Considering partial--how real is real

[rmaddy]

I've read a couple of threads on partial (aka zero depth or cosmetic) vaginoplasty.  Although I am currently leaning toward the full procedure, I am convinced that partial vaginoplasty significantly less traumatic procedure, and may be a legit option for those in my age range who are concerned about complications, slow healing and the countless hours of dilation.  I am still open it.

I fully admit that my main concern about it might be irrational, i.e. that partial vaginoplasty might make me continue to feel "less than", a feeling not so unfamiliar to me as a trans woman.  So many people have said things like "better safe than sorry" or, recommend the full procedure "just in case" even to those for whom the future prospect of penetrative intercourse is a significant consideration.  As a hyperanalytic sort, I have a hard time wrapping my head around the
idea of committing to increased surgical risk and thousands of hours spent merely for the purpose of having options one is unlikely to exercise.  Still I lean toward the risk.  I want to be "real".

Yeah, I know, I'm real now, and all transwomen get to where they end up through a series of brave choices.  I remind myself that the things I have already done were dramatic, risk and ultimately, rewarding.  I haven't gotten too much wrong to this point, and I would at peace with my past.  The future on the other hand...scary stuff.  And, this time, the decision will be final and unalterable.

Who's been here?

[Dena]

I am still a virgin after all these years but because I am asexual, I didn't know what I would be interested in latter on. The surgery only came in one flavor however it was in my best interest to keep my options open.

As for you, can you see your self being attracted to a male? Can you see yourself having sex with a strap on? Do you see yourself pretty well over sexual involvement? Unless you are having sex, it really doesn't matter much which surgery you decide on. The feeling will be about the same as you will have a function clitoris that's constructed out of the head of your penis. Sex will still be possible without penetration and either way, you will be able to experience a female orgasm.

[SadieBlake]

Rmaddy, thousands of hours sounds high to me, I just did the time I've invested -- I'm presently 11 weeks post op.

Basing time lost on my typical work week of 60 hours, I was completely out of commission for 5 weeks and lost about half my working hours for the next 3 weeks and a fair allowance for dilation of 40 minutes per day (Wittenberg's patients have only 10 minute sessions) I came up with just under 500 hours committed in the first year and 90 hours of dilation per year after that.

Balance against that that depression has robbed me of far more time and more importantly happiness, creativity, I could arguably be gaining time :-). Hell, before hormones I spent at least 5 hours a week on masturbation -- not that I didn't enjoy it but since HRT that's been more like 1 hour weekly and I've enjoyed that and sex a lot more.im also pretty sure for the years to come dilation will be replaced with a sex life so much better than what I had before.

All that said, I have friends who may be poor surgical candidates or who really don't have an ongoing interest in penetration, the zero depth approach seems like a good option to have.