For those unaware of Dr. Haben, his website is here:
http://professionalvoice.org/feminization.aspxDena's experience with Dr. Haben:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192393.0.htmlCadence's experience with Dr. Haben:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,188034.0.htmlAnd now, my experience:
I arrived in Rochester on September 15, and checked into the Rochester Airport Marriott immediately. The hotel sent a courtesy shuttle when I called, so I didn't have to spend any money on a cab.
En route to Rochester
There's a Chipotle near the Rochester Airport Marriott!
View from my hotel room:
The shuttle normally doesn't go take guests to Dr. Haben's clinic because it's farther away, but due to a mix-up (they thought I was going to Unity Hospital), they offered to drive me to 980 Westfall Road, where Dr. Haben's clinic is located.
Dr. Haben was very personable, thorough and detailed in his explanation of what exactly he planned to do, and he gave me a detailed physical examination. This included a photo of my vocal folds, and feeling the movement of my thyroid when entering head voice to determine if the CTA would be good for me. I had lots of movement in my thyroid when going into my head voice, which Dr. Haben said was a good thing.
So I show up at the appointed time on September 16 at the Park Ridge Operating Theater (part of the Unity Hospital complex), which is when I make full payment of the outstanding amount. (about $3,300 after the initial $3,500 reservation deposit).
The nurses, anesthesiologist, and Dr. Haben prep me for surgery (changed into the gown, IV drip, heart rate monitors, etc), and that's the last thing I remember before waking up in the recovery room.
Prep:
My memory is a bit hazy at this point, so I don't remember the exact order of what happened, but I took a walk down the hallway with my nurse (groggy and nauseous from the general anesthesia), tried to pee (unsuccessfully), and had a bite (food was good, but it really, really hurt to swallow).
Dinner (stuffed chicken with rice and carrots):
Throat incision:
Throughout the night, the nurses would come every 1-2 hours to administer more pain meds, anti-clotting meds, antibiotics, walk me down the hallway, refill my IV drip, etc. I was only allowed to use the restroom with a nurse present (outside the restroom), because being under general anesthesia puts you at risk of falling. I managed to pee a little on the 3rd or 4th attempt, which according to the nurse is fairly typical effect of going under GA. I'd describe it as extreme shy bladder. You release the voluntary sphincter, but the involuntary one refuses to relax.
Ask for popsicles!
I had a few
This went on for the rest of the night, until the effects of the GA (mostly) wore off in the morning, and I was cleared for discharge. Except for one male security guard, and another male surgical PA, everyone else was exceptionally friendly, respectful, and used the right pronouns throughout.
Breakfast the next day (french toast & sausages):
IV drip:
View from the recovery room:
Recovery room:
I left the hospital on the 17th and checked out of the Marriott the same day, and checked into a cheaper hotel, because I have to stay an additional 7 days for the post-op check-up. This is mandatory for patients not from the surrounding area (NY, Ontario, Quebec), so doing this saves me a bundle.
I even got a farewell flower! I gave it to the front desk girls at the Marriott.
All in all, everything went smoothly. I came down with a slight sore throat the day before I left for Rochester. It's still tapering off, and that has made the strict voice rest impossible to comply with. I ended coughing up some phlegm and made some high-pitched vocalizations while doing so, but Dr. Haben assured me that the sutures were probably fine, as long as there wasn't any significant pain or bleeding.
I had no loose teeth after the operation, and tip of my tongue is numb but my sense of taste seems unaffected.
Except for a minor anxiety attack earlier today where I thought the CTA made my throat bulge out, and this was all a big mistake, I haven't stopped smiling and being on cloud 9 despite the ongoing discomfort and pain.
More to come as I recover, and many thanks once again to Cadence & Dena for sharing their invaluable experience and results, without which I may not have taken the plunge. You two are the best!
