SRS and Von Willebrand's Disease

[Rachel Bellefountaine]

Let me start by saying I really want to get SRS. The idea of having a penis for the rest of my life is depressing for me. That being said, I'm scared sh*tless of SRS!

See, I have Von Willebrand's Disease. For those who don't know, it's a condition in which I don't produce the proper amount of Von Willebrand's factor, which is an important part of clotting. This means it takes me a longer time to stop bleeding. That makes surgery a very scary thought.

I've told my friends, and they try their best to comfort me and support me in this issue, and there are treatments for patients with VWD who are undergoing surgery, and I actually have a pretty mild case, but still, I'm terrified because I can't find any information about it in relation to the surgeries that I want to get. I guess that's why I'm posting this. I want to hear from other people who have VWD or a similar bleeding disorder, who have had SRS or are getting SRS. I'm tired of being afraid to get a surgery that will make me happier and more comfortable with my body. And since I'm still on the waiting list to get evaluated by CAMH, so that I can get funding, I will have at least 2 years to wait. That's a long time to wait in fear of the thing you want more than anything, so I want to get over it sooner rather than later.

[KillBelle]

No doubt about it, surgery down there is a very serious and scary thing, I have never heard of your disease but I wish you the best. If it makes you feel better, the pain of not being on HRT during those weeks of surgery is a lot more painful than the surgery itself.

[annette]

Poor girl, that is nasty.
There is some good news too.
People with vwd can get medicines to help them when they need an operation.
Medicines like transexamine acid or desmopressine, even it is possible to give von willebrandsfactor.
But one way or another, it is a higher risk of bleeding after operation.
There are absolutely possibillities for you, otherwise people with vwd could never be operated.
I wish you all the best for your operation and remember, no doctor would handle the scalpel without doing a properly examination.

Hugs
Annette

[dejan160]

Of course you can get the surgery with a good preoperative preparation. If the SRS is seen as a cosmetic surgery they will most likely refuse you as a patient. If your doctor sees the SRS as a medical need they will go ahead with the preop preparation and with the surgery. Anyway you will do fine. You must first find a doctor who will agree to do the surgery. You have all of my support.