just found out from my surgeon's staff I need to get my weight down

[stephaniec]

Congrats Stephanie. You will be glad when the electro and SRS is done. I have had to complete clearings with electro down their myself now. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

thanks and good luck to you too

[Mariah]

Thanks 

thanks and good luck to you too

[LizMarie]

Congratulations, Stephanie!

Now stop and think. Where were you just three years ago? Look at all the things you've accomplished getting to here. Baby steps, big steps, your patience, and now you're almost to your GCS.

Think about that, congratulate yourself, and give yourself a big pat on the back for having the perseverance and desire to reach for the stars.

[stephaniec]

yea, thanks I will , it's been an incredibly interesting ride.

[Beth Andrea]

I tried electrolysis, and could not bear the pain...so my electro-lady sent me to a medical place here in Seattle which has medical staff, including a Dr who can prescribe oral pills if needed, but first they try out a serious nonprescription numbing cream...two applications of that takes care of most of the pain.

Here they use laser first, then electro. The laser feels a LOT stronger than what I'd had in a beauty salon, fwiw.

The pattern they're using begins about 1" (2,5 cm) from the anus, spreading out to include the scrotum and the base+shaft of the penis.  I don't know if that's the pattern they're using for you...

Did I mention there is pain killing stuff for this procedure? 

As you might imagine, the perianal/genital area is exquisitely sensitive to contact with what seems  about a bazillion volts...

Be sure to ask about any pain control methods they may have.

Good luck!

[stephaniec]

I tried electrolysis, and could not bear the pain...so my electro-lady sent me to a medical place here in Seattle which has medical staff, including a Dr who can prescribe oral pills if needed, but first they try out a serious nonprescription numbing cream...two applications of that takes care of most of the pain.

Here they use laser first, then electro. The laser feels a LOT stronger than what I'd had in a beauty salon, fwiw.

The pattern they're using begins about 1" (2,5 cm) from the anus, spreading out to include the scrotum and the base+shaft of the penis.  I don't know if that's the pattern they're using for you...

Did I mention there is pain killing stuff for this procedure? 

As you might imagine, the perianal/genital area is exquisitely sensitive to contact with what seems  about a bazillion volts...

Be sure to ask about any pain control methods they may have.

Good luck!

they better have excellent pain killers

[KimSails]

Hi Stephanie,

I don't know what experience you already have with electrolysis, but since you are asking about pain killers I thought I'd share my (limited) experience.  If your surgeon's office is referring you to an electrolysis office with a medical staff, then you are likely all set for pain killers.  They should be able to prescribe something that works well.  Most electrolysis offices, as I understand it, DON'T have the means to prescribe or give you good meds -- at least in the US.  They do seem to have an OTC form of lidocane cream, but  I would not expect that to be "excellent".  I have a prescription for a higher level of EMLA cream and it helps some but not a lot. And you need to take the cream and/or meds prior to the start of your appt.

I'd recommend talking with the electrolysis office prior to your appointment.  See what they can provide.  If it is limited, you could talk with your GCS surgeons office or a primary care doc for a prescription for something better.  I'd hate to see you walk into your electro appt unprepared and go through an hour or two of "excruciating" pain when, if prepared, its *only* "unbearable" pain.

Kim  

[stephaniec]

thanks, I don't like pain

[Beth Andrea]

Just got done with 117 zaps to that most delicate area...

I have an odd response to certain levels of pain: I start laughing my @ss off... And while I'm laughing, it's difficult to say "stop stop oh please stop". Fortunately, the tech figured it out quickly enough.

They gave me 4 grams (I think? It was 4 *something*) of the first-level numbing cream, and I was pretty thorough in applying it down there. There were a couple of poorly creamed areas (ok, maybe 5%-10% of the area, mostly around the edges of the pattern) that caused the most...ummm...unenjoyable  experiences. (Note to others: The "seam" on the scrotum is especially sensitive to the laser, more so than any other area...just fyi, ymmv) This was my third zap-session, and just before I went in I looked at what was left from the first two sessions (6 weeks ago was the second)...about half the hairs were gone! I'm talking bald-gone! I'm very happy with this process.

Without the numbing cream I would *not* have been able to endure it.

I wonder how many of us did, though? Laser and electrolysis downstairs, without any numbing stuff?

[AnonyMs]

There was a recent forum post about electrolysis pain that might be useful

Electrolysis Pain Management
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,176665.0.html

Regarding weight, apart from the usual heath reasons, I believe surgeons get better cosmetic results when there's less fat to work with.

[PennyW]

Loosing weight and getting fit - 3 steps:

1. Eat regular meals, but cut them down to 75-50% of what they were.
2. Cardio 3x weekly, intense enough to not be able to say more than two words for 30 mins
3. Muscle building exercise - concentrate on bum, thighs, and abs. So weighted squats and crunches. For 30mins

I've lost 10kg in 6 months with this routine. You'll need to keep it up indefinitely, so do what it takes to fit it into your day. What I've done is put 2h lunch breaks 3x weekly in my schedule, and started work earlier to compensate. That way I can't blow it off because otherwise I have to sit around for two hours doing nothing and being bored.