Timing?

[DolceFragola]

I'm really looking forward for vaginoplasty, and I basically can't wait to get it done -- the sooner, the better. I should have both my reference letters, + medical evaluation and endo letter by mid July. I'm doing this with Dr. Brassard, because I live in Montreal and it's free, so why go elsewhere when I'm so lucky? ^^ I need a year full-time, so that'd be in November.

However, I'm worried about timing because of convalescence (10 days, according to the documentation) and post-op recovery. I'm starting my master's program soon. Normally, school involves reading, moving around with a computer, pens and paper, reading material, etc., and obviously having a decent level of concentration and motivation.

I'd be ready to take a short sabbatical in the Fall semester if needed, or perhaps make special arrangements with my teachers, but I can't in the Winter because my advisor is giving his seminar. In the summer, I'm planning a 2-month trip (perhaps longer) to Europe to work on my research, so if I don't do it in November/December, well... it won't be before August or September next year.

I would like to know how much time off should I take between surgery and going back to my normal state of activity.
1) Is it realistic to do the surgery in early/mid December and start school again in early January? (This would mean I could keep my Fall semester.)
2) How long should I expect to be out of the picture academically?
3) Is there anything I haven't thought about?

[teeg]

Which is more important to you: school or being female?

[DolceFragola]

They're not contradictory. If I take a short break, I can work on my master's thesis or read or write articles. I won't be wasting my time.

[Donna Elvira]

Hi there,
I suggest you have a very good look at the posts in the Post Operative Life section  https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,43.0.html before making such any decision.
One month sounds really very short and I think most people would say that allowing 2 to 3 months for recovery is a safer bet, assuming there are no complications. The 10 days convalescence you menyion only refers to the time you spend with Dr Brassard's team at the clinic and recovery house. Absolutely nobody recovers from GRS in such a short time. The dilation programme alone is enough to keep most people almost completely occupied for the first month post surgery. 
You can also expect to be very tired so even if you can almost certainly do some work, I expect your concentration would be well below par. 
Hope that helps and wishing you all the best!
Donna

[DolceFragola]

Meh

Would it be more plausible to just take my advisor's seminar? That's a 3 hour class a week, + reading (probably something like 200+ pages a week). I should be able to get special arrangements with him.

[mrs izzy]

Welcome from another Montreal girl.

As for your stay it can be shorter for us who live in the city. Mine was a total of 8 days i spent 3 hospital and 5 in the residence.

But that is if everything goes as planned.

Surgery is the easy part. The part that matters is the time you spend in the healing/dilation process. Any cheating there can lead to troubles that can be serious in nature.

I would plan on a good 3 months. This will give you the time you need to get the brain fog lifted, your energy level back, healing to a reasonable state and dilation's will not be ruling your life as much.

This would be my suggestion 3 months for yourself. But that's up to you>

Hope to maybe get to meet you someday. I spend some time with others when they are here in Montreal so our paths might cross.

Isabell

[DolceFragola]

But 3 months doing what? How can I spend 3 months like that? ... (Hum, I very much overworked right. Not doing anything just feels wrong...)

Is what I mentionned (3 hours in class every week and reading) too heavy? If all goes according to plan, it would be starting one month post-op.

I'd like to meet I don't think I have access to PM right now though.

[AnneB]

You need one more post, just one, for the 15 req'd to be able to PM.. so just say Hi to someone, or reply to another and you'll have it..  hugs, hon!

[JessikaBlackMage]

But 3 months doing what? How can I spend 3 months like that? ... (Hum, I very much overworked right. Not doing anything just feels wrong...)

Is what I mentionned (3 hours in class every week and reading) too heavy? If all goes according to plan, it would be starting one month post-op.

I'd like to meet I don't think I have access to PM right now though.

you should now, you just hit 15 posts.

I think you need to set aside the time for you to recover from your surgery as this is a major surgery, I would recommend against any academic studies during that time period because you just don't want anything that would stress you out too much , as it would slow down the healing process. After surgery you are gonna have to dilate about 3 to 5 times a day for the first few months so you need to focus on healing.

[mrs izzy]

Trust me you will be one busy girl dealing with your aftercare schedule for 3 months, after that it does get easier.

I am saying this not to put you down or anything. You will be wiped out after the surgery and should put the time aside to give you the best chance of success. Total healing will happen over a year or more.

Now if you get a complication then all bets are off.

Isabell

[DolceFragola]

I think I can follow one class without too much stress, especially with special accomodation from my director. Most of the stress comes later in the semester anyway.

Sorry, I just... don't know what I'd be doing if I'm not working on my research or such. I mean, I can do my nails only so many times a day... I can read, etc., but it's similar to following a seminar, just without the discussions.

[mrs izzy]

I think I can follow one class without too much stress, especially with special accomodation from my director. Most of the stress comes later in the semester anyway.

Sorry, I just... don't know what I'd be doing if I'm not working on my research or such. I mean, I can do my nails only so many times a day... I can read, etc., but it's similar to following a seminar, just without the discussions.

Trust me you will not have time for much the first 3 months other then taking care of yourself.

izzy

[AnneB]

..and somehow.. 90 days seems like a shorter time than 3 months..    with the job I have.. being out 90+ days..  means I would have to be retrained before I could go back to work again (not kidding), that's a big part of why I would likely be non-op.  And the after/follow-up care req'd.. I just don't know if I would even be able to do it at work (reeeeeally) not likely.  Makes me envious of you that have or are!

[DolceFragola]

Meh It's so complicated. Now I really don't know what to do. It'd be so much easier without the one-year full-time requirement.

Okay, options:
1) Attempt some white-lies and try to get surgery in October, forgo Fall semester
2) Abandon winter semester and the only seminar that's relevant for me. Perhaps come as an invited student, just for pleasure? I'll need to talk to my director.
3) Wait until next year Meh. Don't want this...

Thoughts?

[mrs izzy]

Meh It's so complicated. Now I really don't know what to do. It'd be so much easier without the one-year full-time requirement.

Okay, options:
1) Attempt some white-lies and try to get surgery in October, forgo Fall semester
2) Abandon winter semester and the only seminar that's relevant for me. Perhaps come as an invited student, just for pleasure? I'll need to talk to my director.
3) Wait until next year Meh. Don't want this...

Thoughts?

Have you checked with Suzanne to see what there dates they have. They where last i heard almost 5 months scheduled out?

I think if you could squeeze a good 9-10 weeks you are home and take care of yourself and no major complications that you then could start a little or light schooling. Just make sure you have a back up plan if you are not up to the task. Sitting is no fun.................
Isabell

[DolceFragola]

Hum, when I called, I was asked to send the papers, references, etc. I don't have them yet. I should have everything in order on July 17 (appointment with my endo).

[AnneB]

Hon, a few flags are going up, and we here, would want to make sure (not playing therapist or doctor here), that you reeeeally understand the reason for the year's wait, RLE.  Sure, there are surgeons that will slice and dice just for the money and you're good to go, if no complications.  I think a real tip is to read the post-op section, and regret posts.  I don't know if there are any here who are post-op that got it before the year's living the dream before GRS, but it's just a step, to keep you safe, that's all, just to keep you safe. 

[mrs izzy]

Hum, when I called, I was asked to send the papers, references, etc. I don't have them yet. I should have everything in order on July 17 (appointment with my endo).

Also something to think also about is that the RAMQ takes up to 3 months for approval. So that has to be factored in.

They send that request in once they get all the papers and certificate of health

I think mine was little over 2 months before i got approval.

HOOPS
Isabell

[DolceFragola]

Ooooh, more bureacracy.

At least, it's faster than my name change...

Hon, a few flags are going up, and we here, would want to make sure (not playing therapist or doctor here), that you reeeeally understand the reason for the year's wait, RLE.  Sure, there are surgeons that will slice and dice just for the money and you're good to go, if no complications.  I think a real tip is to read the post-op section, and regret posts.  I don't know if there are any here who are post-op that got it before the year's living the dream before GRS, but it's just a step, to keep you safe, that's all, just to keep you safe.

I know, but having to wait a whole year will mean that I will almost certainly have to wait nearly two whole years, because I need to go to Europe for several months next summer.

It's pretty important for my safety as well, because going abroad without legal sex change is something I'd rather avoid. They passed a law about legal sex change without surgery, and now it's in some kind of administrative limbo... Oh well.

[Julieb1]

The one year rle is there to protect you from making a wrong decision some of us take a few yrs to become post op mine was 6 yrs so I had my work money etc in place not to mention making sure I could cope.

im 2.5 mths postop yes your right you can only do your nails etc so many times etc.

however you are going to be exhausted after and wont feel like doing anything and anything you do do will tire you out quickly even watching tv often after dilating i would just go back to sleep for a while i still do sometimes.

You also may not be able to sit properly.

Xx