My GRS options

[Megan.]

4 months into HRT,  and 6 months living full-time,  I'm starting to think about surgical options; never let it be said I don't plan ahead!
I'm AMAB but am not well endowed (apparently in the bottom 2% by length), this has made things easier for me over the years,  but does not leave the surgeons much to work with.
I was also born hypospadia; two corrective surgeries before the age of three have left me circumcised.
I contacted Gender Surgery Amsterdam as they openly offer all three major GRS techniques (inversion,  graft and sigmoid) to get their opinion on suitability.
They've responded that given my personal data, their endoscopic sigmoid GRS might be best suited for me. Obviously a full consultation may change this view.
I'm not surprised by this,  and was half expecting this response. It is a procedure that can carry more risk,  but there are potential benefits of self-lubcrication, no risk of hair in the neovagina and a less demanding need for dilation (though still needed).
Not much else to say at this time. I'm impatiently running down the clock until next April when I see a second clinician at the GIC to hopefully get my two letters. X

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[steph2.0]

4 months into HRT,  and 6 months living full-time,  I'm starting to think about surgical options; never let it be said I don't plan ahead!

I'm at the same research point, Megan. Four months into HRT, and looking at the different methods, though with no complicating issues (as far as I know). There's also the newer method involving peritoneal tissue that sounds interesting, though not widely used yet. Possibly in a year when I'm ready there will be more data available. The problem, of course, is I should probably be doing the initial consultation soon, because of the long waiting lists. What to do, what to do...

Steph

[Megan.]

Hehe,  choices choices!

I don't even know if any of the NHS surgeons can even do sigmoid,  I don't want to have poor depth or width just because it's not on the 'menu' in the UK!

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[steph2.0]

Hehe,  choices choices!

I don't even know if any of the NHS surgeons can even do sigmoid,  I don't want to have poor depth or width just because it's not on the 'menu' in the UK!

There's one other choice that I have to consider, which is going for a strictly cosmetic procedure. I'm 59 years old, I love my wife, and I have no interest in men, so penetrative sex isn't high priority. Considering the hassle factor of all the dilation, I wonder if a full depth procedure is worth it for me. On the other hand, I hate to exclude anything in the future, and with the possibility of the sigmoid or peritoneal procedures requiring much less dilation, I have to think long and hard about it.

Hmmmmm...

Steph

[Laurie]

 I commend you both for thinking forward about this. Preparation and research are key to having great results and experiences. At this point in time my own enthusiasm has waned for a couple reasons so I will let you girls do the research for me and I'll keep it in mind for future reference should things change. Keep the information flowing because it helps other sisters besides yourselves.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[steph2.0]

Keep the information flowing because it helps other sisters besides yourselves

It's of course a very personal decision, but knowing all the choices is important. I'm just getting started, so please, anyone who can add to the discussion chime in. I guess I owe myself a visit to the Wiki, too. Last time I looked, though, it was getting kind of outdated. I know Michelle will fix that when she's back on her feet.

Steph

[Megan.]

Cosmetic is still a possibility for me too. I know I need shot of the T machines,  after that, no final decision yet.

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[Sydney_NYC]

The penile inversion method is still viable with being really small. I'm in the same boat, and my surgeon is going to take skin grafts from my bikini area as I have loose skin there from losing weight.

[Roll]

<-- praying peritoneal technique is more widely available and refined if/when it's my turn.

But quick question about something that caught me eye... what does circumcision have to do with GCS methods/results? Is it just a matter of having more sensitive tissue available?

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

But quick question about something that caught me eye... what does circumcision have to do with GCS methods/results? Is it just a matter of having more sensitive tissue available?

I think it's just for having more skin to create the labia etc, so you can use the other skin for depth and whatnot.

[steph2.0]

I think it's just for having more skin to create the labia etc, so you can use the other skin for depth and whatnot.

Yikes, never thought of that. Foreskin, I hardly knew ye.

[Roll]

Yikes, never thought of that. Foreskin, I hardly knew ye.

Yeah, I'm hoping it's not too big of a deal, I knew mine for but minutes before it was shuffled off to foreskin heaven. Seems like if it were a huge problem given the prevalence of circumcision in the US it would have come up more?

[Dena]

I was circumcised and all of the skin was used in the vagina giving me a "cervix". This would be considered obsolete today and instead of a cervix, the skin would be used in the construction of the clitoris. The loss of the foreskin might result in some loss of depth but I suspect the differences wouldn't be large.

[Megan.]

Thanks everyone, some good responses.

Obviously, until I spread 'em on the surgeons examination table, they won't be able to give me the most qualified of opinions. It might end up a choice between the increased risks/benefits of sigmoid, or being potentially a bit short on depth going for graft. My previous hypospadia procedure may also be an issue, but that's an unknown at this time. X

[steph2.0]

Makes me wonder, too, if the mesh implants from my inguinal hernia repair 30 years ago will affect it at all.

[Megan.]

Yup, got one of those too, I have the same query

I'm already a mess down there, even before they start possibly rearranging things!

[Laurie]

Doesn't everyone have a hernia repair?

[Megan.]

Doesn't everyone have a hernia repair?

Lol.

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[steph2.0]

Yup, got one of those too, I have the same query

I'm already a mess down there, even before they start possibly rearranging things!

Yeesh. And I thought I was special. I actually had it done twice, and on both sides. The first time they tried to sew it up, and that didn't work. A few years later they had to go back and put mesh in. At least the second time they did it arthroscopically, so the incision was smaller.

Laurie, referring to the numbness you mentioned over on Moni's thread, I've had a numb area on the top of my left thigh ever since the first hernia surgery. That was 30 years ago. Looks like I'm stuck with it.