Orchi and depression

[MaggieB]

About the only thing I can think to add is umm your own weather Gage. Any thing she diagnosis is the opposite and the more negative the prognosis she comes up with the better the real results.
If this is close to your own thinking please let me know. If not than no offense intended.

I agree. There is little left in my marriage that is good. I just have to keep it together so I can make it thru Friday. I have to have someone who will drive me there and she is the only option.

[MaggieB]

It is over finally. The surgery under local anesthesia was about as uncomfortable as getting a root canal.The worst part for me was that I came down with a cough the day before that I thought was a stress reaction. I thought it would go away but the night but the night before I was not allowed food or water or even a lozenge. That turned a tickle into a rip roaring sore throat and nagging cough. I was sure my surgeon would talk about canceling so I repressed coughing as much as possible. In surgery, I was OK and didn't cough until the end. The procedure took just under an hour and after a 20 minute period in recovery, I was walked to my van.
Walking was no problem and I had two hours before the anesthetic wore off. I lay down on the bench seat just so I could sleep and woke up at home 90 minutes later. Cheryl was really helpful in spite of her earlier opposition. She has set me up in her room so I am near the bathroom. She is doing a wonderful thing for me to be so supportive. She serves me my meals in bed. She sits with me while I watch/doze in front of the TV playing DVD's. Very nice.
The cough turned into a bad chest cold which is the most uncomfortable thing about this event. It keeps me from resting but on the other hand it kept my mind off the fear I had before surgery and focused my thoughts on battling it.
I do have an aching down there and took vicadin the first night. I took it more to repress my cough than the pain. Now, two mornings later, I have less pain and the cold is getting better. After the first three vicadins, I switched to tylenol. I think I would not have been bedridden if it were not for the cold. I had a bad case if bronchitis many years ago and ever since coughs REALLY bother me. I haven't had a cold in decades but have had two since Chrismas. I think it was stress induced.
I did have a massive night sweat last night, probably from the drop in my T levels. I feel positive and in good spirits.
Oh, on the wound thing and pain, I have no bleeding or oozing. The pain is like I got kicked in the groin a while ago, not the agonizing pain just the after ache. Mostly that is when I walk. Going to the bathroom is not a problem but I was constipated for two days from the no food and vicadin. That resolved painlessly although I think it would have been very painful yesterday.
I have no bandage, just some gause and a medical grade jock strap. This does not allow me to determine how much change there is down there. The Doctor said it will take some weeks for the cords to go back to normal size. I have absorbing stitches that do not need to be removed.
One neat thing, I epilated most of my hair down there and have for years. The surgeon didn't have me shaved! Funny thing is that for almost a decade while I did this, I wondered if I could avoid that discomfort. I have been hoping for an orchi for ten years.
I know that this is more than most ever wanted to hear about the Orchi but I would have really benefited from this level of detail.

BTW, My proof copy of my novel came yesterday which was a huge up for me.

AND I am NOT depressed.

[fae_reborn]

Congratulations Maggie!!  I'm very happy for you, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Chrissty]

I know that this is more than most ever wanted to hear about the Orchi but I would have really benefited from this level of detail.

I'm so pleased to hear things are settling down a little for you Maggie, and that you are recovering well   

.....and you know us girls always like to hear all the gory details!

It's also great to see your new avatar!



Chrissty

[Jody]

 Hope you feel better soon.

[Sandy]

Congratulations Maggie!!!!

I am so glad to hear that everything went well.  I'm sure you'll find that your recovery is very easy.

Do you have any drains there?  I had a drain for about a week and then had it removed on a follow up with the doctor.

Also I am rather surprised following your surgery that they didn't give you a sanitary pad instead of some gauze and a jockstrap (they did that for me too).  When I had my surgery I woke up in the gauze/jockstrap affair and as a result my gauze quickly became saturated and I stained my jeans before I could get home to change.

My surgery was done at a major hospital and I could possibly understand that their procedures required them to use the gauze/jockstrap for guys so they don't fear for their masculinity following such a procedure.  I would have thought that your surgeon would have been more understanding.  Ah well.

I never did get the stain out of those jeans and had to throw them out.

Anyway, I'm glad that you are recovering nicely.  You seem to be in good spirits.  And I really am happy that your spouse is assisting you so well.  It isn't easy for her, I'm sure.  But I am glad that she isn't using her discomfort/anger against you when you are in  a weakened condition.

Be well, my sister, and keep us posted on your recovery!

-Sandy

[MaggieB]

Thank you all for the kind words!

Sandy,
I don't have a drain. So far nothing has been leaking and no swelling. They gave me a pack of gauze to use. I think that the Jock strap is standard practice to hold the gauze in place. I'm to call Monday then see him again in two weeks for a followup. He did use some sort of green liquid bandage on the incision sort of like glue. I'm not able to get a good look at it and only once did Cheryl look at my request. That was awkward since we don't look at each other naked but she needed to look so if there was a change, she would be able to say what it was. The odd thing about that was that I am so small down there from years of HRT that it now looks nothing like a male.That may have been a shocker for her.

On the facility, it is adjacent to Stanford Hospital and has complete ORs for all sorts of outpatient surgery. The OR that I was in had everything. I was connected to an EKG, BP monitor, oxygen monitor, heart monitor and there were two people attending me. If something went wrong, they had all the equipment to put me under and what ever. The place is a big as a hospital. There were a dozen pre op stations and a dozen more in recovery. I don't know how many ORs they have but I'd say many. When I saw the OR as I was wheeled in, I was very impressed, climate controlled, flat screen devices all over including a large flat panel display on the wall, two massive multi lamp OR lamps.

For the procedure, they put massage sleeves on my legs and tied me down.They alternately massaged my calves which helped distract me. A curtain was put in front of my face so I could not see anything. I thought they would spread my legs but they didn't. Instead they did it all with my legs together. As he proceeded, he told me what he was doing and asked repeatedly if I was in any discomfort. I was at some points and he injected more Versed anesthetic. The needle injections were the most painful and some of the cauterizing but if I knew that it would be that level of discomfort, I would not have worried. One of the nurses was there to monitor my vitals and she held my hand as we went through the painful parts. I was so grateful that I could kiss her. They went out of their way to make me comfortable. Warmed blankets, all proper pronouns even between the Dr. and OR nurse. He has done over twenty MTF's and I can see why. Absolutely fantastic and only $1400.

[Maya]

I found the information on this thread to be very helpful.  There is a follow-up question I have:  I have heard conflicting information about having an orchi regarding SRS at a later time.  Does having an orchi reduce the amount of skin available to work with during SRS which may complicate the surgery?

Maya

[MaggieB]

My information is that it does not affect later SRS. No skin was removed and the scrotum is essentially intact. There was only a 1" incision along the center line. What I have heard though is that if many years pass, the skin can tighten up and that could affect the amount used for depth. The solution is to gently tug at the skin daily to keep it from doing that. Otherwise, there are no other interferences. In fact, I understand that some SRS surgeons are recommending an orchi first because it reduces complications and recovery time when a vaginoplasty is performed. I can see that it would make it better because one doesn't have to have as many structures to heal and the hormone change happens now. BTW, I still feel fine.

[klodefm42]

I dont know, I think Id rather just save up for SRS. Tho I most likely will get an orchi. Good thread!

[Wendy]

Maggie I am glad you did fine and I am glad you shared the details!  I have read various prices regarding the surgery. Is that correct?

K

[MaggieB]

Maggie I am glad you did fine and I am glad you shared the details!  I have read various prices regarding the surgery. Is that correct?

K

I just found out that there is an additional $180 for pathology that is legally required.
Otherwise, that was the price.

Maggie

[Maya]

Maggie, thank you for the answer to my question and for sharing your experience.  Maya

[Ell]

There was only a 1" incision along the center line.

it's not a center line. it's a seam!

[JENNIFER]

Maggie I am glad you did fine and I am glad you shared the details!  I have read various prices regarding the surgery. Is that correct?

K

I just found out that there is an additional $180 for pathology that is legally required.
Otherwise, that was the price.

Maggie

Oh dear, those professionals and their fees........

[Wendy]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for your input.  How long does it take before you can get around with minimal discomfort?  Can you work in the garden after three weeks?

Do you feel a difference in T levels?  Did endo keep HRT the same?

..........
To me an Orchi seems like a  good way to save the liver and keep the med doses low.  I did my own thing for several years and recently visited an endo.  She chopped my med doses in half and frankly I feel more depressed.  I like the idea of a local anesthetic too.

Thanks and hope you are having a speedy recovery.

K

[fae_reborn]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for your input.  How long does it take before you can get around with minimal discomfort?  Can you work in the garden after three weeks?

Do you feel a difference in T levels?  Did endo keep HRT the same?

..........
To me an Orchi seems like a  good way to save the liver and keep the med doses low.  I did my own thing for several years and recently visited an endo.  She chopped my med doses in half and frankly I feel more depressed.  I like the idea of a local anesthetic too.

Thanks and hope you are having a speedy recovery.

K

Wendy, I think I may be able to answer some of your questions, as I recently had an Orchi also.  Speaking from my experience, yes, there is a huge change in T levels.  Emotionally speaking, the effects I felt were instant immediately after surgery.  I felt a lot calmer and more at peace after the procedure.  One month post-op, and my T levels dropped by 75%, but my endo kept me on the same dose of E because I felt lethargic and tired when we tried to lower the dosage (I don't take spiro anymore either, which helps my liver too, not that I had a problem with my liver before, but I wanted to save it some hardship). 

I was back on my feet within a few days, still had some minor discomfort but it fades after about a week.  I was back to regular activities after two weeks.  If you want to work in the garden, I think you'll be fine after a week or so, but YMMV.

[Wendy]

Fae wrote "I think I may be able to answer some of your questions, as I recently had an Orchi also.  Speaking from my experience, yes, there is a huge change in T levels.  Emotionally speaking, the effects I felt were instant immediately after surgery.  I felt a lot calmer and more at peace after the procedure.  One month post-op, and my T levels dropped by 75%, but my endo kept me on the same dose of E because I felt lethargic and tired when we tried to lower the dosage (I don't take spiro anymore either, which helps my liver too, not that I had a problem with my liver before, but I wanted to save it some hardship).

I was back on my feet within a few days, still had some minor discomfort but it fades after about a week.  I was back to regular activities after two weeks.  If you want to work in the garden, I think you'll be fine after a week or so, but YMMV."

Rae thanks for your note.  I was lethargic for over a year when I started HRT.  I felt quite good before I visited the endo.  About three weeks after she cut the doses I felt quite aggressive again which made me more depressed.  I took a few more pills and in a couple of days I felt better.  I think she has me on too low a dose.  My liver tested fine but I do realize I can get some serious complications if I keep doing what I am doing.  It would be nice if I could get some peace and continue to get back on track with my life.

It does not seem selfish although it is still expensive.  It just seems logical. This has been a helpful post.

K

[fae_reborn]

Rae wrote "I think I may be able to answer some of your questions, as I recently had an Orchi also.  Speaking from my experience, yes, there is a huge change in T levels.  Emotionally speaking, the effects I felt were instant immediately after surgery.  I felt a lot calmer and more at peace after the procedure.  One month post-op, and my T levels dropped by 75%, but my endo kept me on the same dose of E because I felt lethargic and tired when we tried to lower the dosage (I don't take spiro anymore either, which helps my liver too, not that I had a problem with my liver before, but I wanted to save it some hardship).

I was back on my feet within a few days, still had some minor discomfort but it fades after about a week.  I was back to regular activities after two weeks.  If you want to work in the garden, I think you'll be fine after a week or so, but YMMV."

Rae thanks for your note.  I was lethargic for over a year when I started HRT.  I felt quite good before I visited the endo.  About three weeks after she cut the doses I felt quite aggressive again which made me more depressed.  I took a few more pills and in a couple of days I felt better.  I think she has me on too low a dose.  My liver tested fine but I do realize I can get some serious complications if I keep doing what I am doing.  It would be nice if I could get some peace and continue to get back on track with my life.

It does not seem selfish although it is still expensive.  It just seems logical. This has been a helpful post.

K

You're welcome Wendy, and it's Fae, not Rae 

[MaggieB]

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for your input.  How long does it take before you can get around with minimal discomfort?  Can you work in the garden after three weeks?

Do you feel a difference in T levels?  Did endo keep HRT the same?

..........
To me an Orchi seems like a  good way to save the liver and keep the med doses low.  I did my own thing for several years and recently visited an endo.  She chopped my med doses in half and frankly I feel more depressed.  I like the idea of a local anesthetic too.

Thanks and hope you are having a speedy recovery.

K

I was off in a work crisis so I couldn't respond sooner. It took me about ten days before I felt up to a full schedule but I had the complication of a really bad chest cold too. In fact, almost a month later, it is still resolving, getting better every day. So that may have sapped my energy more than the surgery.  I would definitely say that you could do gardening after three weeks, probably sooner.

I am still on my prior does of HRT, I see my endo on Monday and expect to drop my estrogen in half.  I still take Spiro but now for blood pressure.

As for how I feel, I can say that I feel absolutely fabulous. There is a sense of calm and peace that I have never felt before. I don't get as upset when things go wrong and have a much more positive outlook on things. As for depression, far from it. The way I look at it, through incredible opposition, I persevered to get my transition to the point where I have real irreversible concrete changes that NO one can take away or pressure me to stop. That alone makes me downright euphoric. I used to think that an orchi was not very important or would not take me down the transition path very far but I was so wrong. It is hugely important and I am thrilled to have done it.

I am still wondering how to get my beard removed. I have a light blond beard that doesn't show and it grows very slowly but it still really bothers me when I feel stubble. It just doesn't belong even if no one can see it. But with money being as tight as it is, this area of my transition will have to wait indefinitely. However, now after the orchi, I seem to be more patient about these things. 

Maggie