any tips on GRS via Dr Bowers?

[Jenna Marie]

Jennygirl : I'd honestly be surprised if any of the major surgeons *didn't,* but you may want to ask directly. It only makes sense - there's no reason why throwing away some of the extra tissue means they'd have to waste the nerves too, rather than concentrating everything tightly into a tiny area the way a cis woman's clitoris is designed.

Regardless, the concentration means that by now it actually feels like way more nerve endings than were there originally; it's mostly too sensitive to touch directly.

[Jennygirl]

Jennygirl : I'd honestly be surprised if any of the major surgeons *didn't,* but you may want to ask directly. It only makes sense - there's no reason why throwing away some of the extra tissue means they'd have to waste the nerves too, rather than concentrating everything tightly into a tiny area the way a cis woman's clitoris is designed.

Regardless, the concentration means that by now it actually feels like way more nerve endings than were there originally; it's mostly too sensitive to touch directly.

Thanks Jenna

Yeah that sounds perfect... Totally right on to what it should be (a little too sensitive to touch directly).

I'll have to ask Dr. Bowers directly after the holidays! Until then I am in google crawler mode!

[Vicky]

@Vicky: I'm just wondering did you need electrolysis down there before hand?

I had very little hair in that area to start with and did not have electrolysis done, and it was only "recommended" and not mandatory to have it done.  I have had NO hair regrowth where scrotal skin was used, and Marci is almost a little cocky ( in a cute way)  about being able to do it fully if you have not done the electro.

The hair issue that got me big time was having to shave the pubic hair you were keeping down to stubble the day before surgery.  It almost outdid the swelling as a source of torture  while it grew out, and in the days I was still bruised and tender in that area.   

As far as my clitoris goes, I just posted in another thread, that at 11 months I am going through another round of finding out what nerves function and how the clitoris itself is defining itself.  I have found that some swelling I had not really be conscious of has gone and went in the way of being able to pee more neatly, and not spraying the inside of my vulva nearly as much as I had resigned myself to five months ago.  I am now able to play with my clitoris more consistently, and yes it feels like the whole glans is there, but for the moment I still map it by sensation as being at the end of my now, non issue penis.  The discharge papers I got say that this is well in the range of normal.  I do have my first birthday coming up in two weeks, and what a year.

[veritatemfurto]

So I just got done sending out my first email to Bower's office with my questions, and started the process with my insurance... should be hearing something in a couple days.

I'll also be finding out if there really is a clause where i really don't need two letters if I've been actively transitioning for more than 5 years. (it's been 10 for me :-/ )

as for the electro, im a bit relieved to hear that its really not that big of a deal since all it really does is cut down on the time needed for the assistants to scrape and zap the follicles on the donor area. I'm still iffy on doing it since i don't have it factored into my budget, nor am i up to the thought of walking into a laser center and going "hi, um... i need to have my bikini area zapped off for my sex change"

[Catherine Sarah]

I'll also be finding out if there really is a clause where i really don't need two letters if I've been actively transitioning for more than 5 years. (it's been 10 for me :-/ )

Good luck. As most surgeons follow the WPATH recommendations, 2 letters appear to be a precursor. Some of the Thailand surgeons don't follow that recommendation. In fact you can even buy them on your way from the airport to the surgery.

Wishing you well. You'll never look back.

Love
Catherine

[Vicky]

I just checked my Pre Surgery packet from Dr. Bowers office and it does say only one letter is needed IF you have been full time over 5 years.   You are in Luck!!  Luck!!  Luck!!

I only had one letter, but mine was from an HMO where the MD was the department head over the therapist, who had retired before I could get the letter.  They let the MD do it for the program on the basis of my charts. I am one year post op now.

[veritatemfurto]

yea thats a bit confusing with all of us knowing about the two letter policy as a default, but there still being all these legal loopholes out there to use if we look hard enough for them (including those of us that can argue that its medically necessary and get insurance to pay for it after all even though the plan says its not covered as a cosmetic procedure.)

so the one letter clause looks like it could work for me IF i was paying out of pocket, BUT I'm not doing it that way so I'll still need two. this delays me even further now since the therapist I was going to get the second letter from just dumped me. I spoke with my insurance and my first letter may be "too old" to be used by them to justify covering the surgery, even if Bowers will accept it. 

[Vicky]

OUCH!! The letter(s) do have to be issued within 12 months of the surgery date unless there has been a postponement.  The single letter method would have to say the letter writer had known of the 5 year RLT by "reasonable evidence".  I am almost glad I paid for my own, I had the big Tax Deduction last year, and the fact I refinanced a house for the money, gets me another 15 - 20 years worth of interest deduction write off too.  I missed out by a year on the insurance thing.