Topic: Surgeries

[PrincessNess325]

PHYSICAL—
Who did you have surgery with?  How did it go?  Did you have complications?
How did your recovery go? 
Did you have pain in recovery?  Sitting?  Standing?
Are you satisfied with the appearance of your surgical results?
How long did you wait before you went back to work?

SOCIAL—
Who wasn’t supportive of this step? How long did it take for them to come around? What did you tell them in advance?  How did that go? 
Who did you talk to about helping you when you were recovering?  What did you suggest I talk about to those who are helping me?

PSYCHOLOGICAL—
Did anything happen that was a surprise to you?  This could be physically or psychologically, etc.
Do you have any advice?  Anything you want to share that could be helpful to me?

[Megan.]

Hi and welcome to the site , I'm Megan, and have just (4 days ago) had my GRS, so may be able to answer at least some of your questions.

There is an introductions thread where you can say hello and let us know a little about you if you feel comfortable. We're a friendly community and it's nice to know each other.

One of the site staff will be along shortly to greet you more formally and share site policies for new members.

Your post asks about surgeries, but there are are many different ones that a trans person might consider, is your question regarding gender reassignment surgery specifically?

Megan. X

Sent from my MI 9 using Tapatalk

[PrincessNess325]

I guess technically yes GRS but really I was wondering about any surgeries MTF or FTM. I myself am leaning to have GCS MTF next year unless Covid happens again.
Vinnessa

[Megan.]

Hi Vinnessa,

I'll try to answer the questions I can below:

PHYSICAL—
Who did you have surgery with?
Full vaginoplasty with Mr Bellringer in the UK

How did it go?
All good so far... early days.

Did you have complications?
None yet.

How did your recovery go?
It's been good so far. I've not experienced any heavy pain, and have been rebuilding my strength gradually.

Did you have pain in recovery?
Yes, but for me it peaked at 4/5 out of 10, and has mostly been in the 1-3 range. Very manageable with just paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Sitting?
Not right now. The surgical pack is still in, so this is very uncomfortable, but not painful.

Standing?
Yes, able to stand for 10min durations after 4 days.

Are you satisfied with the appearance of your surgical results?
Yes so far, but I know it's early days, what I see now isn't the final outcome.

How long did you wait before you went back to work?
My surgeon will sign me on off for 10-weeks when leave hospital after 1-week, so 11 in total.

SOCIAL—
Who wasn’t supportive of this step?
My mum hasn't been supportive of my transition. Other family and friends have been good.

How long did it take for them to come around?
Not yet :-( , it's been years at this point.

What did you tell them in advance?
Dates, recovery timelines, where, what and who.

How did that go?
Fine, it's facts.

Who did you talk to about helping you when you were recovering?
My wonderful wife :-D. I've also got fab family and friends who've offered help.

What did you suggest I talk about to those who are helping me?
Routine, cleanliness and nutrition. Keeping up with things like dilation are critical. Ensuring there are clean towels and supplies. And give your body the nutrition and rest it needs to heal.


PSYCHOLOGICAL—
Did anything happen that was a surprise to you?
I think, on reflection, I needed this more than I was prepared to admit. I never hated my old equipment, but never related to it either. The 'flatness' of that area feels 'right'.


I've got a couple of threads here, "GRS Observations" and "Megan's GRS Diary" which may have some useful info.

X.

Sent from my MI 9 using Tapatalk

[PrincessNess325]

Thank you. This information is helpful as I plan for my recovery afterwards. I am sorry about your mom. I am glad you feel tippy get top be you now though. I also appreciate knowing how you feel after surgery because I was wondering how I would feel considering I never really liked my Male anatomy and always felt it was in the way.

[Northern Star Girl]

Thank you. This information is helpful as I plan for my recovery afterwards. I am sorry about your mom. I am glad you feel tippy get top be you now though. I also appreciate knowing how you feel after surgery because I was wondering how I would feel considering I never really liked my Male anatomy and always felt it was in the way.

@PrincessNess325
Dear Vinnessa
    Please know that I am not trying to hijack your post and your questions and concerns but first I wish to Officially Welcome YOU to Susan's Place.
    I am happy to see that you have signed up as a member of Susan's Place and have submitted your first posting. 

    As you post here on the forums you will be able to exchange thoughts and comments with others that are experiencing many of the same things that you wrote about.
 
    This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.
    There are a lot of members here that will be able to identify with your situation as you continue to feel free to share it.
 
    I want to warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.

    As you are certainly aware you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
     ***There is a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new like-minded friends here. 

    Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace.   Other members will be along shortly to give you their thoughts about your questions and concerns that you mentioned in your very first posting.
   
    There is information and important LINKS that I have included below.   You will find information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask....

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:
 

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Northern Star Girl]

@PrincessNess325
Dear Vinnessa:

If you feel so inclined please feel free to stop by the Introductions Forum to tell more members about yourself!
 
With more exposure to more members here you will be able to get more responses to your questions and concerns.

Wishing your well as you continue to be involved in the forums.

NOTE: Now, after all of this Greeting and Welcoming stuff, I will give you and your readers your thread back so you can get some answers from other members.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

[Rachel]

Hello,

PHYSICAL—
Who did you have surgery with?  How did it go?  Did you have complications?
HRT  5-28-2013
FT   11-13-2015
FFS   9-16-2016 -Spiegel
GCS 11-15-2016 - McGinn
Hair Grafts 3-20-2017 - Cooley
Voice therapy start 3-2017 - Reene Blaker
Labiaplasty 5-15-2017 - McGinn
BA 7-12-2017 - McGinn
Hair grafts 9-25-2017 Dr.Cooley
Sataloff Cricothyroid subluxation and trachea shave12-11-2017
Dr. McGinn labiaplasty, hood repair, scar removal, graph repair and bottom of  vagina finished. urethra repositioned. 4-4-2018
Dr. Sataloff Glottoplasty 5-14-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal in office procedure 10-22-2018
Dr. McGinn vaginal revision 2 4-3-2019 Bottom of vagina closed off, fat injected into the labia and urethra repositioned.
Dr. Thomas FemLar 10/13/2020

How did your recovery go?
I had a issue on the table with GCS. I was in ICU for a few days. Recovery from GCS was good at first but the graft died about half way in the canal. Scar tissue contracted and dilation became extremely painful. I had 2 operations to correct the GCS.

The other surgeries were fine.

Did you have pain in recovery?  Sitting?  Standing?
From GCS I had three operations. I did not take opiates for GCS operation 1 and 2. Operation 3 I did take opiates. . Sitting was uncomfortable for a while, same for standing and walking.

Are you satisfied with the appearance of your surgical results?
I want some additional lower labia work and some additional fat injected in the vulva.

How long did you wait before you went back to work?
I went back t work at 3.5 weeks post op.

SOCIAL—
Who wasn’t supportive of this step? How long did it take for them to come around? What did you tell them in advance?  How did that go?
By the time I had GCS I was divorced and my ex and daughter moved out. They were very unsupported. My brother in law tried to talk me out of it several times. My boss tried to talk me out of it several times. . I had a coworker state she did not understand why I wanted to be female.

Who did you talk to about helping you when you were recovering?  What did you suggest I talk about to those who are helping me?
I stayed at my sisters a week. Other than that I took care of myself.

PSYCHOLOGICAL—
Did anything happen that was a surprise to you?  This could be physically or psychologically, etc.
Do you have any advice?  Anything you want to share that could be helpful to me?

I had no idea how bad my dysphoria was until I was post op. I had a few weeks at home post op and I thought what do I do now. Answer, live my life.

[PrincessNess325]

Thank you! Also so good to know how you felt after surgery. I really think it will help me to feel more female and be the person I am supposed to be. I still feel like I have a ways to go but I really do think when I get the surgeries I need I will feel so much better and as you said just be able to live my life

[KathyLauren]

PHYSICAL—
Who did you have surgery with? 

Dr. Brassard in Montreal.

How did it go?  Did you have complications?
How did your recovery go? 

The surgery (vulvoplasty, a.k.a. zero-depth vaginoplasty) apparently went well.
I have ongoing pain and discomfort at nearly 9 months post-op.
The initial recovery went well.  I had no problems with incisions opening up or hypergranulation or anything like that.  The longer term recovery of getting back to normal hasn't happened yet.

Did you have pain in recovery?  Sitting?  Standing?

Yes, ongoing pain in my clitoris area.  Sitting is uncomfortable unless I lean way back.  Standing is mostly okay.  Walking quickly becomes painful.

Are you satisfied with the appearance of your surgical results?

I guess so.  Close up, it doesn't look like anything I have ever seen before, cis or trans.  From a distance, it looks fine.

How long did you wait before you went back to work?

I am retired, so not applicable.  I was in IT, and I have been on the computer the whole time, so I guess I could have worked after the first month.


SOCIAL—
Who wasn’t supportive of this step? How long did it take for them to come around? What did you tell them in advance?  How did that go? 

Nobody has been unsupportive.  I didn't tell many people, and the covid lockdowns have made a plausible cover story for not showing up to social gatherings.  If I can get fully recovered before covid ends, I won't have to explain anything.

Who did you talk to about helping you when you were recovering?  What did you suggest I talk about to those who are helping me?

My lovely wife.  I came home from the hospital on my own (airline and cab).  I haven't really needed any help except with walking the dog.  My wife already did all the cooking (her choice), so no change there.

PSYCHOLOGICAL—
Did anything happen that was a surprise to you?  This could be physically or psychologically, etc.

Yes: the slow, painful "recovery".  I expected to be back to normal in two or three months.  Didn't happen.

Do you have any advice?  Anything you want to share that could be helpful to me?

Have all your supplies on hand in advance.  If you are travelling, pack lightly.  Arrange in advance for wheelchair assistance in airports on the return journey.

Good luck!

[Misato]

Did you have pain in recovery?  Sitting?  Standing?

Yes, ongoing pain in my clitoris area.  Sitting is uncomfortable unless I lean way back.  Standing is mostly okay.  Walking quickly becomes painful.

I've read your other posts Kathy.

• I hope that your ongoing pain subsides soon.
• I'm working on getting a vulvoplasty myself.
  
  • I'm glad to know of your story so I can prepare myself mentally for a similar lengthly recovery. But it also scares me.
    
• I hope that your ongoing pain subsides very soon.

[pamelatransuk]

Kathy

Thank you for the information you have given which is helpful to me and others. As you know I am also having Vulvoplasty/MDV and had my Initial Consultation last Tuesday 24th (Brief Summary on GCS Board). Once again, I hope your pain soon subsides for good.

Misato

I see you another one of us planning Vulvoplasty and I wish you every success.

Hugs

Pamela xx

[Oldandcreaky]

I had my GCS with Dr. Eugene Schrang. It was brutal. My first time out of bed, I waffled between vomiting and fainting. I did neither, but flirted with both. I did go to a waterpark about two weeks after my surgery and sure regretted playing that evening.

My mother banned me from her home for thirty years, but we're close now.

I don't dilate and haven't for years and years. Sometimes I'll stick four fingers into my vagina and give it a steady, backwards tug. Sex with men isn't a problem, but it was tender at first and I did bleed the first, few times.

I'm amazed at how perky Megan is after just four days!

[Misato]

I see you another one of us planning Vulvoplasty and I wish you every success.

Same to you Pamela.

Mine's been a long time coming. I've been talking about it since I think around 2014? Anyway I was supposed to have my consult last week, but it got cancelled due to an emergency. I got rescheduled for the 18th which is frustrating. Yet that frustration is good cause it has made clear to me how ready I am to go forward with it. Even with the risks.

[Zumbagirl]

PHYSICAL—
Who did you have surgery with?  How did it go?  Did you have complications?

Dr Brassard did my SRS and Dr. Suporn did some facial surgery and my breast augmentation.

How did your recovery go?

Great. I'm here and still kicking.
 

Did you have pain in recovery?  Sitting?  Standing?

SRS was a big deal and it takes a long time to recover from that.

Are you satisfied with the appearance of your surgical results?

Yep.

How long did you wait before you went back to work?

SRS has a long recovery and the first month is basically worshipping the vagina.

SOCIAL—
Who wasn’t supportive of this step? How long did it take for them to come around? What did you tell them in advance? 

Oh I had my share of people who tried to talk me out of the bottom surgery. "You'll be miserable. What if it's a mistake? I think you just want a vagina so you can go screw guys". The last comment was from a few women who actually cheated on their husbands and thought that post-op women do the same thing, picking up unsuspecting Gomer Pyles in bars for a one night fling.

How did that go? 
Who did you talk to about helping you when you were recovering?  What did you suggest I talk about to those who are helping me?

I listened to my surgeons advice before and afterwards.

PSYCHOLOGICAL—
Did anything happen that was a surprise to you?  This could be physically or psychologically, etc.

I did have another growth spurt after my SRS was done. It felt like 'filling in the blanks' to me. Maybe having the old genitals gone opened the flood gates but I seem to recall having a nice spurt of additional feminization afterwards.
 

Do you have any advice?  Anything you want to share that could be helpful to me?

Don't sweat the small stuff and it's all small stuff. Do what you can and  consider it progress. None of transitioned 'overnight'. It's a multi-year journey and it will take a long time to move into a new place where you never lived before.

[PrincessNess325]

I love this post zumbagirl for multiple reasons. Made me laugh but also you reference Gomer Pyle. I feel like we would be really good friends. You give some good advice here. Thank you for sharing your journey.