SRS over Christmas break :)

[Princess_Jasmine]

I havent posted in so long but I wanted to say that I have had my SRS over Christmas break with Dr. Harold Reed and the main point I want to make is: I was really able to do it over the break and return to school in functioning shape yay!!!!! I had my surgery December 9th and began class for spring semester 2 days ago on January 4th. I was a bit scared because I wasn't sure if I would be able to move, sit, or even concentrate after having major surgery 3 and a half weeks ago, but it is possible! I can sit walk and even run just fine

For me, I would say most of the pain disappeared once the stitches were taken out after 2 1/2 weeks. I am still very swollen and I am crossing my fingers that my labia will go down because I really don't want to have to go in for a revision to reduce them, but since it hasnt even been a month yet and I know I am a sweller when it comes to surgery, I think it will go just fine.

I thank God I was able to have the surgery so young, only a week after my 21st birthday. It has been an emotional journey and its still been a little rough. One thing I dont see anyone mentioning is how stopping the hormones and starting them can be such a mind boggler. I feel like the shift in hormones and your body adjusting now to a lower dosage of E without testes was very crazy to deal with through this whole process. When I say that, I mean the mental toll it takes by you feeling emotional and going from happy to crying for no reason in 2 seconds. I would say I am still adjusting to the shift in hormone changes, but other than that I am really healing well and fast. I have a depth of 4 1/2 inches which does irritate me somewhat because I was hoping for more and I don't want to worry about not being able to have sex comfortably one day. Does anyone have any advice about this? Is 4 1/2 inches fine for intercourse? I know it probably is but I love reassurance lol. I am very pleased with my result and I know Dr. Reed did a wonderful job.

Also, did anyone here ever gain any weight post op as a result of their surgery? Girls keep telling me they gained weight in the months after but I'm not sure if this is a case by case thing or if it happens to all of us due to that shift in hormones?  And is it really necessary to reduce the amount of E from before surgery to post op? I dont understand why this is necessary if I was also on spiro before. It makes sense to stop spiro but why lower the E?

Anyways I hope you are all doing well and I just wanted to say yay!! I made it! <3

[katgirl74]

Congrats! Glad things are going well. My swelling took a while to go down, once I went back to work at 8 weeks, most of it was gone, but in the last six months there has been a lot more changes. Healing definitely continues as time goes on, usually at least a year for full healing. This is, afterall, major surgery. As for E, my doctor has kept me the same as before just without the spiro, it varies from provider to provider, trans hormone therapy is kind of hit and miss, little research and not real standard.

[mmelny]

Wow, congrats Jasmine!   You are doing well to be back to school so quickly!  I remember telling you that might be tough coming back that early in a prior thread, eeeek... wipes egg off her face, lol.

I wouldn't worry about the swelling .. you are still very early in healing.  I was 'puffy' for at least a few months afterward.   I can't speak much about the depth factor, I've found that with larger guys that perhaps my depth isn't enough,  I think it's one of those, just work with what you have things.  I don't sweat it.  The guy in question told me he isn't new to 'bottoming' out, with many women.

The ups and downs of E didn't really affect me so much.. I'm thinking it's because of all the anxiety and pain pills they give one under Dr Suporn's care, lol.

I know I gained weight in the months following surgery, but I think it was because I wanted to treat myself with rich foods after being operated on (that 'poor me syndrome' ?)  , lol.   That and a sedentary life, for those months, led to about an additional 15 lbs for me.  I've subsequently worked it off with my energy levels coming back, and getting back into my yoga/pilates/cardio exercise routines.

On the E, I'm at the same level as pre-op.  My subsequent blood tests show me in mid-ranges for E, and very low ranges for T.  All's good!

Good luck with your healing, doesn't sound like you need any luck though!  Yay!

*huggs*,
Melan

[Sandy]

Jasmine!

It's great to hear from you again!  I'm glad you are making a swift recovery.  It was great seeing you in Miami, although the weather was terrible!

From my own experience, I can say that the swelling can take months to completely recede, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

You may gain additional depth as you continue dilating.  Realize that the skin that was used will stretch some in its new locaction and that will give you some more depth, but probably not more than .5 of an inch.  Depending on your partner, you could find that when you do have intercourse, there may be some positions that are uncomfortable, or require a little finesse, but otherwise should not be a problem.

It is not unusual to have some weight gain as a result of just about any major surgery.  Your body is still in recovery, and your physical exercise is usually a bit less than before during this period.  With older women (me, not you ), after SRS, their bodies tend to take on more characteristics of a woman of that age and tend to gain weight more easily.

The reduction in hormones is standard following SRS.  Most doctors tend to be conservative as far as hormone administration goes.  And sometime in the coming months, you should have another blood test to examine your hormone levels.  Then you can tweak up or down based on that.  The goal here is to best approximate the proper estrodial / testosterone levels for a woman of your age, not adhere to a particular dosing regimen.

-Sandy

[JenAtLast]

Wow....congrats Jasmine!  What a school break!