I plan on making an article for Susan's Wiki from the information that will be posted here in the responses to my post. So please add what you think is important and be a part of creating a new Wiki article:
Some general information to consider when the time comes to look for your surgeon.
Most TS will arrive at that point in their transition when the decision must be made on which surgeon to select to perform their SRS. Some would say that this the most critical decision that we will make.
One must realize that not all surgeons use the same procedure. There are two generally accepted methods the single stage and the double stage. Each method involves inverting the penis but that is where the similarities end. It is important to know what procedure(s) the surgeon employs in order that you can ask the appropriate questions. Surgeons use the available skin in different ways and in different places, and use different techniques. Techniques to form the clitoris, shave/scrape the hair follicles in different ways, and graft the penis skin in different ways. Additionally each surgeon may have a different opinions as to what a woman's genitals should actually look like.
Another important point to consider is if you want to lead a sexually active life after SRS, is sensitivity/sensation afterwards important to you. Both Natal females and TS achieve orgasm off the clitoris and some surgeons are more skillful in this area.
Along with sensitivity one must consider depth. Is it an important factor. There are surgeons who will guarantee depth but typically some depth is lost over time after surgery. Hand in hand with depth of the vagina is the issue of scare tissue.
Generally speaking the more scar tissue in the neo vagina the more often and longer dilations will be required. Scar tissue contracts with time and attempts to heal over the vagina. Dilations prevents the scare tissue from healing the wound the body see's your vagina to be.
After care is extremely important and how the surgeon states he/she will be there afterwards to provide post operative care. There are several issues that can arise after surgery such as infections, sutures coming loose, bleeding, urination problems, etc. remember that should there be a problem with the procedure ER's are not in the best position to treat you.
Surgery Check-list
* Get emergency phone numbers and plan in place before surgery.
* Get details of the procedure, how they form the clitoris and deal with nerve endings.
* Ask about internal scar tissue, how much to expect.
* Sort out your priorities - cosmetics verses depth verses feeling verses lubrication etc. Make sure the surgeon understands what is important to you.
* Arrange for a consultation either in person or by telephone.
* Finally be wary of recommendations from other post-op girls. They have an emotional investment in their surgeon and we tend to swear by something we are happy with no matter what, however just because the surgeon was good for one person doesn't mean mean they are good for the next. Remember that there is very little bad press out there on poor/bad experiences/results as the surgeons do not advertise these on their web sites.
Cost for the procedure was not listed as while it is important it should not be used to rule out surgeons rather the selection should be based on the skill, results and post operative care.
Steph
