Mariah's GRS with Dr. Meltzer 10/27/16 and Post surgical journey.

[Mariah]

Meltzer took the time to respond to any questions and never rushed. He did a thorough job and his staff has been thorough to respond to any questions and concerns I have had. Hugs
Mariah

Last question. Do you have anything to add in regards to interacting with Dr. Meltzer and the care you received that you did not find (or comment on) elsewhere?

Thanks again!
Hugs,
Brooke


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mariah]

i can't say that I'm not a little bit nervous about moving up to the next dilator, but with my next dilation I'm going to be doing that and seeing slowly how it goes. it should be interesting to see how well my body handles it. Hugs
Mariah

[Mariah]

So started using the second dilator and the 2 tapered dilators. I couldn't get the second one past the 4 inch mark at this point. I'm not surprised since it is still slightly tight with dilator 1 back that far so I guess it's progress of a sort. Hugs
Mariah

[Mariah]

they finally got back with me via email a short time ago. here is what they said. So as the suspected it is what expected plus the fact the drains were their so that explains it. Hugs
Mariah

HI Mariah,

I reviewed the photos with Dr. Meltzer he said the small wounds on both legs between the groin and labia are where the JP drains were so it is a healing drain site. Continue to wash with soap and water and apply bacitracin twice a day.

The new photos you sent me today show normal dehiscence, also wash with soap and water and apply bacitracin to the open areas twice a day, both areas will heal in time.

Thanks


(removed name) RN

[jujubes1986]

i can't say that I'm not a little bit nervous about moving up to the next dilator, but with my next dilation I'm going to be doing that and seeing slowly how it goes. it should be interesting to see how well my body handles it. Hugs
Mariah

The dilation schedule is interesting for you... we only have 3 dilators... and I'm on month two and I'm using all three... first month I'm using the smallest 1 1/4 inches in diameter and the
Middle 1 3/8 inches in diameter .... the biggest one is 1 1/2 inches in diameter... what are the sizes of your dilators...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mariah]

The biggest is 1 1/2 and I'm not sure of the others. 2 of the dilators are tapered. The smallest might be an inch, but don't quote me on that. They told us but I don't recall. Hugs
Mariah

The dilation schedule is interesting for you... we only have 3 dilators... and I'm on month two and I'm using all three... first month I'm using the smallest 1 1/4 inches in diameter and the
Middle 1 3/8 inches in diameter .... the biggest one is 1 1/2 inches in diameter... what are the sizes of your dilators...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jessika]

So happy all is well Mariah.

I have a question since you've been through it all.

When someone goes Full-time, how does the Surgeon or anyone else know when you have done the 1 year RLE to qualify for surgery?
How would they know when you started and finished?

Never understood how the 1 year test is verified.

Thanks

[I Am Jess]

When someone goes Full-time, how does the Surgeon or anyone else know when you have done the 1 year RLE to qualify for surgery?
How would they know when you started and finished?

Never understood how the 1 year test is verified.

In my case it was listed in the letter from my therapist and the psychiatrist.  They certified that I had completed the one year RLE in compliance with the WPATH Standards of Care.  I believe that is how it is usually done.  Since Insurance Companies generally also require that info it is the verification letters that are the key.

[Mariah]

In my case it was in the letters, but also they sometimes will still ask you for the info. As I am Jess said it really does come down to the WAPTH standards of care. Hugs
Mariah

So happy all is well Mariah.

I have a question since you've been through it all.

When someone goes Full-time, how does the Surgeon or anyone else know when you have done the 1 year RLE to qualify for surgery?
How would they know when you started and finished?

Never understood how the 1 year test is verified.

Thanks

[Mariah]

I was able to get 2 in a bit farther this time and the more I do it the quicker number one goes in. Hugs
Mariah

[Beth Andrea]

So happy all is well Mariah.

I have a question since you've been through it all.

When someone goes Full-time, how does the Surgeon or anyone else know when you have done the 1 year RLE to qualify for surgery?
How would they know when you started and finished?

Never understood how the 1 year test is verified.

Thanks

I was told that any document showing your "girl" name with a date that is a year old is adequate. In my case, the court order with my name change was good enough for anyone who asked.

[Mariah]

Meltzer asked specific questions in regards to the dates of the legal changes of name and gender which kind of surprised me, Hugs
Mariah

I was told that any document showing your "girl" name with a date that is a year old is adequate. In my case, the court order with my name change was good enough for anyone who asked.

[Beth Andrea]

Mariah, have there been any "Gee I wish I'd know XYZ before, it would've helped in my planning (or recovery)" moments?

[Mariah]

The biggest change that I didn't know before hand was the fact I'm having to rinse out the area with a peri bottle due to how my urine is spraying the area until the stream finally settles down and isn't spraying the areas that are healing i wasn't expecting that and that adaptation was made slightly before I left the hospital. The other thing is sometimes some things like even the clit are going to bleed as the healing process goes along even if they hadn't been bleeding for most of the healing time. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah, have there been any "Gee I wish I'd know XYZ before, it would've helped in my planning (or recovery)" moments?

[jujubes1986]

I wonder if brassard Nd meltzer have the same technique... I know both does penile inversion but each doctor modifies it with their own... what did your doctor use for the hood? And do you have a minora?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mariah]

Generally he does things in a two step procedure and regardless mine had to be a two step procedure. He just had to much work to do. Hence the Labiaplasty that is scheduled. So no hood at the clit that I can see as of now. There is a little bit of a minor now but now really well defined. Hugs
Mariah

I wonder if brassard Nd meltzer have the same technique... I know both does penile inversion but each doctor modifies it with their own... what did your doctor use for the hood? And do you have a minora?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mariah]

As much as they mentioned doing a certain number and then a another number you may have to change the order especially at the beginning of the day if really tight and use 1 or whatever the step below is to start the day before switching to the next level up. I was so tight this morning that I'm going to have to do that myself too. Hugs
Mariah

[Mariah]

Changing the order for each to staring with the smaller and working up works. I was able to get 2 in 5 inches this time. There instructions were to due 2T then 2 and then 1 once it was time to move up to number 2 but  going with 1, 2T and then 2 seems to be the trick. It was originally Dena's idea, but it is spot on advice and is working for me. It loosens and relaxes things enough that 2 goes in much better than before. Hugs
Mariah

[Dena]

It was either that or a trip to Harbor Freight for a bigger hammer.

[Mariah]

I have finally been able to get it in a good 5 and 1/2 inches which is getting much closer to the full depth of my vagina. I had to concede one of my dilations and today and TBH I think it was a smart move. Rushing 4 of them into 12 hours hasn't been doing any good and resulting in a large amount of separation between them and with my schedule today it made more since to get three evenly spaced in that can be more affective than 4 crunched into such a short period of time considering they wanted them to gradually be farther apart over this month. I already planned on doing 3 instead of 2 at the one month point anyways which will also help compensate for days like today. Hugs
Mariah