I'm so happy- My date is set for November 11, 2015! It's hard for me to believe that this is FINALLY happening.
I went for a consultation with Marci two weeks ago, and completely fell in love with the practice, the place, and the scenery. Talking with her really eased my mind on making the final commitment. It was good to find out that even though the bmi thing says i'm *technically* overweight, My recovery time should be only minimally affected by it (and will be faster if i can get closer to making my ideal weight).
Ever since I started considering going to Cali for my GRS (and subsequently learning that it was my only viable option over Rhumer in PA), I've had this worry of what would happen if there's an earthquake during my surgery but luckily the hospital is build on a spring suspension system, so we'd hardly feel it.
Mills Peninsula Health Center looks like a medium sized hospital from passing by it on the road. but eh.. that's not going to matter once I'm in the Recovery area
From what Marci told me of her most recent work, they are now recycling more tissues than anyone else, about 90-95% including some of the erectile tissue for construction of a more anatomically correct internal clitoral area that is more than just in the glans clitoris. I won't have to worry about my potential depth either since the the shaft skin is now being used for most of the vulva and part of the labia, while the scrotal skin is being used for the inner vagina and the rest of the labia.
That pretty much puts her ahead of the competition when it comes to matching natal anatomy. That's a big bonus for me going to her besides her being the only fully certified gynecologist that also does GRS and has been through the process too. with her latest methods, natural lubrication also seems to be occurring more often for her patients too.
The one thing that still worries me the most is the thought of the anesthesia doing something to me or not waking up afterwards since I've had family in serious conditions be put into medically induced coma and never recover, but that may have just been because of their conditions and not because of some incompatibility to the drug.
To be honest, the thought of surgery scares the hell out of me but I still feel its necessary for me to be any better. I went to stay the week at a longtime friend's place, which helped a lot. before we only knew of each other through online interactions. I took a chance with it, which worked out, since we got along really well and can use her for the experience of what i'll go through too.
She did say that everyone goes through a period of regret once post-op whether it be that the surgery was nothing like what was expected with the numbness and pain or the regret of not having it happen sooner, which I do worry about.
Overall, flying across the country to do the consultation really helped a lot toward making this dream come true (even if its a decade late and they lost my paperwork lol) i think I'll be staying in Mountain Home the whole time I'm out of work on medical leave.
BTW, Bowers is now up to a 14 month waiting list...
BUT now there's a catch.
The week after I get back, there's this letter that was mailed to everyone saying that The Company is changing to a local provider of the Cigna HMO plan and that "some doctors and procedures may no longer be covered by the HMO" (which is the only plan that will cover surgical mtf transition costs.)
The way I see it, its an attempt to
force get people to change their coverage to paying more out of pocket with a higher deductible so the company can pay less providing the benefits that made it worth working there for less than the average when compared to other theme parks. That worries me that the trend may end up scaling back coverage for trans cast since we do make about 5-10% of the workforce here.
Luckily, my gyno is still going to be in network, but I have to find a new primary physician, and have to reconfirm that Bowers is still going to be accepted like this year's plan does. before this news, I only had to worry about $2500 for the GRS, but now its being raised to 10% of the cost up to a max out of pocket of $3500; and for those that are going the same route, the deductible is going to keep rising...
It's getting harder for cast to go from part time to full time too. so as much as I feel indebted to the company for giving me the opportunity to make my dream come true, I am a bit worried that those that follow in my path won't be afforded the same opportunity.
