Susan's Place Transgender Resources

 :( I had my vaginoplasty performed in February of this year. Per my instructions, I began dilating at once. But from the beginning, I had great pain issues.

My doctor said that I had excessive scar build up. So 3 months ago, in my doctors office, I had scar tissue carved out with only a local. And yes, it hurt like hell!

Since then, my opening has become smaller and smaller and more painful than ever. My doctor said he has never seen anyone with this kind of scar buildup.

I now face the possibility of having a complete corrective surgery performed in order to achieve my desired results, i.e., a normal looking, functioning vagina.

This time however, I am prepared to travel to Scottsdale Arizona. Toby Meltzer is a well known physician who specializes in these procedures. It is a bloody shame however; after spending over $17,000.00, it now looks like I'll be putting out that much and more this time and have to begin the whole process over.

So I am curious, have any of had such problems with your vaginoplasty procedure? And if so, what did you do?

Why do you pay so much? Go to Thailand, it's cheaper + they do it better there.

I am confussed somewhat i think. 

You are 8 months post approx. and have you keeped up with the doctors dilation schedule?

Are you having Granulation tissue? Is so did anyone use Silver nitrate on them?

You say the surgery gone bad, what did the doctor do to make this happen? Was it one of the major players in the world of SRS or ?

Reason i ask this i am 6 months post and at this moment i am now down to 1 x a day dilations and things are now just starting to settle down on discomfort. My doctor said it will take a good year for things to come to some what of a order. For me i had a patch of scar tissue at the entrance. My doctor said it was healthy healed tissue and it will streach out over time and dilations.

I wish you luck in what you are planning to do, i wonder sometimes if being it is something we never had to deal with. Do we maybe not give things time to settle down on there own?

Izzy

I had scaring issues from day one that made dilating more painful than most experience. There was tremendous tissue build up.

My doctor decided to remove some of this tissue during an office checkup a few months ago. After this, the pain became so unbearable that I couldn't even start without oxy pain meds. Even with this, I am down to the size of a 1/2" dilator and I can only achieve this after I apply Lidocain numbing cream for one hour and of course, the pain meds.

I really feel like I'm at the end of my rope.

Caisie,

Sounds like something with your body that is doing this over production of scar tissue.

This seems something way out of the norm being not anyone else has chimed in on this.

I wish you luck with things, as we all know going into this that there could be complications. I wish i had some type of answer that could help.

If somehow i come accross anything i will keep you posted.

Hugs
Isabell

EDIT: i just took a little time and looked back on some of your posts. Are you telling me this was done for 17,000 dollars and was a out patient. WTH kinda doctor does that. Now i can see why you are having troubles. Not any type of after care to tell you what to do or make sure you are all ok. I am a loss for words. There is not way i would ever use a service like his.

Sorry to hear that. I had complications as well but very different ones, so I cannot help. Arent there meds to stop excessive scarring? Do you normally scar easily?
I hope the revision surgeon will know what causes this, so you do not end up with the same complications after the revision, if it is your body that does this. In revision, you probably will need either a skin or colon graft. IMO the latter has the advantage of less scarring. I had that done in my revision and it was only my stupidity and lazyness that lead me to contraction problems now, it was a non issue for the first years.

I cannot offer any advise however I wish you the best with some recovery so you can enjoy a normal life.

That must have been a terrible time for you & still is I'm sure.

My heart goes out for you.

Francis

Thanks for the well wishes. I can't tell you how happy it makes me knowing that there are some great people here on this forum, who understand and will listen, even though there are no clear solutions.  :)

(hugs)
My surgery has had a lot of complications, some of them similar to what you describe.  My SRS was all the way back at the end of 2009 & I am only now starting to come to terms with how it all turned out for me. 

Although I had my surgery with Dr. McGinn - and I'm satisfied with how she did things - I had already had a history of an orchiectomy not done the right way, so Dr. McGinn did not have enough material to work with.  So, for me, a significant part of the problem was caused by getting an orchi from someone who didn't know how to do that for a trans person.  But then there was the granulation overgrowth, which I still don't understand why my body reacted the way it did.

The main issue with my surgery was granulation overgrowth - my skin was very sensitive to the procedure & essentially "overhealed" itself.  There was so much granulation tissue that I was having problems with both urination & bowel movements.  In response to the granulation, they used a liberal amount of silver nitrate on it - in fact, so much to the point where the silver nitrate actually ended up entering my urethral area and burning my urethral tissue, which resulted in a temporary inability to urinate (I had to go to the ER where they re-opened it).

Due to where I got my surgery & where I lived at the time, I ended up getting my aftercare from someone other than the surgeon.  They too were shocked to see how much granulation tissue developed.  Due to physical pain, my mental status at the time & the fact that there had not been a lot of skin to begin with (before surgery)- all of these resulted in me ending up with almost no depth.  Part of this was because of how things went - part of it was because I ended up going through a major depressive episode (of my Bipolar disorder) and not being able to care for myself properly.

I can empathize with surgery not turning out well.  I understand & I will listen.  In terms of solutions, I found that I had to learn patience & how to practice radical acceptance.  Which of course sounds simple & easy but are in fact hard, excruciating things.  I'm still trying to find solutions, but for now, I can offer someone to talk to...

Thanks for responding to my post. I hardly feel that I have any issues at all after reading what you've been through. But for me, I simply must move ahead with whatever it takes to have a natural looking and functional vagina.

I am probably going to go with Toby Meltzer simply because of his reputation and a well know trans doctor here locally, recommended him.

And finally, the original performing surgeon wants to examine me again and will probably recommend some sort of procedure. I just don't know however if I'll stay with him or move on for treatment with Dr. Meltzer. The main reason I went with the surgeon I did was because he was here and local.

Anyway, thanks again for listening  :)

Well, to clarify - a lot of what I went through was my own fault - also, that kind of physical pain, is just awful & anyone experiencing it deserves all of the compassion, empathy & kindness in the world. 
I've heard good things about Meltzer & I wish you the best outcome.

I do have to admit, I'm kind of terrified of the idea of *outpatient* GRS... I remember how I felt when I woke up (and for about a week afterward!) and can't imagine being sent home like that. So you've already been amazingly brave and determined; it's terrible that it ended this way for you, but hopefully Meltzer will be able to fix you up.

My best to you to become a normal woman that you deserve.

Good luck girl friend.

Francis

Quote from: Caisie Breen on October 17, 2013, 12:05:21 PM
Thanks for responding to my post. I hardly feel that I have any issues at all after reading what you've been through. But for me, I simply must move ahead with whatever it takes to have a natural looking and functional vagina.

I am probably going to go with Toby Meltzer simply because of his reputation and a well know trans doctor here locally, recommended him.

And finally, the original performing surgeon wants to examine me again and will probably recommend some sort of procedure. I just don't know however if I'll stay with him or move on for treatment with Dr. Meltzer. The main reason I went with the surgeon I did was because he was here and local.

Anyway, thanks again for listening  :)

Hey girl I'm really sorry to hear about your mishap. I was struggling with dilation and crazy granulation tissues the size of clams for the most of this yr but things have just very recently took a turn for the better...so there! Keep your spirits up knowing that it's only a matter of time until things get better!

I am convinced that the operation is rather unpredictable...though I also wonder if scar buildup can be localized. Do you develop excessive scar for all your wounds on your body?

I have met and spoken with Dr. Meltzer although I did not have my SRS done by him.  He does do a substantial amount of revision surgery which he has talked about in his infomercials at two or more of the national Trans* Conventions throughout the U.S..  My only little reason for not going to him for primary surgery was his two step labiaplasty technique, and Dr. Bowers who did my single surgery labiaplasty was the same distance from me to the north instead of to the east.  Meltzer had my appreciation as a caring and highly confident surgeon, just not how I wanted it done  at my age.  I do know a couple of his revision patients who are very happy.  For the price and circumstances you mention, I think I know who your surgeon was (if this is U.S.) and I have an online friend who went there and had an allergy to betadine that neither of them suspected.  This doctor in treating my friend (which he did TRY to do) ended up calling Dr. Bowers for a consultation on how to handle the problem.

Caisie, your are not exceptional. I had scarring issues making dilation very painful also too much penile tissue re used inside me making the appearance like a mini penis cut in two ' bulge' and the operating area painful.
After being told time and time again by staff that i have to keep hurting myself and its my responsibility  :police: it got to a point that i stopped hurting myself and just accepted a failed vaginoplasty (after 2 years of daily dilations) . I did have multiple revisions that helped somewhat.

I have no need to contact that clinic again, instead I am looking for a qualified surgeon to remove the 8+cm of penile tissue not removed, have hair removed from the vaginal entrance and regain depth. There is plenty of labia tissue so i would hope that could be used instead of colon.

Similar story to Nicky66 maybe she or other disapointed patients please contact me on how to correct this as i cannot PM people on the forum. As far as I can tell its a problem only with patients that have excessive donor material.

As critizing the god of srs is considered hubris among my community  >:-) plus the fact that I really think he is a kind person and skilful surgeon, I wont name him.

The many many positive posts about him made me go to Chonburi, so i guess unsatisfied customers are in minority.

I know this sounds a little insensitive, and i am really sorry, but all this makes me absolutely terrified! It would be really helpful if the surgeons who performed these operations were named...

Quote from: Evolving Beauty on October 10, 2013, 08:22:28 AM
Why do you pay so much? Go to Thailand, it's cheaper + they do it better there.

Is this advice coming from someone who has actually been there and done exactly that? "They do it better there" is not a certainty.

 :police:dilate! :police:

I guess there should be a disclaimer for girls with a lot of donor materials, the same stuff you were annoyed with all your life coming back to haunt you  >:-)

Seriously tho its grim to have to play detective to find out what in the holy names of the collective Pantheon went wrong !!

Nicky66 was a revelation something I suspected, and her fumbling toward an answer the right way. I do hope she found an answer. At this moment I am exploring my options and the best would seem a total dissection and vaginoplasty redo with colon graft. And no i dont want to.

Otherwise it should be safe to go to Suporn.

Quote from: EmmiV on November 05, 2013, 04:35:48 AM
Caisie, your are not exceptional. I had scarring issues making dilation very painful also too much penile tissue re used inside me making the appearance like a mini penis cut in two ' bulge' and the operating area painful.
After being told time and time again by staff that i have to keep hurting myself and its my responsibility  :police: it got to a point that i stopped hurting myself and just accepted a failed vaginoplasty (after 2 years of daily dilations) . I did have multiple revisions that helped somewhat.

I have no need to contact that clinic again, instead I am looking for a qualified surgeon to remove the 8+cm of penile tissue not removed, have hair removed from the vaginal entrance and regain depth. There is plenty of labia tissue so i would hope that could be used instead of colon.

Similar story to Nicky66 maybe she or other disapointed patients please contact me on how to correct this as i cannot PM people on the forum. As far as I can tell its a problem only with patients that have excessive donor material.

As critizing the god of srs is considered hubris among my community  >:-) plus the fact that I really think he is a kind person and skilful surgeon, I wont name him.

The many many positive posts about him made me go to Chonburi, so i guess unsatisfied customers are in minority.

I know a woman who went to Chonburi and she had far from excessive amounts of donor material.. The surgeon who did the needed revision comented that someone had left everything behind..

The more I research this 'god' the more unhappy patients I come across - and all have much the same story.. I won't be using him.

Hi Kelly 

Can you tell me in PM or on forum which surgeon removed the redundant materials? Also I checked Nicky66 vaginoplasty pictures in the zipfile, just shocking  :o but also they resemble my result. I can see why a partner would have questions after seeing my genitals. Its not natural result as advertised. It devastated me for a while but now i am ready to start looking for an answer.

My only goal is to get a good cosmetic result, the functional part i wont mess with, too complicated for another surgeon to fix someone else  s work I think. If they can basically remove the largest part of the penile stump and swelling material that makes the vulva bulge out (especially when excited) that would be good enough. The so trumpeted sensation i can miss, considering the pure pain it causes.


Maybe I need to make a new topic if allowed to discuss this further, not going to start a smear campaign just need some information.

Uhhh -- Caisie has not said who her surgeon was yet -- I know of one U.S. based surgeon whose price is $17K and who does OUTPATIENT surgery in the sense that you stay one night in a Recovery room and the rest of a week in a hotel near his office, where he does provide followup care for you.  Before we send missles onto Chonburi!!  The aftercare from this U.S.doctor is spartan and requires more nursing skill on the part of the patient and her care givers since there is no RN level nursing provided.  I ain't naming cuz I could be wrong too. 

Quote from: Vicky on November 05, 2013, 07:51:27 PM
Uhhh -- Caisie has not said who her surgeon was yet -- I know of one U.S. based surgeon whose price is $17K and who does OUTPATIENT surgery in the sense that you stay one night in a Recovery room and the rest of a week in a hotel near his office, where he does provide followup care for you.  Before we send missles onto Chonburi!!  The aftercare from this U.S.doctor is spartan and requires more nursing skill on the part of the patient and her care givers since there is no RN level nursing provided.  I ain't naming cuz I could be wrong too.

DR  REED?  LOL

This whole "refusal to name surgeons thing" is really bizarre - we /need/ to have transparency here! It is not our responsibility to protect the image or ego of any surgeon - and as long as we are honest with our approach, I think it is necessary to  share this knowledge.

I don't want to assume you went to Dr.Reed either, but it certainly sounds like you did. Please clarify this so our forum here is a resource and not a rumor mill. We never have to turn this into a smear campaign, certainly we can acknowledge that there are always unknowns in surgery and that these surgeons have all had satisfactory results.

OP - I am so sorry you've had this experience. Honestly, it seems like moving on to Meltzer would be the safest thing to do at this point. I can't offer experience here but I do support you and will keep you in my prayers.

I was planning SRS last year, I did a fundraiser online to pay for it. I didn't raise enough for SRS so I got FFS instead - but before I did, Dr.Reed went looking for my contact info on my fundraiser comment page. He wanted to offer me a discounted $12k vaginoplasty through a grant program his office offers for cases that have financial hardship. That is my understanding.

I thought that was both beautifully generous and disconcerting. I decided not to pursue his offer because I found such a wealth of feedback online stating that this surgeon has so many complications in his work. I think it was the high instance of fistula that freaked me out. Something like 1 in 10?? Where as Mcginn said fistula instance should be like 1 in 1,000 or something.

I dunno if I got those numbers right, but this is my limited experience with choosing an SRS surgeon. I hope you find the care you need. So much love being sent out to you.

Di

Quote from: Vicky on November 05, 2013, 07:51:27 PM
The aftercare from this U.S.doctor is spartan and requires more nursing skill on the part of the patient and her care givers since there is no RN level nursing provided.

The RN's station was about 6 feet away the whole time I was monitored overnight. She was that lack of distance because of the need to listen to the patient monitor.

No need for either FUD or shameless promotion of any surgeon because even the "best" have bad outcomes (I know two people who are unable to function sexually because of numbness after surgery with Brassard and Nguyen in Portland has less aftercare than Reed and he gets a free pass).