Topic: Is vaginoplasty easier if you've had prior orchidectomy?

[Tills]

Hi all,

I'm intending to have a MDV, following orchidectomy many years ago. I've also had full facial surgery and reconstruction so I know about how gruelling ops can be.

I guess the background to this topic question is fear. In my late 50's I'm afraid of the surgery. The gruelling aspect of it, potential complications, recovery time.

I know that any surgery, however small, can bring complications. But I just wondered if MDV is, all things considered and statistically speaking, is an 'easier' operation if you've already had an orchidectomy? Is it true for any vaginoplasty?

xx

[Devlyn]

I had an orchiectomy, and my surgeon said if I  came back for vaginoplasty it would make it easier for him (save ten or twenty minutes).

Hugs, Devlyn

[Jessica_Rose]

As long as you are in good health, MDV should not be too bad. I had all of my surgeries while in my mid to late 50's. The facial surgeries had the most difficult (uncomfortable) recoveries. Although full recovery from GCS took about 5 weeks for me, overall it was not nearly as painful as the facial work. There are a few other folks on the forums who had MDV well into their 60's, and they didn't report any major issues.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Northern Star Girl]

@Tills
If issues arise in the vaginoplasty procedure/repair
compatible tissue may be needed...
...and the tissue removed in your orchidetomy could be very useful.

             Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare
               https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/vaginoplasty
EXCERPT Below:
"The most common vaginoplasty technique is some variation of the penile inversion procedure. In this technique, a vaginal vault is created between the rectum and the urethra, in the same location as a non-transgender female between the pelvic floor (Kegel) muscles, and the vaginal lining is created from penile skin. An orchiectomy is performed, the labia majora are created using scrotal skin, and the clitoris is created from a portion of the glans penis."

HUGS,
Danielle

[Devlyn]

@Tills
If issues arise in the vaginoplasty procedure/repair
compatible tissue may be needed...
...and the tissue removed in your orchidetomy could be very useful.

             Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare
               https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/vaginoplasty
EXCERPT Below:
"The most common vaginoplasty technique is some variation of the penile inversion procedure. In this technique, a vaginal vault is created between the rectum and the urethra, in the same location as a non-transgender female between the pelvic floor (Kegel) muscles, and the vaginal lining is created from penile skin. An orchiectomy is performed, the labia majora are created using scrotal skin, and the clitoris is created from a portion of the glans penis."

HUGS,
Danielle

The testicles don't supply any tissue that could be used in a vaginoplasty, and unless a scrotectomy is performed,  no skin is removed during an orchiectomy.

[Tills]

I really appreciate these replies ladies: thank you. You have eased my mind a lot.

I know this doesn't guarantee a slightly easier ride but it's nonetheless encouraging.

xx

[SarahEL]

It worries me a little when I see words like "easier" and "vaginoplasty" in the same sentence..
This is MAJOR surgery.. whether you get MDV or SRS.. it makes no difference, the surgery is the same and it is a big surgery.. most people take 5-10 weeks to just recover enough to function as they did before the operation. having other surgeries prior to this may take a couple of minutes off for the surgeon.. but it won't effect anything to do with the recovery or mitigate any of the dangers.

So asking questions like this is akin to asking is the 100ft diving board easier than the 110ft one?...

[Nadine Spirit]

I had an orchiectomy about 2-3 years prior to my full depth vaginoplasty. I am about 7 months out from my vaginoplasty and am 51 years old. Was it easier? I don't think it made that big of a difference. But for me my orchi surgeon left some problems behind for my vaginoplasty surgeon to remedy, so it actually probably would have been easier for him if I hadn't of had the orchi at all. I think maybe mentally the orchi made the vaginoplasty easier because I prepared for what it feels like to have surgical discomfort in my genitals. (if you don't know, it's not a joy ride)

Regardless I am happy I had the orchi as I don't think I would have ever taken the steps required for the whole shebang if I wasn't left so disappointed after the orchi.

[Tills]

Yes totally get that Nadine.

Sarah you didn't really need to post that. I'd already made all the necessary caveats.

But, clearly, despite occasional exceptions that prove the rule, statistically less invasive and shorter surgeries are going to have quicker recovery time ... on average.

No one said that means it's going to be easy. It was the use of the comparative. And no one said it wasn't major surgery.

Incidentally I've read around on the effects of GA. I think we sometimes underestimate the recovery impact of longer GA's. I was under for nearly 10 hours with my FFS which is a long time. Recovery is MUCH longer than would be the case with, say, a 5 hour operation. There are some people who report it takes them up to two years to recover from the effects of such a prolonged anathaestic.