GCS with McGinn (After so many years waiting)

[Laurie]

No you don't . You are not blaming your panting hyperventilating heaving breathing on me. I'm sure it wasn't visions of me going through your cute little head especially at that time. I hope you washed your hands before answering me. Clyde is still safely on my desk. He hasn't even lifted his head or what's left of it. Looks as though someone dissected it or something. It isn't any wonder he hasn't moved.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[LizK]

Didn't you say soothing about a Granny Porn business Moni? LOL Anyway been catching up on your thread and the information in these posts are great...I still have 11 months but I have founbd I suddenly have to insatiable need to know as much as I can and the number of times I hear myself saying...really,I didn't know that...is too numerous to count.

I have yet to catch up with Tia-Anne's thread, there is some great knowledge shared in these threads for anyone about to have surgery. Thankyou all who share their experiences.

When I read what you had to say about hooding I had to think about what my surgeon said and I can't even remember if he said anything, so it is another one to add to the long list of questions I already have.

Thanks Moni

Liz

[Kendra]

I be movin to the hood half year after GCS.

[HappyMoni]

No you don't . You are not blaming your panting hyperventilating heaving breathing on me. I'm sure it wasn't visions of me going through your cute little head especially at that time. I hope you washed your hands before answering me. Clyde is still safely on my desk. He hasn't even lifted his head or what's left of it. Looks as though someone dissected it or something. It isn't any wonder he hasn't moved.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Laurie, you have me blushing. Feel free to put Clyde on a little raft, set him afloat, and send flaming arrows at him. lol

Didn't you say soothing about a Granny Porn business Moni? LOL Anyway been catching up on your thread and the information in these posts are great...I still have 11 months but I have founbd I suddenly have to insatiable need to know as much as I can and the number of times I hear myself saying...really,I didn't know that...is too numerous to count.

I have yet to catch up with Tia-Anne's thread, there is some great knowledge shared in these threads for anyone about to have surgery. Thankyou all who share their experiences.

When I read what you had to say about hooding I had to think about what my surgeon said and I can't even remember if he said anything, so it is another one to add to the long list of questions I already have.

Thanks Moni

Liz

Thank you for the kind comments Liz. Can't wait to hear your experience.  As for the hooding, that is a question for after the swelling goes down most of the time. You may not need any adjustment. Just remember if you have surgery and need to dilate, early diligence pays off in my opinion.
The Granny Porn business is only hurt by the fact I have no grand children. Got busted for false advertising. Thought I might use an alias, something like Gerital Gerty or Debbie Depends. What ya think?  I rejected Falsie Freda.

I be movin to the hood half year after GCS.

Oh Kendra, don't you know this is a serious thread. Surprised at you! Body snatchers must have gotten to you. You didn't fall  asleep in a hospital did you? Hey that is a great name for a Post Op support group, "The Body Snatchers.'
Okay, nothing to see here moderators! Move along.

Oh, oh, I think I see some progress with the scar tissue. Some of it seems to be wiping away. Afraid to get too optimistic.

[Jacqueline]

Okay, nothing to see here moderators! Move along.

Oh, oh, I think I see some progress with the scar tissue. Some of it seems to be wiping away. Afraid to get too optimistic.

Moni, what kind of trouble are you getting into? And what's this age of 2 thing? Tough to tell when when to start counting for one's new birthday. I am at 2 years on HRT myself.

Good to hear about the scarring.

Thank you for including all the personal info in this topic that must have been hard to make public. It helps so many of us here. I will send you a message soon.

With warmth,

Jacqui

[HappyMoni]

Moni, what kind of trouble are you getting into? And what's this age of 2 thing? Tough to tell when when to start counting for one's new birthday. I am at 2 years on HRT myself.

Good to hear about the scarring.

Thank you for including all the personal info in this topic that must have been hard to make public. It helps so many of us here. I will send you a message soon.

With warmth,

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui,
   I am two in 'girl years.' I don't think all those 'guy years' were real anyway. If you need to think of me as older, I am 14 in dog years.
   I will try to document a few more things here. The scar tissue seems to be reacting to the steroid injections. It is gradual, so it is hard to see a difference day to day. I clean the area with q tips and I seem to get something that comes off. Sorry if TMI.
   I will also try to document taking testosterone after GCS without getting too personal in details. Talking to a friend today who spoke to Dr. McGinn recently, she said that there is a difference between having sensation and having arousal. I suspect this means that sensation is needed, but just because you feel (for instance your clit), doesn't mean that arousal happens. I know I have sensation, but drive is way low, so arousal is not gonna happen on sensation alone. I think many of us are horrified at the thought of taking T after working so hard to get rid of it. I am working on getting it and will report on the progress.
   As happy as I was to go to one dilation per day, it seemed that I was losing ground, so I am trying to do 2 times for a while. I worked too hard on this to lose it. At least I don't have to wake up early to do it and can sleep an extra 50 minutes.
    Moni

[Jacqueline]

Moni,

Your acceptance, resilience and positivity is inspiring. It actually makes me ashamed of the self pity I often feel for myself. Bottom line, you rock harder than any sound system I've ever designed or heard and with more integrity.

On one hand, ahhhh TMI. However, women seem tougher than men, in my experience. How many men could make it through child birth and do it again? We need all that info. I mean would like. It gives us other potential things to track as we go on our own journeys. Whether it is Kendra now, others scheduled this spring and summer, me in a year or so or a new member in 10 years. Our descriptions, understanding, patience, love for one another and finally(for many of us the first time) our selves... these are things that make us human and make this site worth all the time we put in. It is a history and thread that connects us all and makes us family.

Sorry if that became too deep. That is the closest I have come to describing what I have found here. Thanks for the platform and your selfless sharing. I love you at least like a family member, if not more.

With warmth,

Jacqui

[HappyMoni]

Moni,

Your acceptance, resilience and positivity is inspiring. It actually makes me ashamed of the self pity I often feel for myself. Bottom line, you rock harder than any sound system I've ever designed or heard and with more integrity.

On one hand, ahhhh TMI. However, women seem tougher than men, in my experience. How many men could make it through child birth and do it again? We need all that info. I mean would like. It gives us other potential things to track as we go on our own journeys. Whether it is Kendra now, others scheduled this spring and summer, me in a year or so or a new member in 10 years. Our descriptions, understanding, patience, love for one another and finally(for many of us the first time) our selves... these are things that make us human and make this site worth all the time we put in. It is a history and thread that connects us all and makes us family.

Sorry if that became too deep. That is the closest I have come to describing what I have found here. Thanks for the platform and your selfless sharing. I love you at least like a family member, if not more.

With warmth,

Jacqui

Jacqui,
   Thank you for the kind words, Hon. I love you too.

   I am hoping that everyone who goes through this gets the attention and support that they need during their time. I love reading about others going through this, Kendra being a great example. I don't think there is a lot of info on some of the things that happen 6 months, a year, etc. after the surgery, well, at least in the form of a chronological thread anyway. I don't expect to post  often on this thread, but I won't close it yet as I might add a few post scripts. I still have a lot of questions about how I will look and function in my final form. Maybe me saying that I am working on function at 7 months might help someone else not feel alone if they are in a similar place. I don't know.

Moni

[Laurie]

Hey Mwany,

  I seldom have anything to post here. I just don't fit into the discussion. I do read it though not so much for content as it is to somehow feel in touch with you still. Like I said a thread like this is only an abstract concept, not really on my radar. Oh I love reading that you, Tia, Kendra and all the others that have undergone the knife to be who they are. It is such an awe inspiring step for all of you and I applaud you all for taking it.
  Will I ever join you ladies? Hell, I don't know.

[Kendra]

I am glad to have had GCS, and much like electrolysis I'd do it all over if I had to.  But for me, some things that have been even more rewarding with transition did not involve surgery. 

[Anne Blake]

Kendra, I am right there with you girl. I wouldn't give up what I have been through for anything but the emotions/feelings and relationships are the magic that makes this world what it is. Thank you sisters and brothers!

Tia Anne

[HappyMoni]

Yesterday was February 9th, 2017. It was my first day on two topical medications. Due to my lack of drive after GCS surgery I am taking testosterone. I rub it on twice a day, rotating the spot on my arms where it goes. I am also hoping to do breast surgery in July, and I have been prescribed Progesterone cream to be rubbed on my breasts once a day. The reason for this is to increase the size of the nipples so that they will have a proper size for surgery. Both come from a compounding pharmacy. I have never used one before. I have to try to submit it myself to try to get insurance to cover it.
I have my first consult for breast aug in March. I was excited today when I found out my friend had two friends who had surgery with him today. I should get some good feedback on how happy they are. His name is Dr. Basner in Baltimore.
I will write again if I see any changes from these meds.
Moni

[TechGirl]

Moni,

I have followed your thread for a while now.  Thank you so much for sharing.  Your experiences have helped me connect with Dr. McGinn and I will have the honor of going on her table next week for my procedure (in fact, today is preop shaving day, Yikes!)

[HappyMoni]

Oh Techgirl, how exciting! I hope you let me know how things go. I am glad the thread helped. I wish you the best of luck in this wonderful experience. Soak it all in.
Moni

[TechGirl]

Oh Techgirl, how exciting! I hope you let me know how things go. I am glad the thread helped. I wish you the best of luck in this wonderful experience. Soak it all in.
Moni

Thank you so much.  It means much to me, talking with the heroine of this story. And I'm in the next chapter.  Woot!

Btw, I noticed no one really talks about the prep.  Shaving down there sucked!  I can only imagine how the final 24 hours is going to be (I know you're grinning, stop that!)

[Kendra]

My surgery prep did not involve any shaving - I had lots o electrolysis the previous year.  Yeah some of that was a jolt but I kept thinking about the goal.

[HappyMoni]

Thank you so much.  It means much to me, talking with the heroine of this story. And I'm in the next chapter.  Woot!

Btw, I noticed no one really talks about the prep.  Shaving down there sucked!  I can only imagine how the final 24 hours is going to be (I know you're grinning, stop that!)

You know, TechGirl, sometimes I can't believe I talk to myself. Doctors say I need to stop doing that. lol

   Did we neglect to mention prep? Well, we didn't want to scare anyone away. Yeah, I'm grinning. I have prepped for colonoscopy before and other surgeries, but this one wasn't too bad. There is a lot less prep to drink than the old days where they wanted you to drink the big bottle of that nasty concoction. You will be fine. Just keep a mind of where the nearest toilet can be found.

   Okay, completely different subject but perhaps nearly as gross. It's been 6 days on Testosterone and I started a little long lost imagery this morning. I think this stuff is starting to work. I'm surprised at how fast. No report on any side effects noticed. No noticeable change from P yet.

   Good luck on Tuesday. I was there for my six month checkup and heard Dr. McGinn talk about how nice it was to be back doing surgery after vacation. I think she enjoys her work. I imagine  it most be cool changing people's lives every day. 
Moni

[TechGirl]

   You know, TechGirl, sometimes I can't believe I talk to myself. Doctors say I need to stop doing that. lol

  ...

   Good luck on Tuesday. I was there for my six month checkup and heard Dr. McGinn talk about how nice it was to be back doing surgery after vacation. I think she enjoys her work. I imagine  it most be cool changing people's lives every day. 
Moni

Strange as it might sound, my stresslevels start to  go up sharply with a likewise sharp drop in confidence the closer I get to know a main event.  Once I begin execution, I finally relax.  My scheduling app popped today in preps for Tuesday.

So much uncertainty has entered my mind.  And I know the only cure is to get in that gown and get on that bed in their care.

I've been asked by so many if I'm nervous.  Not at all.  Just eagerly awaiting that moment Doc tells me she's got me.

See you on the other side :-)

[HappyMoni]

Strange as it might sound, my stresslevels start to  go up sharply with a likewise sharp drop in confidence the closer I get to know a main event.  Once I begin execution, I finally relax.  My scheduling app popped today in preps for Tuesday.

So much uncertainty has entered my mind.  And I know the only cure is to get in that gown and get on that bed in their care.

I've been asked by so many if I'm nervous.  Not at all.  Just eagerly awaiting that moment Doc tells me she's got me.

See you on the other side :-)

Too much time to think beforehand? I think our brains have this mechanism to keep us safe. It causes us to doubt some before something big. I would imagine your decision has been well thought out. The hoops we jump through definitely cause us to be aware of the motivations within us. I now realize a positive side to my extreme physical dysphoria, it made my decision easy. I have never had a second where I have regreted doing this. YMMV
Moni

[Jessica Lynne]

Too much time to think beforehand? I think our brains have this mechanism to keep us safe. It causes us to doubt some before something big. I would imagine your decision has been well thought out. The hoops we jump through definitely cause us to be aware of the motivations within us. I now realize a positive side to my extreme physical dysphoria, it made my decision easy. I have never had a second where I have regreted doing this. YMMV
Moni

Yes.....I considered what I might d if i didn't do this and it made the decision for me. After the fact.....pain is high, grief is at a 10 and bliss is undeniable.