Post SRS: What Are The Realities?

[Julie Marie]

I have to do something to keep this brain from spinning out of control and since what's got me in a spin is knowing I'm headed for Montreal next summer I might as well get prepared.

I'm sure there's a lot of things I don't know about being post op.  One of them was I didn't know dialation has to be done throughout your life if you want to remain sexually active.  I knew I had to dialate, several times a day at first but I'll admit I really don't know a whole lot more. 

I've heard of post op depression but is that common?

I've also heard you can grow a cup size or more post op.  Is that true? 

So, for those who have been there, what can a post op girl expect after the surgery?  Not only the physical aspect but the mental aspect?  Any info is appreciated.

Thanks,
Julie

[debisl]

Julie thanks for asking this question. I have some of the same thoughts. Mine will be in 1 1/2 months. I have a good handle on what expect, but people who have already been there help a lot with doubts.

Deb

[tinkerbell]

Nice to see you stranger! 

Yes Julie, dilation is lifetime commitment.  The first year is the most ardous, but afterwards, it gets a little bit easier and the frequency can be reduced to what your surgeon suggests.

I don't know if someone can grow breasts after SRS, but I have also heard the same from some people.  I had a BA with my SRS, and I don't think I have gained anything really.

As far as mood changes, I did experience some depression post-operatively but it was mainly associated with other personal issues I was going through at that particular time.  Nowadays, I feel great, I have totally gotten used to my dilation regimen and thankfully I haven't experienced any complications.

tink

[Steph]

I have to do something to keep this brain from spinning out of control and since what's got me in a spin is knowing I'm headed for Montreal next summer I might as well get prepared.

I'm sure there's a lot of things I don't know about being post op.  One of them was I didn't know dialation has to be done throughout your life if you want to remain sexually active.  I knew I had to dialate, several times a day at first but I'll admit I really don't know a whole lot more. 

I've heard of post op depression but is that common?

Like Tink, I went through a bout of post op depression.  Mine occurred about one month post op.  I believe that it was due to the infection I suffered due to my own stupidity.  It only lasted about 4 or five days, but it was there.  I'm not sure why it happened, but I know it wasn't due to the surgery.  I believe that it was due to the fact that I felt that I had jeopardized the suregery, but all is fine and I'm happy to say that the results are great.

I've also heard you can grow a cup size or more post op.  Is that true?

Not happened to me yet. 

So, for those who have been there, what can a post op girl expect after the surgery?  Not only the physical aspect but the mental aspect?  Any info is appreciated.

Brassards dilation schedule is one of the most rigorous of the surgeons so your daily routine will revolve around this for the first few months, but as Tink mentioned is does get better.  I can honestly say that as soon as you can return to your normal routine your life will change dramatically.  I personally have never been happier in my whole life (Except for a few other events over the years).  After all these years my life seemed to finally be normal, the way it should have always been.  I could finally be 100% the person I should have been.  I can't express how the freedom I have has  made me feel other than I'm so very, very happy.

I think it's safe to say that everyones post op experience is different, folks recover at different rates, pain tolerances are different.  But one thing is for sure... if you thought that going full time was a big change, wait for it girl cause you are going to experience what I personally think is the biggest change that a person can experience.

Steph

[cindianna_jones]

Depression is not cured by surgery. But with the big GID out of the way, it is easier to deal with the issues that make you depressed.  I think that everyone I have ever met continues to have some depression after surgery.

Cindi

[Robyn]

I'm sure there's a lot of things I don't know about being post op.  One of them was I didn't know dialation has to be done throughout your life if you want to remain sexually active.  I knew I had to dialate, several times a day at first but I'll admit I really don't know a whole lot more. 

At 7 years post op, I still dilate twice a week and casues some light spotting for a day afterward.  My primary care doc did a pelvic exam this year (once every 3 years) .  She found some vaginal erosion.  I have some vaginal cream, but it hasn't healed.  Don't ask me if I faithfully apply the medicine twice a day.

   

I've heard of post op depression but is that common?

I haven't heard much about it.  And I had a new husband to keep me cheerful.  He still does.

I've also heard you can grow a cup size or more post op.  Is that true? 

Not that I've noticed.  I, too, had BA and could have used about 25 cc more to avoid bra cup wrinkles.  38C (actually, that's a 40 B).  I'm happy.

So, for those who have been there, what can a post op girl expect after the surgery?  Not only the physical aspect but the mental aspect?  Any info is appreciated.

Life is good.  Life is very normal.  Could always use more money.  (Husbands are expensive.) LOL

Robyn

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[Rashelle]

Post op depression for one reason or another (often situational it seems) does seem to be a factor in the other post-ops I know a few of which I know personnally in Real life which had srs at the same time period as me.
Dilation is a lifetime commitment but can be less frequent over time especially once past that first year hurdle.
I had a bit of weight gain within the first year after srs but then having my job position eliminated for srs, working less then being laid off, and quitting smoking etc. doesn't help. Hmmm that's all I can think of at the moment.
Being post is a great feeling though.
Rashelle

[Keira]

Not dealt with SRS yet, but for any surgery that you decide yourself to take, not surgery you are forced to have to keep you alive, there is almost always depression and wondering what the hell we did afterwards before the final results reveal themselves.

Go on Rhinoplasty boards, or any plastic surgery forum and I'm betting that 50% at least are in state of panic for the first 2 months post op...

In a sense, you get a great amount of blues post FFS because in the first month, it sure doesn't look good!!

Me, I was pretty bluesy for about 2 months post FFS.

[Sheila]

I have been post op for 3 1/2 years now and I only had a little depression afterwards, but that wasn't about the GRS it was my own doing. Like some of the rest, the dilation at first are a pain but they get better and you don't have to do it as much as time goes on. I only do it once a week and that seems fine with me. I don't have anyone to have relations with so its only me. I grew some in the breast area after GRS, I don't know why but it was almost a full cup, now I didn't have any BA surgery. I noticed that no one talked about the urinary tract. I did have a little problem there, but it was very minor. For me I didn't have a steady stream and that was because of the swelling. Pat told me that women after birth or after any kind of surgery down there that it happens. It seemed to kind of fan out but it will get better. My problem with my urethra was that it wanted to close after surgery. It was minor as the doctor told me to drink lots of water and to make sure that I was contantly going otherwise he would put the catheter back in. I did drink lots of water and I knew where every bathroom in Bangkok was when I went shopping. I sat in an aisle seat and got up lots going home. I have not had any more problems, that was the extent. I'm very happy with my surgery and my life now and I couldn't ask for anymore. My dreams have come true. Except winning the lottery, which I didn't win, bummer.
Sheila

[Melissa]

I'm still pre-op, but it sounds pretty much like I figured it would be.  This is how I imagine it.  There's dilation and life becomes normal and routine and you no longer worry about your genitals, but for the most part not much changes.  I came to that realization a while ago, so I figured if being post-op didn't magically make your life better (and I can't see why it would), then that means it's possible to find that happiness even before SRS.  So I took that approach and I started trying everything I could think of that I wanted to try in life as a girl and I can say I am genuinely happy now despite still not having SRS yet.  The genitals DO get to me from time to time because I don't even like like looking at them, but I seldom think about them on a daily basis.  I think SRS will help with those moments, but that's about it.

[cindianna_jones]

FWIW.  I don't dilate.  I haven't done it for many years. I'm not sexually active, so I don't care.

Cindi

[Lianne]

I have not experienced post-op depression, gained alot more self confidence due to surgery.

Dialation, Organic dialation is my only regimen. I despise my stents after the first year of of constant Dialating. All it caused me was a lot of discomfort and pain from constant penetration. I'll never forget that year. Joy and happiness of completing my surgery, But, By third month of dialating, I had to force myself to do it 3 times a day. It could of been from the hard duratek plastic stents, But honestly, I hated it. However, It is a very necessary and important process. Needless to say, I got through that year, with 3 dialations per day without a miss, to keep my new bit working properly. So far I have not had to go back to my stents thus far. To keep it healthy and able to perform like it should, I would go back to stent dialation if need be.

[Sheila]

Cindi, I was wondering, did you or do you have any complications by not dilating. You see, I'm not sexually active either and really don't care to be and I usually dilate once a week. I just as soon stop all together. Was just wanting to know if you had any complications. If you want you can PM me.
Thank you, Sheila

[cindianna_jones]

Sheila,

I've had no complications. It's been pretty much a non issue for me.

Cindi