Your Questions

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in possibly getting a testicle implant. I had an undescended testes removed at five years of age. I am 26 years old now and figured I would at least explore the option. I am interested in the details of the procedure, the risks and recovery period. I hear it is relatively minor procedure so I would like to know more. 

A: Testicle implants are made of either soft solid silicone material (soft spongy ball so to speak) or a saline-filled small bag. Either way, they are placed through a small scrotal incision in an outpatient procedure under anesthesia. One should expect some swelling for a week or so, awareness of the procedure having been done for three weeks and avoiding any sexual activity for up to a month after surgery. The risks of the procedure is that of infection which has a very small rate of occurrence. (1% to 3%)

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q: Dr. Eppley,I am interested in a testicular implant.  I’ am 24 years old and I have monorchism. When I was in grade school my older brothers thought it was funny to tell  every one and this humiliation as stuck with me my whole life. They called me “Half a Man” or “UniBall”. It was a traumatic experience to say the least. Now that I am older I would like to have an implant put in. I just want to feel normal. I’ve read enough about testicular implants over the years to know the surgery is considered an aesthetic procedure but there’s so much more to it than that.  Is there any way an insurance provider would consider covering such a surgery?

A: Whether insurance would cover a procedure like a testicular implant is one they have to answer. I can not predict with any accuracy what any insurance may or may not do. My experience would suggest, however, that they are likely to call it a cosmetic procedure as it serves no medical benefit. (unfortunately they do not consider the psychological aspects of any missing or deformed body part as being medically significant) However this is a question that you would have to ask your insurance carrier.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am seeking a testicular implant. I had hernia surgery over ten years ago that subsequently developed complications. As a result, it left one testicle which got atrophied. It has since basically disappeared. I would like more information on the procedure. I am not sure of a testicular implant would be covered under insurance or not.

A: A testicular implant is a fairly simple procedure done through a small incision in the scrotum. The original testicular sac would be identified and a soft silicone testicular implant that matches the normal testicle in size would be implanted into it. Other than some swelling there is no much recovery from it. It would be be similar to the recovery from a vasectomy surgery. Testicular implants are not usually covered by insurance since it does not provide or restore any medical function.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana