Scott’s experience: Back to work

Hi folks, Well, it’s done. Last Friday at 8 am. The traditional procedure went pretty smoothly. To prep, the doc asked me to shave, and wash with Hibiclens soap (the same kinda soap surgeons use to scrub). He also prescribed me a Valium to take beforehand. My fiancee and her (13-year-old) daughter drove me and waited in the waiting room during the procedure. The nurse asked me to empty my bladder before going back to the procedure room. Once there, I was given an antibiotic (I would also be given a 3-day prescription) and a Percoset (fairly strong pain pill). I was then left alone for about 15 minutes while the Percoset took effect and mixed nicely with the valium.

The doctor came in and got right to it. He’s a nice guy, comfortable to talk to. The injections were probably the most uncomfortable part. They are a lot like a dentist’s injections, however, the pressure buildup as the fluid is injected was VERY uncomfortable; as I said, the worst part. I was then surprised that he immediately picked up the scalpel and began cutting! I couldn’t feel a thing, which I did not expect since when getting fillings (and I think even when getting stitches) the doctor waits for a couple of minutes.

Anyway, the tugging sensation on the left side was quite noticeable. It was weird to watch him wrap the silk, with these big arm movements. Just seemed out of place somehow, give the “delicacy” of the procedure. I should clarify – I didn’t watch. I was kind of looking at his face as we talked, and those large arm movements were unavoidably caught in my peripheral vision.

I then learned what cauterization smells like. I’ve read in a few places about a grounding pad. I had no grounding pad; they just made sure I wasn’t touching anything metallic.

He then moved on to the right-hand side for a repeat performance. I could feel the incision after the injection, so he gave me a bit more anesthetic, and then all was fine. Didn’t feel any tugging on the right-hand side at all. That was the opposite of what I expected since my left testicle hangs lower than the right. I would have thought that the extra slack would have worked in my favor, not against it.

After putting on my athletic supporter (btw, the nurse was surprised that I hadn’t purchased the “full underwear” kind, just the groin area with straps, to be worn over underwear), I was wheeled out in a wheelchair. I figured, that way, I wouldn’t have to buy a bunch of supporters. Just fresh underwear every day, with the supporter over it. Seems to be working out ok.

I had told the nurse that my fiancee would be interested in seeing the removed vas, so she brought them out to show her (she’s fascinated by things that come out of peoples’ bodies). It wasn’t what I expected. From beavercleaver.net, I got the impression it was a little piece of something string- or wire-gauge. What I saw, though, reminded me of very small squid slices (fleshy rings). They were floating in some kind of liquid, each in their own container, labeled “left” and “right”.

I arranged for a follow up the following Friday, given prescriptions for antibiotics and painkillers (codeine, I think), then wheeled down to the car. At this point, I didn’t really feel any pain, just in a really good mood. There’s a debate as to whether I was drugged up, or tremendously relieved that it was over. I vote for relieved since I was coherent and lucid, but whatever…

The recovery

Spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the couch with frozen peas watching tv, and reading. I can call this productive time since I actually watched the entire Planet of the Apes series from start to finish. (the second movie was the worst, imho). By Sunday afternoon, though, the swelling and discomfort were such that work on Monday was looking unlikely. Although swelling was expected, I didn’t know how MUCH was acceptable. Also, the swelling was worse on the right-hand side, which hadn’t given me any trouble during the procedure. Laying down with ice was OK, but walking around, with or without the supporter, was just way too uncomfortable, and I found myself relating the cast of Planet of the Apes in the way that they walked.

Monday I began noticing bruising, which didn’t really bother me, cause I knew to expect that, and it didn’t hurt. It showed up in an unexpected (to me, at least) place: along with the scrotum where it joins my abdomen, and only on the right-hand side (the side with most of the swelling and discomfort). Also, the bruising was almost black.

I should mention that the discomfort was not to the point of being unbearable. I only took pain pills the day of the procedure. If I worked at home, I probably would have been back to work Monday; it was just the obviousness of it all, plus the walk from the car to my office, etc.

Monday afternoon I called the doctors and got an appointment for Tuesday afternoon, asking that he just check me out to ensure that the swelling, etc. was OK. Tuesday the swelling hadn’t gone down, but by late morning kinda wished I had gone in to work. By then it was too late though and went to my 1 pm appointment. He told me everything was fine, and that the swelling and discomfort should be noticeably improved within 7 days. That improved my spirits tremendously (thoughts of PVP etc. had been running through my brain). In fact, went with my fiancee to pick up her wedding ring (designed it and had it made, just like her engagement ring). I went all Tuesday with no supporter, btw, and only regretted it in the evening, after being more vertical than I had in a few days.

So, now it’s Wednesday and I’m back to work. I’m wearing the supporter and can manage walking with just a mild limp. Not wearing the supporter yesterday, I was fairly swollen by the time I went to bed. That subsided overnight (back to where I was when I visited the doctor), so I’m much more comfortable than I was last night. I still have my follow up scheduled for Friday.

So, if this is the worst of it, it hasn’t been that bad, really. I don’t think that these very minor complications are the result of trying to do too much too soon. I didn’t do anything at all! Some people just recover at different rates than others, I guess.

BTW, masturbated Saturday night, very carefully. All went well, nothing unexpected, no pain. Have done twice more since. I’m finding that I agree with the comments about better erections. I don’t know if I can attribute it to no anxiety about pregnancy, though, since I’m always alone (until the wedding, anyway) and haven’t been given the all-clear. I’m not complaining though. (FWIW, I’m 32). The first ejaculation was particularly intense. I’m noticing a difference in the feeling of “release”, though. Specifically, it doesn’t include the testicles (which makes sense). I don’t know if this is because I’m still recovering, or that’s the way it will always feel. Kinda feels like I’m missing out on something now.

Sorry for such a long post. I know how helpful the experiences that I read were to me, so wanted to pass mine along. As I recover, I’ll post follow-ups. Again, thanks to everyone for all the help/support/advice I’ve received here!

Submitted by Scott