dr. Marc Arnkoff and hope an appointment is as easy as you say.

My therapist is a Psychiatrist who recommended the two practices that I visited and turned out to be dead-ends.

Since as you mentioned, I'm "shopping" for MD's, I would like to have a list of 3 or 4 doctors that I could consult with. Could you share the other doctors in CA, TX, and VA?

Can I ask who did yours?

Thanks for your help!

[shydudexx (imported)]

Hit Me Up for Ankoff recent information - done Dec 2017

Before and after procefure information - hey, I've been there.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Hiya. This is Dr. Ankoff's clinical profile http://urologist.org/physicians/marc-arnkoff-m-d/

You've been there?

[Paolo]

As LT stated in his post, Dr. Arnkoff does not require a letter, as he performs voluntary castrations on only the informed consent of the patient.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Really?

That would be really convenient.

Have you been there or know someone who has?

[Losethem (imported)]

Thank you, LT. Your information is very helpful. I don't mind traveling but I would like to remain in the U.S. so Michigan, California, Texas, Virginia, etc... wouldn't be an issue.

I've heard of Dr. Marc Arnkoff and hope an appointment is as easy as you say.

My therapist is a Psychiatrist who recommended the two practices that I visited and turned out to be dead-ends.

Since as you mentioned, I'm "shopping" for MD's, I would like to have a list of 3 or 4 doctors that I could consult with. Could you share the other doctors in CA, TX, and VA?

Can I ask who did yours?

Thanks for your help!

I was castrated by a cutter in 2005. Though I turned out o.k. I do not recommend that route. There are doctors now who are quite willing to help, where in 2005 when I had my castration done, the landscape was a lot different. My penectomy and scrotal excision was done in 2015 in Marin County, CA by a doctor at Brownstein Crane. When I asked Dr. Crane, who heads the practice what he would do for folks with the appropriate letters I pointedly asked, "Just Orchiectomy? Just penectomy where they keep their testicles? Complete genital removal (what I had)? Vaginoplasty, but remaining otherwise male in appearance?" His simple answer to my question was one word, "Yes." Obviously with the appropriate letter/letters. He had his partner perform my penectomy, and as I understand it they now require two letters for all surgeries, just like with any other Transgender patient.

Now in your case, you need to start considering yourself transgender - you can do so without ceasing to be male. The designator in our instance is Male-to-Eunuch (MtE), basically our gender is Eunuch for these purposes. Start identifying yourself that way, get a rewrite of your letter, and you'll probably be good to go.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Yes, I do want to pursue proper, professional health practices.

Oh! That is very helpful information. Thank you for helping me to understand the TG MTE identity. My therapist does not address this. The letter is rather err.... generic speaking to more to sound of mind to make such a decision. I will take your advise and go back to have the letter revised.

Stay tuned....

[daifu-orchid (imported)]

Just so. Does anyone know if Dr A takes insurance? I rather suspect the nutting for informed consent business is cash on the barrel.

-And the current going rate?

[april973 (imported)]

This is his site http://www.myorchie.com/ just remember he is a urologist and not a plastic surgeon so if you want the scrotum removed to it may not look that good. If you can't find any info here try some of the transgender forums and reddit.com.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

You would have to check with your insurance provider. My insurance only covers in-network vasectomies and I can submit transportation, Rx's, & bandages for reimbursement.

TJ above suggested Dr. Arnkoff c

harges around $4,000 to remove a set of testicles.

I would think travel, hotel, food, etc... would be out of pocket.

[shydudexx (imported)]

Hi Want2BRight2.0

I will say it again - I was a patient of Dr. Arnkoff in December 2017. He performed a bilateral orchiectomy on me (on a Saturday), and I flew back home on a Wednesday. The good Dr. is very personable, and believes in informed consent. The general procedure is to contact him a couple of months before (depending on booking), using the information on the http://www.myorchie.com/ site - respect his posted contact hours. He prefers text messages, but will also respond to voice calls.

He may ask you to confirm a week before, and then you fly/drive in. He desires positive confirmation the evening before the procedure. You make arrangements for meeting, and you meet - have a little chat - fill out some patient history and disclaimer forms - and go into a procedure room and drop trou (you get to keep your shirt on!). Local anaesthetic - wait - the procedure - and onwards you go.

{ He is cash-only (bank drafts accepted) - no insurance }.

He is very professional, and I would recommend Dr. A.

A Dr. Arnkoff Alumnus (Dec 2017)

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Thank you for all the great detailed information!!! This answers many of my questions including payment.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

So crazy question..... Any creative ideas on how to generate $4,000 cash? Not so sure castration qualifies for GoFundMe.

Ideas are welcome.

Thanks!

[daifu-orchid (imported)]

Crowdfund? Hmm.... What'd be the payback?

No, I think it is a question of if it's what you really want, then get a regular savings plan going, with or without some of the things you spend the cash on now.

Also save for travel, accommodation, and frozen peas.

[Losethem (imported)]

So crazy question..... Any creative ideas on how to generate $4,000 cash? Not so sure castration qualifies for GoFundMe.

Ideas are welcome.

Thanks!

is there a habit costing you money you can elminate? One example I use here, and doesn't apply to everyone is... let's say someone has a Starbucks ($5 per visit) or fast food ($8 per visit) habit of 4 times a week. Eliminate it, save that money for your castration, and here's how it breaks out.

Fast Food visit:

8 dollars * 4 per week * 52 weeks a year = $1664 per year. It would take you about 2 1/2 years to save the money.

Starbucks visits:

5 dollars *4 per week * 52 weeks a year = $1040 per year. It would take you about 3 years 10 months to save the money.

If you can save $32 per week (the fast food example) then you can get the money to get castrated sooner than you might think. 2 1/2 years seems like a long time, but is half of the time of a 5 year car loan. So live by the standard of pay yourself first, when you get a paycheck, and you can probably get to your goal quickly.

[sparkey49 (imported)]

You could add other habits like alcohol or tobacco use for instance. Use it as additional incentive to quit one pack a day is around $1800.00 per year so just over 2 years could have the money if more than one pack a day or also chew could pay really quickly. Alcohol can do the math quickly for yourself so LT has a great idea.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Thanks, Tribe for all your supportive financial comments. All excellent ideas.

Fortunately, I lead a healthy lifestyle and don't smoke, do coffee, and only socially drink on occasion.

Guess I need to bump up my savings.

[daifu-orchid (imported)]

There's always Mexico, if Dr A is too expensive.

(Or Dr Thep in Thailand.)

It's maybe a good thing to pause, while you get the money together, to see that this is really what you want.

IMHO, now for many years, being an old eunuch feels very good.

Hope it all works out for you too.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Thank you for your reply and valuable options. I've had plenty of time to consider my decision and feel comfortable and confident. I know this would not be covered by my insurance and don't mind paying out of pocket but hoped I might be able to use my CC (like other health providers). I can budget for cash, I'm just not immediately that liquid. I hope I can be as happy as you are and sooner than later. Sincerely, thank you again.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Oh, BTW, So sorry if you don't know me because I had to change my Member I.D. I was previously here at 'Want2Bright' but guess my I.D. timed out so I'm 2.0 now.

I previously introduced myself as a straight male, father, in a supportive relationship, and initially had issues with undiagnosed pain & discomfort testicular pain.

Anyways, I'm here, I'm back and I really appreciate our intimidate community.

[Want2BRight2.0 (imported)]

Oh, I may be getting ahead of myself here but had another question I would like to ask regarding post orchiectomy scrotectomy plastic surgery. Can anyone provide important details to know and maybe share their experience? I'm interested in learning about the qualified doctors, the procedure, how long after an orchiectomy, and of course insurance vs. out of pocket expenses. Your help is greatly appreciated.