SRS Scares

[devon14]

Hello Everyone!

Wow, I have not been here for a while! I have had so much life going on lately like getting engaged to an amazing woman!

Anyways,

I just had quite a scare concerning SRS today. My Fiance sent me a quote from a post that she read from another trans woman who is post-op. She listed the top ten things that she wished she would have known before having surgery. The things that stood out to me and scared me a bit was the feeling of fatigue that she explained. It was mostly due to her T levels dropping to pretty much zero. I was hoping that this would increase my energy levels as I wouldn't have to be on Spiro anymore and the hopes that the lack of genital dysphoria (which I have a lot of) would also aid in my energy levels. Another thing that scared me was weight gain. I currently weigh 198 pounds. I'm not exactly thin. Gaining weight really scares me. The last thing that really scared me was recovery time. If increasing weight is a factor, i want to be able to exercise somehow. The person that made that post said that they were still recovering after five months. Am I not going to be able to be active for over half a year???

I am really scared right now. I have my surgery in September. Could any of you post-op women give me some pointers? Things that I should do to prepare? Could any of you respond to the items that scared me and tell me if your experience was the same or if your experience was different?

I am going to Dr. Satterwhite if that helps anyone in answering my questions.

[Girl Beyond Doubt]

Athena,

my SRS has been with Dr. Suporn in 2014. Maybe I have been lucky - three weeks after the surgery I was completely off painkillers and running around all day with the other girls, but the three dilation sessions each day were still a welcome and necessary opportunity to lay down and rest.
Two months after the surgery I could go shopping, climb stairs and walk longer distances without becoming fatigued. My T levels have been below the detection threshold since adding cyproterone acetate to my HRT 10 months before my SRS, but I have more energy since starting HRT because my sleep is much better and I am therefore no longer tired during the day as I have often been before.
For the first three to four months I was careful about pulling my knees up too far or spreading my legs too much so that the skin sutures would be stressed as little as possible, but other than that I could move and exercise as much as I wanted after two months.
The first time I could ride my bicycle was after four months, but it was uncomfortable. After six months it became as easy as it had been before.
Sitting down became easier after three months and almost normal again after six months.
Gaining, keeping or losing weight works exactly as it did before.

If you have more questions, you are quite welcome to ask.

[Laura_7]

First, I'd say try to relax...
you could use your imagination to your advantage and imagine a positive outcome...
maybe you sipping on your favourite fruit juice...

you could do something to work off stress hormones... maybe a bit of exercise, a few situps daily... or taking a walk for a few minutes...

concerning hormones after srs you might have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190296.msg1695059.html#msg1695059

in principle menopausal women have kind of similar needs, so its not uncommon.
This is one reason why low dose testo implants are available, and low dose testosterone gels.
Some people simply don't know, so if you know you can take the right steps.
It might seem unusual first but a very low dose of testo might really help with drive.
You might think about bioidentical hormones... because of different side effects of non bio identical ones ...

Concerning recovery time, not smoking should help...
a bit of regular exercise before srs...

This is from another posting:

My gynecologist who is experienced with transgenders with srs instructed me to use neosporin, coconut oil to dilate, and cicaplast as well as vitamin E oil/serum. So far my healing is going phenomenally faster than I ever imagined.
(This is after the phase of the first months)

Bruising can be reduced (many believe) with Bromelain 500 mg twice a day, Arnica montana (Boiron brand) dose 30C (take 4 small tablets sublingually, 4 times a day), vitamin C 500 mg (3 times a day) starting 1 week before surgery.
bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following physical injuries and surgery.

All at your own risk... talk this all exactly through with your doctor and endo. Some say to start bromelain after srs.


All in all I'd say relax...
do a few exercises...
and keep to mental images of a good outcome.


have a big *hug*

[Rejennyrated]

To a large extent it depends on how determined you are. I was very young early to mid twenties, I was quite drained for a few days, but within three to four week I was breaking up rocks to make my patio, demolishing an old driveway and loading lumps of concrete into a skip (dumpster to those you who are American).

Its not the testosterone levels dropping so much as the kick back from the anaesthetic and all the healing that saps your energy. So if you eat well, sleep well and try to enjoy life then you'll help yourself bounce back.

Unfortunately everyone is different, but if you are young and fit then it need not be that dramatic.

In short I think you are probably worrying needlessly.

OH and PS - my surgery was over 30 years ago - back then it was a rather bigger operation so if anything these days it should be easier.

[Evelyn K]

The one huge negative that scares me about SRS is something nobody talks about.

I've read (from a medical source) that a neovagina has a completely different bacterial flora than cis women. That this bacteria flora creates a different kind of enzyme and 'waste products' which cause ongoing irritation to the internal lining. Prolonged irritation poses a cancer risk. There are no long term study's that shows a risk factor though. So I really don't know. But it's something to think about.

[Laura_7]

The one huge negative that scares me about SRS is something nobody talks about.

I've read (from a medical source) that a neovagina has a completely different bacterial flora than cis women. That this bacteria flora creates a different kind of enzyme and 'waste products' which cause ongoing irritation to the internal lining. Prolonged irritation poses a cancer risk. There are no long term study's that shows a risk factor though. So I really don't know. But it's something to think about.

Hm... there are studies and experiences which do not quite support this...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,149304.msg1682002.html#msg1682002
"From months to sometimes years after skin grafting, the graft loses all of its skin properties and adapts to its environment, becoming a mucosa... (Sherfey, 1973)."

This is from another posting:

In the UK they are sold as INTRAFRESH over in the US they are FEMINA FLORA. In Australia / NZ I imagine there will be another name wich you will have to find - Google "Probiotic Vaginal Pessaries"
For the first two to three months you may want to douche with an iodine based antispetic solution that will promote healing.
We used to get told to use it at least once a day after dilation and to douche with weak salt water solution in between.
Google Videne and/or Betadyne / Videne - basically it is a Providone Iodine solution and you dilute it about 5 to 1 before use. It's very gentle and safe, specifially made for treating post operative wound sites and it speeds up healing.
After the three months is up the healing is all done and you no longer need the iodine so you can switch to the probiotics quite safely. They work well too!

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,68720.msg463356.html#msg463356
I then got from a health food store a probioitic designed for the vagina and is inserted into the vagina.  It will fix the vagina flora. You'll get some discharge after from the pill dissolving, and you'll use it for a few days, laying down and inserting it at night.

That pill made a huge difference. I smell and taste amazing. I feel healthier down there and all over. I self-lube better. And I haven't had any re-occurring yeast infections or BV.  I swear by this product! I've read on other forms about it, which other people also swear by -- I've read stories of women having problems for 10 years and taking a vaginal probiotic stopped it.


Well... talk it through with your doctor...


hugs

[devon14]

To a large extent it depends on how determined you are. I was very young early to mid twenties, I was quite drained for a few days, but within three to four week I was breaking up rocks to make my patio, demolishing an old driveway and loading lumps of concrete into a skip (dumpster to those you who are American).

Its not the testosterone levels dropping so much as the kick back from the anaesthetic and all the healing that saps your energy. So if you eat well, sleep well and try to enjoy life then you'll help yourself bounce back.

Unfortunately everyone is different, but if you are young and fit then it need not be that dramatic.

In short I think you are probably worrying needlessly.

OH and PS - my surgery was over 30 years ago - back then it was a rather bigger operation so if anything these days it should be easier.

I am 23 and my height is 5'11". I would consider myself to be somewhat fit. I definitely have a lot of muscle mass, especially in my legs. I am no where near my goal weight though. I have a considerable amount of belly fat. I was hoping to get my weight down to 170 but that never happened. I've been teetering from 200 to 198. A few months ago I lost my job, my genital dysphoria has been getting really bad, i have been having roommate troubles, and I have chronic depression\anxiety with semi regular panic attacks. All of this has left me unable to exercise as much as I want and sometimes eating a little too much. My mood has been starting to pick up lately and things are getting less stressful for me. Should my weight worry me?

Here is a picture of my belly that better illustrates my weight condition.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/Athena_Lynn_Harting/20150521_135625_zps0xo0zrqk.jpg

[Evelyn K]

Hm... there are studies and experiences which do not quite support this...
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,149304.msg1682002.html#msg1682002
"From months to sometimes years after skin grafting, the graft loses all of its skin properties and adapts to its environment, becoming a mucosa... (Sherfey, 1973)."

This is from another posting:

In the UK they are sold as INTRAFRESH over in the US they are FEMINA FLORA. In Australia / NZ I imagine there will be another name wich you will have to find - Google "Probiotic Vaginal Pessaries"
For the first two to three months you may want to douche with an iodine based antispetic solution that will promote healing.
We used to get told to use it at least once a day after dilation and to douche with weak salt water solution in between.
Google Videne and/or Betadyne / Videne - basically it is a Providone Iodine solution and you dilute it about 5 to 1 before use. It's very gentle and safe, specifially made for treating post operative wound sites and it speeds up healing.
After the three months is up the healing is all done and you no longer need the iodine so you can switch to the probiotics quite safely. They work well too!

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,68720.msg463356.html#msg463356
I then got from a health food store a probioitic designed for the vagina and is inserted into the vagina.  It will fix the vagina flora. You'll get some discharge after from the pill dissolving, and you'll use it for a few days, laying down and inserting it at night.

That pill made a huge difference. I smell and taste amazing. I feel healthier down there and all over. I self-lube better. And I haven't had any re-occurring yeast infections or BV.  I swear by this product! I've read on other forms about it, which other people also swear by -- I've read stories of women having problems for 10 years and taking a vaginal probiotic stopped it.


Well... talk it through with your doctor...


hugs

Yes that study. I imagine the vaginal probiotics are used for cis women specifically since their cellular physiology 'in there' is very different.

That's an interesting tid-bit about the skin grafts turning into mucosa. Can you say you've experienced this?

[Laura_7]

Yes that study. I imagine the vaginal probiotics are used for cis women specifically since their cellular physiology 'in there' is very different.

That's an interesting tid-bit about the skin grafts turning into mucosa. Can you say you've experienced this?

Well as other girls have reported bacteria from cis girls was able to flourish.

Imo its like seeding a garden.

Concerning mucosa, there are many who reported they can self lubricate... sometimes it might be a matter of time...

[Laura_7]

I am 23 and my height is 5'11". I would consider myself to be somewhat fit. I definitely have a lot of muscle mass, especially in my legs. I am no where near my goal weight though. I have a considerable amount of belly fat. I was hoping to get my weight down to 170 but that never happened. I've been teetering from 200 to 198. A few months ago I lost my job, my genital dysphoria has been getting really bad, i have been having roommate troubles, and I have chronic depression\anxiety with semi regular panic attacks. All of this has left me unable to exercise as much as I want and sometimes eating a little too much. My mood has been starting to pick up lately and things are getting less stressful for me. Should my weight worry me?

Its good your mood is getting better...
you could do a few exercises regularly... a few situps twice a day or taking a walk...or bicycling or swimming for a few minutes...

what might help is a bit more vegetarian nutrition... apples for example consist mostly of water, if used as snacks one or two more would not hurt...
eating veggies instead of fat meat... all in a healthy variety...

and avoiding carbonated and high sugar drinks... high sugar drinks might give a mood spike and a low later...

if this would be changed gradually over some time it should help...

hugs

[Jenna Marie]

I was definitely very fatigued, but it was temporary; probably a couple of months of exhaustion and another few weeks of tiring rather easily. From the people I've talked to (cis and trans) this is typical of major surgery, because the body burns through a lot of resources while healing. It DOES go away.

I was able to exercise, albeit lightly and without lifting too much weight, by about 2 weeks post-op. I was able to get back to weightlifting and vigorous exercise by 2 months post-op. I wasn't able to ride a bike for a year, alas.   If you're very fit going into it, you should both recover faster overall and have less of a problem with losing condition.

I did gain a little weight, but it's hard to say how much was GRS and how much that I'd worked hard on *losing* weight for surgery - in effect, I regained back to about what I'd been before I started dieting, maybe 15 pounds, but not more than that. I think that's normal, too.

Overall, it's major surgery and you should expect significant recovery time, but you won't be totally incapacitated unless something unexpected happens. I was able to do basic household chores and walk half a mile by the time I came home at 8 days post-op, for example (and they had us climbing stairs and walking slowly for exercise at 48 *hours* post-op).

Evelyn : I'm about 3 years post-op now, and at my physical this year I requested a vaginal swab b/c I was curious. The doctor basically humored me, but the results were basically normal according to what they'd expect to find in a cis vagina. (Two perhaps relevant points : I, um, there's no delicate way to say this, but transferred some natural flora from my wife, and I do not have PIV sex with men - which is one of the primary factors I've seen listed in the other studies as correlating with "bad" bacteria traveling from nearby unsanitary regions.)

[Evelyn K]

Jenna that's fascinating stuff to me.

I'm actually seriously open to dating a transwoman because of this.

But. I'm just very picky. =(

[Dena]

I was 30 when I went through surgery and my recovery was hell because of my stupidity but I may be able to help you. I lost 5 pounds while I was in the hospital because even at that age they weren't putting enough food on my tray to keep me  going. As you get older you will find weight gain becomes even more of a problem. I am currently about 186 at 5'14" but working on hitting the 170-175 range where my body shape is the best. Portion size is critical. Your body may not be hungry at meal time but you overeat anyway. You may not need that desert but you eat it anyway. Food selection is important as well because foods like oatmeal will fill you up in the morning without a huge calorie count.

Because I messed up a leg a while back and I am not as young as I once was, I stay away from extreme physical activity. In the Phoenix area it is hot right now so I wait till 7PM and walk away from the house for 15 minutes. I then turn around and head home. After surgery you will be weak so I would start with about 5 minutes away from the house or stick to a small area until you find your stamina level. Bump the time up a little each trip as you find you are able to handle more.

While your are healing just worry about maintaining your weight and forget about losing it. That can come latter when you can handle more of a workout.

I have seen people put on the pounds after surgery but I also have seen people maintain their weigh. If you become food aware, weight gain shouldn't become a problem.

[Laura_7]

Hi never been here before I am a MtF 49 year male born with klinefelters syndrome which is that I have the extra chromosomes xxy which mean I have boobs and make penis my wife to be doesn't want me to change to full female so I am wondering if I have a better chance of growing bigger breasts



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk kimberleeanne46

Growing bigger breasts after srs ? Maybe, some people have, it might take a while...
You might add a topic of your own in the welcome section, where people might discuss your topic a bit better...

hugs

[kimberleeanne47]

Hi never been here before I am a MtF 49 year male born with klinefelters syndrome which is that I have the extra chromosomes xxy which mean I have boobs and make penis my wife to be doesn't want me to change to full female so I am wondering if I have a better chance of growing bigger breasts



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk kimberleeanne46

[kimberleeanne47]

Ok but where do I go to write this thing you talking about cause this is the first time on here and don't know where to post it on here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk kimberleeanne46

[Laura_7]

Ok but where do I go to write this thing you talking about cause this is the first time on here and don't know where to post it on here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk kimberleeanne46

You might go here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html

then click on "new topic" and write a few words about yourself... imo you already made a good start by what you have written...

but this was a suggestion... don't want to keep anyone from posting here...

hugs

[Squircle]

OK I'm going to cut to the chase and ask the question we all wanted to but were too afraid to ask....

How long after SRS will I be able to get back on a motorbike? 

[Dena]

That is a hard one but I would say a month or two. It is how shall we say it, very painful down there and they gave me a cushion with a hole in it which helped some. You are going to be on 4 wheels for a while.

[Laura_7]

OK I'm going to cut to the chase and ask the question we all wanted to but were too afraid to ask....

How long after SRS will I be able to get back on a motorbike? 

We would need someone like S pock to calculate that...
or make an educated guess as someone said...


hugs