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What a testicular prosthesis actually is
A testicular prosthesis, also called a testicular implant, is a small artificial testicle placed inside the scrotum to restore a natural look and weight after a testicle has been removed or was never present. It does not produce sperm, testosterone, or any hormone, and it has no role in fertility or erections. Its job is cosmetic and psychological: to make the scrotum look and feel balanced again, so a man can shower at the gym, be intimate, or simply get dressed without a daily reminder of what he lost.
Modern implants use a molded silicone elastomer shell. In the United States the only device cleared by the Food and Drug Administration is filled with sterile saline (salt water), while some implants used in other countries are filled with silicone gel or come pre-filled with saline. Older designs once used a cobalt-chromium alloy called vitallium, but silicone became standard decades ago because it feels closer to natural tissue (Cleveland Clinic).
Before going further, it is worth resolving the brand question that brings many men to this page.
"Boston Scientific testicular prosthesis": clearing up a common mix-up
If you searched for a Boston Scientific testicular implant, you are not alone, but the premise is a little off, and an honest clinic should say so. Boston Scientific is a major urology device maker, and its flagship men's-health implant is the AMS 700 inflatable penile prosthesis, a device for erectile dysfunction that is implanted in the penis, scrotum, and lower abdomen (Boston Scientific). That is a different organ and a different operation. Boston Scientific does not, at the time of writing, market a stand-alone testicular prosthesis.
The confusion is understandable. Both procedures involve a scrotal implant, both are done by reconstructive urologists, and the same surgeon who places an AMS 700 will often place testicular implants too. But for the purposes of cost and choosing a device, here is the accurate landscape:
Coloplast Torosa is the only testicular implant approved by the US FDA. It has a silicone shell and is filled with saline, and it comes in four sizes (Coloplast).
Rigicon Testi10 is a silicone-shell, pre-filled saline implant used in several markets outside the US, offered in five sizes with surgeon-adjustable volume.
Silicone-gel implants have a long history internationally and remain available in some countries, though saline-filled designs dominate where the FDA sets the standard.
So when a Bangkok clinic quotes you a price for a "premium" or "branded" testicular implant, the right question is not "is it Boston Scientific" but "is it a Coloplast, Rigicon, or comparable CE-marked or FDA-cleared device, and which size and fill." A clinic that cannot name the actual manufacturer is a red flag, which we return to below.
When a testicular implant is indicated
Men consider a prosthesis for one of a few well-defined reasons (Cleveland Clinic):
After orchiectomy for testicular cancer. Removal of the affected testicle is standard treatment, and an implant can be placed at the same operation or later.
After testicular torsion that cut off blood supply and made the testicle non-viable.
After trauma that destroyed a testicle.
Congenital absence or an undescended testicle that could not be saved.
Severe infection such as necrotizing epididymo-orchitis requiring removal.
The American Urological Association's early-stage testicular cancer guideline states that a testicular prosthesis should be discussed prior to orchiectomy, so men have the option on the table before surgery (AUA). In practice that does not always happen: one large series found that about a quarter of eligible men accepted an implant when offered, and a meaningful share felt their pre-operative counseling was too short (PMC). If you were not offered one and wish you had been, a delayed implant is still a perfectly reasonable option.
Testicular prosthesis cost in Bangkok (THB and USD)
Bangkok has become a practical destination for this surgery because experienced reconstructive urologists, accredited operating theatres, and English-speaking men's-health clinics are available at prices well below the US and UK private market. The table below gives indicative Bangkok ranges. Treat them as planning figures and confirm the exact quote at consultation, because the final number depends on implant brand and size, one side or both, hospital tier, and anesthesia.
Item | Bangkok (THB) | Bangkok (USD approx.) | US / UK private (USD approx.) | Typical Thailand saving |
Single (unilateral) implant, all-in package | 120,000-200,000 | 3,400-5,700 | 8,000-15,000 | ~40-60% |
Premium implant brand/size upgrade | +40,000-60,000 | +1,150-1,700 | included or higher | varies |
Bilateral (both sides) implant | 180,000-280,000 | 5,100-8,000 | 14,000-25,000+ | ~45-60% |
Specialist consultation + ultrasound | 1,500-4,000 | 45-115 | 200-500 | ~70% |
Revision / exchange of an old implant | 100,000-180,000 | 2,850-5,100 | 7,000-13,000 | ~45-55% |
USD conversions use roughly THB 35 per USD and are for orientation only. US pricing is higher once the device, surgeon, facility, and anesthesia are added together: a US cost analysis of men having a prosthesis placed at the time of orchiectomy reported a median perioperative cost of about USD 7,800 for the combined procedure, rising to a median of roughly USD 13,600 when the implant was done as a separate, staged operation later (PLoS One cost analysis). That is why all-in US or UK private pricing climbs well above the Bangkok figure.
A typical Bangkok all-in package for one implant usually covers the surgeon's fee, the implant itself, operating-theatre and anesthesia charges, standard medication, and early follow-up. Items billed separately often include pre-operative blood tests, scrotal ultrasound, a premium implant size or brand, and treatment of any complication. Always get the inclusions in writing.
What drives the price
One side or both. A second implant adds device cost and theatre time.
Implant brand and size. A larger or premium model, or a specific imported brand, costs more than a standard size.
Hospital tier. A flagship international hospital carries higher operating-room and anesthesia fees than a specialist day-surgery clinic, for the same implant.
Concurrent vs delayed placement. Placing the implant during the cancer orchiectomy can be more cost-efficient than a separate operation later, because you pay for one anesthetic and one theatre session rather than two; a US cost analysis found combined placement cost roughly half as much overall as a staged second operation (PLoS One cost analysis).
Surgical complexity. Scar tissue from previous surgery, or a revision of an old or displaced implant, adds operating time.
Who is a good candidate, and who is not
Most healthy adult men who have lost a testicle, or were born without one, are candidates. Implants can be placed in children as young as one to three years in specific congenital cases, and adults choose them for cosmetic and psychological reasons (Cleveland Clinic).
A prosthesis is not the right step, or needs to be delayed, when:
There is an active infection in the scrotum or nearby skin. Implanting foreign material into an infected field invites a serious implant infection.
Active cancer treatment is ongoing in a way that complicates timing. Your oncology and urology teams should agree on the plan.
Skin coverage is poor or scarred after trauma or radiation, so the implant cannot be safely covered.
Expectations are mismatched. The implant restores appearance and weight, not function. It will not change testosterone, fertility, erections, or sensation. Men who expect a "working" testicle will be disappointed.
Uncontrolled diabetes, immunosuppression, or a bleeding disorder raises the risk of infection and hematoma; these need to be optimized first.
Some men, fully informed, simply decide they do not want an implant, and that is an equally valid choice. The decision is personal, not medical necessity.
The procedure, step by step
Placement is a short day-surgery operation, usually well under an hour (Cleveland Clinic).
Anesthesia. General anesthesia is common; some cases are done under spinal or local anesthesia with sedation.
Incision. A small incision, often around 2.5 cm, is made in the groin crease (subinguinal) or upper scrotum. The high incision keeps the scar away from the scrotal skin and lowers the risk of the wound breaking down (PMC).
Creating the space. The surgeon develops a pocket in the scrotum sized to the chosen implant, aiming for symmetry with the natural side.
Sizing and placement. The implant is selected to match the remaining testicle and positioned low, so it sits naturally rather than riding high. Surgeons differ on whether to fix the implant with a stitch; some published technique favors careful pocket creation over heavy fixation.
Closure. The incision is closed in layers, a supportive dressing is applied, and you go home the same day.
If the implant is placed at the same time as a cancer orchiectomy, it adds little to the operation and the recovery is broadly similar to orchiectomy alone (PMC).
Recovery timeline
Recovery is generally straightforward, but it is staged, and rushing it is the main avoidable cause of problems.
First 24-48 hours. Expect soreness, swelling, and bruising. Pain is managed with simple analgesia. Keep the area supported and apply ice as advised.
Days 3-7. Swelling settles. Most men with desk jobs return to work within a week. Keep the dressing dry and follow wound-care instructions.
Week 1-2. Sexual activity is usually reintroduced after one to two weeks once comfort allows (Cleveland Clinic).
Weeks 2-4. Avoid heavy lifting, cycling, and strenuous exercise for roughly a month so the pocket can heal and the implant settles into position.
4-6 weeks and beyond. Most men resume full sport and gym work around 4-6 weeks. The implant continues to soften into a natural feel over the following weeks. A follow-up visit confirms healing and position.
Healing is slower if you smoke, have diabetes, or push activity too early.
Results you can realistically expect
The honest summary is that satisfaction is high but not universal, and the realistic expectations matter.
Across published series, roughly 83-90% of men say they would have the implant placed again, and similar proportions would recommend it (PMC, PMC).
The Coloplast device's core studies reported high satisfaction, with around half of recipients noting improved body image (Coloplast).
The most common complaints are not about safety but about feel and position. Depending on the series, 44-70% of men find the implant a little too firm, and 20-40% feel it sits slightly too high compared with the natural side (PMC, PMC). Saline implants tend to feel firmer than a natural testicle, and most men adapt within weeks.
In plain terms: an implant gives you a balanced, natural-looking scrotum and the weight of a testicle in your hand, but it will feel a touch firmer and may sit marginally higher than the real side. For the large majority of men, that trade is well worth it.
Risks and side effects
Serious complications are uncommon, and the overall complication rate is in line with orchiectomy itself.
Common and usually minor:
Soreness, swelling, and bruising in the first days.
Post-operative pain affecting roughly 9% of men, generally short-lived (PMC).
The implant feeling firm or sitting slightly high, as above.
Less common:
Infection, which in an implant means the device usually has to be removed.
Hematoma (a collection of blood in the scrotum).
Implant moving out of position (migration), reported at under 1% in modern series.
Extrusion, where the implant works toward or through the skin, reported around 2%.
Shell rupture or, for saline devices, deflation over time, which can require exchange.
Seek urgent medical care if you develop a fever, spreading redness or heat over the scrotum, pus or foul drainage from the wound, rapidly increasing swelling or severe pain, or the implant starting to push through the skin. These can signal infection or extrusion and need prompt attention rather than waiting for a routine follow-up.
Across the literature, the chance of needing a further operation is in the single digits, and outright removal is uncommon.
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How to choose a safe clinic in Bangkok, and the red flags
Because this is implant surgery, the operator and the device both matter.
What to look for:
A board-certified urologist, ideally one who does reconstructive and prosthetic genital surgery, not a general cosmetic surgeon. Ask how many testicular and penile implants the surgeon places each year.
A named, traceable implant. The clinic should tell you the manufacturer (for example Coloplast or Rigicon), the size, and the fill, and ideally show you the device packaging and lot number on the day.
An accredited operating facility with proper anesthesia cover and sterile theatre standards, which is central to avoiding implant infection.
A clear, written quote listing what is and is not included, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
A defined follow-up plan with wound checks and a point of contact for problems.
Red flags to walk away from:
A "generic" implant with no named manufacturer.
A price that looks too good to be true, which often means an unbranded device, a non-specialist operator, or a facility cutting corners on sterility.
No urologist on the team, or the surgery offered by a cosmetic clinic only.
No size selection or no discussion of matching the natural side.
No written aftercare or no clear way to reach the team post-operatively.
Comparison: the main testicular implant options
Feature | Coloplast Torosa | Rigicon Testi10 | Silicone-gel implants |
Shell | Silicone elastomer | Medical-grade silicone | Silicone |
Fill | Saline | Saline (pre-filled) | Silicone gel |
US FDA status | Only FDA-approved testicular implant | Available in some markets outside US | Not the US standard |
Sizes | 4 (XS-L) | 5 (XS-XL), surgeon-adjustable volume | Varies by maker |
MRI | Check the device labeling with your surgeon | Check the device labeling with your surgeon | Varies |
Feel | Firm, natural weight | Firm, natural weight | Often softer |
Where common | US and widely | Outside US incl. parts of Asia/Europe | Outside US historically |
Note that Boston Scientific does not appear in this table because it does not make a testicular prosthesis; its scrotal implant is the AMS 700 penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction, a different device for a different problem (Boston Scientific).
Booking a consultation in Bangkok
A testicular implant is elective reconstructive surgery, and it requires a proper urology consultation and a prescription for the device; it is not something to order online or decide on price alone. At a consultation, a urologist confirms you are a candidate, examines and measures the natural side, discusses brand and size, explains the risks honestly, and gives you a written, itemized quote.
If you are weighing your options, book a discreet testicular implant evaluation with Menscape Bangkok. We will tell you exactly which device we use, what the package covers, and what it does not, so you can make an informed decision. You may also want to read our related guides on testicular prosthesis surgery costs in Bangkok and the Coloplast Torosa implant.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Pricing is indicative and should be confirmed at consultation. Any surgery carries risk and requires individual assessment by a qualified urologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Boston Scientific testicular prosthesis?
Not as a stand-alone testicular implant. Boston Scientific's men's-health implant is the AMS 700 inflatable penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction, which is a different device for a different organ. The only testicular implant approved by the US FDA is the saline-filled Coloplast Torosa; outside the US, silicone-shell saline devices such as the Rigicon Testi10 are also used. If a clinic quotes a 'Boston Scientific testicular implant,' ask them to name the actual manufacturer.
How much does a testicular implant cost in Bangkok?
A single-sided implant in Bangkok typically runs about THB 120,000-200,000 (roughly USD 3,400-5,700) as an all-in package covering surgeon, implant, theatre, anesthesia, and early follow-up. Both sides cost more, and a premium brand or size can add THB 40,000-60,000. These are indicative figures; confirm the exact quote and inclusions at consultation.
Why is it so much cheaper than the US or UK?
Lower facility, staffing, and surgeon costs in Thailand mean the same operation costs a fraction of the US or UK private total. US cost data put the combined orchiectomy-plus-implant procedure at a median of around USD 7,800, and a separately staged implant at a median of about USD 13,600, before the higher facility and anesthesia charges typical of private care abroad. Typical savings versus US or UK private pricing are in the range of 40-60%, with experienced reconstructive urologists and accredited theatres.
Does a testicular implant restore fertility or testosterone?
No. The implant is purely cosmetic. It restores the natural look and weight of the scrotum but does not produce sperm, testosterone, or any hormone, and it has no effect on erections, sensation, or fertility. If hormone levels are a concern after losing a testicle, that is managed separately by your doctor.
Will it feel natural?
It looks natural and gives the scrotum a balanced weight. In feel, saline implants are typically a little firmer than a real testicle, and in published series 44-70% of men notice this firmness and 20-40% feel the implant sits slightly higher than the natural side. Most men adapt within weeks, and around 83-90% say they would have the implant placed again.
Can the implant be placed at the same time as cancer surgery?
Often yes. When a testicle is removed for cancer (orchiectomy), the implant can frequently be placed in the same operation, which adds little to the procedure and can be more cost-efficient than a separate surgery later. It can also be done as a delayed, standalone procedure months or years afterward if you were not offered it at the time.
How long is the recovery?
Placement is day surgery under an hour. Expect soreness and swelling for a few days, a return to desk work within about a week, sexual activity after one to two weeks, and a return to full sport and gym work around 4-6 weeks. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for roughly the first month while the pocket heals.
What are the main risks?
Most issues are minor: short-term pain, swelling, and bruising. Less common risks include infection (which usually means the implant must be removed), hematoma, the implant moving out of position (under 1%), extrusion through the skin (around 2%), and shell rupture or saline deflation over time. Seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, pus, rapidly worsening pain, or the implant pushing through the skin.
Do I need a consultation before surgery?
Yes. A testicular implant is elective reconstructive surgery that requires a urology consultation and a prescription for the device. The urologist confirms you are a candidate, measures the natural side, discusses brand and size, explains the risks, and provides a written quote. It is not something to decide on price alone.
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