Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Topic started by: Nero on August 05, 2007, 08:22:46 AM Return to Full Version

Title: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Nero on August 05, 2007, 08:22:46 AM
Good morning guys and dolls (and Regina),

Hypothetical scenario:

There is only one place on earth to obtain transitional needs. Absolutely no other place to get anything transition related. HRT and gender surgeries are very controlled, there is no black market.
(yeah, I know nothing could ever stop some clowns from performing clandestine back-alley surgeries, but this is hypothetical)

Because transsexuals from all over the world come here, the HRT is in short supply and there are only a handful of overworked surgeons skilled in SRS procedures.
A new policy has been instated: only one treatment per person.
Meaning a transsexual has the choice between HRT and the surgery of their choice (SRS, top surgery, bottom surgery, BA, FFS, etc)

HRT or surgery?

You are pre-HRT and pre-op. Which do you choose? ('I wouldn't be able to choose' is not an answer.)
Which one is more important than the other to you?
And why? If you chose the surgery option - which surgery would you have?

Unlike all you fortunates, I am unable to do either at this time, so just humor me on this, please.



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Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Kate on August 05, 2007, 09:48:09 AM
Quote from: Nero on August 05, 2007, 08:22:46 AM
Meaning a transsexual has the choice between HRT and the surgery of their choice (SRS, top surgery, bottom surgery, BA, FFS, etc)

In order of what I'd do... like if I could have one thing only, or just two, or...

1) HRT
2) FFS (if needed to look female enough to ME)
3) SRS
4) BA

At this point in my life, HRT is absolutely critical to me. It may not always be, but for now...  I couldn't live without it. Everything else is optional. Important of course, but... optional.

~Kate~
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Debbie_Anne on August 05, 2007, 10:03:59 AM
Your question and scenario aren't logical.  HRT is a prerequisite to SRS in most cases.  I don't know of anyone having SRS without HRT first.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: cindianna_jones on August 05, 2007, 11:13:57 AM
Since it's a what if question, I'd say GRS.  That was the very most important to me.  I had to get rid of the hair on my face too!  But that's not surgery, right?  I would  absolutely need those two.... hey and guess what?  Those are pretty much the only two that I did get as it sits now!  Quite honestly, I'm not all so sure that hormones helped me all that much when I did take them. Of courses, back in the 80's, I'm not so sure that doctors were fully aware of the best HRT regimine.  I just took a stronger than normal dose of premarin.  But I didn't dote on those details back then... I only wanted GRS.  Perhaps I should have paid more attention.

Cindi
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Fae on August 05, 2007, 12:24:22 PM
For me, if it came down to HRT or an Orchiectomy....

In this hypothetical scenario, If I went with HRT then I'd still be stuck with my testicles and eventually I'd face the complications of long-term HRT use...

If I went with an Orchiectomy, then I'd never be able to obtain HRT, and therefore, I wouldn't have breast growth...plus my body wouldn't have ANY hormones, which I think is really dangerous long-term.

Tough choices... :-\

~Fae
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: taru on August 05, 2007, 02:36:48 PM
I think the priority list for me would be:

1) HRT
2) SRS
3) FFS (vanity, I don't think there is very much need for it at the moment)

I'm not interested in BA.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Nero on August 05, 2007, 06:42:27 PM
Quote from: Debbie_Anne on August 05, 2007, 10:03:59 AM
Your question and scenario aren't logical.  HRT is a prerequisite to SRS in most cases.  I don't know of anyone having SRS without HRT first.

That was the whole point.  ::) A hypothetical scenario in which you had to choose between the two.
Obviously, HRT wouldn't be a prerequisite in this scenario.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Kat on August 05, 2007, 06:46:10 PM
In this hypothetical scenario... HRT.  The changes brought about through HRT are the kind of things everyone sees. 
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: katia on August 05, 2007, 06:55:38 PM
i need to be psychologically, physiologically, legally, and anatomically female because that is what i am, female. so your scenario doesn't apply to me.  can't answer it truthfully.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Christine Eryn on August 05, 2007, 10:42:57 PM
Since I fell out of the ugly tree, made the ugly tree more ugly, and got beaten with the ugly stick, I would have FFS. Then again, it would not make a difference in your scenario, due to the fact it would be complimented by HRT. Actually this idea is not making any sense.  ???
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Thundra on August 05, 2007, 11:50:44 PM
If we cut to the chase, isn't the real question being asked here, is it more important to function sexually/physically as a female or is it more important to be accepted as female socially?
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: tinkerbell on August 06, 2007, 12:01:55 AM
Quote from: Katia on August 05, 2007, 06:55:38 PM
i need to be psychologically, physiologically, legally, and anatomically female because that is what i am, female. so your scenario doesn't apply to me.  can't answer it truthfully.

Changed to:


I need needed to be psychologically, physiologically, legally, and anatomically female because that is what I am, female. so your scenario doesn't apply to me.  I could never answer your thread truthfully with the options you have provided. It was all or nothing for me.

tink :icon_chick:


Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Fae on August 06, 2007, 12:05:42 AM
Quote from: Thundra on August 05, 2007, 11:50:44 PM
If we cut to the chase, isn't the real question being asked here, is it more important to function sexually/physically as a female or is it more important to be accepted as female socially?

Depends on the person, as I don't think we can really answer that question on a community level and apply it to everyone.

~Fae
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: MeghanAndrews on August 06, 2007, 12:35:20 AM
Well Nero, since you said hypothetical, I'm going to rank them in order of how important they are to me. #1 - #3 are very important to me, I don't really care about BA, whatever is there because of hormones will be there. Unless there's like nothing at all, then I'll have to do something about that.

1. HRT - Ddefinitely most important to me. Ridding my body of testesterone and replacing with estrogen ranks highest on my list.
2. FFS - I wasn't born with the feminine facial features so many of you were so this would be next. Getting GRS with this face, pfft, no way.
3. GRS - Ok, this would be #3 because I would do the other 2 first. That is exactly the order I am going to go in.
4. BA - We'll see, but not likely.

That's my list :) Meghan
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Kimberly on August 06, 2007, 12:51:47 AM
HRT > GRS.

But that said HRT to make sure and validate a few things... and then in time I would blow my brains out. I very nearly offed myself the first time not being able to get rid of the bottom parts came to light; That feeling has not changed at all.

But, for just a raw priority list:

HRT, a must
GRS, a must.
BA, something I don't want but I don't see living without as very viable.
FFS, something I don't particularly want and debate often whether I desire such change enough.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Jeannette on August 06, 2007, 03:12:52 AM
It sounds like the soylent green movie.  I'd go for GRS.  It's imperative for me to have a female body (including female genitals).  I could live without the rest but I could never live with male genitals.  That'd be a cross I don't think I could carry for the rest of my life.  I'd rather die than try.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Debbie_Anne on August 06, 2007, 03:36:23 AM
Quote from: Nero on August 05, 2007, 06:42:27 PM
That was the whole point.  ::) A hypothetical scenario in which you had to choose between the two.
Obviously, HRT wouldn't be a prerequisite in this scenario.

Ok, I'm sorry...  :( I guess I didn't understand that.  I don't always do well with hypothetical scenarios. 
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Rachael on August 06, 2007, 06:49:55 AM
Quote from: Debbie_Anne on August 05, 2007, 10:03:59 AM
Your question and scenario aren't logical.  HRT is a prerequisite to SRS in most cases.  I don't know of anyone having SRS without HRT first.
its entirely hypothetical... nero is offering us one or the other. as an idea... which would you take if you could only have one.
imo, hrt, my crotch isnt seen by everyone, and id take the female body over the nasty thing i had before...

R :police:
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Fae on August 06, 2007, 09:02:52 AM
Quote from: Rachael on August 06, 2007, 06:49:55 AM
Quote from: Debbie_Anne on August 05, 2007, 10:03:59 AM
Your question and scenario aren't logical.  HRT is a prerequisite to SRS in most cases.  I don't know of anyone having SRS without HRT first.
its entirely hypothetical... nero is offering us one or the other. as an idea... which would you take if you could only have one.
imo, hrt, my crotch isnt seen by everyone, and id take the female body over the nasty thing i had before...

R :police:

I have to agree.  I'd choose HRT simply because I could live with male genitals since I'm TG, but I wouldn't be able to handle having an otherwise male body - I love what estrogen has done to my body (awwww, my wittle boobies  :laugh:), and I wouldn't change that for the world.

~Fae
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Melissa on August 06, 2007, 01:16:39 PM
I'd choose HRT.  Then I'd go chop off my bits myself because I couldn't stand living with those.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Nero on August 06, 2007, 02:52:05 PM
Quote from: Jeannette on August 06, 2007, 03:12:52 AM
It sounds like the soylent green movie.  I'd go for GRS.  It's imperative for me to have a female body (including female genitals).  I could live without the rest but I could never live with male genitals.  That'd be a cross I don't think I could carry for the rest of my life.  I'd rather die than try.

I agree. I'd just have to have top surgery (masectomy and male chest reconstruction). The rest i could live with, even the non-passing bit. But having parts that don't belong to me is just really more than I could bear living with the rest of my life.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: tinkerbell on August 06, 2007, 10:44:18 PM
Quote from: Melissa on August 06, 2007, 01:16:39 PM
Then I'd go chop off my bits myself because I couldn't stand living with those.

Yourself?  Ouch! You'd better forget about this.  I tried it several times.  It isn't an easy thing to do.  Pretty messy and very painful.  The blades (of whatever you use) never seem to be sharp enough.  :(

tink :icon_chick:
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Nero on August 06, 2007, 11:29:22 PM
Quote from: regina on August 06, 2007, 11:20:37 PM
Nero, I think what I'd prefer to understand is exactly why you posed this question in the first place and what importance it has in your life? What did you hope to find out by asking it? Radical concept, huh? Enquiring minds want to know.

Lol It was a question begging to be asked.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Melissa on August 07, 2007, 12:58:15 AM
Quote from: Tink on August 06, 2007, 10:44:18 PM
Quote from: Melissa on August 06, 2007, 01:16:39 PM
Then I'd go chop off my bits myself because I couldn't stand living with those.

Yourself?  Ouch! You'd better forget about this.  I tried it several times.  It isn't an easy thing to do.  Pretty messy and very painful.  The blades (of whatever you use) never seem to be sharp enough.  :(
Yeah, myself.  I would probably order medical supplies (including something to numb it and a scalpel) off the internet, learn as much about the procedure as I can off the internet or through books, and then go for it.  If I died in the process then at least I wouldn't need to suffer anymore.  SRS and HRT are both something I really must have.  That or death, but at least I'd go down trying.
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Fer on August 20, 2007, 11:34:29 PM
I will follow Melissa.  I would choose HRT and do my own GRS.  I know many people who have.  It isnt so far from reality as some ppl may think :(
Title: Re: If you had to choose...HRT or Surgery?
Post by: Melissa on August 22, 2007, 04:13:15 PM
Quote from: redfish on August 20, 2007, 11:40:01 PM
Definitely HRT

I can't really describe why in words
HRT has given me the ability to completely live as a female, which got rid of about 90% of the dysphoria, so that's a good reason in itself if you want to figure it out by looking at numbers.