Scrotum Lift and Scrotal Reduction FAQs

All surgical procedures, including Scrotum Lift or Scrotal Reduction, are accompanied by a certain degree of risk, whether the procedures are for medical or cosmetic reasons.  Our expert team is dedicated to making your operation go smoothly. 

We careful review your medical history and current health condition before deciding if it is safe for you to proceed with surgery.  It is important that you fully disclose all pertinent information so that we are able to make an accurate assessment of the risks involved.  We will take every precaution necessary to reduce the possibility of any complications.

There several important factors that come into play when deciding whether Scrotum Lift or Scrotal Reduction surgery is the right option for you.  One of the most important factors is your health.  Being in good health greatly reduces the risk of complications occurring during surgery and leads to a speedy recovery. 

Next, you need to ask yourself what your motivations are.  People who have Scrotum Lift or Scrotal Reduction surgery generally find that the surgery enhances their overall appearance, comfort and self-esteem. 

Thirdly, you should have realistic expectations.  Scrotum Reduction and Scrotal Lift surgery is both a science and an art, neither of which are perfect.  Set reasonable goals as to the result you wish to achieve and be prepared to thoroughly discuss these goals during your initial consultation.

It is a relatively common practice for a plastic surgeon to perform multiple procedures during one operation.  This allows the surgeon to better “sculpt” your final appearance.  In addition, having several procedures done simultaneously saves you the expense of paying the operating room and anesthesia costs more than once. 

However, having too much done at one time can lead to complications.  The decision to have multiple procedures done depends on which procedures are being done, the extent of surgery, the operating time, and your age/health.  Ultimately, the surgeon decides whether or not it is appropriate to include more than one procedure in your operation.

There can be no blanket rule on age although age will be taken into consideration when planning your Scrotum Reduction or Scrotal Lift operation.  People of various ages can take advantage of the physical and image-enhancement offered by Scrotal Lift and Scrotum Reduction surgery. 

However, Plastic surgery cannot “fix” every situation or reverse the aging process.  What is a good procedure for one person may not be an appropriate procedure for another.  Depending on your age the anatomy, size and position of your scrotum are different.  Therefore your individual procedure as also determined by both your desired result and body anatomy.  We are committed to making your Scrotum Lift and Scrotal Reduction surgery experience a successful one.

During your consultation we will discuss your desired changes and expectations, review your medical history and current health, and make an assessment on whether the Scrotum Lift or Scrotal Reduction is right for you.  This is a good time to ask specific questions about the Scrotal Lift or Scrotum Reduction so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery. 

We will discuss the results that can be achieved, possibly with the aid of photos and/or computer imaging.  When a final decision is made, you will need to sign an informed consent stating that you are fully aware and understand what is entailed by your pending operation, including the potential complications and secondary effects.

Generally, Scrotal Lift and Scrotum Reduction post-operative instructions call for rest, support and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time.  The length of recovery varies with each procedure and is different for each individual. 

Bruises usually disappear within a few days, and most swelling is gone in a matter of weeks.  If you follow our post-operative instructions carefully, you will be able to enjoy your normal activities within no time.  Your scars will fade over time but are permanent. 

We take care to conceal any scars so that they are barely visible, if at all.  When you come in for your consultation we can discuss your expected recovery period and any post-operative instructions in detail.

Insurance providers generally cover costs for reconstructive surgery but not for cosmetic surgery. 

It is possible that if you have documentation of pain and discomfort that your surgery may be covered by insurance.  However, most of the time they consider it cosmetic.  We will be happy to assist you with the process.

There are several options for scrotal reduction or scrotal lift surgery.  Most of the techniques are extensions of existing reconstructive techniques.  

It is important to discuss with your surgeon the reasons for your procedure and define the desired results.  When considering a scrotum reduction or scrotum lift surgery either in our New York City location or New Jersey location, the first question is if there is underlying medical or surgical condition involved.  The main conditions we want to rule out are varicocele, hydrocele, hernia or cancer. 

Cancer of the testicles is a serious condition, as you might remember, Lance Armstrong had it, and most commonly it requires surgery.  Hydrocele and varicocele can also increasse the size and weight of your testicles and create stretching forces to your scrotum.  Therefore, these medical conditions have to be addressed firs before considering scrotal reduction surgery.

Once main medical conditions had been rules out, we need to define the goals and determine what constitutes an acceptable result.  There are several things to consider. 

Are you concerned with the size of one or both sides?  Are you concerned about just a height of the scrotal sac in rested position or you do not like an appearance of the scrotal sac during erection? Are there medical reasons associated with excessive stretching of the skin during erection?  Do we need to correct only the sac or peno-scrotal webbing also?

Just like with any other surgery, we need to be very specific with our desired outcomes to make sure that your surgery is better tailored to your specific needs.

Some surgeon use transverse incision to correct scrotal sagging.  I prefer not to use this approach as it may create un-natural looking scar at the base.  It is usually quite visible during erection.  I prefer to place a scar along the raphe or along the light line running longitudinally between the testicles.

I do not like to start with Z plasty either because it distorts natural lines. 

When I perform scrotal tightening, I usually isolate and tighten the muscle first and then remove escessive skin, so that the skin is not sustaining any weight and the support to the testicles is provided by the muscle.  Incidentally, the muscle commonly splits at the bottom of the stretched out scrotal sac and I find that repairing the muscle created additional support.  I believe that the skin only excision is not appropriate and it does not provide adequate longevity to the result.

Peno-scrotal webbing is a separate issue from scrotal lift.   In my experience, it cannot be corrected by plicating a muscle as the longitudinal scar tissue may have a tendency to retract and somewhat distort the result.  That is why if you require additional correction of the webbing, the accosiated procedure options and anticipated results are need to be discussed with the patient separately.

Overall, the options for Scrotum reductionor lift include:
        1.      removing the skin alone, 
        2.      tightening muscle 
        3.      doing Z plasty.  
        4.      sometimes, it is necessary to move the muscle tissues around 
                 or place a small supporting graft.

The complexity of surgery and costs are commonly dependent upon the desired improvements and specific underlying anatomy.

Any surgery, including Scrotum Reduction or Scrotal Lift surgery, carries risks of complications, like bleeding, scarring, infection, poor wound healing, asymmetry, open wound, keloid formation, chronic pains and so on.

The purpose of the muscle surrounding the testicle is to protect it from physical injury and temperature variations.  Lifting the scrotum may change the muscle ability to position the testicle and may result in sterility or desreased viability of sperm.  Hypothetically, it may also alter the production of testicular hormones.

All these side effects will be discussed with you during pre-operative consultation.