Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Okay so this is probably a weird question but it's been on my mind for too long and I'd like some opinions on this. I will be having top surgery soon, probably in just a few months, I've still got to be told the date.

Now I'm gonna be honest; surgery scares me to death. I've never had one and I'd like to know what the actual chances of dying are (from anesthesia, human error, complications during surgery etc.). Does anyone know if someone's died from this kind of surgery? Or if not dead, has someone ended up in a coma, with brain damage or any other consequence, or has died from some complication post-op? And please be honest guys, don't tell me that you can't die from it because ALL surgeries have a risk. The other day I read a young girl died from teeth surgery, like for real. o.o

So yeah I may sound paranoid but I truly am worried about this. Thanks in advance for your answers guys!

(Hi, nice to meet you!)

To be honest, I don't think its very likely. I've got a really bad phobia of hospitals, but I've had surgery (non-related to gender) in the past, and nothing went wrong. There is a very, very small chance that something might happen, but think about what will happen after the surgery! Try and think positively, and if you're really worried, maybe talk to a therapist?

Loren

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I understand why you'd be worried, but I think its an irrational fear.

To put it in perspective have a look at this list of causes of death. Nobody much worries about car accidents, and yet they are 2% of deaths. You've probably got more chance of dying on the drive to the hospital than this kind of surgery.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate

QuoteYou've probably got more chance of dying on the drive to the hospital than this kind of surgery.

Very true, and the farther you live from the hospital...

We tell people this about whitewater canoe trips all the time: once you get to the river, the really dangerous part is over.

Yes, people do die from surgeries but consider that many people die in a surgery intended to save their life. Consider someone in a car accident bleeding to death. Without surgery they will die with surgery they might die. The numbers about the death rate don't tell the whole story. If you are in good health and the surgery is a common one, the risk of death goes way down. Yes, I have pre surgical jitters every time they put me on the table and I will continue to but I am healthy and I try to avoid surgeries that aren't really needed.

Everything we do involves some sort of risk.

I personally have never heard of anyone dying from top surgery.  Mine went really well.  I did get a minor staph infection about five weeks out, but antibiotics and daily wound care cleared it up.

Trust me, the benefits outweigh the risks.  Go for the gold.

People die from stupid things like reactions to the anesthesia.  Things like that happen no matter how hard we try to control it.  I do agree you're more likely to die in the car on the way to the hospital than from any consequences of surgery.     

Gender surgery is regarded as low risk surgery. Yes things can go wrong but it is very rare. Of course the surgeon will give you warnings for all possible complications but they have too by law.

My surgeon included the possibility of bleeding. He did then say, Of course I'll be cutting you open, so of course there will be some bleeding, but I have to tell you ::)

I don't think there are studies on risks and complications of just top surgery. I would not think that you would die. When people say you can die from surgery I think of complicated surgeries like brain and heart surgery.

Thanks everyone for your answers! I feel more calmed down now and I understand what you're saying, it is a very very small chance then if I am more likely to die from a car accident when going to the hospital than of the surgery itself (if that's the case). I was so worried, still am in a way, but I guess nothing is gonna happen, if no one has heard of anyone dying from this kind of surgery. But then, what are the chances of someone being born trans? One in a million perhaps? Of course that had to be me /sigh. So if there's a 1 in a million chance of dying, that could perfectly be me, with my luck lol. Anyway thanks again boys, I just hope everything goes well. :/

The odds of being born transexual are around 1 in 600 but not everybody decides on treatment.

Your concerns are totally valid (who wouldn't fear the unknown?), but try not to let it stop you, if surgery is something you want. I guess at some point I decided that the risks of going under the knife were worth it, if I could have the body I've been dreaming of for who knows how long. Just remember that you know yourself best, and to always keep that in mind when transitioning—if something feels right in regards to your transition, it probably is, for you!

Statistically you have a much better chance dying in a car wreck.

I wouldn't worry, It's fun when after they roll you out into the recovery room they start screaming at you to wake you up. The first time I had surgery the only thing I remember are the nurses yelling my name because I must of been out pretty good.

Quote from: Manny on July 02, 2015, 08:01:20 AM
Thanks everyone for your answers! I feel more calmed down now and I understand what you're saying, it is a very very small chance then if I am more likely to die from a car accident when going to the hospital than of the surgery itself (if that's the case). I was so worried, still am in a way, but I guess nothing is gonna happen, if no one has heard of anyone dying from this kind of surgery. But then, what are the chances of someone being born trans? One in a million perhaps? Of course that had to be me /sigh. So if there's a 1 in a million chance of dying, that could perfectly be me, with my luck lol. Anyway thanks again boys, I just hope everything goes well. :/

At 2% you've got about 20000 in a million chance of dying in car accident during you're life time. Anyway, look on the bright side, if you die in top surgery you'll be famous. First person ever!

Quote from: Tysilio on July 01, 2015, 07:19:42 PM
Very true, and the farther you live from the hospital...

We tell people this about whitewater canoe trips all the time: once you get to the river, the really dangerous part is over.

And I'd consider whitewater canoeing if you only could have a general anesthetic for it.

Phobia's are nothing to scoff at but instead of focusing on the surgery, try to focus on how good it will feel to get an unwanted weight off of your chest.

Quote from: White Rabbit on July 02, 2015, 02:05:41 PM
Phobia's are nothing to scoff at but instead of focusing on the surgery, try to focus on how good it will feel to get an unwanted weight off of your chest.

Nicely put.

Also, while I'm thinking about it, an unreasonable percentage of the surgery horror stories you hear come from procedures done outside a hospital, whether that's a walk-in clinic, or a doc-in-a-box, or whatever.   

The greater risk is from complications or infection after the surgery. But again, it's abated by good aftercare and unlikely.

It's a bit strange, but I'm a lot more afraid of injections than surgery, and I've had both. Surgery doesn't bother me at all, but the injection beforehand certainly does.

Like others have said, the risk is very low, especially with a good surgeon. I have a fear of hospitals and a fear of surgery, so I get where you're coming from, but you've gotta try and keep your mind off it and remind yourself that everything will be fine.

Yeah they're super low. Top surgery won't be my first surgery if I'm gonna be honest. I've already gone through a major surgery far more risky than this one.
When I was 14 I had spinal fusion surgery due to my scoliosis. Working with the spinal cord made me really nervous like. What if something goes wrong and I'm paralyzed? What if I get an infection? I was really scared! I figured if I trusted my surgeon nothing would go wrong and I was right in doing so!
Be strong!

Although the risk of dying in surgery is very low, the question to ask is the risk of dying by not having the surgery outweigh the risk of dying during surgery?  We lose too many people in the struggle to be their true selves. Sometimes you have to trust and believe that everything will be ok.

Lots of good advice here. During my 33 year anesthesia career I often informed our patients that the risky part of their day was driving to the hospital.  As many have noted, its true.  Statistical data in the USA is not easy to find as our national data base is dependent on self reporting.  There are multiple factors that influence your individual risk and we use an ASA category to give patients a numerical rating.  A thorough preoperative interview and assessment is critical and we are wise to be completely candid about our history including what medications we take.  Our home use of alcohol and other drugs is important to share as it impacts our ability to metabolize anesthesia medication.  In my career I never lost a patent during elective surgery.  If we talk about trauma and emergency surgery it is a whole different calculation.

It is reasonable to consider risks and be well informed.  Once we make the decision to proceed it is to our advantage to have a positive attitude going in with our focus on how good we're going to feel when it's over.

Quote from: Colleen M on July 02, 2015, 06:49:53 PM
Also, while I'm thinking about it, an unreasonable percentage of the surgery horror stories you hear come from procedures done outside a hospital, whether that's a walk-in clinic, or a doc-in-a-box, or whatever.

I only had one visit to a Doc in a box but she was incredible. I sliced open my finger and the only indication it happened is a white line where the cut was. The crease lines even line up perfectly. I cut it while I was out of state but I always want to show her how good it turned out.

There's risk every time you go under anesthesia.  Your health also has an effect on how your body will handle the anesthesia.  I've only heard of one guy who had severe complication from surgery.  He was heavily overweight and had congestive heart failure.  If I recall correctly he was in a coma for a short period of time.  He made it out of all of that and if better now, last I heard.