Was there/will there be somebody with you when you had/have GRS?

[Valentina]

Did you have somebody there with you, say, a spouse, a family member, A BFwhen you had GRS?

Will there be somebody there with you, say, a spouse, a family member, a BF when you have GRS?

Or are you gonna go it alone?

[sneakersjay]

I'm going it alone.

I'm not close enough to anyone to want them there for something so personal.  I'm fortunate in that my surgeon and team provide enough support for patients who have to go it alone.  Even if I had a s/o I think I'd still want to be alone.

The only reason I had someone with me for top surgery was because it was required by my surgeon.

That and it's already so expensive that for me to have to pay for someone else to go would be cost prohibitive.


Jay

[rejennyrated]

No 1st time around I deliberately arranged to go in at short notice when everyone I cared about was out of the country on holiday, because I didn't want them to worry.

2nd time round for my forthcoming revision my son has to go to work and my partner has to stay in Cornwall look after the cats. So that will be no again!

Funnily enough I'm much more nervous this time round than I ever was on the first go - and this one is pretty minor by comparison

[Janet_Girl]

When and if I have GRS, it will most likely be alone.  But it would be nice to wake up and see someone there that really care about me.


Janet

[juliekins]

Yes, both Julie Marie and I had each other for both of our GRS's, as well as FFS. I guess we consider ourselves very fortunate. At one earlier time, I thought that I could have gone it alone. Now in retrospect, that would have been very tough and emotionally draining. Having someone there to comfort you, smile and ease your worries was invaluable. She was my angel!

Considering that we really didn't have family's to turn to, made having a partner there all the more important.

If you have FFS in the U.S., you will definitely need someone to be there 24/7 for the first week you are home from the OR. In our country, you are usually on your own for recovery. Having gone through this, we both think that is nuts. Good aftercare for GRS and FFS is a must!

[Northern Jane]

There was no one. I had been disowned only days before, left my home town of 24 years, moved to an apartment in a new city and left straight away for surgery.

Everything and everyone who has been part of my life has been added afterwards. It was only decades later that I began to reconnect with my sister and some childhood friends.

It did teach me that ultimately everyone has only one person they can always could on - themselves.

[mmelny]

I'm super blessed and fortunate for both my FFS and SRS surgeries to have help.

My FFS surgery, I was doomed to go it alone, when my bf of 10 months, in one amazing act of amazing 'chivalry',  dumped me 3 weeks before the surgery.   But there truly are angels walking the earth, a friend, a woman that was one of many friends (that I didn't really know all that well at the time)  insisted, and I mean INSISTED that she would not let me go alone.  So she came with, and spent 10 frickin'!!! days in a hotel with me for my healing.   And, quite honestly, I would not have made it through it (sanely) without her.  She and I bonded during that healing period, and are sisters, death do us part.  We are family, and I spend holidays at her house for dinners and time with her (now my) newly adopted family (I'm the US girl transplant).

For SRS surgery, two of my very best friends (they are engaged)  are coming for the first 10 days (well, and to double time sightseeing in Thailand, lol) to see me through my healing.   She has been through the Chonburi drill before, and has been so wonderful and supportive to me, she is my (younger) big sister, in my transition. 
 
Indubitably I am blessed, and will never ever knock the value of having that hand to hold onto, to whisper kind things, to one when they are down, healing and *hurting*.  I hope to give that back to my friends that find themselves on the short end of a scalpel someday.

*huggs*,
Melan

[Robyn]

My husband was there for my GRS almost 10 years ago, and I was with him for his the following year.

We married as 'man and wife' ended up as 'wife and man'.

Both of us were treated by Doctor Meltzer while he was still in Portland, Oregon. 

Robyn

[K8]

I too am blessed, and I am constantly thankful for it.  I had thought I would do this alone, but it's looking like I won't.

When I told my daughter about my surgery she insisted on coming to pick me up, take me home, and care for me until I can care for myself.  When I told my brother-in-law about my surgery he immediately began planning how to get me there and stay with me for several days after the surgery.  When I mentioned this to a girlfriend, she insisted that she will take me to my brother-in-law's house so that he doesn't have to drive the extra 200 miles to pick me up.  I never asked any of them to help me but am very grateful for their offers.

As it looks now, I'll be alone for four or five days between surgery and my daughter's arrival.  I'm sure I will be able to manage, but perhaps another angel will appear.

- Kate

[FairyGirl]

My SO will be with me before, during, and after the entire thing. We are both flying from Australia to the US next year for this. I also have some girl friends in Nashville I could stay with afterward, but we are actually thinking now of renting a small apt. in Philadelphia for a couple months following the surgery so I can be close to the surgeon's office. In any case, I am very thankful to have these caring people in my life. I'm such a big baby anyways there's no way I would survive it on my own lol

[cassie09]

I have chosen to go it alone.

My mother, I know, would come with me if i asked or if she knew. Alas, I havent nor will I ask, and she will not know.

[Flan]

my mom is going with me

getting a room with an ocean view... I still haven't convinced her it's "needed" but I believe I can convince her

(that said, it will still cost me for other expenses)

[Elijah3291]

I talked to my mom and I am pretty sure that she will be with me/take care of me after top surgery, she also said she could help give me T shots

so thats nice to know, she says she supports me, she just doesnt agree with what I plan to do

[mickie88]

i wish...but i probably won't. i've been alienated by most everyone finally.

[Hannah]

If I had it today, I would be going alone. My mom would prolly come and take care of me...but ugh. I can just see her asking the doctor which dialator her son should use and when. The thought of taking someone with me has crossed my mind, but the only person besides my mom who is willing to go is afraid of flying and wants me to pay for a cruise to and from Thailand instead.

[Christo]

for top surgery. one of my bro's. his wife. a buddy of mine were there. I'd just met my gf. she wasnt my gf yet but she was there 2.

for hysto. my gf. my mom. my 2 bro's. my sister-in-law. a cousin. alot of ppl

[Fer]

My sister & a friend accompanied to Thailand.  Whilst I was there, I was in excellent hands, Dr. Suporn was very compassionate and so were the nurses, I have nothing but praise & gratitude for their care & professionalism, but it was marvelous to see some familiar faces when I woke up from anesthesia.

[Miniar]

I won't go anywhere without someone there to watch over me while I'm out. And hubby wouldn't Stand for me being all alone either!
So that's that!

[Ms.Behavin]

I had my BFF there with me for GRS and BA.  With both at the same time, you really need someone there as it would have been just about impossible, no it would have been impossible without her being along.

Beni

[Butterfly]

For both FFS & GRS, the BF was by my side.  I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been there.