Orchi first rest later?

[Bari Jo]

When I first started my final transition, I thought I wouldn't need to do bottom surgery.  Now I think about it all the time.  I'm wondering if there is anyone that has had an orchi first and been satisfied with just that, or did you decide to go the full srs after?  I really would like an orchy done.  I don't need a penis though.  I don't do penetrative sex ever with it, I only receive.  Should I just go the full route?

Bari Jo

[Linde]

I had an orchi and thought that was enough.  Because hormone wise I am now similar to a cis woman and like all the sisters who had the full bottom surgery.
My penis is very atrophied, and I can wear any female bottoms, including swimsuits, without any problem.  But if I step out of the sower and look into a mirror, I see an unfinished body.
If I can find a surgeon who accepts my insurance, I will have a limited depth Vagina surgery.  it is not really pressing, because most of the time I don't even think about my genitals, but it would be nice if I could have SRS done.

There are others here on the forum ho had an orchi and feel that this is enough for them.

[Devlyn]

When I first started my final transition, I thought I wouldn't need to do bottom surgery.  Now I think about it all the time.  I'm wondering if there is anyone that has had an orchi first and been satisfied with just that, or did you decide to go the full srs after?  I really would like an orchy done.  I don't need a penis though.  I don't do penetrative sex ever with it, I only receive.  Should I just go the full route?

Bari Jo

I'm orchiectomy only, and I couldn't be happier. This is unique to each and every one of us, you can't really ask others which way you should go. Instead, introspection is what's really required here. Maybe time by yourself to really ponder what you want, what you need, and what you're willing to risk. Going under anesthesia for even the most routine matter can take a turn for the worse, and even result in death.

It's my belief that we should do the minimum amount of medical intervention that we need to get by. I don't feel the need to meet others expectations, I don't need to blend, I just need to be comfortable in my own skin.

For others, a seamless life in their target gender is the minimum bar.

It's up to you to decide where you can comfortably live.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Megan.]

It's such a personal and unique thing. The reality right now is that's it a heck of a lot easier to take away than to put back!

The only person you ever need to justify this to is yourself. Take a step back, evaluate the steps you took up to this point, why you took them, and why you might need to take any more.

As Devlyn says, all medical procedures carry risk, are you content that the benefits to you outweigh those?

You've only got to read my own threads to see how conflicted I am in my own surgery choice!

If there's no hurry, then take the time and see what thoughts float to the surface :-)

X.

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[Bari Jo]

I'm really tempted to do it all at once.  I've been sterile forever, and chuckle every time a doctor warns me on the subject.

Question for you all, did you get into shape before surgery?  I don't mean pear shape, I have that already.  I'm thinking of really getting fit first, and look at the surgery as a reward.  Does this make sense?

Bari Jo

[Linde]

I'm really tempted to do it all at once.  I've been sterile forever, and chuckle every time a doctor warns me on the subject.

Question for you all, did you get into shape before surgery?  I don't mean pear shape, I have that already.  I'm thinking of really getting fit first, and look at the surgery as a reward.  Does this make sense?

Bari Jo

No real requirement for fit for the orhi, it is a relative simple, but pretty bloody procedure!

Any major surgery like SRS requires a maximum of body fat, less fat is bette, no fat ist tops!

[krobinson103]

When I first started my final transition, I thought I wouldn't need to do bottom surgery.  Now I think about it all the time.  I'm wondering if there is anyone that has had an orchi first and been satisfied with just that, or did you decide to go the full srs after?  I really would like an orchy done.  I don't need a penis though.  I don't do penetrative sex ever with it, I only receive.  Should I just go the full route?

Bari Jo

Did just that. Thought this is way station to srs... nope. I'm happy with orchi and 99% sure I won't go any further. Equally, I was told orchie was 'minor' procedure that would heal in two weeks. I was off my feet for two weeks and unable to work for six! The nerve pain still hasn't really stopped almost 10 weeks later. Given I don't feel the pressing need for a vagina I say pass on what is sure to be far more pain!

[krobinson103]

No real requirement for fit for the orhi, it is a relative simple, but pretty bloody procedure!

Any major surgery like SRS requires a maximum of body fat, less fat is bette, no fat ist tops!

Asking around about SRS several surgeons said that too skinny (ie really low BMI) was just as bad as being overweight. They need some fat to be present.

[Linde]

Asking around about SRS several surgeons said that too skinny (ie really low BMI) was just as bad as being overweight. They need some fat to be present.

Yes, they need some fat for forming the labia mayora, and a kind of a pubic mount for the clitoris.  But for surgery in general, one wants to be a lean as possible because fatty tissue does not heal well and is prone to wound infections.

I think the individual surgeon will tell you what they want concerning amounts of body fat,

[Linde]

Did just that. Thought this is way station to srs... nope. I'm happy with orchi and 99% sure I won't go any further. Equally, I was told orchie was 'minor' procedure that would heal in two weeks. I was off my feet for two weeks and unable to work for six! The nerve pain still hasn't really stopped almost 10 weeks later. Given I don't feel the pressing need for a vagina I say pass on what is sure to be far more pain!

That is crazy that you still have this nerve pain!  They should must have hit a nerve with you!

Meanwhile, I caught my forst female type bathroom disease, I mut have found some fungus on a toilet seat, and that fungus started to feel very comfortable on that poor little bit of scrotum I have left, and it did itch and later hurt like crazy.  I am now applying anti fungi salve to it twice a day!  It is a slow healing process because of ever present moisture and warmth in that area!
My doctor told me that I have to learn to hover over the toilet seat, if no commercial seat liners are available!

[Megan.]

I'm really tempted to do it all at once.  I've been sterile forever, and chuckle every time a doctor warns me on the subject.

Question for you all, did you get into shape before surgery?  I don't mean pear shape, I have that already.  I'm thinking of really getting fit first, and look at the surgery as a reward.  Does this make sense?

Bari Jo

I don't think it's possible to be too fit for surgery. As others say you do need a little body fat, but the better your fitness then the better your blood oxygenation and the better/faster you'll heal.

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[Tills]

I thought I might leave it at 'just' the orchi but I too have increasingly found I want to go the full way.

I have to admit that part of this is motivated by the latest anti-trans fixation with 'does it have a penis?' If they're going to start banning us ladies on the grounds of penis obsession I'll get it lopped off.

[Katie Ellen]

I had my orchi last August. Exactly 11 months ago today actually. I did it mostly to stop testosterone, because I couldn't take spiro and my T level never dropped out of male range. At the time I thought that it would enough. It's funny, but within a week I knew that I wanted more. I started getting my required 2 letters within a couple of weeks. Because I don't want to wait another year to go through hair removal and its cost, I'm pursuing zero depth vulvoplasty. I just hope I don't feel I need to go further after that?

 

[Jessica_Rose]

I had my orchi last August. Exactly 11 months ago today actually. I did it mostly to stop testosterone, because I couldn't take spiro and my T level never dropped out of male range. At the time I thought that it would enough. It's funny, but within a week I knew that I wanted more. I started getting my required 2 letters within a couple of weeks. Because I don't want to wait another year to go through hair removal and its cost, I'm pursuing zero depth vulvoplasty. I just hope I don't feel I need to go further after that?

Please don't let a 'hairy' situation determine the type of surgery you choose. Whether you choose zero (minimal) depth or full depth is certainly your choice, but not all surgeons require hair removal. Check with your list of preferred surgeons to find their requirements.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Tills]

I don't think it's possible to be too fit for surgery. As others say you do need a little body fat, but the better your fitness then the better your blood oxygenation and the better/faster you'll heal.

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I'm sure this is correct. The only thing I'd say is that I have what they call 'athlete's heart' with an enlarged left ventricle. That was caused by too much running and results in a low resting pulse (40's) and low blood pressure, both of which need to be watched during surgeries.

So whilst I'm sure it's true that you cannot be too fit, over-exercise can cause changes to your heart which may have an impact that surgeons should be aware about. Certainly low blood pressure needs to be monitored carefully during anaesthesia.

I don't know if this is established policy everywhere but before any major surgery I would recommend an electro cardiogram (ECG) or even an echo cardiogram. I know that PAI in Bangkok insist on a cardio checkup for everyone over 50.

xx

[Nadine Spirit]

I was sure that an orchi would be enough. Alas, it was not. Sadly I woke from my orchi in massive amounts of pain. The medical staff totally blew me off and treated me very poorly. They kind of insinuated that pain should be expected from a surgery like that. Um, yeah maybe, but not the pain I was in, something went wrong in my surgery. Occasionaly these sorts of things happen. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen.

Anywho, it was within hours of waking up from my orchi that I realized I had made a mistake. I was in massive pain, and I still absolutely hated the way I looked down there. It was a sad realization, but a very affirming one. Without that understanding I don't think I would have been able to follow through with the full GCS. So I guess it was a good thing? Maybe.

[Tills]

I was sure that an orchi would be enough. Alas, it was not. Sadly I woke from my orchi in massive amounts of pain. The medical staff totally blew me off and treated me very poorly. They kind of insinuated that pain should be expected from a surgery like that. Um, yeah maybe, but not the pain I was in, something went wrong in my surgery. Occasionaly these sorts of things happen. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen.

Anywho, it was within hours of waking up from my orchi that I realized I had made a mistake. I was in massive pain, and I still absolutely hated the way I looked down there. It was a sad realization, but a very affirming one. Without that understanding I don't think I would have been able to follow through with the full GCS. So I guess it was a good thing? Maybe.

Crikey that's an awful thing to happen Nadine. I'm pretty sure someone else, Devlyn?, also had serious complications from an orchidectomy.

It's a cautionary reminder that any surgery, especially involving General Anaesthetic, is a serious procedure and can have complications.

I'm so glad that for you it has turned out well but I'm so sorry about the pain you experienced.

I'm pretty scared of going the whole way. Nothing to do with wanting it done, just the gruelling nature of the surgery and recovery

xx

[Devlyn]

Crikey that's an awful thing to happen Nadine. I'm pretty sure someone else, Devlyn?, also had serious complications from an orchidectomy.

It's a cautionary reminder that any surgery, especially involving General Anaesthetic, is a serious procedure and can have complications.

I'm so glad that for you it has turned out well but I'm so sorry about the pain you experienced.

I'm pretty scared of going the whole way. Nothing to do with wanting it done, just the gruelling nature of the surgery and recovery

xx

Yes, my recovery went swimmingly...as in "I woke up one day swimming in blood" when the incision on my scrotum opened up under the pressure of a ripped internal stitch.

It was very unsettling both mentally and emotionally. We want our doctors to tell us what is going to happen next, and they just can't pinpoint that for us. The body does what it wants to do.

Hugs, Devlyn