Discussion
Patch1875 said:
The procedure seems to be straightforward done through the groin? I take it it's a quick recovery afterwards? Also how long did it take?
Cheers
Tl;dr: entry via neck or groin. Recovery wise, out of hospital around 1.5 hrs after operation, sore (at entry point and general ball area) for a few days. Bruising around neck entry point. No heavy lifting for a week. Cheers
There are two entry points: neck or groin. The guide I was provided prior to the operation suggested that entry would be via a vein in the groin (my preference) but they decided to go in via the neck (right side). There are +ve/-ve of both but the big -ve for me (via the neck) was that you really are at the business end of it all (the surgeon's arm was pressed against my face for some of the operation and I could feel tugging and pulling around the entry point for some of it). I also had to lay with my head perfectly still to the left (to allow access to the right side of my neck) and there was a clock right in my vision. I also counted the ceiling tiles twice.
Duration wise, the procedure took around 1 hr 15 mins, which is on the long side. I had been told it would be 45 mins but in directing the wire through the myriad of veins the surgeon went the wrong way. He also said that I had 'unusual' vein structure so they called in another surgeon to observe.
I'm going to be completely honest as I think the guidance was a little misleading in places. So here goes...
Generally it was fine, there was no pain as such bar the anesthetic going into my neck (that honestly did hurt a bit). I'll be honest and say that the procedure itself was uncomfortable in my case; the neck entry meant that I had the surgeon's forearm in my face for a lot of the time and could sense (although not feel) him tugging and pulling the metal wire into the catheter in my neck (there was some bruising as a result). Also, you can be reminded of the wire moving its way through your veins at times (usually manifesting in short stabbing pains in your back or stomach); that was a little uncomfortable and I remember wishing things would hurry up. I also got heart palpitations at one point for a minute or two where I thought that I was going to pass out; apparently this was the wire passing through a vein near my heart and restricting blood flow. Inserting the small metal coils was fine, some discomfort (back ache) but I did have eight (I think <4 is more typical).
With regard to recovery, once finished you have to stay rested in the recovery area for about 1 - 1.5 hrs to make sure that the neck entry wound has healed up. Get someone to pick you up (driving is not recommended) afterwards. I rested quite well for 1-2 days following the operation; I experienced a few pains in my lower back (similar to the varicoele pain beforehand) but this became less frequent after 3-4 days. My neck was sore for 3-4 days with bruising, worse in the first 24 hours. No heavy lifting for a week afterwards. I was also advised not to gym (particularly avoiding deadlifts and squats) for 3-4 weeks. I was able to, ahem, express oneself a few days afterwards which did hurt a little.
Almost one year later and I do still get some varicocele pain but it's significantly better than before.
Happy to answer any questions.
Edited by dub16v on Tuesday 1st December 15:15
Edited by dub16v on Tuesday 1st December 15:16
Edited by dub16v on Tuesday 1st December 15:17
Edited by dub16v on Tuesday 1st December 15:18
Edited by dub16v on Tuesday 1st December 15:22
Thanks for the detailed response! Great help, hopefully if it's going to happen they go through the groin as that sounds a bit better than the neck.
What symptoms did you have before? I've been having lower back pain and around the coccyx recently but didn't think that was linked, the heaviness in the nuts and fatigue is my issues I'm on my feet all day and walk usually 7-8 miles as well so it's becoming a struggle!
Many thanks again!
What symptoms did you have before? I've been having lower back pain and around the coccyx recently but didn't think that was linked, the heaviness in the nuts and fatigue is my issues I'm on my feet all day and walk usually 7-8 miles as well so it's becoming a struggle!
Many thanks again!
Patch1875 said:
Thanks for the detailed response! Great help, hopefully if it's going to happen they go through the groin as that sounds a bit better than the neck.
What symptoms did you have before? I've been having lower back pain and around the coccyx recently but didn't think that was linked, the heaviness in the nuts and fatigue is my issues I'm on my feet all day and walk usually 7-8 miles as well so it's becoming a struggle!
Many thanks again!
No problem. What symptoms did you have before? I've been having lower back pain and around the coccyx recently but didn't think that was linked, the heaviness in the nuts and fatigue is my issues I'm on my feet all day and walk usually 7-8 miles as well so it's becoming a struggle!
Many thanks again!
Symptoms included lower back pain, lower abdominal pain (apparently the tubes from your balls stretch all the way up to your stomach/kidneys, hence the aching). I also had a heaviness/pulling in the balls and a discomfort when moving them (juggling in the shower). I also had a prostate infection (prostitus) so had a pain in, er, prostate too. That went following antibiotics though.
Have you been referred to a urologist? I was referred before being recommended (by the urologist) for surgery. I was supposed to be there for a few hours having all manner of tests (including a tube down the japs eye into my bladder - didn't fancy that one) but they didn't get this far after asking a few questions on how things were working (peeing ok) and feeling my man brain (there were obvious ropey lumps).
Wearing tighter boxers helped a bit, as did trying to 'adjust' oneself when sitting for a long time (i.e. driving or in the office). Generally the pain/aching went when I shuffled around. Much worse when being on my feet all day (i.e weekends).
dub16v said:
No problem.
Symptoms included lower back pain, lower abdominal pain (apparently the tubes from your balls stretch all the way up to your stomach/kidneys, hence the aching). I also had a heaviness/pulling in the balls and a discomfort when moving them (juggling in the shower). I also had a prostate infection (prostitus) so had a pain in, er, prostate too. That went following antibiotics though.
Have you been referred to a urologist? I was referred before being recommended (by the urologist) for surgery. I was supposed to be there for a few hours having all manner of tests (including a tube down the japs eye into my bladder - didn't fancy that one) but they didn't get this far after asking a few questions on how things were working (peeing ok) and feeling my man brain (there were obvious ropey lumps).
Wearing tighter boxers helped a bit, as did trying to 'adjust' oneself when sitting for a long time (i.e. driving or in the office). Generally the pain/aching went when I shuffled around. Much worse when being on my feet all day (i.e weekends).
Symptoms sound very similar. I knew I had it a few years ago after I went to the docs panicking about a ache down below I was sent for an ultrasound which confirmed it but nothing was done then as it seemed to calm down but I've always been aware at times.Symptoms included lower back pain, lower abdominal pain (apparently the tubes from your balls stretch all the way up to your stomach/kidneys, hence the aching). I also had a heaviness/pulling in the balls and a discomfort when moving them (juggling in the shower). I also had a prostate infection (prostitus) so had a pain in, er, prostate too. That went following antibiotics though.
Have you been referred to a urologist? I was referred before being recommended (by the urologist) for surgery. I was supposed to be there for a few hours having all manner of tests (including a tube down the japs eye into my bladder - didn't fancy that one) but they didn't get this far after asking a few questions on how things were working (peeing ok) and feeling my man brain (there were obvious ropey lumps).
Wearing tighter boxers helped a bit, as did trying to 'adjust' oneself when sitting for a long time (i.e. driving or in the office). Generally the pain/aching went when I shuffled around. Much worse when being on my feet all day (i.e weekends).
I've been referred yes to a urologist(I gave the wife a heart attack by telling her oncologist
) but I'm hoping to sort it out quickly through BUPA as my wife has cover for us all and I'm pretty quiet the next couple of months.Hopefully no japs eye intrusion happens I might just put up with it a bit longer!
Patch1875 said:
Ultrasound done, turns out Ive got a large gallstone
. Nothing else visable kidneys and tummy seemed fine so just waiting for the urologist to get in touch reckon it will be early January before it will be carried out.
Ha! Well at least it's sorted.. Nothing else visable kidneys and tummy seemed fine so just waiting for the urologist to get in touch reckon it will be early January before it will be carried out.Good luck with whatever happens next - what's the expected treatment likely to be?
dub16v said:
Ha! Well at least it's sorted.
Good luck with whatever happens next - what's the expected treatment likely to be?
Thanks mate you've been a great help, the guy who done the ultrasound reckons he will do the embolisation as well through the groin he said he very rarely does it through the neck so fingers crossed. Been impressed with the service from bupa(wife has cover though work) but it's 3 weeks wait at the moment for the procedure so looking at January. Good luck with whatever happens next - what's the expected treatment likely to be?
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