Varicocele surgery in a few days! what to expect...

[TomPlatz]

Hi guys!

Some info about me.

Im 37 y.o. and I have been weightlifting very hard for 15 years (at the point of exaggeration in the past), using mostly free weights.

In 2014,( I was 30 y.o at the time) during my FIRST check up , I was diagnosed with varicocle in the left testicle.

No pain, no symptoms , testosterone at the highest natural level.

Sperm analysis was naaah.. not infertile but not so good. it was bordeline ok. The doc told me it would be difficult to get a girl pregnant at that time.

I was younger, immature and didnt bother since I didnt want to become a father and most importantly, since it didnt effect my life and hormones.

In 2020, (37y.o, ) I decided to check everything again, since I felt sth was off with my hormones.

I have to mention that from 2018 to 2019 I was in a natural contest prep and dieted very hard.

So 2020 was a recovery year, with hard training sessions but in a caloric surplus. However I felt tired all the time...

I was diagnosed with Hasimoto (no thyroxine theatment needed though) and normal to low testosterone.

Regarding my varicocele, my doctor ( the same urologist I visited in 2014), told me that its gone way worse and my sperm analysis is awful too. She couldnt believe I dont feel any pain....

I have no pain, no discomfort no symptoms,(except for the lower testosterone and worse sperm analysis, compared to 6 years ago.).

So we decided to have a surgery in a few days ( yes my first surgery..)

I m not nervous about the surgery procedure itself, but rather about the next day and the probability of success of this surgery.

I have read that after your 30s the probability of such a surgery to reverse infertility and low T , is not great. That bothers me alot.

I am 38 y.o, in great shape and I look way younger ( if this is sth of importance regarding my recovery potential)

Honestly, I dont want to be infertile, i want to have the option of becoming a father at some point, I dont want to have an untreated varicocele and I really want to do anything it takes to make my life, my health and my hormones better after this surgery.

I have alot of enquiries about this process, from what to expect , how many months should I stay off weighlifting, what I could possibly do to assist my recovery, to what to avoid or what to do to increase the potential success of this procedure,

Every info and suggestion is well appreciated.

Thanx for all the great help you all provide!!

Greetings from Greece

[Hidden]

If your testosterone levels are dropping, have you had a pituitary MRI to ensure that the T problem is not coming from there?

[TomPlatz in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply Osidge!Testosterone is not so low ,to be a clinical concern. I have done 3 hormonal tests in 2 months and my total T is around 450-470 with free T at around 10-11. Im 37 , i dont expect my T to be at the 800s ( that was my levels 6 years ago).

My endocrinologists and urologists have checked my results and no pituitary MRI is needed.(maybe I ll have one just for my interest).

My varicocele , the surgery, what to avoid and what to to boost my recovery, the probability of success and last , how long should I stay away from weightlifting are my main concerns.

The urologist doesnt suggest to have a surgery unless its needed.

She told me that despite the fact I feel no pain or discomfort , both the varicocele (Doppler and Valsalva test) and the sperm analysis have gone way worse over the last 6 years.

The surgery now is an real option (or rather needed...)

Thank you again!

[TomPlatz]

thank you for the reply my friend!