My biggest problem....

[Kangan (imported)]

It isn't that I lack the resolve to be castrated. My problem is how to find a suitable surgeon without causing an adverse reaction or embarrassment to myself. I have plenty of local Urologists to choose from, but I balk at calling and asking for an orchiectomy.

If he wasn't so far away, I'd just go see Dr. Kimmel. However, I don't like big cities and Philadelphia in the winter isn't the greatest place to be. I know that it will take me about a week to heal and get over the pain and I'd rather be in my own bed at home, and not have the agony of traveling hundreds of miles with stitches in my scrotum.

A cutter could be used, but again I don't want to be in a strange city or a seedy hotel room when it happens.

I have explored various DIY methods, and banding sounds possible, but I lack the nerve to even buy one at Tractor Supply. I've walked in there a zillion times, looked at the banders, and then left without buying one. I am so afraid of the clerk's reaction.... Duh!

Actually, I don't need a bander as I could improvise something similar or just tie them off with a plastic tie strap used for electrical wiring.

Then there is the issue of pain. Banding or surgery results in massive pain. So I'd need help from someone with access to suitable medical supplies.

The bottom line is: If there was a local doctor like Kimmel, I'd make an appointment right now. As it is, I'm totally frustrated.

[bryan (imported)]

Kangan,

I, too, was put off by the idea of travelling all the way to Philly for surgery. However, that trip to Philly now lives warmly in my memory.

I asked local urologists for castration, but they said they didn't do it for high libido. I'd have to have cancer or some other nasty condition for them to operate on me.

Dr. Kimmel and the Best Western hotel are near some great museums. If you arrive two days early, you'll have a nice time sightseeing. (Extended time on your feet is out of the question AFTER surgery.)

Just a thought,

Terri

[Kangan (imported)]

Kangan,

I, too, was put off by the idea of travelling all the way to Philly for surgery. However, that trip to Philly now lives warmly in my memory.

I asked local urologists for castration, but they said they didn't do it for high libido. I'd have to have cancer or some other nasty condition for them to operate on me.

Dr. Kimmel and the Best Western hotel are near some great museums. If you arrive two days early, you'll have a nice time sightseeing. (Extended time on your feet is out of the question AFTER surgery.)

Just a thought,

Terri

I'm beginning to think I need to call Dr. Kimmel and get on with my life. I really don't want to ask a local practitioner about castration unless I was assured that they would not react in a negative way. We live in a very backward and rural area and people talk - if you get my drift....

The only other option available to me at this point is a bander (or something similar) and I have some very real reservations about the results.

Thanks for the input.

[gandalf (imported)]

Hi, I have been castrated by a urologist. It was due to pain relating to my epididymis that could not be alleviated. Not even with Novacaine. So the only solution was to remove the entire works. I had to have it done in two surgeries. That was the only way the Dr. would do it. Mine was through the inguinal canals and the Dr. did not remove the scrotum. So, I will either have to live with the empty sac or find a dr. who will remove it. There was not a lot of pain for me. I was given high powered pain medicine with each operation but only used about two. I relied on Ibuprophen and was busy the next day. No lifting for a week but I could do things around the house.

Bob

[plix (imported)]

I went to Kimmel for my surgery, and while I can't say things went perfectly, they did work out fine in the end. I didn't really like the idea of being there in the Summer because I am not used to severe weather - which ended up causing me several hours delay in getting there. So I think no matter when you go there's always going to be something.

Self-surgery is never recommended, but I don't really think the clerk's reaction will be a problem. I don't really think the first thought in his mind will be "I bet this guy's going to castrate himself."

I doubt very much I would have had any luck with a local urologist had I tried. I probably would not risk asking in a backward and rural area, but that is just me. Others would be brave enough not to care.

I do know one person on this board who had success asking a local doctor for it, but he was also much older. If you are older, you might have more luck than a 21 year-old like me. Doctors tend to see less of a need for them as one ages.

[Kangan (imported)]

I went to Kimmel for my surgery, and while I can't say things went perfectly, they did work out fine in the end. I didn't really like the idea of being there in the Summer because I am not used to severe weather - which ended up causing me several hours delay in getting there. So I think no matter when you go there's always going to be something.

Self-surgery is never recommended, but I don't really think the clerk's reaction will be a problem. I don't really think the first thought in his mind will be "I bet this guy's going to castrate himself."

I doubt very much I would have had any luck with a local urologist had I tried. I probably would not risk asking in a backward and rural area, but that is just me. Others would be brave enough not to care.

I do know one person on this board who had success asking a local doctor for it, but he was also much older. If you are older, you might have more luck than a 21 year-old like me. Doctors tend to see less of a need for them as one ages.

Thanks Plix. Gosh, I thought all "Senior Members" were all old guys like me.

The store clerk was female and there were lots of other customers around and in line at the register. I did note that they had sold out of the extra bands, however. I suspect that I would have no problems buying the bander if I could manage to be nonchalant about it.

I have wondered about modifying a pair of vise grip pliers into a a Burdizzo. I definitely need a partner who could administer the lidocaine and also wield the implement. (sigh)

I guess I need to call my travel agent and arrange for some plane tickets to Philly....

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Allow me to assure you that the vice-grips idea does not work. --FLO--

[bryan (imported)]

I have wondered about modifying a pair of vise grip pliers into a

Burdizzo....

Kangan,

Been there, done that: http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showpos ... ostcount=3

Even if I had succeeded, it would have only been a vasectomy.

Terri

[Kangan (imported)]

Frankly, I don't see what difference it makes with what you use to crimp the blood vessels. I'd guess your failure was due to the fact that the jaws weren't wide enough.

I'm getting mixed messages about Burdizzo use - some say it works and others say it doesn't. I am beginning to think surgery is the only real option.

Re: buying a bander. I haven't yet for several reasons - one of them is that I don't want to damage my scrotum. On the other hand, banding sounds like an easy DIY method. (Not that I recommend this approach.)

[kristoff]

Frankly, I don't see what difference it makes with what you use to crimp the blood vessels. I'd guess your failure was due to the fact that the jaws weren't wide enough.

I'm getting mixed messages about Burdizzo use - some say it works and others say it doesn't. I am beginning to think surgery is the only real option.

Re: buying a bander. I haven't yet for several reasons - one of them is that I don't want to damage my scrotum. On the other hand, banding sounds like an easy DIY method. (Not that I recommend this approach.)

After many years of reading, as well as experience with variouys methods, much discussion with others actively using various methods, one can always make a case that this that or the other thing will work.

Yes, a burdizzo can be used to castrate a human male. Many folks over the years have had a great variety of experience and all swear they are experts on just the proper application of a burdizzo - i.e., fast clamping, slow clamping, single clamp, multiple clamps, twisting, short duration, long duration, ad nauseum. FACT: some folks here have been castrated successfully with a clamp. It is EXTREMELY painful, and MOST of the time a failure - human cords are not like animal cords - theirs crush, ours compress. Use of topicals like lidocaine merely modify the pain, and one had better be prepared for 1 to 2 weeks of massive swelling, healing lacerations, discomfort and pain. I do speak from experience. The best approach to use? None.

A bander, in my eyes, is a fool's paradise. One doing this method - and YES some have used it successfully - is begging with a loud screaming voice to DIE. If you want necrotic tissue hanging off your body, putrifying, go for it. You can of course cut off - and still end up with the same effect. Of course, we can also discuss various things like gangrene, blood poisoning, infections, etc..... They are fun to play with and provide for hours of entertainment, but it would never be my first choice, or even second...

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Frankly, I don't see what difference it makes with what you use to crimp the blood vessels. I'd guess your failure was due to the fact that the jaws weren't wide enough.

A vice-grips does not provide enough pressure to crush the spermatic cord. A Burdizzo with it's double fulcrum and long handles produces much more force and still it isn't necessarily enough to do the job. --FLO--

[plix (imported)]

Something about my trip to Philly that I forgot to add before, something that kristoff brought to my memory when he suggested bringing someone along in another thread.

I didn't bring anyone along, which really could have been a problem had I not met a lesbian couple while recovering in Kimmel's office. I actually met one of the partners first, while she was waiting for her TG partner to be done. We talked, and since they were staying in the same hotel I was, she decided she would help me as I recovered over the next several days. She would go out and get food for me because I wasn't supposed to be on my feet. She went out and filled my script for post-op meds. She also was willing to talk to me and offer friendship and support. I do owe her a lot because without her I don't know what I would have done about food. Plus I ended up making two great friends (even though I haven't heard from either since).

Having that extra support from them made things turn out great for me, and I think you would be ok if you went to Philly with support, be it family/friends or meeting new friends by chance. You never know who else will be going to see Kimmel on that same day

[Kangan (imported)]

Yes, the logistics of going to Philly by myself would be difficult. My wife would go except that we have animals at home to take care of and we have no one to help us.

Any volunteers to go with me? I'd still prefer to get this done locally. I'm not infavor of DIY but that is looking more and more like a real possiblity....

[bryan (imported)]

Kangan,

I went to Philly by myself and being alone wasn't a big issue. In fact, I'm glad no one was around to see me in bed for two days with a big crotch (due to the ice bag).

You can go for short walks post-surgery. Dr. Kimmel's main advice was: "No quick movements." Don't walk fast, don't stop suddenly. There's a pharmacy across the street from the hotel. There's also some restaurants and a Whole Foods grocery nearby.

I don't know of any DIY castration which hasn't necessitated medical intervention at some point. Emergency room bills are outrageous. Once discovered, DIY castrators usually have to go through mandatory counselling. Even in the best case where someone successfully used a burdizzo and withstood the pain and swelling, a urologist was consulted later to remove the dead testicles.

Terri

[Slammr (imported)]

Yes, the logistics of going to Philly by myself would be difficult. My wife would go except that we have animals at home to take care of and we have no one to help us.

Any volunteers to go with me? I'd still prefer to get this done locally. I'm not infavor of DIY but that is looking more and more like a real possiblity....

Do it yourself, and You're going to end up in the emergency room at some time, and it will cost you much more than the trip to Philly. Kimmel's fee at $2000 -- $2500 is much cheaper than emergency room costs. I had carpal tunnel surgery done, a very simple operation, and the charges were over $5000, just for the hospital, and I was there only for a few hours. You would be looking at thousands of dollars for which your insurance probably wouldn't pay, since the injury was self inflicted.

Also, if the newspapers catch wind of it, you might be subjected to unfavorable publicity, and you could probably expect to spend some time with a shrink, at your expense. DIY is never a good idea. You could even endanger -- probably would endanger -- your life. Better to keep the balls than do it yourself. Some here have tried. FEW have succeeded.

[Kangan (imported)]

DIY castration is not what I want. Another reason why I didn't spend $23 for a bander and some bands at the local farm supply store.

I did want to get some info about what happens after being castrated by Dr. Kimmel. I do thank all who replied for thier input.

I am wondering (and I guess I will have to telephone Dr. Kimmel to get the answer)... were all of you folks castrated through abdomenal incisions? I would prefer a scrotal incision as it would seem to be less damaging and prone to swelling and complications. Or am I wrong about this?

When I had my vasectomy, the swelling was mostly in my cords due to all the cutting and pulling etc. It would seem logical that a simple scrotal incision and the cutting and cauterizing of the cords would be considerably less traumatic than a full inguinal incision.

If I have to go to Philly, I want to minimise the down time.

[Hairless (imported)]

Dr. Kimmel like most doctors use the scrotum incision method. The abdominal method requires a hospital stay and takes a lot longer to recover from. The only problem with the scrotum method is that some doctors seem to have trouble removing enough of the chords so they don't cause problems later on. I've raved probably too much about this subject, but it's a problem you don't want to have. The latest guys here, that have had Kimmel castrate them, seem not to have as much trouble as some have had in the past. Maybe he's doing a better job now. Just make sure he removes most, if not all of the chords so they don't attach themselves to some place that will be bothersome. I have also heard of some doctors that attach the chords to, I believe the abdominal wall, so they don't attach thenselves somewhere that will be painful. Don't let him be lazy, ask him to remove the chords too, even if the incision needs to be a little larger. You'll be glad you did. My doctor did it for me and I have had no problems at all. So it can be done. Good luck, Steve

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Dear Kangan,

I had my surgery with Dr. Kimmel this past March and other than a few minor problems, some of which may have been own fault, I have had no problems with cord attachment or anything else.

If you would like a detailed account of my surgical experience, please look at my thread in the gay, bi and transgendered forum of this site.

[kristoff]

Dr. Kimmel like most doctors use the scrotum incision method. The abdominal method requires a hospital stay and takes a lot longer to recover from. The only problem with the scrotum method is that some doctors seem to have trouble removing enough of the chords so they don't cause problems later on. I've raved probably too much about this subject, but it's a problem you don't want to have. The latest guys here, that have had Kimmel castrate them, seem not to have as much trouble as some have had in the past. Maybe he's doing a better job now. Just make sure he removes most, if not all of the chords so they don't attach themselves to some place that will be bothersome. I have also heard of some doctors that attach the chords to, I believe the abdominal wall, so they don't attach thenselves somewhere that will be painful. Don't let him be lazy, ask him to remove the chords too, even if the incision needs to be a little larger. You'll be glad you did. My doctor did it for me and I have had no problems at all. So it can be done. Good luck, Steve

It is next to impossible to remove significant parts of the cords through a scotal incision. Too much is just not reachable that way. One can only stretch it a bit and cut it a touch shorter. Most folks experience no problem at all in this area. A few do; so worth the risk I suspect.

[Hairless (imported)]

It is next to impossible to remove significant parts of the cords through a scotal incision. Too much is just not reachable that way. One can only stretch it a bit and cut it a touch shorter. Most folks experience no problem at all in this area. A few do; so worth the risk I suspect.

I just sent Dr. Alter an e-mail asking him about the chord question. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss understand what can and can't be done. Since we both think each other is full of beans, I thought I would try to get the straight dope. I do like Mexican food, but the beans tend to attack me. But they are good.

Here are his qualifications:

"Dr. Gary Alter is one of only a handful physicians in the United States who is Board Certified in both urology and plastic surgery. He is in the private practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills, California, subspecializing in genital reconstruction. Dr Gary Alter also has a private practice in Manhattan, New York.

Labiaplasty Surgeon

Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, UCLA

Genital reconstruction plastic surgeon

Beverly Hills Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified Urologist

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Urological Association

Member, Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons

Doctor Alter is an acknowledged leader in genital reconstruction by combining the strengths of both specialties. He has extensive knowledge of genital anatomy as well as expertise in minimizing scars, transferring tissue, and improving cosmetic appearance".

If this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I don't know who does. If I get an answer to my e-mail I'll post the results. Steve

[kristoff]

I just sent Dr. Alter an e-mail asking him about the chord question. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss understand what can and can't be done. Since we both think each other is full of beans, I thought I would try to get the straight dope. I do like Mexican food, but the beans tend to attack me. But they are good.

Here are his qualifications:

"Dr. Gary Alter is one of only a handful physicians in the United States who is Board Certified in both urology and plastic surgery. He is in the private practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills, California, subspecializing in genital reconstruction. Dr Gary Alter also has a private practice in Manhattan, New York.

Labiaplasty Surgeon

Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, UCLA

Genital reconstruction plastic surgeon

Beverly Hills Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified Urologist

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons

Member, American Urological Association

Member, Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons

Doctor Alter is an acknowledged leader in genital reconstruction by combining the strengths of both specialties. He has extensive knowledge of genital anatomy as well as expertise in minimizing scars, transferring tissue, and improving cosmetic appearance".

If this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I don't know who does. If I get an answer to my e-mail I'll post the results. Steve

Please do. About the only way he is gonna get up there via the scrotal incision and through the inguinal canal would be some form of arthroscopic surgery - an unlikely approach.

My MD degree is a hanger, a switch blade, and a cot in a back alley, but I have learned a thing or two over the years. I await the great MDs answer

[Kangan (imported)]

Thanks for all the fresh input regarding the Kimmel method. I suspected that an inguinal incision would be tricky and require more recovery. I do have short cords and a small scrotum (small balls too). I'd say that a midline cut would not provide enough slack so two side cuts would be required. If it was up to me, that's how I would do it....

[Burdizzo Bill (imported)]

Yes, a burdizzo can be used to castrate a human male. Many folks over the years have had a great variety of experience and all swear they are experts on just the proper application of a burdizzo - i.e., fast clamping, slow clamping, single clamp, multiple clamps, twisting, short duration, long duration, ad nauseum. FACT: some folks here have been castrated successfully with a clamp. It is EXTREMELY painful, and MOST of the time a failure - human cords are not like animal cords - theirs crush, ours compress. Use of topicals like lidocaine merely modify the pain, and one had better be prepared for 1 to 2 weeks of massive swelling, healing lacerations, discomfort and pain. I do speak from experience. The best approach to use? None.

My castration was by burdizzo...while the only bad part of the experience I can mention is that it failed the first time and had to be repeated to succeed, I would still be inclined to strongly recommend that if you can figure out any possible way to be surgically castrated, make that your first choice.

If you are going to D-I-Y then I would say the burdizzo is the safest way to go. But I would still say do surgical if you can.

The details of my castration and after effects are here:

http://eunuchinfo.com

Bill

[Hairless (imported)]

I e-mailed Dr. Alter and here is the brief response that I received. "I removed the spermatic cords up to the external rings on both sides". Although I did have my scrotum removed that probably gave him more room to work, I think the same thing could be accomplished with a larger incision in the scrotum. Steve

[kristoff]

I e-mailed Dr. Alter and here is the brief response that I received. "I removed the spermatic cords up to the external rings on both sides". Although I did have my scrotum removed that probably gave him more room to work, I think the same thing could be accomplished with a larger incision in the scrotum. Steve

If I remember correctly the external rings refers to the lower portion of the inguinal canal. A-1, you reading? Comment?