Why Is My Testicle Implant Acting Up After 20 Years?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I don’t remember what material was used, and I’m trying to reach the urology surgeon back then, but I’m assuming it’s silicone throughout, feels perfectly round, not oval, and  implant feels firm with a very little squish to it, done 2001. Was removed due to a small lump on left testis (cancerous). Did an Orchiectomy, and that was it, No other treatment was required . Been fine all these years.

The reason I’m writing you is because just recently, while away on the islands (Aruba), I noticed a discomfort with the implant when I sit or touch with fingers , the best way I can describe it, is like a perfectly round Christmas Ornament with two heads for an attachment to scrotum, and both of these heads seem to be poking the skin now, one head is pointier than the other. More Noticed  especially when scrotum is relaxed /very soft, ie: after hot shower, and much less discomfort when scrotum is cold /tighter, ie: after cold shower.

 So I’m not sure what happened, it served me well all these years.

I’m athletic, pretty active,  run, sprint, lunge, squat, im a weight-lifter, very built, I train legs regularly and sometime with heavy weights , and not sure if such has contributed to a shift, or reposition, or is it aging/Sagging or something went loose or what?

There are no other symptoms, like swelling, discoloration, major pain or anything like that.

Other testis feels normal, i self check daily for all these years.

My question is, what are my options?

 1. Is this normal to happen with an implant at this age, considering I’ve done it over 20 years ago and can live with this with no danger ?

2. Could I fix what I’m dealing with a Minimal Invasive surgery without replacing the implant?

A: In answer to your testicle implant questions:

1) This is not a long term postoperative event that has ever been presented to me before. But remember, it is an implant and it is not meant to be there. So just because it was fine in year 1, 5, 10 etc doesn’t mean changes can’t occur later.

2) I could not say for sure since it is not clear as to what the exact issue is. But as a general rule with implants….once problematic…modify tjhe pocket and replace with a new implant. Who knows what your implant was made of 20 years ago. But I would bet it is a silicone-gel filled style testicle implant not a solid testicle implant. There is a reason it is ‘misbehaving’….such things never happen for no reason.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon