My GRS Experience with Dr. Marcie Bowers

[ForeverGiselle]

Aww, you ladies made this experience a little better.  Thank you so much for supporting me through this interesting time!

Jaz650 - Thank you! You are more than welcome to visit. I was thinking maybe we can even go for lunch or coffee. Let me know
Alana_Jane - Thanks Hon, I did cried it out yesterday and I feel better!
Allie - Thank you! I hope your goes well too!
beccacurls - It helps lol. I seem to have the TV on all the time and it does help. 

Alright ladies, it's time for another update

Let's see. Today, I feel a lot better.  I just feel so much more active and positive. I woke up early today and got ready for my post operative appointment. Meet with Gracie at Dr. Bowers who took the catheter and the packing off.  The experience was well, surreal.  Before I move on, I just want to let people know that I do have a low pain tolerance so maybe this is why I seem to have such painful experience compare to other ladies. I'm not exaggerating or anything but I do have a low pain tolerance.  I just want to get that out there because I don't want to scare anyone off either or have people wonder why I'm having a lot of pain. For example, me and my girlfriend both had laser hair moving done on our legs.  She was fine with it but it was pretty painful to me. 

Anyway, personally, for me, when the catheter came off, the pain was quick but boy, it was unlike anything I felt before. It just felt so weird but definitely a sharp pain for me.  Gracie said it wasn't painful and just uncomfortable but I'm going to disagree with her on that lol.  Taking off the packing in the vagina wasn't as bad but it was another surreal experience. Just weird. Gracie also taught me how to dilate which wasn't as painful as I imagine. (yay). I still have to do dilation two more times today which I am dreading at the moment. Anyway, my moods immediately lift up once the catheter and the packing in the vagina was gone. I came home and even took a nice walk to the grocery store.  Sitting down isn't as painful anymore and sleeping on the bed is just so much better.  Other than two more dilation I have to do, I would say today is an awesome day! I'm looking forward to a night without the catheter and packing. Fyi, peeing for the first time without the catheter was very very messy as a lot of people had warned. 

Will keep you updated on my experience.  Thanks again!

[antonia]

Thanks so much for starting this thread, we await your next update and hope you are feeling better!

[ForeverGiselle]

Hello ladies!

My first night yesterday without the catheter and packing was amazing! Yeah, there was still a slight pain but for the most part, I slept so much better. It was comfortable and I think that put me in a better mood.  Going to the restroom is interesting...as I've been warned, the pee doesn't come in a straight line...it was very messy.  I've also notice that its a bit difficult to pee for me. I don't know. I have to sit in the toilet for a while for the body to feel comfortable letting the pee out. I hope this will fade will time and go back to being normal. 

I also did dilation yesterday and at least once today. Dilation is not pleasurable but it's doable. I just have to motivate myself to do it each time since the wound in that area is still fresh.  I am hoping to get out today to do some light shopping. Yeah, that's really it.  Thanks!

[awilliams1701]

I'm glad everything seems to be going well for you. I've been avoiding looking into SRS surgens because it seemed so far away, but this week I'm more serious about it. I kind of like the idea of picking one that's been through it so Bowers seems like a decent choice and it sounds like she's one of the most skilled in the country. I'm not sure where, but one of my sisters lives in California so who knows, maybe she can help me out if this is where I end up. I suspect I probably won't even be trying to make an appointment this year even knowing that Bowers has a 14 month waiting list.

[Allie]

Hi Giselle I am just curious how you are feeling? I hope things are going well for you☺️

[ForeverGiselle]

Allie - Hi!    I'm feeling better day by day.

As far as updates goes, I am now back home.  I arrived home on Friday. Pain is less and less.  I don't take the pain meds they prescribe anymore.  The hardest part post-op at least from what I am experiencing so far is dilation.  I am instructed to dilate 3 times a day for 15minutes each.  Dilation isn't overly painful but there is a lot of discomfort and very time consuming especially when you are doing it 3 times a day. But I tough it out and do as I am instructed. I guess one of my advice for the ladies doing SRS in the future is expect to give yourself plenty of time each day to dilate. Pre-surgery, I was a pretty busy girl who normally don't have time for herself until the weekend. Post surgery, I am beginning to understand that dilation is going to take a huge chunk of my time each day so I need to be mindful of that. Does anyone have any tips on dilating or what they do to ease the discomfort or make the dilation process goes a little better?

Enough about dilation, let's talk about vagina lol.  I'm not going to sugar-coat anything and be upfront.  Just a few days after the surgery, I can tell you that my vagina looked like a monster. I knew from other girls that it will look scary but boy, when I saw mine, I almost second guess myself if I did the right thing. It was very bruised and scary looking. Dr. Bowers said it was beautiful and would be even  more beautiful once the healing take affects.  I wasn't sure if she was just trying to make me feel better.  Now that I'm almost 2 week post-op, things are actually shaping and I'm overall happy with the results and the way it look. I wish I could post a pic here but I don't want to get in trouble.  My only concern is that on the lower lip of the vagina (is that how you describe it?), there is a red wound that is very visible....It's sorta near the entrance to the vagina hole? (again, sorry...I just don't know how to properly describe this).  It's def. red and I see some stitches...I honestly don't know how to describe it...but I did take a pic and will show it to Dr. Bowers if necessary because it still hasn't close and idk if it's normal. 

That's my update!

[Alana_Jane]

Hello Giselle,

You can Google female genital anatomy.  The wiki page on it is quite good. 

Best bet is to send a picture in and get the official word.  Best of luck with Dilatation routine.  Here's a lady who's a few weeks ahead and may be inspirational:  http://insearchoflucy.blogspot.com/
Hugs,

-Alana

[Muffinheart]

You're so right Giselle about how time consuming dilation is early on.
First month I was 4 dilations a day...then, then add in prep and cleanup time, sitz bath, showers....so little time to do anything else. Now you know why docs recommend taking one or two months off work following surgery.
I'm so happy now, I'm dilating once a day for a total of 20 minutes. Woo hoo.

[Khalysta]

Thanks for the info Giselle.  I'm scheduled with Dr Bowers but hoping to get moved up.  So its great to hear your experiences!

[tawnisofia]

thanks so much for sharing!

Inspiring!

[LucyDalley]

Perusing my blog stats found some referrals I had not had before and I followed them to this page.

Thank you so much Alana Jane for considering what I wrote inspiring. I found prior to my GRS/SRS, there was virtually nothing that explained step by step what I was going to go through. I decided to write about everything literally as it happened for the benefit of future lady's. To find that someone had read it and shared the link is quite humbling. I even registered so that I could reply.

Giselle, the red wound you describe at the bottom of the vagina is a very common occurrence and whilst it looks scary, it heals quite quickly. I described mine as my 30mm smiley face! I am not quite 6 weeks and it is completely healed externally. Everyone heals at different rates, but I would expect that by 8 weeks, this should be fine. I found it difficult toileting, because it was easy to bump and start bleeding. Just be very careful in this area and it will heal quicker.

Lucy x

[CynthiaAnn]

This was a very good post to read, thanks for doing this. I hope you are feeling great and healing well.

I am also on Dr Bower's schedule.....This information was quite useful.

Best to you

C -

[ainsley]

Perusing my blog stats found some referrals I had not had before and I followed them to this page.

Thank you so much Alana Jane for considering what I wrote inspiring. I found prior to my GRS/SRS, there was virtually nothing that explained step by step what I was going to go through. I decided to write about everything literally as it happened for the benefit of future lady's. To find that someone had read it and shared the link is quite humbling. I even registered so that I could reply.

Giselle, the red wound you describe at the bottom of the vagina is a very common occurrence and whilst it looks scary, it heals quite quickly. I described mine as my 30mm smiley face! I am not quite 6 weeks and it is completely healed externally. Everyone heals at different rates, but I would expect that by 8 weeks, this should be fine. I found it difficult toileting, because it was easy to bump and start bleeding. Just be very careful in this area and it will heal quicker.

Lucy x

I was one of the referred hits for you.  I really enjoyed reading your writings of your experience, Lucy.  Very much so!

-Ainsley

[Alana_Jane]

Perusing my blog stats found some referrals I had not had before and I followed them to this page.

Thank you so much Alana Jane for considering what I wrote inspiring. I found prior to my GRS/SRS, there was virtually nothing that explained step by step what I was going to go through. I decided to write about everything literally as it happened for the benefit of future lady's. To find that someone had read it and shared the link is quite humbling. I even registered so that I could reply...

Lucy x

You're welcome Lucy.  I loved that you went into surgery with a smile on your face.  We truly are a small and close knit community, all of our sisters, from those who are content to stay crossdressers, we who feel compelled to switch sides on the gender spectrum, to those who feel comfortable to swing across the gender spectrum as they are want to do, are all sisters in the journey.  I'm glad that you've decided to continue with your blog even now that you ARE Lucy. 
Hugs,

-Alana

[JenJen2011]

Does anyone have any tips on dilating or what they do to ease the discomfort or make the dilation process goes a little better?

Dilation for me isn't really uncomfortable or painful. But if you aren't doing so already, maybe taking a pain killer 30 mins before will help. Also, once you prep the area, don't just start dilating. Lay down, relax for 15 mins. Think happy thoughts. Put on one of your favorite programs and then start dilating. That helps me. Hope it helps you.

[LucyDalley]

I don't want to hijack this post too much, but again, thanks for the comments. The smile on my face was a truthful reflection because I had no fears about what was to happen and I was so happy to have finally gotten there; I think my post-op photo backs it all up too! If I can help just one person feel less anxious or scared of their impending GRS/SRS then I feel I have contributed in some small way

[ForeverGiselle]

Giselle, the red wound you describe at the bottom of the vagina is a very common occurrence and whilst it looks scary, it heals quite quickly. I described mine as my 30mm smiley face! I am not quite 6 weeks and it is completely healed externally. Everyone heals at different rates, but I would expect that by 8 weeks, this should be fine. I found it difficult toileting, because it was easy to bump and start bleeding. Just be very careful in this area and it will heal quicker.
Lucy x

Hi Lucy. Thank you! I'm very please to hear this. I was a little concern about that wound but Dr. Bower told me the same thing as you so that is very reassuring.  ^_^

[mac1]

Hi Lucy. Thank you! I'm very please to hear this. I was a little concern about that wound but Dr. Bower told me the same thing as you so that is very reassuring.  ^_^

Your progress is rather interesting to me. I am looking forward to hearing more.

[Alana_Jane]

Your progress is rather interesting to me. I am looking forward to hearing more.

+1 Giselle.  How are you holding up lady?

-Alana

[ForeverGiselle]

Thanks again for everyone supports and checking up on me. Two more days and I would reach my 1 month post-op period. Exciting! Everything has been pretty standard. I'm more and more active each day. The red wound I described earlier in the post are still present. I can't tell if they got smaller because I see it everyday but it is still present. The two main scars are nicely covered by hair and it seem to be healing really well. Most pain have subsided but sometime I get a sharp pain that last for less than 5 seconds. Maybe they are nerves getting connected? I don't know. I still get vaginal discharge here and there so wearing pads is still the norm. I learn that the Infinity Ultra Thin ones are a lot more comfortable so that the one I would recommend if anyone is going through this.  I feel like they are less heavy and more comfortable to wear.  One time, I worn one of my favorite panties without pads and let me tell you, I regret it. Walking is okay now but I do get tired easily and feel the need to lay down once in a while. I think this is the norm. 

As far as dilation goes, you ladies are right that it does get easier.  At first, I was thinking there is no way this get easier but I've noticed that it does!  I haven't miss a single session and don't plan to. Overall, so far, I have to say that I am satisfy with the result and have healed fairly well. That's really all I have to say atm but if you do have any specific question, feel free to ask and I'll get back to you!