Lance Armstrong has one, and studies indicate that thousands of men in the U.S have chosen to restore their testicles using implants. A custom made soft, saline filled testicular implant can help to create a normal cosmetic appearance and texture and restore confidence to men who have an un-descended testicle, lost a testicle to cancer, or suffered injury to the testicle.

The decision to have plastic surgery is a personal and significant decision, and should be made with the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Your consultation will help you to decide what type, size and shape of implant is the right choice for you. It is common for implants to be inserted at the same time as a testicle is being removed due to cancer. Be sure to speak to your doctor about the implant surgery following removal surgery.

The Procedure

Testicular implant surgery is a fairly simple procedure and can take from 30 minutes to one hour to complete. Performed in a hospital setting, your surgeon will determine if you require general or local anesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable during the surgery. Depending on your specific needs and physiology, the surgeon will make a small incision in the testicle in a discrete area, and insert the implant into the correct position to achieve a normal appearance. The incision will be closed using sutures and the area will be bandaged to minimize movement and help with fluid absorption.

Cost of Testicular Implant

Often, medical insurance will cover testicular implants if it is to correct an injury, cancer surgery, or un-descended testicle problems. The cost for testicle implants is approximately $3000, and can depend on the individual costs of the implant, the anesthetic and hospital cost and the surgical fees.

Recovery from Surgery

During surgery you will experience no discomfort. Post surgery, expect some moderate pain; there will be tenderness, some swelling and you will be very sensitive to physical contact for 24 to 48 hours. Planning your recovery ahead of time by pre-making meals and arranging your recovery area will make the recovery process much easier. You will be prescribed pain medication and instructed to keep your bandages on for up to five days. After this time, your sutures will be removed and you will likely be able to return to normal in about two weeks. Your surgeon may recommend that you wear a jock strap or compression shorts during activity for up to one month.

Risks Involved

The most common complications associated with testicular implants can be infection and wound opening. There is also the possibility that scar tissue may form around the implant and cause a hardening of the area. Though there are few instances of these risks occurring, you should be aware that any surgery can carry serious risks and discuss all possible outcomes with your surgeon.