# I want to get my left nut removed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 26, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730 "2011-04-26T02:33:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/21 "2011-04-26T15:57:48Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > A relevant case may be that of [Dr. John Ronald Brown](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ronald_Brown) (wikipedia) who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after botching the leg amputation of man who suffered from " Body integrity identity disorder – a desire to have a healthy limb amputated." > > [Why Did He Cut Off That Man’s Leg?](http://www.laweekly.com/content/printVersion/31647/) ([laweekly.com](http://laweekly.com)) > The Peculiar Practice of Dr. John Ronald Brown > Paul Ciotti, published: December 23, 1999 Exactly. Surgeons face a dilemma in these situations. If a physically healthy person requests removal of a healthy body part, his first instinct would be to say no. (Do no harm and all that.) But some such persons are so afflicted with software problems that if refused will go home and do the job themselves at great risk to themselves. In such cases, I seem to recall ethical medicos deciding to do the chop job safely to preserve the patient’s overall health. Tough call. ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/22 "2011-04-26T16:22:57Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > I personally hope that eventually, there’s not going to be much ethical difference between chopping off an appendage or turning off a “natural function” like ability to procreate, and performing other “cosmetic” surgeries like facelifts and tummy tucks. Can you not see the difference between “turning off” a natural function which can be turned back on, and permanently altering your body? Even most cosmetic surgery can be undone. Compare that with the inability to insert another uterus into a female or re-attach a limb to someone who wants it gone. People do change their minds about certain things (like having children) and, if you don’t change your mind, there may be easier ways to accomplish your goal. That being said, I do feel bad for people with BIID who are otherwise normal people but for that limb that doesn’t seem to belong to them. I believe they should be treated just like transgendered folks that must go though years of therapy and living as the opposite sex before having that surgery performed. ETA: Whoops…I forgot we are in GQ. Sorry for all that opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/23 "2011-04-26T16:52:09Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > :eek: 😕 > Could you describe the insult? I think where Johanna’s coming from is, people who undergo gender reassignment don’t just waltz into a clinic and say “I want to change sexes, make it so!” They have to see a whole slew of doctors and therapists, take hormones, and live as their chosen gender for a while before an ethical doctor will do the surgery. It also is a controversial subject that can cause a lot of ill feelings and upheavel within their families, peer groups, and professional lives. It’s a lot of difficult hoops they have to jump through to feel at home in their own bodies. I can see people getting a leeeetle irritated when it gets compared to the OP’s hypothetical Nards of Beelzebub. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/24 "2011-04-26T16:59:49Z")
> [@ugly ripe tomato](#): > > I think where Johanna’s coming from is, people who undergo gender reassignment don’t just waltz into a clinic and say “I want to change sexes, make it so!” They have to see a whole slew of doctors and therapists, take hormones, and live as their chosen gender for a while before an ethical doctor will do the surgery. > > It also is a controversial subject that can cause a lot of ill feelings and upheavel within their families, peer groups, and professional lives. It’s a lot of difficult hoops they have to jump through to feel at home in their own bodies. > > I can see people getting a leeeetle irritated when it gets compared to the OP’s hypothetical Nards of Beelzebub. Yes, exactly. Thank you. \ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/25 "2011-04-26T17:05:44Z")
Can I please nominate “Nards of Beelzebub” as today’s band name? I can’t even type out the phrase without getting uncontrollable giggles. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/26 "2011-04-26T17:36:38Z")
When you’re done with your nut can I have it to send to my buddy with the necklace? It already has a dessicated coon penis on it and what’s left of his hole finger after he blew it off with Primacord but, as yet, no one’s left nut. That’s an oversight I think should be addressed post-haste. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/27 "2011-04-26T17:39:06Z")
The problem with permanent surgery, or even semipermanent actions like vasectomy and tubal ligation - a doctor who performs such procedures on someone who is not sound of mind and very serious is the risk of being sued later. Most juries who hear a case like this - “I was depressed and delusional, I asked him to chop it off; he did, now I’m better and I want him to pay for his part in mutilating me” - that jury would probably gladly award the nutbar a few million, payable by the doctor. Testicle, arm, foot, uterus, whatever - if the damage is permanent and not reasonable, a doctor in North America is probably not going to perform it. If you want to cut off your own… at least if the doctor referred you to a shrink, he can’t be sued for what you do at home. Nose job, lasik, or breast enhancement - well that’s logical and not “mutilation” in most people’s eyes. As for prophylactic alterations - many people mature, and ahve a different attitude as the biological clock ticks down compared to what they had in their early 20’s. (I recall one guy in college who was wondering about vasectomy because his gf was terrified of an accident, and that was the only way he was going to get any. I don’t think his thought process extended beyond Saturday night at that time…) Same problem - the lawsuits over “why didn’t you stop me” are a real risk to any doctor willing to do someone’s bidding. I bet if you could guarantee no lawsuits, a lot more such procedures would happen. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/28 "2011-04-26T17:41:33Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > As a point of comparison, from what I hear it’s nearly impossible for an adult woman of sound mind to find a surgeon who will perform elective surgery to remove a healthy uterus, or even to render her unable to bear children in any other way. Especially if she doesn’t already have children. (“You might change your mind,” etc.) > > So why should it be OK for a man to elect to have a testicle removed? That’s not really a good comparison though since as long as they have a second working one, it wouldn’t stop them from having children. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/29 "2011-04-26T17:51:23Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Can I please nominate “Nards of Beelzebub” as today’s band name? I can’t even type out the phrase without getting uncontrollable giggles. 😃 I giggled when I previewed the post and saw it. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/30 "2011-04-26T18:05:21Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > When you’re done with your nut can I have it to send to my buddy with the necklace? It already has a dessicated coon penis on it and what’s left of his hole finger after he blew it off with Primacord but, as yet, no one’s left nut. That’s an oversight I think should be addressed post-haste. So what finger does he use for his hole now? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/31 "2011-04-26T18:08:54Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > It already has a dessicated coon penis on it and what’s left of his hole finger after he blew it off with Primacord but, as yet, no one’s left nut. Seriously? It was designated as such… dammit **Wile E** ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/32 "2011-04-26T18:21:09Z")
That’s what he told his wife when he called to tell her. _Oh honey, which finger was it? My hole finger. Yes, I know it’s your whole finger but which one? My hole finger. Bill, dammit…_ ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/33 "2011-04-26T18:40:57Z")
I accidentally my hole finger! ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/34 "2011-04-26T20:19:01Z")
Is anyone else hearing “My Left Nut” to the tune of “My Left Foot” from the musical version of “My Left Foot” as sung by Stewie Griffin from Family Guy? Also, if you have your left nut removed won’t that make the remaining one the left nut? ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/35 "2011-04-26T20:26:55Z")
Most surgeons would not cut off a healthy body part without a damn good reason. Most surgeons still wouldn’t do it then. Most would refer you to a psychiatrist for evaluation of your motivation. Plus, they’re busy with actual sick people. OR time is limited. This is an opinion from Canada, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/36 "2011-04-26T20:29:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > That’s not really a good comparison though since as long as they have a second working one, it wouldn’t stop them from having children. OK, well, I’m willing to bet that if I wanted one of my healthy ovaries removed “just because,” I’d run into the same difficulty. Wimmins is supposed to make babies, and any wimmin what doesn’t has got something wrong with her. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/37 "2011-04-26T20:30:30Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > One of my friends does not want children at all, and she worked with three different shrinks and went through I think 6 or 7 doctors before she finally got one willing to perform an elective hysterectomy on her.. if she waited until she was 25. None of the others would even consider it. > . Err…who gets a hysterectomy as a form of contraception? They’re pretty major surgery with a non-trivial complication rate. Are you sure you don’t mean tubal ligation? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/38 "2011-04-26T20:43:31Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Don’t you dare compare this to transsexualism. I wasn’t. You’re taken what I said way over the top. It’s a castration fetish. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/39 "2011-04-26T21:38:30Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Most surgeons would not cut off a healthy body part without a damn good reason. Most surgeons still wouldn’t do it then. Most would refer you to a psychiatrist for evaluation of your motivation. > > Plus, they’re busy with actual sick people. OR time is limited. > > This is an opinion from Canada, YMMV. Except for cosmetic surgeons who make a living off of doing just that. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730/40 "2011-04-26T21:49:48Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Except for cosmetic surgeons who make a living off of doing just that. What healthy bits do cosmetic surgeons cut off? You mean like nose job cartilage? There are ethical dilemmas involved in plastic surgery, for sure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-get-my-left-nut-removed/579730.md?page=3)