An Aussie Girls GCS Story

[LizK]

Hi Liz,
.....It's definitely a problem not being able to access electrolysis for down there here in Adelaide, I spoke with mine and she said she is open to the idea but needs training and does not like to inflict that much pain.

I think I have found someone to do this for me. I will happily share the details once I have had the assessment next week. I am, thinking about 8-10 hours max and should be less due to the amount of laser I have had...Anyway the 17th will tell...she wants to have a look before she commits to anything...so watch this space I may have found a resolution....


Take care'

Liz

[Nicole70]

Hi Liz,

It isn't Amber from Morphetvale, but I am interested if you have found someone else, I'm not certain the lady I see was very keen and I want to start soon so that I'm all clear for later next year when I hope to have surgery, all being well.

Please let me know how you get on.

Nicole

[LizK]

Hi Liz,

It isn't Amber from Morphetvale, but I am interested if you have found someone else, I'm not certain the lady I see was very keen and I want to start soon so that I'm all clear for later next year when I hope to have surgery, all being well.

Please let me know how you get on.

Nicole

I am seeing someone from Medispa opposite Southgate on the 20th about my face but the other place for the genital stuff is in the city...It will depend on exactly what I want done... she told me that I would need be an active participant and it sounds like she has had some experience in this...I will let you know as soon as I have had the consult.

Take care

Liz

[LizK]

Genital Electrolysis

I had an appointment with Medical lasers and Dermatology for Genital Electrolysis today and I was very apprehensive anticipating the whole thing being nothing more than an exercise in humiliation.

This particular business is located at the foot of a private a day surgery clinic and the rooms themselves are very clean, new, modern, bright and airy. The Electrologist herself was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. We discussed at length the limitations that have been placed upon us for this. I have about 40 days of treatment time available but I will discuss this further with Mr Ives on Thursday when he calls and clarify how far out from surgery I need to finish with the electrolysis.

The tech examined me and declared that due to the very effective work of the laser I have under an hour's work to clear the entire area.  YAHOOOOOO!!! Relief!!

She then asked if I wanted to try having a couple of hairs zapped  to which I foolishly agreed. I have read that the penile base is one of the most sensitive area 's and that is where she went pulling three hairs. It hurt but as reported by others not as bad as I thought it would and not nearly as bad as my scar line on my top lip. Considering  I was totally unprepared at all to even try this today I was surprised. Its not going to be a picnic but its also not going to be as bad as I thought and only an hour anyway. I would like to complete the clearance at this first appointment

So how was it??

It hurt, it hurt like a hair caught in an epilator, like a blood test taken with poor needle technique, maybe even like a mild be sting due to the  residual burn that is left. After she had done the first one I was kind of surprised that it didn't hurt to the level I had expected.  Between the electrolysis, the laser I have already had and the follicles scrape and removal of any hair cells used for grafts at the time of surgery I am trying to be confident we will get them all..

For all you South Australia girls looking for someone to be able to do your hair removal prior to GCS then we have a solution now in South Australia.

On to more mundane things, the rest of my preparation continues, I had a weight gain this week of 800 grms and I know why, last week I was being really slack with my diet and paid the price on the scales. I am back on track again this week making a concerted effort to reduce my carb and milk intake and increase my daily exercise starting at 5KM  and rising by 1KM each day... This makes tomorrow a 7 km walk and by Saturday it will be a 10 km walk.
I have a consult with Mr Ives on Thursday morning I will write a further update in regards this appointment later in the afternoon after I've had my one-hour electrolysis jaunt!!.

Take care

Liz

PS Fun Fact....Low fat Milk contains more sugar that whole full fat Milk

70D00H04M BWCA? 

[Nicole70]

Liz,

Thank you for this update, very good news for us South Aussie girls, and great news that you only have an hour to go.

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise 10k by Saturday will be a great achievement. You must be getting excited for your next Appointment with Dr Ives.

Nicole

[LizK]

Liz,

Thank you for this update, very good news for us South Aussie girls, and great news that you only have an hour to go.

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise 10k by Saturday will be a great achievement. You must be getting excited for your next Appointment with Dr Ives.

Nicole

Hi Nicole

Yeah it is good news for any of the girls wanting to have this done here in Adelaide. I was really happy that my expectation of an exercise in humiliation didn't occur. They were great

I am speaking with him tomorrow and the next time will be just prior to surgery...yeah I am feeing nervous and apprehensive about the consult...mainly because I am really not too sure what I need to ask if anything. I am sure I will babble on regardless.

Take care

Liz

[Northern Star Girl]

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Reading your post regarding Genital Electrolysis gave me the shivers.... yikes, after having that procedure done I think I would rather have my fingernails pulled with a pair of pliers.   Yes indeed hurts like you stated with graphic descriptors.

As always, I follow your threads every time I log into the Forums, and I will be looking forward to reading your additional hair removal experiences and you pre-surgery comments as you post them.

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

[Jessica]

@LizK @Alaskan Danielle


Liz I have to agree with Danielle, genital electrolysis gives me to shivers also.
I experienced my first hour of facial hair removal today, and yes it does hurt, but not as bad as I thought....but electrolysis down below....yow!
Lucky you are looking at only an hours work 🌸🌸🌸

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[Laurie]

Hi Liz,

  I am glad you took the plunge and let her get started. You don't have any time to lose. I am thinking of talking to Christina about it myself. I should have a couple years to get it done. Why wait until the last month and a half right? It isn't as if you weren't trying to find someone to do it. Good luck!

Hugs,
  Laurie

[LizK]

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Reading your post regarding Genital Electrolysis gave me the shivers.... yikes, after having that procedure done I think I would rather have my fingernails pulled with a pair of pliers.   Yes indeed hurts like you stated with graphic descriptors.

As always, I follow your threads every time I log into the Forums, and I will be looking forward to reading your additional hair removal experiences and you pre-surgery comments as you post them.

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Not sure about the fingernails being pulled but I do know that I don't have to deal with the Hypersensitivity like I did with my facial electrolysis...I will just have to grit my teeth and think positive thoughts...thanks for stopping by and I will do another update later today after the session.

@LizK @Alaskan Danielle


Liz I have to agree with Danielle, genital electrolysis gives me to shivers also.
I experienced my first hour of facial hair removal today, and yes it does hurt, but not as bad as I thought....but electrolysis down below....yow!
Lucky you are looking at only an hours work

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Congrats on your first hour of zapping...it gets old pretty fast....Today should be bearable as I have under an hour to complete the clearance....still nervous though!!

Hi Liz,

  I am glad you took the plunge and let her get started. You don't have any time to lose. I am thinking of talking to Christina about it myself. I should have a couple years to get it done. Why wait until the last month and a half right? It isn't as if you weren't trying to find someone to do it. Good luck!

Hugs,
  Laurie

I am quietly and cautiously optimistic that it will not be as bad as it sounds...as I said to Jess I am not dealing with the issues I had on my face so hopefully with enough Anti-inflammatory, Valium and water onboard I should be Ok hopefully she is chatty as that seem to be the best distraction I have....I will have my audiobook, music and headphones to help with distraction....I am trying to psych myself up...its only an hour...how bad can it be...GULP!!

I will post another update later today to encompasmy Electrology appointment and my final pre surgical telephone appointment with Mr Ives...I am trying to work out what the heck to ask him and so far I only have a questions about the prep...I am hoping he tells me this electrolysis is a waste of time and I shouldn't do it...yeah right!!!

So I guess the other real concern is how much am I going to be immobilised after surgery and how we will manage the complications that will arise because of this. My chronic pain condition is not going to be happy about this immobilisation so we will need to discuss strategy for dealing with this. But apart from that each time I try to think about it I get stuck on these two points....I will have my answers in 3 hours so until then....

Take care

Liz

[Michelle_P]

I am quietly and cautiously optimistic that it will not be as bad as it sounds...as I said to Jess I am not dealing with the issues I had on my face so hopefully with enough Anti-inflammatory, Valium and water onboard I should be Ok hopefully she is chatty as that seem to be the best distraction I have....I will have my audiobook, music and headphones to help with distraction....I am trying to psych myself up...its only an hour...how bad can it be...GULP!!

Liz, the genital electrolysis is much easier than the upper lip under the nose.  It is easier than most of the upper lip.  Nearest I could match it with is upper neck/lower chin, and the hairs are much sparser down there than in a typical beard.

[LizK]

Thank you all for the encouragement....I am sitting here having completed my Electrolysis and Michelle you were so very right in my case...I could have dozed off at one point...although it would have been short lived as the next zap was a real toe clincher,  completed my Pre surgical Consult with Mr Ives and Started a possible row over my second surgery letter with my psychologist...So where to start

Genital Electrolysis

As many of you will know my relationship with Electrolysis has not exactly been a good one. My facial stuff was very painful for me due to the hypersensitivity issues and took nearly a year to work up to a regular full hour. Today I had my first genital electrolysis session...why wasn't my face as easy as this....yes it did sting at times and make me grit my teeth but the Emla lasted better and the Tech was even better than my facial one. She completely cleared Shaft, base and half way down the scrotum so I need to go back to finish off maybe another hour but not all that will be Electrolysis she wants to zap a few more hairs with laser as well. I will be able to fit in another full clearance before surgery cut off. I was so impressed and found it pretty easy to tolerate and made the full hour without hassle. I was walking a little slower and a bit like a jillaroo after a hard day

Surgery Letters

Mr Ives asked about my surgery letters and I told him I had one and was expecting the second one any day now. He asked that I send them ASAP so if there is any issues they can be fixed in time for surgery. I contacted my psychologist who is wring the letter to ask where it was and she sent me the PAI personality test saying its part of crossing the t's and dotting the i's ...I sent her back an email asking what this has to do with a WPATH letter she was supposed to have sent me last Friday...I worded it nicely. What I find really unusual is that I finished with her nearly a year ago after asking her to write my letter she agreed and we parted out ways with the understanding therapy was done but I would be back to get my letter last week at our appoint especially for that purpose....Will wait and see what she has to say.

Mr Ives

He is such a lovely man and immediately put me at my ease. I have to stop my HRT 4 weeks out, he wants my pump information ASAP and I have contacted the Dr who needs to write the report but he is overseas and not back until next Tuesday, He is a good guy and will have the report to me as soon as he humanly can. Mr Ives is also arranging for a consult with a specialist at Masada for my pump so it can be looked after whilst there(nothing to do)...Mr Ives wants me to send the Psych letter I do have and the other ASAP.I didn't know then that the psychologist was going to hit me with this personality test when I told him I expected it any day. Yes I have to be in bed for 2-3 days not allowed above 30 degrees but can move around in the bed. I should have received or was about to receive the surgery pack(arrived late today) with instruction once I get to Melbourne...


I found his earlier letter in regards to my height(wrong) and weight. His rules are clear BMI of 30 or under or under 100KGs or he will not operate...he originally told me to aim for 96kg (based on 184cm tall)...I have always been primarily aiming at 90 because that is when my BMI goes from Obese(BMI 30+) to Overweight`...he agreed that I should obtain that however I said I plan to be 85 kg by the time November comes around. last weigh in I had put on weight so I currently have 3.7KG to lose and 2 months to do it. 


So there we have the steps I have to take towards GCS...now its getting exciting


Liz

[Faith]

LIZ!!!!

you keep chipping away and before you know it you won't be able to find anything to fix.

[LizK]

Pre Surgical Pack

Late Thursday afternoon I checked for my mail and found a large manila envelope from Mr Ives rooms. This was the pack he mentioned during our conversation earlier in the day. It was not until late Friday I found some time to have a look at it as when I had tried to look at it on Thursday much of what I was looking at did not register.

Essentially there were 3 parts to it

Admission and consent Forms

Instructions for Melbourne

Requirements for GCS including shopping list for post op requirements


Included in all of this was an 8 week pre op countdown list advising when what things have to be completed week by week right up until day before admission. I will be changing my countdown to coincide with this It also included any prescriptions required preop.


I have what looks like about a billion blood tests to be done but is more likely to be a just 1/2 dozen vials. These blood tests I will get at my Dr's tomorrow along with a new referral. This will  leave only two items outstanding one of which is my second letter. I emailed the Psychologist for a polite please explain last Thursday and as yet have had no response. I certainly hope this is not an issue.


Weigh in has been moved to Fridays as the reading I had been doing told me that Mondays(when I do it) are statistically your heaviest day of the week with Friday being your best as you have had all week to prepare and if you have a bust out over the week end(the most likely time) you have the whole week to claw it back by working twice as hard  Last weigh in I am 91.3 with leaves me 400 grams to lose for a weight Of 90.9 Kgs which is exactly a BMI of 30 which is the exact requirements for GCS. However my actual goal weight is 85 and to ensure there are no arguments about whether I am under the weight or I am not, my goal of 85 will take to a BMI Of 27 and will definitely be no argument. Aside from this the better my weight the better my recovery will be and more than likely the faster it will be.


My White board now has the 8 week countdown (which starts as of 3/10/18 or if your are an upside down American 10/3/18 ) with each item due and where each of these things currently is, in its progression to completion.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       
         
At this stage I have 5 Main priorities

1) 2nd Psych  letter...If no response by COB tomorrow then will follow up directly with phone call

2) Blood Tests...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

3) Blood Transfusion Typing (Melbourne) To be arranged with Mr Ives rooms

4) Referral for Mr Ives from GP...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

5) Pump information to Mr Ives...Dr who looks after this is over seas till next week but he has been sent a message

Busy Busy Busy...I am sure in the next few weeks all the outstanding tasks will get ticked off and then it will simply be waitng game.

Take care
Liz

[Nicole70]

Liz,

How exciting and scary at the same time, I so wish I was in your position right now, having a schedule of items to take care of before you go in eight weeks brings your operation into focus.

I hope all goes well with your second referral, and hopefully they have changed their minds on the personality test, I mean really?? I can't fathom why they would ask you to do that.

Good luck with the weight loss, you have done so well so far this year, you've got this girl!

Please keep us informed I'm reading this with great interest, thanks for starting this thread.

[emoji254][emoji254][emoji156][emoji254][emoji254]

Nicole

[Faith]

@Liz YES!! we're right here with you, waiting in anticipation. Not breathless though, wouldn't want anyone to pass out.

[Veronica J]

Hi,

Can you please PM the place you found in melbourne (i live here) that does genital electrolysis. as i plan to start my face (had laser) and the below area.. the sooner the better as i move thru the next year or two i can hopefully have it completed long before the letter.

all good foudn my answer in my 800 bookmarks..all it took was searching them with the right words lol.

[sarah1972]

Wow! It is getting close Liz! Congratulations on your progress so far.

Thanks for documenting your journey, it does contain so much valuable information.

The 8 weeks will be over in no time. We will all be thinking about you and hope everything goes well!

Hugs,

Sarah

[Laurie]

Hey Liz you best add cleaning the top of your fridge to that list....

  Why does it seem that you have to pull teeth to get anything done for your GCS? Damn you have had to work hard girl! Go after that letter! Damn gatekeepers! You will get everything arranged. Of that I am sure. I know you lady! You will get this done.

Loves ya,
  Laurie

[LizK]

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.

I wrote to the Psychologist responsible for writing this second letter, forwarding my original email from Thursday to her via a different email address. She has made no response since her request to fill out the questionnaire and to tell me she should have the letter by the end of the weekend. Its now Monday evening and I have still not heard a peep out of her.

I don't understand what she is doing. My primary treating Psych wrote the letter as I sat there at my appointment with him 10 days ago same day for her. This is what I expected of her. In fact her letter is the secondary one and could have been done by any number of people but I left it to her.

The process is essentially stalled until I can ensure there is no issue with her doing this letter. My frustration levels over this are getting to the point where I don't trust myself to remain calm. She has known for over a year that the appointment we had 10 days ago was to get my surgery letter and yet I am still waiting. What is wrong with this scenario...what am I missing? I really don't know what to do...
Liz