MTF SRS results, silk purse/sow's ear?

[Renate]

People have different expectations for MTF SRS.
Some will be happy with the "standard" results.
Others will want to have further cosmetic surgery to fine-tune the results.
With enough money, patience and tolerance for surgery any specific result can be attained.
In a single operation there are limits to what can be accomplished and be minimally disruptive.

As pointed out elsewhere, (in most cases) if your gynecologist thinks your neo-vagina is natural, it's time to find a new gynecologist.

Any thoughts on this? How comfortable are you with results not consistent with genetic women?

Note: I can see problems with the selections in the poll, but that's about as good as I can get it.

[Sandy]

Is it safe to assume you are referring exclusively to pre-op women?

I have not filled out the survey since I am post-op.

And I think the term is something along the lines of "Only your gyny will know for sure..."

-Sandy

[Jeannette]

I have not filled out the survey since I am post-op.

And I think the term is something along the lines of "Only your gyny will know for sure..."

Ditto.

[Renate]

If you are post-op, please construe the question as:

What were your expectations, what would you have been satisfied with?

[Janet_Girl]

Pre-op.  And I want my vagina to look and function as if it had always been part of me.

I guess I will find out when I have my SRS,

Janet

[Sandy]

If you are post-op, please construe the question as:

What were your expectations, what would you have been satisfied with?

Thanks, I have now voted.

Both my regular physician and my urologist/gynecologist have commented that my results look quite natural.  I have a feeling that they've seen their fair share, both cis and trans (I go to an LGBT clinic) and have a good eye for this kind of thing.

-Sandy

[Hypatia]

I want it all.

I have maybe some misgivings about the concept of surgically forming an "aesthetic looking" vulva, because of the recent fad in cosmetic surgery to remove external labia minora (it's called "labia minora reduction" a.k.a. "designer vagina" surgery), resulting in a completely smooth-exteriored vulva. I find external labia minora attractive, and I don't get why the aesthetic preference these days is to have none. Cosmetic surgeons always describe their labia reduction as "rejuvenating," i.e. to make the vulva look like a young girl's, which to me is as creepy a thought as the insistence on no pubic hair. I would rather get a vulva with some labia showing on the outside like most women have than a totally featureless one, which just looks too artificial.

Wondering if the "designer vagina" fad means SRS surgeons are producing labialess vulvas by default in the belief that it's what women want nowadays. Before my SRS I intend to talk this over with the surgeon.

[Buffy]

Mine looks and works fine.

Buffy

[sd]

Just to be rid of it is fine, but why settle for just that. If that's really all you care about, there are cheaper alternatives to S.R.S. If I'm paying for it, I want as much as possible.

I agree with you Hypatia, I think too may women are looking at hubbies magazines.

[Cyndigurl45]

Although I would want it all, should the oppurtunity arise to just remove everything I wouldn't hesitate in the least.

[Jeannette]

If you are post-op, please construe the question as:

What were your expectations, what would you have been satisfied with?

I wanted a vagina that looked normal & worked like any other woman's & I got it.  Marci is a genius!!!

[Michelle.]

I would hope, pray and be willing to pay for, "As above, plus a genetic looking vulva."

But would happily settle for, "As above, plus an esthetically looking vulva."
 

[GinaDouglas]

Just to clear up the confusion on the "Get a new gyno" quote:

The trans character in TransAmerica says something to the effect of "Even a gynocologist won't be able to tell."

When Susan Moses interviewed Marcie Bowers on Susan's radio show, Susan asked Marcie about that quote, and Marcie replied, laughing, "If your gynocologist can't tell, you need a new gynocologist."

[Chrissty]

By choice I would have the closest thing to genetic I could get...

..but being realistic and considering my age, I would settle for freedom and something that works with minimal complication/revision risks.

Chrissty

[Hypatia]

What has age got to do with it?

[Chrissty]

What has age got to do with it?

Simply that as we get older our ability to receive, and recover from surgery tends be affected. While I ultimately want surgery, I would take advice on any medical conditions found during assessment, and would probably not ask for riskier techniques for cosmetic detail only, if they were not recommended by my surgeon.

So yes..I'm prepared to compromise for safety, but would be overjoyed if I did not have to.

Chrissty

[Fer]

Mine looks great & I assume it works fine too.  I haven't had penetrative sex because I'm asexual & I'm not interested in sex.  Sex wasn't my motivation for surgery, congruency was.

[GinaDouglas]

LOL Are you saying that the reasons I've mentioned in parentheses are "valid" for having SRS/transitioning?  If you really believe that, you have my deepest sympathies!

No, I'm not saying that.  I'm saying you are wrong to think you know what is right for everybody else.  I'm saying you are wrong to present your opinion as if it was a fact.

I would also say that gender dysphoria is a totally valid reason to transition.  I would also say that, for some people, the ability to have their actual sex life match the sex life they want to have is an important factor.

If you want to have a better understanding of my opinion on this subject, you might want to look at my thread about motivational ratios.

[K8]

Just to be rid of it is fine, but why settle for just that. If that's really all you care about, there are cheaper alternatives to S.R.S. If I'm paying for it, I want as much as possible.

I agree with you Hypatia, I think too may women are looking at hubbies magazines.

Me too, on both these counts.

- Kate

[Sandy]

I agree with you Hypatia, I think too may women are looking at hubbies magazines.

Interestingly enough, though while I had some care about the way my vulva looked prior to surgery, and had discussed it at length with her prior to surgery, I rarely even bother to look now.

I certainly have not forgotten it is there, trust me.  I still go to the bathroom after all.  But in the grand scheme of things, so very few people see it, even me (without a mirror!), that I really don't care that much now that I am post op.

If you sweep google or yahoo there is a site that is nothing but a series of vulvas, literally hundreds of photos.  Not intended to be pornographic, just a website for woman to show that we all come in different shapes and sizes.  I wish I could find it, but I'm sure someone may stumble over it.

I looked there many times prior to my operation and wondered how I would look.  How "natural" would I really be?  Would I want that follow up labiaplasty?

There are pictures there that look quite like me.  None are so don't even think that!

What I was getting at, is that pre-operative, it is a valid issue.  And something you really need to discuss with your surgeon and understand what really will occur.  But post-operative, it is very low on the list of things I worry about now.

Every woman is different, we are all varied in our beauty.  Take pride in who you are and the beauty will show.

Even there...

-Sandy