Pros and Cons of Prostheses

[Beau Geste (imported)]

The usual prosthetic replacements you hear about are for arms or legs, but prosthetic testes must be the most difficult to detect as prosthetic devices, of all prosthetics. Put objects of the right size and shape in the sac, and anyone looking at the scrotum would think it was normal, assuming that there was no prominent scar that would indicate an orchiectomy had been performed. I can remember reading some time ago that a number of different materials--glass, aluminum, rubber, and polished jade among them, have been used at different times as the raw materials for prosthetic testicles. Plastic, either by itself or with something else inserted to increase the weight, must be the usual material for prosthetics of that type at the present time.

I can't remember reading any posts on these message boards, in which anybody indicated that he had had prosthetic testes implanted. However, there must be a lot of men who have orchiectomy for prostate cancer, who do have the implants inserted. And certainly there must be a lot of individuals who have elective orchiectomies, who consider having implants put in.

So, the question I would have regarding prosthetic implants to replace the male gonads, is whether anybody who accesses the message boards has had implants, and whether they seem satisfactory. It would also be interesting to know what the effect of having implants is, both on the individual who has them put into the sac, and on other people. Would having the prosthetics, even though they were nonfunctional, give somebody confidence he wouldn't otherwise have? And, perhaps, would people who knew that someone had had orchiectomy, but could also see that he had the implanted prosthetics, be more likely to see him as a "man who had an operation" rather than as a eunuch? After all, most eunuchs who had their surgery after puberty, don't appear to be any different than other men, other than the absence of testes--I would guess that those taking hormone supplements, don't even have significantly smaller phalluses than most men.

From an esthetic perspective, according to some of the posts I have read, the empty sac often looks loose and shriveled, while prostheses would fill it out and give it a smoother look. In particular, I would think that, if an individual has had one testicle removed, the prosthesis would make the scrotum look somewhat more symmetrical than if only one gonad were in it.

Of course, there are some persons who had orchiectomy, in part, because they didn't like the looks of the scrotum or testes, and my impression is, that most Archive members like the "smooth" crotch appearance. A substantial number of women also say that, if they are erotically interested in a man, then the scrotum has a certain attractiveness--but, otherwise, they consider it ugly. I recall one girl saying the scrotum looked like a "popout" (a hernia).

With a lot of current research going on, directed toward developing methods of growing replacement organs, perhaps it will be possible at some indeterminate time in the future, to get replacement testes--maybe even ones which produce, at least to a near approximation, the amount of testosterone that the individual having the implant wants. For a lot of people, I suppose that would create another reason for uncertainty--should they get new testes; or would that simply create another ambiguous situation, like the one which originally led to their having an orchiectomy?

To my knowledge, there is nothing which could be described as a prosthetic penis, though I have read about penises being surgically constructed, both for those who have lost their original phalluses, and for female to male transsexuals. I would guess that stores which carry adult sexual implements, sell a lot of dildos, but those have a somewhat different purpose than prostheses.

[DonFL (imported)]

Well i know of at least one other member who has them. Im getting them next month. AART makes some soft but firm silicone balls for implants, that is what im going to be getting. Silicone is the material of choice for its ability to mimic natural shape and plyability, they are not all hard as nylon, and stainless steal would be too heave and hard.

[kristoff]

There have been several who have had implants. I believe MrT announced that he recently undertook surgery to implant some, if memory serves me.

Years ago my urologist asked me if I wanted to do implants. I told him only if they were made of brass. I usually had those kind anyway (still do), and they would clank when I walked. He declined, saying that if I farted while they were clanking they would cause fire to shoot out my ass.... He didn't want to see me in the burn unit....

[ukeunuch (imported)]

I have them, I have had this set for two years, 4 without and a year before that with others, and 6 moths prior to that without. To be honest, I really dont like them, and still thinking I'll have them out, the only main reason I have them is to keep my cock ring in place as I wear it all the time, its solid stainless steal and when I havent had implants I have missed it, and the weight it gives me between my legs, the implants I cant feel at all, more so around the scar areas. I have the smallest set of implants you can have as iIdidnt want a bulge. I consider myself a masculine Eunuch as if you were to touch my implants you would be aware they are not real testis. Although to others I may look like the average male. I personally dont care what others think about me or my lifestyle, never have.

[ukeunuch (imported)]

Although I have to add that if i was to replace them again I would this time go for some kind of non allergic metal, that did set airport secruity alarms off, just for the quandry while they examed me, but thats if and when , I just think it would be so funny

[Eunuchist (imported)]

An interesting article regarding possible adverse health consequences of using silicone prostheses in men:

http://www.asiaandro.com/1008-682X/4/67.pdf

There is some concern that silicone implants may be associated with connective-tissue disease and adverse autoimmune responses. While this small study concludes that it could not detect any significant risks short-term, they nonetheless acknoweledge that their study was too limited to provide any reliable or conclusive answers in this regard.

However, growing evidence suggests that silicone in women may be harmful in the long run, largely by similar mechanisms as mentioned above:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_15958007

[raymar2020 (imported)]

I have known several people who had at least one implant . All of them later optioned to have them removed. They are somewhat heavy, and stretch the scrotum, and for those who retain a natural testicle, the difference in hang is too great.

I also have a very close friend who is a urologist. In his practice, he refuses to do them ,and further cautions his patients that they will not be happy with the result , if they allow someone else to do implants. So far, he tells me that his patients have followed his advise.

Personally , it would seem silly to me to spend a fairly large sum, (most insurance won't cover them), for something that only those you are intimate with would see. If appearance in the gym is the issue, take a good look around, there are many men with very small testes, and scrotums. The difference between that and an empty hanging sack is minimal.

I would also have concerns about foreign materials being in my body.You could have adverse reactions to them, and cause illness.

Raymar

[considering (imported)]

I have a total shoulder replacement and while I'm pleased with the result, one must always be aware that nothing ultimately completely simulates the real thing. My Urologist and I have discussed the issue of implants, were I not considering total castration including the sac and he advises against them. As of now there is not sufficient research for anyone to really know what the long term effects might be. That said, if one is determined for the "show" factor, the sky is the limit bound only by what one is willing to tolerate versus the effect desired. You could easily clank or squish or bounce to the degree you want.

[mrt (imported)]

There have been several who have had implants. I believe MrT announced that he recently undertook surgery to implant some, if memory serves me.

Years ago my urologist asked me if I wanted to do implants. I told him only if they were made of brass. I usually had those kind anyway (still do), and they would clank when I walked. He declined, saying that if I farted while they were clanking they would cause fire to shoot out my ass.... He didn't want to see me in the burn unit....

Yes, thats true about my surgery. Sorry I kept kind of in stealth mode...

Like the Brass idea! Never occured to me to ask. DAMN!

I did a lot of R&D on implants. One of my issues was serious atrophy. My "issued" set were fried long ago. Silicone gel units that might break - leaking out the gel scared me but the only types like this are in the R&D stage. They do sell this type in Europe etc however. *And maybe soon in the USA.

I didn't like the Saline filled (Waterballon) types that Mentor / Coloplast sells. For reasons I don't understand their largest size just "barely" fits the bill as a normal "adult" sized testicle. I also heard they had an "un-natural" firmness but I'm not as sure about that. Never saw or squeezed one.

I looked into Silimed that sells Solid Silicone models and in real adult sizes as well as super human sizes. The patients I spoke to (Email etc) told me they felt these devices were also far to stiff. They described them as feeling like a "superball" and this turned me off.

My buddy "Hairless" while not intersted in implants shared his surgeons email address and I asked him if he could comment on the current state of the art. He told me that he is a Urologist AND a cosmetic surgeon and that he was very fond of the devices made by AART. My surgeon gave me a chance to see a sample model and while squeezing it I gave myself a squeeze (ouch) and have to admit they were very similar in firmness. These are also "solid" like the Silimed - so there is no silicone gel to leak out.

If anyone asked me if they should have an implant I would say yes. For me its helped with some male ego issues. Having olive to table grape sized testes was never good for my "body image" *If I can swipe that term from our female friends. My wife said she didn't care but she also said WOW when she saw my new "set" so that didn't hurt my ego issues one bit...

If anyone wanted my opinion on which one I would be happy to suggest the AART folks. They make a good product that feels right to me. It also is the right size and shape. I had some difficulties and the AART folks jumped through lots of hoops to make sure that my surgeon had what he needed to complete my surgery.

Going beyond that I would also suggest they be sutchered into place. Mine "hang" from the roof rather then being anchored to the base of the scrotum. More tissure to insure they never come loose and I will never have to contend with saggy old guy balls... Some guys said to let them float but there is a concern of them going up the inguinal canals and getting lost. None for me please!

[mrt (imported)]

One of the links listed here seems dead (at least I can get to it) the other one just confuses me. The poster seems to imply that Silicone Prostheses are a health danger yet if you read the study until the end you get this...

"To date, there seems to be no conclusive evidence associating connective disorders or autoimmunity wiht silicone implants."

and

"in summary, our findings suggest, but cannot establish, that the risk of connective-tissue diseases in patients with silicone gel-filled prostheses is not higher, although men with prostheses may develop atypical immunological reactions. However, our study was limited by substantial methodological flaws, including uncontrolled, retrospective, no population-based design, very small samples as well as a relatively short duration of followup."

In short they can't prove any problems nor is the study done well. Oh and the implants they talk about (Gel Filled) have not been on the market for how long?

So WHY post links to this? Just to scare people who don't read the whole thing?

I bought into the whole Silicone Gel = Health Danger myself and thats why I opted for the AART device. Mentor/Coloplast announced they are re-introducing gel filled appliances soon. Maybe they read this same sort of study and conclude this is safe after all...

[Toni (imported)]

I've also got fake testicles. Apart from being slighly smaller than my original pair , and they don't seem to hang as low, I can hardly notice any difference at all. My partener says she can't feel any difference at all! I haven't experienced any side effects from them. The best news is when I've been playing rugby, and been kicked between the legs, after the initial pain in the surrounding area, there's no long term throbbing (I know some of you enjoy the throbbing, but I don't).

[mrt (imported)]

I've also got fake testicles. Apart from being slighly smaller than my original pair , and they don't seem to hang as low, I can hardly notice any difference at all. My partener says she can't feel any difference at all! I haven't experienced any side effects from them. The best news is when I've been playing rugby, and been kicked between the legs, after the initial pain in the surrounding area, there's no long term throbbing (I know some of you enjoy the throbbing, but I don't).

And we can ride a horse and not feel crippled. I'm thinking maybe its time to start playing baseball again. I stopped after the 2nd or 3rd line drive nailed me in the balls. Now I suppose the worse that would happen is it would hit bounce off and maybe hit the batter....

Hummm... I'm starting to once again think of my Comic Book. SuperBalls man and Uber Testes! Balls to the wall! Baaaaarang!!!! kerbonk kerbonk kerbonk....

[devi (imported)]

Is there such a thing as transmitter testicles? You could grab your balls to open the garage, lock and unlock the car, change channels on the television, and with a hollow cane you could talk to your balls for a phone conversation. Why you could even recieve signals from outer space or else the mother superior.

[Kangan (imported)]

Is there such a thing as transmitter testicles? You could grab your balls to open the garage, lock and unlock the car, change channels on the television, and with a hollow cane you could talk to your balls for a phone conversation. Why you could even recieve signals from outer space or else the mother superior.

Wow! You need to patent that idea.

[littletits (imported)]

Why on earth would one put anythig foreign in their body that has no useful function. When I was intact I was not in the habit of showing off my balls to all and sundry and as Eunuch I am not in the habit of doing the same with my empty scrotum. Now if it was a hip replecement etc I could see the point.

All materials used in fake balls have the potential to cause plenty of problems down the road, will not make you a man again and I a sorry but I cannnot see the point. If its a self image issue you are only fooling yourself.

[AtomicMush (imported)]

After getting one or both nuts removed why in the world would anyone want them back, even if they were brass or even gold? I had one surgically removed last year due to cancer, and the other has shriveled and withdrawn into somewhere (maybe it is scared shitless, who knows...), and I have not seen or felt it in months. I love it. The empty baggy is a hassle, as it gets in the way at times, and I am going to ask my Doc to remove it this summer. The remaining orb has shrunken to a fraction of it's size right after the surgery. Hormone level aside, it's wonderful being nut-less. I am much more comfortable, and this has opened up many clothing options that are much more comfy.

If you are lucky enough to loose one or both, count your blessings. I personally do not miss them.