Is hair removal REALLY necessary before surgery?

[Princess_Jasmine]

Hey everyone! My question is this:

Is it really necessary to have laser/electrolysis down there before (MtF) surgery? For those who haven't, have you experienced any complications? I am not exactly hair free down there because of my eastern roots and I would probably require at least a couple of sessions.....before I go through all the pain/money to remove the hair, can someone please tell me if it really makes a difference?

Thank you!

[Flan]

depends on the surgeon
brassard: no
reed: yes
bowers: yes
mcginn: "recomended"
suporn: no
chett: no

if in doubt, ask him/her

[mmelny]

Nice list Flan!

Because I'm a masochist, and wanted to be prepared... before I knew who my SRS surgeon was going to be... I had two laser sessions in.. *cough*, the nether regions... NOT recommended!  Especially since my surgeon didn't require it, and in fact states NOT to do anything, because electro/laser follicle removal makes them smaller and harder to remove.

Figure out your surgeon, then do (or Don't!) any necessary hair removal down that way, depending on their advice.

*huggs*,
Melan

[MsFierce]

electrolysis Down Below is PAINFUL. Don't listen to others who say it doesn't cause they lying. That EMLA/Lidocaine Cream does NOTHING esp the middle section.

I wish I could of done laser but I couldn't for my skin color.

[kaitlynm999]

I had lydocaine shots in my nether regions, then electrolysis in my entire groin region ...twice...

in all honesty, the lydocaine shots hurt, but not alot...i am not kidding...not alot...in fact only a couple hurt and the rest just felt like little pricks (ahem)

then i would have 2-3 hours of pain free electrolysis...

for about an hour afterwards, i was wobbly on my feet, but after that, i just felt itchy..

i was told by my doctor (meltzer) to do it..so i did...because he's in arizona, i was able to go to an electroligist there who does lydocaine and electrolysis..

[Nigella]

Emla cream worked for me and numbed the area. I had six sessions of laser and about 20x1/2hr sessions of electrolysis. What I did was to apply the emla cream about 2hrs before my appointment and use cling film in my knickers to keep it wrapped. I was advised to do that from a friend who had previously gone through the process.

When I went for my consultation with my surgeon I was ready and had a quick appointment for GRS in two months time from the date of consultation. Now its just over two weeks to go.

My surgeon wanted hair removal.

Stardust 

[Ms.Behavin]

all the dr's use the same basic technique to zap the hair cells during surgery.  They will get all or sometimes only most.  All the US doctors strongly recommend Electro.....  I had 10-12 hours and lordy it was not fun, but I figured it was a rite of passage.  Removing unwanted hair from the inside after surgery is not really doable and there have been some girls with....um...extra hairs on the inside or around the libia.... Not what you want to see.

It's a personal dicision that every girl has to make.

Beni

[MsFierce]

all the dr's use the same basic technique to zap the hair cells during surgery.  They will get all or sometimes only most.  All the US doctors strongly recommend Electro.....  I had 10-12 hours and lordy it was not fun, but I figured it was a rite of passage.  Removing unwanted hair from the inside after surgery is not really doable and there have been some girls with....um...extra hairs on the inside or around the libia.... Not what you want to see.

It's a personal dicision that every girl has to make.

Beni

I've heard of some having hair in the vagina. The hair could probably be removed with a few sessions using a vaginal speculum or long beaked nasal speculum and electrolysis.

[spacial]

Just a thought.

Could you have an orchie, then the hair removal, then the surgery?

I have to confess, this is something which I've thought about and wondered. I don't have the thick matted hair, typical of many eastern people, but I do have quite a lot. I try to cut it short as often as I can, for hygine reasons and because it's irritating. But it is difficult, especially that which grows from under.

[Jessica.C]

Well so far, so good for me. No hairs where they shouldnt be. Hair has returned in areas it should be covering (lightly so far), doing an especially great job masking the long scars. None internally or any place that would cause concern.

I didnt have any hair removal. It was one of the reasons I chose Montreal, besides Dr. B's skill.

When I learned Dr. McGinn strongly recommended it and Dr. Bowers required it, I took them off my list.

Valerie, Don't mean to be to personal but did you have a lot of hair?? I'm Italian and i haven't had any hair removal down there at all.

I really don't want to end up with hair where it shouldn't be!!