Should I save my testicles?

19
u/pleximccabe
Thu Sep 23 13:45:08 2021 UTC
(55 comments)

I'm having my orchiectomy in a couple weeks, and I have the option to collect my testicles after they've been tested for disease. Should I do this? Has anyone done this? How did you feel about it?

I'm very 50/50 on this, and could use some help deciding. On the one hand, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I could see myself being thankful that I did, in a strange kind of way.

On the other hand, it's a hassle to collect them after surgery, and I'll have to deal with getting them preserved. But mostly, it'll be a part of me that I don't want, that still lingers around in my life. I won't be able to really get rid of them if I decide to keep them, and that feels like a burden.

In the future, if I decide to get vaginoplasty, I'm definitely going to cast my penis, and I think that would be a way better souvenir than preserved testicles. Like, I'm actively excited about this one, and can compare that feeling with the idea of preserving my testicles, which I'm very 50/50 on.

I just have no idea what I should do. Any thoughts?

all 55 comments


u/[deleted]
Thu Sep 23 14:16:36 2021 UTC
(17 children)

[deleted]

6
Thu Sep 23 16:55:44 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Shit I've never wanted truck nuts more in my life....

11
OP
Thu Sep 23 14:19:09 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Lol my partner said we should make them into matching necklaces.

4
OP
Thu Sep 23 14:20:00 2021 UTC
(14 children)

But really though, is this something you've given honest consideration? (Everything's on the table right now lol)

Thu Sep 23 16:18:00 2021 UTC
(13 children)

[deleted]

4
OP
Thu Sep 23 17:07:00 2021 UTC
(12 children)

Lolll ...I mean... I may do it... ngl, it's definitely tempting.

Thu Sep 23 17:09:59 2021 UTC
(11 children)

[removed]

3
OP
Thu Sep 23 17:37:04 2021 UTC
(7 children)

That's pretty hurtful. I'm sorry you feel that strongly about it.

Thu Sep 23 19:07:28 2021 UTC
(6 children)

[removed]

6
OP
Thu Sep 23 19:08:50 2021 UTC
(5 children)

Suggesting I’m a creep for wanting this is hurtful. I’m considering these things.

Thu Sep 23 19:09:46 2021 UTC
(4 children)

[deleted]

6
OP
Thu Sep 23 19:19:42 2021 UTC
(2 children)

Is normally just ignore a comment like this, but in case others see this, I want to be clear. This is hurtful because it’s shaming me for choices about my body and what I do with it. I have enough shame already being trans, and I’d like to have something cool instead of something shameful.

I’m honestly considering making earrings, preserving them, etc. because it feels empowering to take control over my body and my life. So comments like this are hurtful, and I don’t think it’s productive. I’m not aware of my choices here causing harm to anyone, and I see no moral case against it. I understand it may be unusual, but there are solid reasons why I want this.

child comments hidden
1
Thu Sep 23 19:18:44 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Removed. Rule 1.

2
Thu Sep 23 18:07:18 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Wow girl who hurt you?

1
Thu Sep 23 19:19:11 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Removed. Rule 1.

9
u/[deleted]
Thu Sep 23 18:26:51 2021 UTC
(0 children)

send them off with a viking funeral

15
u/[deleted]
Thu Sep 23 14:02:03 2021 UTC
(9 children)

I think you will lose interest fast once you have them in the jar (or wherever). I have rarely thought about those things since.

8
OP
Thu Sep 23 14:18:32 2021 UTC
(8 children)

That's exactly what I'm afraid of - and I won't be able to get rid of them... I don't like them, but it's a once in a lifetime kind of thing, and I could see myself regretting it both ways?

Thu Sep 23 14:41:26 2021 UTC
(7 children)

[deleted]

14
Thu Sep 23 15:14:58 2021 UTC
(6 children)

It’s a biohazard, please don’t dispose of them casually

6
OP
Thu Sep 23 15:23:03 2021 UTC
(5 children)

Exactly - especially once preserved. The preservation liquid is not something to toy around with, and I imagine it would be a bit expensive. (Haven't looked into it yet...)

8
Thu Sep 23 21:37:42 2021 UTC
(1 child)

It could become a treasured family heirloom passed down from generation to generation!

5
OP
Thu Sep 23 23:01:14 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Right?!? Uug I’m so torn. So many good jokes about the family jewels.

2
Thu Sep 23 22:26:59 2021 UTC
(2 children)

https://webwiser.nlm.nih.gov/substance?substanceId=1&catId=76

here is the procedure

3
OP
Thu Sep 23 23:04:54 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Here’s a guide https://mickeyalicekwapis.com/blog/wetspecimenupdate

1
Thu Sep 23 23:27:28 2021 UTC
(0 children)

That's a good web site. I see they mention funeral homes as one place to bring specimens. Sorry for my casual response about "dumping it somewhere" I know that's not good. Still feel that you will quickly lose interest in this after surgery.

12
u/possiblyis
Thu Sep 23 15:15:51 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I didn’t keep mine, I hate what they represent and I rest easy knowing they’ve been sliced, diced, and incinerated to all hell.

5
u/Evelyn_Price
Thu Sep 23 20:28:21 2021 UTC
*
(8 children)

It's standard practice at most hospitals to send any tissue removed during surgery to pathology for a histopathological examination. This includes testes removed during a gender affirming orchiectomy or vaginoplasty. Really, this is so standard that it almost didn't come up during my consult before surgery and didn't get mentioned at all during my post-op visit.

It was zero hassle on my part. During surgery the evil twins got removed, put in a jar of formalin, sent off to path (I never saw them) and 3 days later there was a note waiting for me that basically just said "yep, everything was normal." Short of some sort of personal or religious hang up, I don't know why anyone wouldn't let their specimens go get examined.

Kvach, Hyer, Carey and Bowers (yes, that Bowers) published a case report a few years ago ("Testicular Seminoma in a Transgender Woman: A Case Report" doi.org ) in which they note:

"As per the findings in our patient, we recommend that all transgender women who choose to undergo bilateral orchiectomy (alone or as part of a vaginoplasty procedure) for gender transition should have testes routinely sent for pathology evaluation to rule out the presence of undetected testicular cancer"

tl;dr - send the bits to pathology

7
OP
Thu Sep 23 21:31:04 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Yep! That’s the plan. They’re getting sent off for testing, and I asked my surgeon if I could have them after, and they said yes. I just need to coordinate it. The question is... do I want to?

But yes, testing is important!

3
Thu Sep 23 21:54:35 2021 UTC
(0 children)

ah oop I should have read your post more closely!

1
Thu Sep 23 21:26:28 2021 UTC
(5 children)

Not read the paper yet, but I wonder what you're supposed to do when you detect cancer? Orchi???

8
Thu Sep 23 21:49:59 2021 UTC
*
(3 children)

Testicular cancer is treated with a different orchiectomy technique than other indications. Specifically, an orchiectomy to treat testicular cancer is performed via an incision over the inguinal canal (or two separate incisions, one over each inguinal canal if the cancer is bilateral and both testis need to be removed). This technique is called a "radical orchiectomy." For most other indications like prostate cancer, testicular torsion, etc. a "simple orchiectomy" is performed, which is to say a midline incision on the scrotum is used to approach one or both testes.

When the scrotal incision is made during a simple orchiectomy, lymph flows up out of the scrotum towards the lymph nodes in the abdomen. Normally this isn't a problem, but if a testicular carcinoma is present this action can carry cancerous cells out of the testicle and those cells can then develop into metastasis in other parts of the body. A radical approach avoids this.

So to answer your question, if a gender affirming orchiectomy was performed using a simple approach and the histopathological study found abnormalities, further diagnostic work to verify that new metastasis aren't developing elsewhere would be indicated.

3
Thu Sep 23 22:03:23 2021 UTC
(2 children)

I'm adding this post to the wiki.

5
Thu Sep 23 22:12:09 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Oh uh in that case maybe it's worth mentioning that a gender affirming orchiectomy can be performed via either a simple or radical approach? Simple will mean a faster recovery, less trauma to the obliques and inguinal ligament, and a less visible scar BUT a radical approach leaves the scrotal skin completely intact which may make a future vaginoplasty somewhat easier. Both will result in scrotal atrophy, but I'm told almost never to the extent that a vaginoplasty would become overly difficult (at least not for a competent surgeon)

1
Thu Aug 4 19:22:26 2022 UTC
(0 children)

Eloquent and concise.

2
OP
Thu Sep 23 21:31:39 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I imagine it would just indicate further testing to see if it spread.

2
u/Black_Starfire
Thu Sep 23 14:37:41 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I totally would! You’re not wrong that it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and if you decide you don’t want them later you can always toss them then.

2
u/suomikim
Thu Sep 23 14:48:58 2021 UTC
(1 child)

nothing more badass than bronzing them and hanging them over your rear view mirror.

i wanted surgery since i was 4 years old.. even dreamt of a special "surgery chair" that would do the deed.

even still, there's no way I'm passing up on getting a mirror ornament out of the deal ;)

1
OP
Thu Sep 23 15:28:32 2021 UTC
(0 children)

This is actually totally possible. I've considered it. But I'm probably going to do liquid specimen preservation.

2
u/kategask
Thu Sep 23 18:58:24 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Are they food safe? Not every day you get to eat human. Not like it hasn't been done before already

2
OP
Thu Sep 23 19:07:28 2021 UTC
(0 children)

My partner actually wants to eat them 😂 I say they’re probably not fit for consumption because who knows what happened during testing or the procedure. But it definitely was an idea at one point.

2
u/BecomingLilyClaire
Sun Oct 17 17:54:17 2021 UTC
(1 child)

You had that option? They didn’t even give me the option to test them. I was scared I would never know they were both out unless I saw both out in front of me, tho…

2
OP
Sun Oct 17 18:02:34 2021 UTC
(0 children)

They were sent to pathology by default, to be tested for cancer. They incinerate them unless you specify that they are to be preserved for private burial. Lots of paperwork...

u/[deleted]
Thu Sep 23 18:28:11 2021 UTC
(2 children)

[removed]

1
OP
Thu Sep 23 19:06:20 2021 UTC
(1 child)

This is an actual consideration - have you looked into how this would be done?

2
u/Marina_07
Thu Sep 23 18:16:46 2021 UTC
(1 child)

What would you even do with them? I don't really see the point but if you want to then do it.

3
OP
Thu Sep 23 18:20:53 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Well, there’s nothing to be done with them exactly, other than say I have them and show them to interested friends and things. They’d mostly be a visual reminder of the fact that they’re NOT in my body anymore, and I imagine that would feel validating.

But that’s a good point.

1
u/thought_criminal22
Thu Sep 23 15:08:06 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Dammit I tried to get my doctor to give them to a friend of mine who works as an anatomist at University Alabama-Birmingham but they said that they were going to keep them for histiological studies...

1
u/SleepyCatten
Thu Sep 23 15:20:53 2021 UTC
(1 child)

I see that you and Mae Dean have similar thoughts. Hers were apparently incinerated . I don't imagine you'd honestly get much use out of them, though.

In terms of get a "cast" of your penis, that's not going to happen. Vaginoplasty typically repurposes the existing tissue within your penis as part of the procedure. Here's a simplified example .

3
OP
Thu Sep 23 15:27:38 2021 UTC
(0 children)

No no, I'd make it myself beforehand: https://www.createamate.com/

1
u/HiddenStill
Thu Sep 23 16:46:42 2021 UTC
(4 children)

I’ve a friend who kept hers. Not something I would do, but what ever makes you happy.

1
OP
Thu Sep 23 17:07:29 2021 UTC
(3 children)

Can I ask if she kept them? How does she feel about them now? (How long has she had them like this?)

2
Thu Sep 23 17:21:00 2021 UTC
(2 children)

She kept them at least a year or two. I’ve not talked to her in a while, but I assume she still has them.

I don’t know why she kept them. I did ask, but got a vague answer, and it’s not something that’s a big deal to me anyway.

I can’t relate to it personally. I get the burden bit though, I hate that kind of thing.

2
OP
Thu Sep 23 17:33:48 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Thanks - helpful to have additional stories to think about. Do you know if she preserved them or did something with them, like cast them in something?

2
Thu Sep 23 17:46:17 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I think people do all those things. Have you tried searching? This kind of thing does come up occasionally.

There’s a story of a women who did it here

https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/fayd3p/srs_with_dr_suporn_pdf_5th_edition/

It’s a bit long, but it’s somewhere in there if you search.

1
u/[deleted]
Thu Sep 23 18:09:01 2021 UTC
(2 children)

Bury them and plant a tree on top.

1
OP
Thu Sep 23 18:16:07 2021 UTC
(1 child)

I’ve actually considered this, but I’ve heard there are complications with burying human remains without getting ... questions. And the legality I think is a bit iffy? I’m sure it could be done, but probably isn’t as straightforward as I’d want.

1
Thu Sep 23 19:04:43 2021 UTC
(0 children)

depends where you live i guess. if you are in a concrete jungle could be hard . Generally I don't think you'll get in trouble planting a tree . You'd just put your balls in the hole first then the tree.

Burying a body is defiantly different kettle of fish lol