Thread: 6 Months On - Varicocele Surgery and Full Recovery - Questions welcome.

Gday blokes.

At the start of this year this forum served me greatly, when I needed answers and experiences regarding how to live with a varicocele.
It was and still is quite hard to find conclusive information regarding the surgery in Australia - so here's me giving back.
Any questions you got, reply to the thread. Happy to answer.

CAUSE:
Motorcycle Collision (left testicle crushed between pubic bone and airbox/fuel tank) ironically - I was on my way to gym.

DIAGNOSIS:
Traumatic Grade III Varicocele, not able to resolve on own.

SYMPTOMS:
Large, ongoing pain in testicular area, spreading down left leg in worst episodes.
Pain would persist 18 of 24 hours in a day, especially after long periods of being seated/after exercise.

EFFECTS ON LIFESTYLE:
Arousal extremely painful after long periods of time.
Detrimental mental effect following sexual discomfort.
Inability to run more than 200m, due to accumulation of non-circulating blood pooling around gonads.
No exercises which involve inter-abdominal pressure - including any abdominal workout, or compound exercise (deadlifts, squat, chin-up, etc.)

TREATMENT:
Initial - Neurofen by the box.
Secondary - Surgury involving 3 <5mm(<1/4 inch) incisions in abdomen as follows:
- One in your bellybutton, toward the lower edge
- One just above your johnson, about 2.5cm (1 inch) up
- and one more about halfway between the two just mentioned, and 10cm to the right.
The holes are for a gas fitting, to inflate you, a camera and a little ass robot arm to clip the left gonadal vein.

PROCESS:
Accident - diagnosis is 'bruising'
One month later - Concerned, I obtain an ultrasound privately. Varicocele identified. Told to 'wait and see' approach.
The pain became unbearable, and soon two sbsequent relationships fail because of the thing.
A second opinion was sought, and another ultrasound done - one which caused the a surgeon to be recommended due to the worsening condition.
Due to the accident being covered by insurance, I was able to claim and go through the private system.

SURGICAL COST:
None - Insurance (employer paid $1800 excess on insurance policy)

COMPLICATIONS:
Severe constipation, due to pain drugs containing codiene.
Anal Fissure due to constipation expulsion after enema.
Accessory haemorrhoid also caused.

CONCLUSION - 6 MONTHS ON:
Fissure cracks open a tiny bit occasionally. Literal pain in the ass.
Haemorrhoid gone.
Testes fully functional again. Also, testosterone tested 03.12.13 and levels confirmed normal by GP.
Back at gym full time- sprints, cardio, abs, deadlifts, squats. The whole nine yards.

I'm writing to let you guys know that for TRAUMATIC varicoceles - of high grades (Varicoceles being graded between I and IV) the most viable solution for the extreme discomfort they can cause is, unfortunately - surgery. I tried most everything in the book before I went to the insurance for the surgery. Even then I had to prove my case.

FROM THE SURGEON:
Many cases that present in his office are of a purely aesthetic nature, ie. competition bodybuilders and powerlifters concerned for their junk. His professional opinion was that unless causing a significant impediment in your quality of life (as in my case, the stories I could tell you ) he would not choose to operate on.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Please keep in mind the contrast between a traumatic varicocele and the genetic predisposition to blow a valve in your left testicular vein. My best mate has the genetic form - and watching me go through the whole process couldn't fathom why I'd need surgery; because his never caused significant discomfort more than three - four times a year. This guy weighs 71kg and dealifts 160. So although a unit - doesn't get bothered by the lumpy left testicle, because let's face it - balls are as ugly as sin from the get go.

So please be aware of the two types, and that you may or not require the process I went through above.

I hope I've alleviated some anxiety off someone's shoulders - the worst part is not knowing though - something I pointlessly stressed over for five months.

So don't be me. Get a game plan. Start talking about it, and start fighting the ****er every way you know how til you find a way to get it gone.


ALEX

Originally Posted by rsdalexis

Gday blokes.

At the start of this year this forum served me greatly, when I needed answers and experiences regarding how to live with a varicocele.
It was and still is quite hard to find conclusive information regarding the surgery in Australia - so here's me giving back.
Any questions you got, reply to the thread. Happy to answer.

CAUSE:
Motorcycle Collision (left testicle crushed between pubic bone and airbox/fuel tank) ironically - I was on my way to gym.

DIAGNOSIS:
Traumatic Grade III Varicocele, not able to resolve on own.

SYMPTOMS:
Large, ongoing pain in testicular area, spreading down left leg in worst episodes.
Pain would persist 18 of 24 hours in a day, especially after long periods of being seated/after exercise.

EFFECTS ON LIFESTYLE:
Arousal extremely painful after long periods of time.
Detrimental mental effect following sexual discomfort.
Inability to run more than 200m, due to accumulation of non-circulating blood pooling around gonads.
No exercises which involve inter-abdominal pressure - including any abdominal workout, or compound exercise (deadlifts, squat, chin-up, etc.)

TREATMENT:
Initial - Neurofen by the box.
Secondary - Surgury involving 3 <5mm(<1/4 inch) incisions in abdomen as follows:
- One in your bellybutton, toward the lower edge
- One just above your johnson, about 2.5cm (1 inch) up
- and one more about halfway between the two just mentioned, and 10cm to the right.
The holes are for a gas fitting, to inflate you, a camera and a little ass robot arm to clip the left gonadal vein.

PROCESS:
Accident - diagnosis is 'bruising'
One month later - Concerned, I obtain an ultrasound privately. Varicocele identified. Told to 'wait and see' approach.
The pain became unbearable, and soon two sbsequent relationships fail because of the thing.
A second opinion was sought, and another ultrasound done - one which caused the a surgeon to be recommended due to the worsening condition.
Due to the accident being covered by insurance, I was able to claim and go through the private system.

SURGICAL COST:
None - Insurance (employer paid $1800 excess on insurance policy)

COMPLICATIONS:
Severe constipation, due to pain drugs containing codiene.
Anal Fissure due to constipation expulsion after enema.
Accessory haemorrhoid also caused.

CONCLUSION - 6 MONTHS ON:
Fissure cracks open a tiny bit occasionally. Literal pain in the ass.
Haemorrhoid gone.
Testes fully functional again. Also, testosterone tested 03.12.13 and levels confirmed normal by GP.
Back at gym full time- sprints, cardio, abs, deadlifts, squats. The whole nine yards.

I'm writing to let you guys know that for TRAUMATIC varicoceles - of high grades (Varicoceles being graded between I and IV) the most viable solution for the extreme discomfort they can cause is, unfortunately - surgery. I tried most everything in the book before I went to the insurance for the surgery. Even then I had to prove my case.

FROM THE SURGEON:
Many cases that present in his office are of a purely aesthetic nature, ie. competition bodybuilders and powerlifters concerned for their junk. His professional opinion was that unless causing a significant impediment in your quality of life (as in my case, the stories I could tell you ) he would not choose to operate on.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Please keep in mind the contrast between a traumatic varicocele and the genetic predisposition to blow a valve in your left testicular vein. My best mate has the genetic form - and watching me go through the whole process couldn't fathom why I'd need surgery; because his never caused significant discomfort more than three - four times a year. This guy weighs 71kg and dealifts 160. So although a unit - doesn't get bothered by the lumpy left testicle, because let's face it - balls are as ugly as sin from the get go.

So please be aware of the two types, and that you may or not require the process I went through above.

I hope I've alleviated some anxiety off someone's shoulders - the worst part is not knowing though - something I pointlessly stressed over for five months.

So don't be me. Get a game plan. Start talking about it, and start fighting the ****er every way you know how til you find a way to get it gone.


ALEX

Hi there, I appreciate this is a very late reply - but did you consider embolization and why did you go for surgery over embolization?

Thanks

Originally Posted by rsdalexis

Gday blokes.

At the start of this year this forum served me greatly, when I needed answers and experiences regarding how to live with a varicocele.
It was and still is quite hard to find conclusive information regarding the surgery in Australia - so here's me giving back.
Any questions you got, reply to the thread. Happy to answer.

CAUSE:
Motorcycle Collision (left testicle crushed between pubic bone and airbox/fuel tank) ironically - I was on my way to gym.

DIAGNOSIS:
Traumatic Grade III Varicocele, not able to resolve on own.

SYMPTOMS:
Large, ongoing pain in testicular area, spreading down left leg in worst episodes.
Pain would persist 18 of 24 hours in a day, especially after long periods of being seated/after exercise.

EFFECTS ON LIFESTYLE:
Arousal extremely painful after long periods of time.
Detrimental mental effect following sexual discomfort.
Inability to run more than 200m, due to accumulation of non-circulating blood pooling around gonads.
No exercises which involve inter-abdominal pressure - including any abdominal workout, or compound exercise (deadlifts, squat, chin-up, etc.)

TREATMENT:
Initial - Neurofen by the box.
Secondary - Surgury involving 3 <5mm(<1/4 inch) incisions in abdomen as follows:
- One in your bellybutton, toward the lower edge
- One just above your johnson, about 2.5cm (1 inch) up
- and one more about halfway between the two just mentioned, and 10cm to the right.
The holes are for a gas fitting, to inflate you, a camera and a little ass robot arm to clip the left gonadal vein.

PROCESS:
Accident - diagnosis is 'bruising'
One month later - Concerned, I obtain an ultrasound privately. Varicocele identified. Told to 'wait and see' approach.
The pain became unbearable, and soon two sbsequent relationships fail because of the thing.
A second opinion was sought, and another ultrasound done - one which caused the a surgeon to be recommended due to the worsening condition.
Due to the accident being covered by insurance, I was able to claim and go through the private system.

SURGICAL COST:
None - Insurance (employer paid $1800 excess on insurance policy)

COMPLICATIONS:
Severe constipation, due to pain drugs containing codiene.
Anal Fissure due to constipation expulsion after enema.
Accessory haemorrhoid also caused.

CONCLUSION - 6 MONTHS ON:
Fissure cracks open a tiny bit occasionally. Literal pain in the ass.
Haemorrhoid gone.
Testes fully functional again. Also, testosterone tested 03.12.13 and levels confirmed normal by GP.
Back at gym full time- sprints, cardio, abs, deadlifts, squats. The whole nine yards.

I'm writing to let you guys know that for TRAUMATIC varicoceles - of high grades (Varicoceles being graded between I and IV) the most viable solution for the extreme discomfort they can cause is, unfortunately - surgery. I tried most everything in the book before I went to the insurance for the surgery. Even then I had to prove my case.

FROM THE SURGEON:
Many cases that present in his office are of a purely aesthetic nature, ie. competition bodybuilders and powerlifters concerned for their junk. His professional opinion was that unless causing a significant impediment in your quality of life (as in my case, the stories I could tell you ) he would not choose to operate on.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Please keep in mind the contrast between a traumatic varicocele and the genetic predisposition to blow a valve in your left testicular vein. My best mate has the genetic form - and watching me go through the whole process couldn't fathom why I'd need surgery; because his never caused significant discomfort more than three - four times a year. This guy weighs 71kg and dealifts 160. So although a unit - doesn't get bothered by the lumpy left testicle, because let's face it - balls are as ugly as sin from the get go.

So please be aware of the two types, and that you may or not require the process I went through above.

I hope I've alleviated some anxiety off someone's shoulders - the worst part is not knowing though - something I pointlessly stressed over for five months.

So don't be me. Get a game plan. Start talking about it, and start fighting the ****er every way you know how til you find a way to get it gone.


ALEX

Thank you so much Alex !

I hope u r doing well now ...

I was diagnosed with Varicocele grade three. Doc says that i have to take the fertility test first, and that it's gonna be ok to get back to working out after the surgery. He is not keen what caused this, and in my case it could be weightlifting. I started resistance training three years ago and i am pushing my self very hard. I used to be overwight when i was young , and tight underwear were never something to avoid...so i guess all those causes might be the reason why i am struggling now ...

I just hope this wont help me from weightlifting ...gym is a prat of my life now

Hello shaeb

Hope you are well now.
Did you undergo the surgery? how long did it take you to recover and get back in the gym?
I hate the idea of not going to the gym and losing gainzzz...