Updating on Urologist Visit
My first visit to a urologist today. After an examination he said it was one of the biggest he has seen. Not exactly what I was wanting to hear. He reiterated that the standard practice was to leave it alone if it was not causing any discomfort or pain. He did agree to do surgery if I wanted it because of the large size and my complaint of constant pain. Said the incision would be around 1 1/2 inches and I would be black and blue for around a month and swollen. Said I would question why I had it done but that all would resolve to normal after the swelling subsided. I asked him how many he had performed to which he replied that he did not keep count. Same answer to his complication rate. I found him personable and likeable but was not really satisfied by these answers.
We talked about the ultrasound findings of epidydimal cyst but he stated it was really a best guess by the radiologist and once inside it could be a spermatocele or even a hydrocele. Stated that if it can not be detached from the testicle he would elect not to remove it once inside. He did state the largest one which bothers me the most would most likely be the easiest to remove. I asked if in that scenario he could just remove the testicle as I am done fathering children and one testicle is quite a livable situation. Stated that is ok until I injure the other testicle and then it could cause some serious problems.
I inquired about Sclerotherapy which is a procedure to inject either iodine or alcohol to shrivel the cyst which I have read very positive results from case studies and trials. He was not a fan and does not perform Sclerotherapy claiming excision is the most preferred method.
He offered aspiration which is simply draining the cyst in office. It can be done repeatedly but the cyst will fill back up eventually, stated I could get two weeks or even two years relief, hard to pinpoint. Was willing to do that today but I could not get a definitive price from his billing department because the billing clerk is on vacation and he is out of network, self pay for me. I have another urologist in network at the end of this month and was thinking I really don't want the cyst diminished during that consult since it might interfere with an accurate diagnosis.
I inquired about the complication of failure to achieve an erection because of surgery and he seemed to think that was a non issue. Stated this type of surgery is the bread and butter of the urologist world and quite routine, claiming any urologist should find it a routine procedure to perform and I should be comfortable with any certified surgeon in my network.
Found the waiting room quite interesting with around a dozen men my age and older waiting their turn, did see two women.
The consult today was $192.00 which I found reasonable for a self pay out of network consultation in suburban Chicago. The billing clerk is going to get back to me for a self pay aspiration but I am hoping to get that done by an in network urologist which will push me back to the beginning of May. He did say there are no associated risks other than my level of pain tolerance for living with the cyst. To reiterate I will be on Medicare in November. I am hoping to buy some time with an Aspiration or two and make it to Medicare. Option two if the pain gets unbearable I will pursue an in network Doc who is willing to operate
? and Pay a rather large Out of pocket remaining on my Bronze plan.
Not an easy road, too many variables, probably best to just break an arm or a leg as far as surgeries go. Thoughts and takeaways from todays consult appreciated?
