Jeff-
Please refer to my previous posts.
Out of the blue almost a year ago, I started getting a pain down there and was diagnosed with a varicocele via ultrasound. It is VERY tricky to get rid of it. I also opted for the embolization in November, a little over a month after the pain started. It seemed to good to be true.
Embolization (November 10, 2004)- Easy procedure. It took a good 3 weeks for the actual throbbing pain to go away. On Thanksgiving, it seemed the pain was worse then ever. Then, a day or two later, relief. It started to "tingle" rather than ache. I was happy with the result, but it was not 100%, I would say about 90%.
Jump to March / April- The pain gradually came back. I noticed it getting a bit worse and more often. I had previously scheduled an ultrasound with my urologist for mid-April, so I was definitely interested in what he had to say. It turns out I still had "small" varicoceles. My urologist basically said that embolization could work but it is as not reliable as old-fashioned surgery. I thought he had said this because urologists dont really make any money off the procedure. I decided to wait and see.
The pain did not go away. In mid-July I was DONE. My only option was a varicocelectomy- the new version. They go in there with a microscopic camera and KILL all the messed up veins, small and large. My urologist said it was very thorough. What did I have to lose?
Varicocelectomy (August 19, 2005)- It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. The worst part was the anesteshia, which made me very nauseous afterwards. I went under around 3pm and was out of the hospital about 7pm. I laid around, slept, then laid around all day the next day. I was able to get up to do minimal things. The third day I walked to the supermarket (I live in New York City, so I dont own a car). My left nut was SWOLLEN! Wow. It still is a little bit- it supposedly takes 4-7 weeks to get completely back to normal. I wear boxers, but have been a "tighty whitey" guy since the surgery. More support, ya know? My varicocele is still a little achy, but thats because the veins were severed and tied. They take a bit to heal. I will know if I am 100% in 3 months. Even if I am 80% cured, thats fine. I will keep you posted.
All in all, I think the actual surgery was more thorough. When I was done with the embolization, it really didnt feel like they did anything to me. At least with this I know they went in there, man-style, and CUT those horrible ******* veins.
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