About 10–15 minutes. The upper buttock is numbed. A small incision, pellets under the skin, Steri-Strips, a dressing. Most men leave and return to ordinary activity that day, with a few short restrictions while the site heals.

The numbing shot is the part most men feel. After that, pressure more than pain. Soreness at the site for a few days is common.

Some men notice energy or libido within a couple of weeks. Others take longer. We judge this by symptoms and follow-up labs, not a calendar promise.

Many men return about every 4–5 months. That interval is individualized. Early wear-off happens. We adjust. We do not wait for you to feel terrible to bring you back.

Most patients are able to return to their normal daily routine immediately after pellet insertion. It is common to have some mild soreness, tenderness, swelling, or bruising around the insertion site for a few days.

You’ll leave with a dressing over the insertion site and receive instructions on how to care for the area while it heals. There are a few temporary restrictions on exercise and water exposure, which we’ll review with you before your procedure.

Yes. For at least 3 days after pellet insertion, avoid strenuous lower-body exercise and activities that place significant stress on the insertion site. Walking and normal daily activities are generally fine.

You should also avoid soaking or submerging the insertion site for at least 3 days. This includes baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, and similar activities. Showers are fine.

These temporary restrictions help protect the insertion site while it begins to heal. We’ll provide complete aftercare instructions at your appointment.

Injections cost less, the dose is easier to change, and they work well for a large share of men. Pellets are for the man who will not do well on that routine.

We monitor both. Weekly injection peaks can raise hematocrit and estradiol in some men. Pellets avoid that weekly spike. They do not remove the need to watch blood counts.

Your pellet dose is individualized specifically for you. We consider your symptoms, medical history, laboratory results, current or previous hormone therapy, treatment goals, and how you have responded to hormones in the past.

Your first pellet dose establishes a starting point—not necessarily the dose you will receive forever. We evaluate how you feel and how your body responds, and future doses can be adjusted when appropriate.

Our goal is not simply to achieve a particular laboratory number. The goal is to find the dose that provides the best clinical response for you while avoiding unnecessary or excessive hormone exposure.

Hormone pellets should be considered a non-reversible treatment for the life of that pellet dose. Once inserted, the pellets are designed to remain under the skin and gradually dissolve over time. We do not routinely attempt to locate and remove pellets after they have been inserted.

This is one reason careful evaluation and individualized dosing are so important. When patients are appropriately selected and pellets are properly dosed, significant problems related to excessive dosing are uncommon.

If you experience an unexpected response or side effect after treatment, contact us. We will evaluate what is happening and determine the appropriate way to manage your symptoms while the pellets gradually dissolve.

No. This is prescribed testosterone replacement for men with a clinical indication, dosed and monitored.

Not everyone metabolizes hormone pellets at the same rate. While many men find that their pellets last approximately 4-5 months, some may notice their symptoms beginning to return sooner.

If you feel your pellets are wearing off earlier than expected, contact us. We can evaluate your symptoms and, when appropriate, check laboratory values to determine whether it is time for your next insertion or whether your treatment plan should be adjusted.

We don't require you to wait for an arbitrary date on the calendar. If another insertion is clinically appropriate, your Pellet Membership includes it without an additional pellet insertion fee.

The pellets and the insertion itself are not billed to insurance. Those are covered by your Pellet Membership.

We do bill insurance for the office visit when that visit is a covered service. You are still responsible for any copay, deductible, or amount your plan does not pay.

Pellet Membership is cash. It is not a substitute for insurance, and it is not a second charge for the visit we bill to your plan.

No. We participate in Medicare. Do not purchase the cash consultation. Call 918-935-3636 or use Ready to join on Start Here.

Pellet therapy isn’t the right choice for everyone. Our goal is to help you understand your options and determine which approach best fits your health, goals, and lifestyle.

If you decide pellets aren’t right for you before treatment, that’s completely fine. Depending on your individual needs, other hormone therapy options may include creams, gels, or injections.

If you’ve already received pellets, they will continue to release hormone as they gradually dissolve. As explained above, pellet therapy should be considered non-reversible for the life of that pellet dose. We can help manage your care during that time and discuss other treatment options for the future.