Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I know this has been discussed before, but it hasn't come up recently so I wanted to start something new to see if anyone's thinking had changed.

I do plan on GCS eventually, but because I chose to have FFS/BA I don't have any extra funds and it will be around 3 more years before I can afford it.  That is also assuming that stuff comes up between now and then that requires spending part of that savings, so I guess if I were extra lucky it could be as soon as two years.  I had not seriously considered getting an orchi before, but when I went to a new endo he seemed to think it would be a good idea for me to have one NOW.  He was going to find me someone local that would operate just on his and my say so even though I'm not "qualified" for letters yet.  I didn't get the impression that it was a health must do, but rather, why keep taking these pills if you don't have to so go do it.  I've got a therapist appointment later today so I will talk to her about it, but since he has said that it is dwelling on my mind.  I'd love to get GCS NOW, but I just can't afford it.  But I could easily afford an orchi from Dr. Arnkoff now.

For me from a pure financial standpoint it doesn't really make sense.  I pay a $5 copay for my spiro.  Yes it is possible that the insurance company will decided to deny coverage, but they haven't so far.  At $5 it would take a LONG time to break even with the ~$3k for an orchi.  I also know that most GCS surgeons say just wait because of that factor.  But haven't the GCS surgeons said that shrinkage isn't really a concern?  And even if it is, I'm ok with whatever depth is possible even if it is shallow.  So yes it would delay my GCS a bit more, but $3k isn't that much compared to the $30k I need to save for GCS.

So I'm asking from a free from spiro side effects and an almost total blockage of T is it worth it?  Some people claim to have new hair growth and loss of even more body hair when they have GCS or an Orchi.  Has anyone experienced this and would say it is real?  I don't need to take diuretics because of blood pressure, so it would help with how often I have to run to the restroom.  Mentally have people seen much change?

I'm really leaning toward doing it.  I feel like it would help my state of mind greatly.  I could also potentially change my SS and DL markers.  Both are technically supposed to require full GCS, but some people get away with it.  Of course some don't like the woman that was arrested in Morristown last fall/winter for protesting and taking off her top outside the drivers license place since they said she was male.

It is funny until he said that I hadn't really given it much thought at all, but now it is almost all I can think about.

Surely it has nothing to do with money? It is about simplifying the drug regime and possibly increasing the effectiveness or any oestrogen because it no longer has to battle with T?

The fact that you cannot stop thinking about it says to me that you really want this. Also the ability to change the documentation is significant.

B.

I thought about doing it several years ago but then opted not to in order to get the best results possible with SRS. I don't have much material to begin with so I'll just wait a couple more years.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on April 03, 2012, 09:33:34 AM
I thought about doing it several years ago but then opted not to in order to get the best results possible with SRS. I don't have much material to begin with so I'll just wait a couple more years.

Wasn't there a recent quote somewhere on here from Dr. Bowers saying it didn't really make that big a difference in terms of shrinkage vs just blockers?

I didn't really have a lot to work with either and HRT has caused significant shrinkage already, but depth isn't as important a criteria for me since fingers tend to be smaller than other parts  :P.

Quote from: Jeneva on April 03, 2012, 08:54:12 AM
But haven't the GCS surgeons said that shrinkage isn't really a concern?  And even if it is, I'm ok with whatever depth is possible even if it is shallow.

It's not so much shrinkage as scarring that is a concern. Orchie pretty much makes you ineligible for Suporn's technique. As for the rest, it depends. Might mean a skin graft from your thigh at worst.

QuoteSo yes it would delay my GCS a bit more, but $3k isn't that much compared to the $30k I need to save for GCS.

$30k?! Who are you planning to go to? Brassard was $18k.

QuoteSo I'm asking from a free from spiro side effects and an almost total blockage of T is it worth it?  Some people claim to have new hair growth and loss of even more body hair when they have GCS or an Orchi.  Has anyone experienced this and would say it is real?

Really depends on how effective the blockers are on you. But yes, I've noticed some changes post-SRS, but then I know that my T levels weren't right previously. So there aren't any guarantees.

QuoteI don't need to take diuretics because of blood pressure, so it would help with how often I have to run to the restroom.  Mentally have people seen much change?

Depends on the person. For me, I don't even feel perfect post-SRS, because I was looking to gain something rather than looking to lose something. I feel good 'cause it's over and I survived, but till I'm healed, I'm still going to be uncomfortable with what's between my legs.

If you feel like it's going to help keep you sane, I'd say do it.

QuoteIt's not so much shrinkage as scarring that is a concern. Orchie pretty much makes you ineligible for Suporn's technique. As for the rest, it depends. Might mean a skin graft from your thigh at worst.

Suporn already told me I will need a skin graft and I haven't had an orchie. If I weren't planning to have SRS for several years, I would do it but because I'm hoping to get it done in a year or two, I'll just put the money I'd spend on the orchie towards my SRS.

If you really want to get it done, I would just be sure and discuss it with the surgeon you plan on using. I know someone who had an orchie and then a couple years later had SRS with Bowers and is pleased with everything.

Quote from: Sarah7 on April 03, 2012, 10:23:30 AM
$30k?! Who are you planning to go to? Brassard was $18k.

Sorry that is partly my mistake.  I have to include travel and hotel costs in there so I was planning at least 23-25k (McGinn or Bowers).  When I started doing the math again I took my earlier savings goal and accidentally added the travel to it AGAIN.

McGinn is 18.5k and Bowers is more than that so Brassard is a touch cheaper, but I did mess up the math.

Quote from: Jeneva on April 03, 2012, 09:57:10 AM
Wasn't there a recent quote somewhere on here from Dr. Bowers saying it didn't really make that big a difference in terms of shrinkage vs just blockers?

Found it, it was on her FAQ page (http://marcibowers.com/grs/grs-faq.html).  "There are no great risks to orchiectomy (such as shrinkage or scarring) as proposed by some surgeons."

Quote from: Sarah7 on April 03, 2012, 10:23:30 AM
Depends on the person. For me, I don't even feel perfect post-SRS, because I was looking to gain something rather than looking to lose something. I feel good 'cause it's over and I survived, but till I'm healed, I'm still going to be uncomfortable with what's between my legs.

If you feel like it's going to help keep you sane, I'd say do it.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on April 03, 2012, 10:34:15 AM
If you really want to get it done, I would just be sure and discuss it with the surgeon you plan on using. I know someone who had an orchie and then a couple years later had SRS with Bowers and is pleased with everything.

It isn't that I WANT it, but rather I can actually do it now.  I want GCS eventually, but barring something really big it will be 3 years before I can get enough saved.  It is a way for me to feel like I've moved forward another few steps even though I don't have enough saved for full GCS.

Well I think I'm going to do it.  My therapist wasn't concerned with that being "against" the rules especially since my new endo wanted me to get one soon.

Shannon is ok with the idea also, so I called Dr Arnkoff after a few emails from last week.  He said the letters wouldn't be a problem and he had the 21st open.  That works out as an awesome birthday present for me without interfering with our plans.  I'm going to fly up Friday night and then fly back on Sunday afternoon.  So it looks like
$2300 (his fee went up a bit since the site has been updated)
$550 (flight + hotel + rental car package)
$2800 + food.  So it will stay under $3k for sure.  Shannon wants me to have my GCS in the summer so she will be off from school to help out, so it doesn't really move my GCS date based on my current projections (funding done in June instead of March, but July 2015 my current target date).

Ok, I just got bumped to the 22nd.  I may be able to cut out the first night stay though so I'm waiting to hear more specific details before I book anything.

So final costs are going to be:
2300 - Dr Arnkoff's fee
305 - Delta (I HATE flying into Charlotte)
37 - Alamo compact
120 - Marriott  (Southfield)

$2770 + food and gas + airport parking at TRI

I wouldn't be doing this if I could afford GCS soon, but for under $3k I will at least be able to change my federal gender markers.  I MAY be able to change my drivers license (even if they don't like my letter I wonder if I can show my corrected passport).  And I can stop taking Spiro and maybe even Finasteride.

Hi Jeneva,
I, myself am not a personal fan of orchi. Just seems to me to be a further complication in an already complicated process. So pay no attention to ideas.

However one suggestion I would make, that appears you may have over looked, is, what is the opinion of your preferred GCS surgeon? After all, they are the ones responsible for optimising the outcome of your transition. You probably wouldn't need to have that compromised in any way, shape or form.

As you have said, at $5.00 per month for Spiro there is actually a negative cost benefit ratio.

Hope all goes well for you.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine 

I used to be planning on McGinn because it was closer to home (Shannon doesn't like to fly).

But Shannon's best friend from high school lives like 10 minutes from Dr. Bowers' new office.  She has been trying to get Shannon to come out for years and would be glad to let us spend a few weeks there (she has suggested it before).  Her husband's parents have money so they build them a huge gorgeous house so she has plenty of room.  I like that idea because then Shannon and the kids aren't just stuck in the middle of nowhere for a couple of weeks or longer (Disney/sightseeing in that part of CA/visiting with friends/swimming).

None of the GCS surgeons care for previous orchidectomy purely from the financial concerns, but Bowers has a FAQ entry that says there is no risk to GCS either.  My total costs that could potentially be lost are actually $10 a month since I also have a prescription for Finasteride in addition to the Spiro.  At $10 a month it would take a very long time from a pure financial standpoint, but there are other health concerns (which trump money).

But I have anxiety and depression issues and Finasteride is potentially worsening those.  I'm also prone to dizzy spells (low blood pressure) when I'm not stressed enough to raise my blood pressure and Spiro doesn't help that.  There is also a chance that losing both the Spiro and Finasteride 3 years earlier may have an impact on my future health (reduced liver damage potential and no more potassium level monitoring).  I have hope that the complete loss of T will help spur head hair growth and slow body hair growth.

Unfortunately I live in a fairly backwards US state (TN) and I may or may not be able to change my gender marker on my license (it isn't clearly spelled out in the law so the clerks make a judgement call).  I will be able to change my gender marker on my federal government IDs though.  I'm wondering if I bring in a passport with a F to my DL place if they won't change the marker just because a passport trumps all other ID.

Hi Jeneva,

Based on what you've said. GO FOR IT, girl. But PLESE be aware, I'm absolutely  ... g r e e n .... with envy, over your choice of surgeons. As you no doubt are aware, Melody had her "DAY' last February with Dr. Bowers, and everything went like clockwork.

My choice is down to a two horse race, with a hair on the nostril difference between Dr. Bowers and Dr. McGinn. I'll have to come over later this year and meet both.

Hope it all goes well for you later this month, then. Keep in touch.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

i did the orchi at the end of feb. and will have the SRS at end of Jan. if i knew i would be having SRS so soon i would have just held out. i do like not taking all those meds though

I got tired of assaulting my system with excessive meds and opted for an orchiectomy so that I could cut out the Spironolactone which I thought gave me a sort of strange body odor anyway. The urologist I picked was TG friendly and had huge experience and big creds with the trans community on the west coast. He gave me a local and they were out in 41 minutes start to finish and I was headed back home. He used a single scrotal incision and was careful not to disrupt the package excessively in order to leave the most scrotal tissue in the event I would have SRS later on as that is used to create the outer labia. Piece of cake! I recommend it because the feminizing comes much more quickly without them.

Quote from: Shantel on April 06, 2012, 11:02:52 PM
I got tired of assaulting my system with excessive meds and opted for an orchiectomy so that I could cut out the Spironolactone which I thought gave me a sort of strange body odor anyway. The urologist I picked was TG friendly and had huge experience and big creds with the trans community on the west coast. He gave me a local and they were out in 41 minutes start to finish and I was headed back home. He used a single scrotal incision and was careful not to disrupt the package excessively in order to leave the most scrotal tissue in the event I would have SRS later on as that is used to create the outer labia. Piece of cake! I recommend it because the feminizing comes much more quickly without them.

Just what I was wanting to hear In a personal experience, I have been considering that for awhile now, curious to see how the subtle changes timeline is going to be in your situation

I had my orchiectomy in 2009.  I don't think I have had much shrinkage.  I am not sure when I will have SRS, but the orchi has been a godsend.

               I am considering getting an orchi since I don't see GRS in the near (or distant) future for me.  As usual, its a money thing.  I think I can get the VA to do my orchi, if I tell a fib or two, for dirt cheap.  I had surgery last year on my neck and it cost less than $1500.  what a deal!  Anyway this discussion has helped me with the ins and outs of surgery.  thanks.

I had an orci and could not be more pleased. Estrogen shots now work without T or other chemicals. Mentally losing my boys has been outstanding because they are really the center of maleness. Clothes fit better as I have a small penis and now with no boys I can wear woman's clothes without an obvious bulge. Of course it is up to your doctor and therapist if it is right for you. Dr. Bowers says the is no problem with my SRS next year. It is very likely you can get your legal documents changed because an orci is "irreversible genital surgery". I already have all mine changed, even my birth certificate. An orci withDr. Bowers only requires HRT, living full time and a letter from your therapist, not a RLT. Although I have will have SRS next year, I am already functioning as woman and have no male thoughts. Losing my boys has really had an extremely positive effect on me; girls do not have testicles.

Susan

Quote from: susanewing on April 14, 2012, 12:15:53 PM
I had an orci and could not be more pleased. Estrogen shots now work without T or other chemicals. Mentally losing my boys has been outstanding because they are really the center of maleness. Clothes fit better as I have a small penis and now with no boys I can wear woman's clothes without an obvious bulge. Of course it is up to your doctor and therapist if it is right for you. Dr. Bowers says the is no problem with my SRS next year. It is very likely you can get your legal documents changed because an orci is "irreversible genital surgery". I already have all mine changed, even my birth certificate. An orci withDr. Bowers only requires HRT, living full time and a letter from your therapist, not a RLT. Although I have will have SRS next year, I am already functioning as woman and have no male thoughts. Losing my boys has really had an extremely positive effect on me; girls do not have testicles.

Susan

Very encouraging...thanx!

Quote from: susanewing on April 14, 2012, 12:15:53 PM
I had an orci and could not be more pleased. Estrogen shots now work without T or other chemicals. Mentally losing my boys has been outstanding because they are really the center of maleness. Clothes fit better as I have a small penis and now with no boys I can wear woman's clothes without an obvious bulge. Of course it is up to your doctor and therapist if it is right for you. Dr. Bowers says the is no problem with my SRS next year. It is very likely you can get your legal documents changed because an orci is "irreversible genital surgery". I already have all mine changed, even my birth certificate. An orci withDr. Bowers only requires HRT, living full time and a letter from your therapist, not a RLT. Although I have will have SRS next year, I am already functioning as woman and have no male thoughts. Losing my boys has really had an extremely positive effect on me; girls do not have testicles.

Susan

So you had no problems with your SSA and passport?  TN is a bit picky so I'm not sure about the driver's license, but I'm going to try.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.  Hopefully I can post Monday 23rd or Tuesday 24th with positive news.   :)

Best of luck! :)

Quote from: Jeneva on April 03, 2012, 09:57:10 AM
Wasn't there a recent quote somewhere on here from Dr. Bowers saying it didn't really make that big a difference in terms of shrinkage vs just blockers?

I didn't really have a lot to work with either and HRT has caused significant shrinkage already, but depth isn't as important a criteria for me since fingers tend to be smaller than other parts  :P.

im confused does having an orchi cause shrinkage ? i know hormones dont shrink the actual penis but just the testicles . but does having a orchi actually shrink tissue ?

Quote from: mementomori on April 15, 2012, 05:10:40 AM
im confused does having an orchi cause shrinkage ? i know hormones dont shrink the actual penis but just the testicles . but does having a orchi actually shrink tissue ?

Within a few years post-orchiectomy the penis atrophies as a result of a total and complete lack of testosterone other than what little the adrenal gland produces. So what happens is that the erectile tissue inside the penis shrinks and the little unit becomes smaller and seems to retract. No big problem according to my discussion and examination with Marcie Bowers who says, the erectile tissue is what she removes during SRS anyway. I clearly recall her looking at my pathetic little member and telling me not to worry, that I'd have an excellent outcome. Prior to that conversation I had undergone an orchiectomy several years earlier, a single incision in the scrotum and two small dissolving stitches.

I share personal insights and experiences just for the sake of others who may be considering surgery and have apprehension and fears.

Social Security requires surgery. What surgery actually depends of the individual office; The offices in the large liberal cities seem to be less restrictive. SFO for me. Passport is not a problem as there has been an official change of policy and if you are being treated you can get your passport marker changed. Dr. Bowers says an orci will not affect SRS. I believe you and your therapist need to be absolutely sure you have GID and are going to transition before you have an orci; it is irreversible. For me it was wonderful because I desperately wanted to get rid of my male parts and an orci took me a long way toward my goal to be physically a woman.

Susan

Quote from: susanewing on April 15, 2012, 09:39:21 AM
I believe you and your therapist need to be absolutely sure you have GID and are going to transition before you have an orci; it is irreversible.

Susan

Excellent advice, there are no do-overs!

If I can't come up with the complete surgery money in the next couple years, I'm leaning towards this option as a stopgap as well. Only this time, I won't try to do it myself.

Quote from: susanewing on April 15, 2012, 09:39:21 AM
Social Security requires surgery. What surgery actually depends of the individual office; The offices in the large liberal cities seem to be less restrictive. SFO for me. Passport is not a problem as there has been an official change of policy and if you are being treated you can get your passport marker changed. Dr. Bowers says an orci will not affect SRS. I believe you and your therapist need to be absolutely sure you have GID and are going to transition before you have an orci; it is irreversible. For me it was wonderful because I desperately wanted to get rid of my male parts and an orci took me a long way toward my goal to be physically a woman.

I've been out to my therapist for over two years.  Early on we focused more of my family driven anxiety (not wife/kids but parents/siblings).  Well over a year ago we started focusing on transition and steps I could take.  I've been out publicly and living full time since last Labor day.  I had FFS and a BA with Dr. Z on 12/29/2011.  I have NO second thoughts.  My only concern about the surgery is the loss of money from my GCS fund, but it is going to be soooooo long before I can afford GCS.  So any question of GID or not and transition or not has been answered months ago with yes to both.

Ok, I'm going to sort of make this like my FFS thread.  However there will be NO PICTURES!  :embarrassed:

I'm going to pay when I finish up with work and then I fly out tomorrow at noon.  I'll probably post a few more times to relieve the hurry up and get here anxiety.  I'll also post afterward a few times about swelling and pain.

I wish you the best hun! Say goodbye to the nasty T! :)

Good luck on your surgery Jen, wish you a speedy recovery :)

Quote from: Jeneva on April 20, 2012, 01:50:27 PM
Ok, I'm going to sort of make this like my FFS thread.  However there will be NO PICTURES!  :embarrassed:

I'm going to pay when I finish up with work and then I fly out tomorrow at noon.  I'll probably post a few more times to relieve the hurry up and get here anxiety.  I'll also post afterward a few times about swelling and pain.

Good luck Jen, you'll do fine!

They are gone. So far so good. No real pain yet but he wrote a script for viocdan so I'm set there. Getting up off the table was fine and walking/driving was no problem. Hecwarned the cords will swell and evidentially that makes some people think he didn't remove them so he shows you the after he is done.

Dr. Arnkoff was very friendly and is going to write me a letter with the ssa wording. No real pain during just a bit of tugging and sticks at first.

For me the worst part was having to lye there uncovered and exposed for so long. I had a hard time fighting the anxiety that triggered, but wasn't nervous about the surgery at all.

Quote from: Jeneva on April 22, 2012, 11:09:54 AM
They are gone. So far so good. No real pain yet but he wrote a script for viocdan so I'm set there. Getting up off the table was fine and walking/driving was no problem. Hecwarned the cords will swell and evidentially that makes some people think he didn't remove them so he shows you the after he is done.

Dr. Arnkoff was very friendly and is going to write me a letter with the ssa wording. No real pain during just a bit of tugging and sticks at first.

For me the worst part was having to lye there uncovered and exposed for so long. I had a hard time fighting the anxiety that triggered, but wasn't nervous about the surgery at all.

Try having it done with two other people (surgery students) watching.  :embarrassed:

They will do that but it goes away after about a week or so.  I got a panic attack and wondered if my surgeon removed them.  But using a bag of frozen peas helped to reduce the swelling.

And after 2 1/2 yrs, I have not had much shrinkage at all.

Oh and you will have night sweats in a bit.  (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmileys.on-my-web.com%2Frepository%2FAnimals%2Fferret-9.gif&hash=42bd2ee88d4ddc91007b3b25799f543e9ee358f1)  They will pass too. (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmileys.on-my-web.com%2Frepository%2FAnimals%2Fferret-3.gif&hash=f49e2f86761323f2abd9c33941920389dbb3b10f)

Aww, I'm so happy for you!

Thanks for all the well wishes.

Evidentially viocdan makes me ultra awake. I've only taken it before for my FFS. And then I always took it with diazepam. All morning I felt sleepy but after lunch I took one since it was tender and I remember my nurse's advice from FFS of take it BEFORE the pain gets out of hand. Once I did I was wide awake. So this evening around 9:30 I decide I had better take some of my klonazapam. Almost immediately it just totally hammered me. It has never affected me like that before.  So I'm really sleepy and get to rest. BUT it only lasted till 11 and now I'm wide awake again. I have to get up a bit past 4 to get to the airport to go home.

Lots of good info here for sure. 

I am seriously thinking of an orchi, as I don't know if I could cope with the time spent on  the table,  for a number of reasons.   As it sounds like there are no contra-indications for SRS later, it could be a worthwhile step for me.

Good to hear you are recovering well Jeneva.

Karen.

Flight and airport treks not too bad.  I've had to take 1 Vicodin every 6 hours because I'm walking so much. Not terrible though. Back at home now and using ice again. He said only the first 48 matter for ice so I won't bother tomorrow.

Quote from: Jeneva on April 23, 2012, 01:32:13 PM
Flight and airport treks not too bad.  I've had to take 1 Vicodin every 6 hours because I'm walking so much. Not terrible though. Back at home now and using ice again. He said only the first 48 matter for ice so I won't bother tomorrow.

Good going Jeneva, I knew you could handle it, an atta girl for you honey!

Ok, so the second night was fairly painful (at least until I took a second pill and then it was just uncomfortable again).  I noticed that Dr Arnkoff wrote his prescription for 7.5/750 vs 5.0/500 that Dr Z used.  At home I've been taking Dr. Z's med since it is older and will expire faster.  So that night I had to take a total of 10.0/1000 (hydrocodone/acetaminophen).

The next morning when I cleaned the incision I saw why the prior night hurt.  The drain tube had come almost completely out, but was still sutured so when I moved it was yanking on the sutures and making the tube jab me also.  It was time to clip the suture and remove it anyway.  OMG, that thing was HUGE.  It was like 6 inches long.  I went ahead and took a small dosage of Vicodan that day since I had a laser hair removal appointment and figured it was better to not be in pain to start with.  One thing I did learn, the vicodan did NOTHING for the pain of LHR.  She had asked me to leave hair unshaven since it is very thinned now and she doesn't want to treat areas that don't need it.  That makes the pain go up quite a bit.  It was still bearable of course.

This morning I have not yet had any pain med (not even OTC acetaminophen) and it is only uncomfortable.  It is just a touch swollen and if I bump the swollen area it feels as if it is bruised.  His advice to wear tight underclothing is definitely spot on target.

He mailed me back my driver's license that got left in their copier and it arrived yesterday.   I am still surprised that I wasn't given too much hassle by TSA for not having my license.  He is sending me a letter that I think should work across the board for getting my markers changed.  I'm hopeful that our DMV head will take almost anything since she seemed genuine when she said sorry I can't change the marker without a letter when I got my name changed on my DL.

Here is the key phrasing I recommended to Dr. Arnkoff and he didn't feel it would dishonest or questionable.

Quote
On 04/22/2012, I completed an irreversible genital surgical procedure for the purpose of altering Jeneva's sex characteristics from male to female.

Please note I was careful to include these words I've seen that govt types want: COMPLETED, IRREVERSIBLE GENITAL SURGICAL and of course MALE TO FEMALE.

The only part I felt queazy about was saying that it altered my sex characteristics.  While that is true because males have testicles and females don't, I am intentionally hoping that they read that as full GCS.  I feel bad about the misleading intent, but the M on my license and other documents is very hurtful.

So overall, this surgery was very minor and low pain in my opinion.

Thank you so much for the update Jeneva! 

That is all very good info to remember :)

sounds like you are doing well...fantastic!

Quote from: Jeneva on April 26, 2012, 10:39:37 AM
The only part I felt queazy about was saying that it altered my sex characteristics.  While that is true because males have testicles and females don't, I am intentionally hoping that they read that as full GCS.  I feel bad about the misleading intent, but the M on my license and other documents is very hurtful.

Don't waste your time feeling queasy about that, let's face it you don't qualify as a male anymore anyway since your maleness is forever gone. There are a lot of states that will honor your doctor's letter as sufficient for an [F] gender marker. I had a letter from my urologist but never used it because when I forwarded it to the SRS surgeon along with other letters from my counselor and an endocrinologist I had been seeing, I got a letter from the SRS surgeon so I could get my gender marker changed simply based on my intent to have SRS as my next step. As it turned out the state would have accepted the urologists letter confirming the orchiectomy as sufficient. That was several years ago and I'll confess that I have had neither my marker changed or SRS thus far. But just to let you know, it's do able!

Quote from: Jeneva on April 26, 2012, 10:39:37 AM
So overall, this surgery was very minor and low pain in my opinion.

Just like a kick in the nads yesterday and not feeling the discomfort until today!  ;D

Ok, I definitely overdid it yesterday and have had to take meds today.   With the meds it is fine, but anyone else reading please don't push too hard.  We've got some water damage at the house.  It had finally hit a total that they had to send an in person adjuster.  He was here in the morning with our main contact with the water removal company.  Both had left tools so I spent all morning fetching and 4 trips up and down the basement stairs and then 6+ trips up the first to second floor stairs was just a bit much.  Still no major bleeding or even swelling.  The cords have gone down swelling some and are now retracted out of the scrotum, but the down side there is that they can't be constrained to keep them from hurting when they move around.

Still no major pain, I just hoped to be done with the painkillers and had to start them back.

OMG  :o

Ok, so the E seems to be SO much more effective now.  I tear up at anything remotely emotional.  I am almost deliriously happy and I can't get enough hugs and snuggles.  Some of this could just be mentally induced euphoria because THEY are gone, but either way I feel happy ([bad movie joke]and it isn't just because I don't want to go on the cart[/bad movie joke]).

Not had to take pain pills for several days.  I still have a day or so left of antibiotics, but it seems to be healing nicely.  It does still ooze a bit, but no real pain.

Now for some interesting news.  Since last visit was my first with this new endo (been DIY and then monitored by my PCP till we found an accepting endo), he wanted a follow up a month after the first appointment.  That was on this Monday.  He was fairly concerned if I was feeling tired and listless and energy-less because even with the medium dose of spiro (and I am a BIG girl and have been told by other TS that I should be taking MUCH more spiro) I had almost NO testosterone showing pre-orchi.  I don't know if it is accurate but he said that Spiro didn't stop production of adrenal T so at least until my next blood test in 6 months he is confident I won't need spiro or finasteride, because he expects the adrenal T will still be lower than female norms.  He didn't give me the exact T number, but it raised a few flags for him.  He did give me my E number from the last test and it was 110 so I do wonder if I'm getting more out of the HRT now after the orchi and reduced medicine.

I don't regret this at all.  The only drawback I can see is that it cost me a bit out of my surgery fund, but the way I feel now is well worth that small (<3k) cost.

BTW: Sarah I am glad you shared your Brassard cost because I didn't realize he was all inclusive from and back to the airport.  I also like the fact he will do local instead of general anesthesia since general with Dr. Z knocked me for a loop.  So now I'm leaning toward him since I can do it for $21k instead of $25k I was having to plan for Bowers or McGinn.  Shannon wouldn't be with me, but because he has you stay in his guest house with nurses she as worried and doesn't feel like she HAS to go.

Really glad you are feeling so good. :)

I actually had a bit of trouble with my hormones post-op, but they seem to be settling down now and I'm seeing more changes than from before.

Let me know if I can help with questions about Brassard or anything..