Humiliating?

[Kylo]

So had my 3rd consultation with the therapist and the next one will be with a doctor for hormones. I'm in the UK currently and transitioning via the NHS.

Not much info has been given so far on the procedure for top surgery down the line. I know I'll get to talk about this in several months with the doctor but I kind of want to be forewarned (is fore-armed, as they say). The therapist was a little evasive when I asked about the Dr. meetings for top surgery as if I should expect to feel uncomfortable during them, and I've heard one other transman on a different forum complain they found the 2nd meeting with the doctor humiliating and stressful as they felt they were being 'paraded' in front of two medical students accompanying the doctor while they examined them topless. Obviously I know at some point something like this is going to have do be done to see how to approach the surgery, but what is the standard procedure? Do they typically expect you to strip and be photographed and so on in front of several staff?

I'm just going on what this other transperson said... seemed they were not happy with the surgeon in general as they felt her attitude was disparaging, but I can't judge as I wasn't there. What are other people's experiences with the runup to surgery? 

[invisiblemonsters]

usually the surgeons don't have medical students shadowing them. i find it weird that was even an experience he would go through because here in canada, we are asked if we want medical students around and if we want the medical students to do the procedures/physicals. i say yes because i don't really care. the only time i cared was when i got my physical and the doctor asked if the student could do it. i said yes but i felt super uncomfortable already because it was my first pap smear, etc. but i'm going to school to be a paramedic so i understand how important the learning aspect of it is, but it doesn't make it any more uncomfortable but definitely makes me more empathetic towards people.

on the topic of how it went down with me, my surgeon was in another province so i had to send my pics via email so the doctor could see what she was working with. when i got there, before my surgery that is when she looked at my chest, marked me up and took more pics. it was pretty fast and we were alone in a room.

[FTMax]

Not in the UK, so may not be similar at all. At my consult, I started by speaking with a nurse. She reviewed all the forms I had filled out, we talked about what my goals were, and she answered any questions I had that she was capable of answering. She gave me a robe and told me to take my shirt off and put the robe on, and the doctor would be in. She left, I changed, doctor came in a few minutes later.

She also reviewed my forms. Then she told me she was wanted to measure me to get an idea of what kind of procedure we were looking at. Opened the robe for less than 30 seconds, she took a peek, ran the tape measure over a few different angles and told me I could tie it back up. Went over questions, decided on a procedure.

She left and another nurse came in who gave me the official quote, reviewed pre and post-op procedures, gave me copies of the blood work order and physical to take to my personal doctor, and then she scheduled me.

On the day of my surgery, it was pretty much the same. Nurse came in first, confirmed that I had followed the pre-op procedures, gave me anti-nausea and anxiety meds, and a gown to put on. She took 3 pictures of my chest from various angles then left me to change. Surgeon came in and made sure I was okay, answered my caregiver's questions. She left and the anesthesiologist came in to go over all that. Once all the talking was done, she escorted me back to the OR and got me all hooked in.

My surgeon has her own practice though, with her own OR. So no hospital, very few staff members. Everyone was hand picked by her, they're all female, had no issues with any of them. I know she has had fellows working with her in the past, but didn't have any at the time I was there.

[Tysilio]

I had a consultation for top surgery a few months ago.  The surgeon was very respectful, and sensitive to the possibility that I might feel some discomfort, especially with having photos taken. There was a medical student present as an observer, but I was asked ahead of time if that was OK. I was fine with that-- for one thing, my surgeon is attached to a medical school which makes a point of educating its students about transgender medicine. And I'm kind of old to care much about who sees my body, within reason.

I think there's a lot of variation in how people feel about having others see their chests. I know several people who've worked with this surgeon -- some were more uncomfortable than others, but they all felt they'd been treated sensitively.

Regardless, you should have the final say on whether medical students are present at your exam.

[Kylo]

Sounds like the person I mentioned had a bad experience that isn't typical then. I gather from what they said they had no choice about the students being present and were uncomfortable with it. Guess I'll have to see how I feel at the time. If I can get some of my desired body shape back up and some musculature back I know I probably won't mind even if students are present. It seems the more feminine body shape I have the worse I feel about anyone touching or seeing, not so much the chest itself.

This person also claimed the surgeon was irritated learning they were a gay male and the surgeon commented that gay transmen have "unrealistic expectations of surgery", or something like that. I mean the therapist asked me about my sexuality which I guess is part of the evaluation, but I wouldn't have expected it to concern the surgeon. Feel kinda sorry for this dude to have been put in that position... suppose I'm just hoping I too get some more sensitive or considerate staff on my case than he did.   

[Alexthecat]

USA here but I took pictures and Medalie decided how he was going to operate from there. The only time he physically touched me was to mark me with pen right before surgery. He never took pictures of me, I did it for my own record. You have the right to deny a medical student. This was in a big hospital with all kinds of procedures going on, in a ghetto neighborhood.

[Kylo]

Thanks for the info all.

[2fish]

My endo works in a teaching hospital. I always get permission to have 1-2 students join in. It doesn't bother me. Also, for top surgery Dr. Garramone is very respectful and also had his assistant in the room. Didn't touch me during the exam but did take several shots of my chest that did not include my face. On surgery day it was just me and him behind a curtin. He did have to touch me to measure and I believe he had gloves on but I don't remember very well. It took less than a minute and he was done. When we did the unveiling there was no need for an assistant. Everything went well too.

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[Cindy]

Hi,


I work in major teaching hospitals in Australia and I believe the system is similar as far as patient care is concerned.

You are the only person who can give permission for medical students to be present in an examination, that is law. If students are present you can ask that they leave. If you do so be very polite as you don't want to cause waves. Your surgeon should know that your have dysphoria about your chest and has to treat you as a client in a professional and caring manner.

There is no harm in mentioning that you are extremely uncomfortable with being examined, and the examination should be performed as clinically required with the least amount of embarrassment.

Any NHS surgeon who has worked with transmen before would be fully aware of that.

When I had my examination for GCS, the surgeon had to examine my testicles and groin area, I told him that I was going to find the examination confronting and he was extremely reassuring, using my first name and female pronouns throughout and performed the examination quickly and efficiently.

After I dressed he asked if I was OK, did I want a glass of water and a few minutes to compose myself.

Then we completed the paperwork. His final comment was, 'Well young lady, we will soon have you looking as you should have been when you were born.'

I realise we are going in opposite directions but I would expect your surgeon will be as considerate and professional as mine.

Good luck young man and have a safe journey.

Cindy