A man whose scrotum ballooned to weigh 80lbs in the last seven years has successfully undergone surgery to remove the mass.

The growth, which weighed the same as five bowling balls, was the result of a condition known as scrotal lymphedema.

But, now, following a gruelling 14-hour operation, Dan Maurer, from Battle Creek, Michigan is on the road to recovery after surgeons successfully removed the giant mass.

And not only can Mr Maurer now walk more easily, but he has been able to resume 'marital relations' with his wife of 20 years, Mindy - after seven years.

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Dan Maurer, 40, from Battle Creek, Michigan, first noticed changes to his anatomy when he was in his 20s. But it wasn't until last year that, after watching a TV documentary about a man suffering scrotal lymphedema, that Mr Maurer realised he was suffering the same condition

Mr Maurer's scrotum swelled to reach a staggering 80lbs, affecting every aspect of his life

It wasn't until he watched a TV show documenting the life of Wesley Warren Jr - dubbed 'the man with a 120lbs scrotum' - that Mr Maurer realised he was suffering the same condition.

And as he recovers from his ordeal, and adjusts to life without the giant swelling, Mr Maurer's journey has now been featured on a new TLC show.

Life began to change for the 40-year-old when he was in his 20s and he noticed his anatomy was changing.

For years doctors told him he just needed to lose weight, that the swelling in his groin was the result of his carrying excess weight.

But despite his attempts to shed the pounds, still his scrotum grew.

‘I was doing two miles a day in the pool, so I lost 50lbs like that,’ he said.

But even as he was shedding the extra pounds, his scrotum continued expanding, eventually ballooning to the size of a large cantaloupe melon.

After consulting with doctors he got the same response as before: he must lose more weight.

The abnormality affected every aspect of his life. He struggled to walk, and care for himself.

And the condition placed a huge strain on his relationship with his wife of 21 years, Mindy.

The couple admitting they had not enjoyed 'marital relations' since March 2006, because of Mr Maurer's condition.

The now 40-year-old's condition worsened when he fell ill and had to be hospitalised with what turned out to be a ruptured cyst inside his scrotum.

Shortly afterwards he came across the TLC reality show, The Man With The 132 Pound Scrotum - a documentary following the plight of Mr Warren Jr.

Scrotal lymphedema is a disease caused by a blockage of the lymphatic vessels, in which tissue builds up outside of the testicles, resulting in swelling

Mr Maurer finally contacted Dr Joel Gelman, a urologist in California last year, after seeing that he helped treat another man facing the same condition. After travelling to California by train, Mr Maurer, pictured before and after surgery, was approved for surgery, Dr Gelman having agreed to do the surgery for free

Dr Gelman and a team of eight surgeons and 12 support staff performed a 14-hour operation to remove the mass at the University of California

It was while he was watching the show, that Mr Maurer said he finally realised what was wrong with him.

Mr Warren Jr was also suffering scrotal lymphedema.

Scrotal lymphedema is a disease caused by a blockage of the lymphatic vessels, in which tissue builds up outside of the testicles, resulting in swelling.

Determined to seek help, Mr Maurer contacted the California-based urologist Dr Joel Gelman, who operated on Mr Warren Jr in April 2013, removing his huge mass.

Mr Warren Jr passed away in March last year at the age of 49. It is believed he died from complications with diabetes.

WHAT IS SCROTAL LYMPHEDEMA? Also known as scrotal elephantiasis, scrotal lymphedema is a disease that is caused by an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, which drain the scrotum. It causes the skin of the testicles to thicken, and in severe cases it can cause ulcerations. The entire scrotum becomes extremely large as lymph fluid and tissue accumulates. Eventually the skin of the scrotum becomes very bumpy and irregular, and the penis is buried within the tissue. Most men with the condition have scrotums so large, it interferes with their ability to walk. The condition can be congenital or in some cases it is triggered by an infection. The most common infections that cause scrotal lymphedema are lymphogranuloma venereum or filarial infestation with Wuchereria bancrofti. These infections rarely affect people in Western nations, but is more common in Africa and Asia. Advertisement

After travelling by train from his home in Michigan to California to meet Dr Gelman, the specialist agreed to perform the dangerous operation to remove Mr Maurer's massive growth.

But the urologist was not in the patient's medical network, and the procedure was not covered by his insurance.

As in the case of Mr Warren Jr, Dr Gelman agreed to treat Mr Maurer free of charge.

Dr Gelman with his team of eight surgeons and 12 support staff, sucessfully removed the giant mass during a 14-hour operation at the University of California, in August last year.

Dr Gelman told DailyMail.com: 'Massive scrotal lymphedema is a rare condition.

'At the University of California, Irvine, we have treated men with this condition successfully for many years on occasion.

'However, after the Wesley Warren story became a news story, many more men like Mr Maurer became aware of our expertise in Male Reconstructive Urology and our volume has increased, but it is hard to truly know the incidence.

'Massive scrotal lymphedema is usually best treated with a major surgery to remove the mass of tissue while preserving the penis and testicles.'

Following the surgery, Mr Maurer suffered a post-operative complication.

His lungs were too weak to function and he had to be placed on a breathing tube for four days.

Thankfully he soon recovered.

During the operation surgeons also removed some stomach fat, leaving the 40-year-old 150lbs lighter.

Speaking after the operation, last year, Mrs Maurer told the Battle Creek Enquirer: '(The doctor) is very pleased with the surgery and healing.'

And Mr Maurer's father added: 'Hopefully, it's the start of a whole new life for him.'

Now, Mr Maurer's life has transformed. He can walk more easily and is able to perform daily chores

And, in addition, Mr Maurer and his wife Mindy have been able to resume 'marital relations' after seven years

A year on, and life is returning to normal for Mr Maurer.

He can now walk more easily, and he and his wife Mindy have resumed their 'marital relations', after she revealed everything was 'still in working order' after her husband's surgery.

In a recent post on his GoFundMe page, set up to help cover some of the costs of his surgery, Mr Maurer said: 'My wife and I are still trying to pay off the many medical bills from all this and I'm stronger then ever.

'I have not posted much because I want what I am about to share with you to be a surprise.

'There is a documentary about my story airing on TLC.

'Since I found out what I had from a guy that was brave enough to share his to help change my life forever.

'If my story helps just one person it will have been worth it after the show airs I will post pics and more current info.

'Just know with out your love and support none of this would have been possible. My wife and I will forever be in your debt. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and god bless.'

To help Mr Maurer and his wife, visit their GoFundMe page here.