What To Expect From SottoPelle Testosterone Replacement Therapy

After an initial consultation to meet our providers and determine that you are a candidate for SottoPelle testosterone replacement therapy, you will receive lab orders to check your hormone levels. Here we will answer some common questions about testosterone pellets and what to expect before and after the procedure. 

What To Expect On The Day Of Your Procedure

Due to the straightforward nature of the procedure, we’re happy to say that there is very little preparation required on the part of the patient. You don’t need to wear anything in particular, bring anything with you to the appointment, or arrange for someone to give you a ride home. Testosterone pellet insertions are performed in the comfort of our Austin office and the entire process often takes less than 20 minutes. 

The question that everyone asks is “Do testosterone pellets hurt?” Everyone has a different tolerance for pain, but most patients find the procedure painless. This is due to the fact that we provide a local anesthetic at the site of the insertion before making a very small incision (the pellets are the size of grains of rice). Because the pellets absorb best in fatty tissue, they are inserted into the buttocks/hip area. Once inserted, we will place a dressing over the incision and provide compression for a few minutes. You will be sent home with an ice pack and we ask that you leave the dressing on for three days. 

What To Expect In The Days After Your Procedure

In terms of healing from the insertion, the area where the pellets were inserted may show signs of bruising and be tender to the touch for a few days. Physical activity is fine as long as it does not cause irritation, with the exception of avoiding exercise that will cause you to excessively sweat for the first three days. Also you will want to avoid swimming, baths, etc. for three days as well. After about a week the wound should be fully healed and it is safe for patients to resume all normal activities. 

In terms of adjusting to the hormones, your body will go through a period of adapting to the new hormone levels before the positive effects of the treatment start to kick in. Some patients may experience temporary weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, or other symptoms for a short period of time after pellets are inserted. If negative symptoms don’t subside or get worse, we can remove the pellets and adjust your dosage to find the balance that works best for you.

For more information about testosterone replacement pellets, we encourage you to check out our FAQs page and contact us today to schedule a free consultation.