Susan's Place Transgender Resources

There aren't enough of these on here so I figured I might as well post.

I'm having SRS with Mcginn next Tuesday in Bristol, PA wooo!!!  Currently excited as heck but also simultaneously nervous and terrified at the pain prospects and possibility of complications.  I mean...just read this one description of how a particular transgirl kinda became after her surgery that was in the NYTimes.  See here (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/nyregion/transgender-minors-gender-reassignment-surgery.html?_r=0).

But anyway, so I had my consultation back in early March.  My impression was that the clinic itself (which feels like a cozy hidden hole in the wall!) gives a truly personalized experience--and both me and my mother really liked Mcginn as a professional and surgeon.  She specializes in trans healthcare specifically, her staff is top notch, she didn't spare any details or exaggerate anything, she seems to know her stuff and I chose her after reading up a lot of anecdotes online.  Low rates of complications, good aesthetics, high rates of sensitivity, lack of a need to get on a plane (I live in CT, albeit I will be recovering at my mother's in Manhattan once I leave New Hope--also, US Surgeon so insurance coverage is easier--btw I have it :D), has a nice CV and is trans herself, all positives IMHO.  My only other main concern besides health complications and pain right now is hair (which I noted in another topic here (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,196423.msg1748741.html)).  I still have some thick hair at the base of the shaft after 6 months of flash thermolysis with a tech in New Haven when the hair removal diagram she gives (which is more of an actual photo of somebody's pre-op genitals rather than a diagram, hence I'm not posting it LOL) includes that area.  Yes I did treat it, that was actually the area we had to go over the most in fact :v.  Thinking I might've gotten better results with blend but it's too late now, I ain't delaying this longer and I've gone by her guideline (5-6 months electrolysis with one clearing a month, and I did several clearings alright...not monthly, but WEEKLY).  Plus with her technique, I think that hair will be treatable anyway as it'll be external.  See verbatim appt summary form description of procedure.

QuoteVaginoplasty: We do a one stage inverted penile technique using the scrotum as a skin graft to make the back of the vagina.  We reduce the glans penis to make a sensate clitoris.  The nerves of the clitoris are in the mons pubis.  The labia are made from penile foreskin.  The urethra is shortened and wrapped around the clitoris to make a clitoral hood.  The hood provides protection and lubrication to the clitoris.  The areas that have the most sensation are the mons, clitoris, and the g-spot inside the vagina.  The surgery takes about 3-4 hours.

Anyway, otherwise she does require you to go cold turkey on estrogen 2 weeks in advance to avoid blood clots (I did 2 weeks one day...hah).  She allows you to stay on spiro though until day before (Other surgeons, like Bowers for example do the opposite (her website says stay on low dosage estradiol no spiro), funky, but meh, whatever).

Anyway, health history stuff for ya'll to get a good idea of who the lady who is going through this is:

I'm currently 24 y.o as of this month, circ'ed (yes I asked about that, even with the surgery description involving foreskin it really isn't an issue) and started hormones a few months after I turned 18, I never stopped hormones up until now (doing fine now actually going cold turkey on estrogen, oddly enough).  At the consult I was 193 lbs at 5'10.5".  Mcginn recommended I lose weight for the graft to take better and therefore to get a better result, I did, I'm now like 145 after 7 months.  I also am a non-smoker discovered during the pre-op blood tests that apparently I have Gilbert Syndrome, hah.

I'm not looking forward to bowel prep (liquid diet on Sunday, clear liquid on Monday+magnesium and fleet enemas).  I'll also be staying at the Gaia House, largest suite as my mom is going to be my surgery buddy and wants her own bed and not just a pullout (that was the only room with a true spare bed rather than a pullout).  So we'll see how it goes, hoping for the best.

Congratulations and best wishes for the best possible outcome! :)

Keep us updated!!! I'm scheduled for Dec. with her.

Hugs

Jen

Good luck!
Don't fear the bowel prep... It's not so bad. :)

Good luck.

I'm so envious! She's my top choice right now, for all the same reasons you mentioned, plus I like the pictures I've seen so far. I'm still in the early stages of research though. I'm hoping to start "full-time" at college in January, probably not at work until the summer though. So yeah, it'll be a while, lol.

Anywho, best of luck to you. I will be watching this thread like a hawk. :-)

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,193067.msg1721458.html#msg1721458

Brassard might be another option...

but its up to each one to do some research and compare...

I have a question for you, how long ago did you book your surgery with McGinn? How long is or was the wait list at the time?

I too am curious about the waiting list. About a month or two ago I was told Bowers was 2 years. I was also told that McGinn has a more complicated situation with insurance. I really like both.

McGinn takes full payment then helps you file with insurance for reimbursement whereas Bowers will file with insurance and you just pay the copay, yes? I seem to recall reading that once.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on September 24, 2015, 11:41:09 PM
I too am curious about the waiting list. About a month or two ago I was told Bowers was 2 years. I was also told that McGinn has a more complicated situation with insurance. I really like both.

This too, I hear Bowers refers people to McGinn because the wait is shorter too, or she used to.  It seems like the "more complicated" insurance filing with McGinn would help keep the wait list a bit shorter as well.

Were you on a "cancellation list" or something where they'll call you and bump up the surgery date if a sooner one becomes available?  hehe.

Do Tell!

We're all so hungry for information.  Thank you, thank you, for whatever you can provide, and I think I speak for everyone (most of us?) when I say we wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery!  Again, so jealous!  LOL.

Here are some specific responses to your questions ;).

Quote from: KristinaM on September 24, 2015, 09:51:12 PM
I have a question for you, how long ago did you book your surgery with McGinn? How long is or was the wait list at the time?

My Timeline:
I emailed the intake form 10/23/14, got a call about a week or so later.  Had an in-person consult booked for 3/2/15.  At the consult, I placed my $2,500 deposit down with a personal check for a 9/29 surgery date (9/15 was actually available, but my mom, who is a semi-observant Jew, wouldn't be my surgery buddy over Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur).  Note: You usually need a surgery date to apply for pre-cert with insurance.  I also was never on a cancellation list and never would've entered one anyway as I was dealing with pre-surgical electrolysis on a specific timetable.

Quote from: Wynternight on September 25, 2015, 12:13:03 AM
McGinn takes full payment then helps you file with insurance for reimbursement whereas Bowers will file with insurance and you just pay the copay, yes? I seem to recall reading that once.

It is actually more complex than that.  To be quite specific there are actually three separate charges regarding surgery which are all handled differently.  All fees are obviously subject to change if you decide to book Mcginn!  It actually increased from about sub 20k to 21k right around when I booked.

A: Mcginn's fee, this is currently $14,750 for my own surgery including the deposit.
B: Liberty Anesthesia Associates fee, currently $1,350.
C: Lower Bucks hospital fee, currently $4,900.

Fees A and B were due 9/1 in my case, fee C is payable in person day of surgery by any method.  A and B must be paid by certified check/money order, albeit you can place up to $3,000 of fee A on a credit card without a surcharge.  Furthermore, she accepted a personal check for the surgery deposit.

MORE:
Mcginn's office will help you apply for pre-cert (they are good at it too, they actually did it 3x in my case as I have my own insurance, then I am insured under my mom, who changed carriers in August--don't ask!!) but will not directly bill insurance and you must therefore be reimbursed by your insurance company.  Thus, to use Mcginn, you need to be able to front at least her fee only.

However, fees B and C however you DO NOT need to front if you can get a pre-cert # from the insurance company.  Funny, I actually had to front the anesthesiologist fee, but I won't pay the hospital in my case because, lol...the pre-cert on my mom's new insurance didn't go through until September and my work insurance refuses to cover surgery.  Honestly I think I got coverage through my mom's insurance because it is an NYS small group plan (yay Cuomo's order last year) and therefore is covered under NYS law, while I work for a fortune 500 company in CT that is self-insured, hence my personal plan is governed by federal ERISA legislation rather than CT legislation (CT is also better than fed, they have a statute on this just like NY).

Even more interesting to complicate the insurance matter, I managed to get an in-network coverage exception given the lack of GRS/SRS/whatever you wanna call it surgeons in the NY Metro area.  This means my insurance company may apply a network discount to Mcginn's fee, which means I may need to pay more than max out of pocket for my mother's plan ($6,350) as I signed paperwork stating she gets her whole fee regardless.  As for Lower Bucks and Liberty though, as they bill directly, they may only be entitled to whatever in-network rate the insurance company gives them rather than what Mcginn quoted in her paperwork!  But yet again, I don't know what the likelihood of my insurance company having a fee schedule for GCS is (no fee schedule=no network discount--I'm hoping)!

Also, some other matters.

A: I got a raging headache at a Yankee game last night, probs due to lack of hormones, finally feeling it.  Btdubs yanks beat white sox woo!
B: If I wasn't clear, Gaia House = Mcginn's new Bed and Breakfast.
C: I had to spend like 200 bucks on supplies for surgery including vitamins, pads, ensure, enemas, magnesium citrate, a high quality donut cushion (didn't want one of those inflatable pieces of junk) and more.  The room at the Gaia was also $200 a night, but yet again we got the best room.  In fact, because there's so little about the Gaia House online, let me post the info I got by email about it.  Pics are here (http://imgur.com/a/XkZYy).

QuoteIt was a pleasure to talk to you this afternoon. As I mentioned in our conversation, I've attached the following room pictures and one of our kitchen. Unfortunately, we don't have pictures yet of Room 3. Dr. McGinn has designed all of the rooms similarly so that by looking at the pictures of the other rooms, you'll get an idea of what room 3 looks like. They are all beautiful!

We are located in downtown New Hope along the Delaware River only a block or two from restaurants and boutique shops. Dr. McGinn's office, the Giant grocery store and Rite Aid are located in the same shopping center approximately 5 minutes from Gaia Guest House.

We have WiFi throughout the house. Each room has its own bathroom and a separate twin bed for an extra person. All rooms except Room 2 have fireplaces. A coffee bar, snacks, microwave and refrigerators are located on both levels just outside our guest rooms.

In addition, we provide breakfast entree choices made fresh each morning. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or any other dietary needs. Guests may have breakfast at our kitchen table overlooking the river or request room service.

Dr. McGinn's Papillon Center gives each of her patients a 50% discounted room rate.  Please see below:

Grand Riverview, Room 1: Pictures 1-5 ($200/night; Queen bed; Steam shower; Balcony)
Riverview South, Room 2: Pictures 6-9 ($112.50/night; Full bed; Balcony)
Courtyard South, Room 3 ($142.50/night; Queen bed)
Canal North, Room 4: Pictures 10-12 ($112.50/night; Full bed; Garden level)
Canal South, Room 5: Pictures 13-16  ($175/night; Queen bed; Garden level)

Our guests find our house very peaceful and relaxing. We have abundant wildlife and a historic towpath that people walk, jog or bike for miles in either direction.

We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your consideration.

I'll keep ya'll posted, and thanks for the encouragement on the bowel prep.

Great photo's. Gaia house looks really nice.

Congrats. She is on my short list as well, recommended by my therapist since she is relatively close.

I might start planning for this mid next year so I can get something in 2017.

2016 being an election year is going to be pretty busy for me.

Bowers has Oct 13 of this year open...  I cancelled.....

Jen

I need to take a closer look at McGinn. She doesn't look like she's gotten into the assembly line mode like Bowers or Suporn. I want personalised care. I want to be the center of her universe whilst I'm under her care. If she can give me that then I'm sold.

Quote from: Wynternight on September 26, 2015, 01:59:55 AM
I need to take a closer look at McGinn. She doesn't look like she's gotten into the assembly line mode like Bowers or Suporn. I want personalised care. I want to be the center of her universe whilst I'm under her care. If she can give me that then I'm sold.
[/quote

Exactly why I chose McGinn.  So far, very impressed.....

Jen ]

Quote from: Wynternight on September 26, 2015, 01:59:55 AM
I need to take a closer look at McGinn. She doesn't look like she's gotten into the assembly line mode like Bowers or Suporn. I want personalised care. I want to be the center of her universe whilst I'm under her care. If she can give me that then I'm sold.

Just one word of caution, with her your pay up front and ask insurance to reimburse, IIRC.

An update:

The last two days on ensure and clear liquids have gone fine--but GOOD GRIEF, insurance has gotten more complex than expected.

So now that I have coverage, believe it or not I have to front more money than I originally anticipated (not that I can't do it, I have the credit and funds in my bank account to do it).

Basically, the $4,900 I quoted earlier for the hospital is apparently Lower Bucks' self-pay fee.  It is actually LOWER than what they bill insurance, even in-network.  They are billing insurance a much higher amount (probably more than 8k), and they want me to front my entire deductible.  The deductible on my family plan is $7,500 and only about $300 in expenses has been met on it this plan year so far (started Aug).  But get this, my family plan has a max individual out of pocket of $6,350. So I should only have to pay that max individual out of pocket, obviously.

So my mom and I were just on the phone with the hospital who got bad info from the provider services department of the insurance company lacking info about the max individual out of pocket.  We were finally able to convince them to take the $6,350 I owe after about 20 minutes worth of phone calls to them and insurance co, rather than ovepay them 7k+...sigh.

I really don't need this before surgery day.  And here I thought I wouldn't owe the hospital anything as I already paid Mcginn. Apparently not, and now I have to wait over a month for a ridiculously large reimbursement check from the insurance company (also reimbursement from the anesthesiologist apparently) after overpaying!  Sigh...

Otherwise I'm suprisingly emotionally stable right now, there was this young woman at Mcginn's clinic who was freaking out about her surgery the next day back in March.  I'm not feeling that way and am actually pretty calm (and believe me, I have a full grasp of what's going to happen, well as much of one as I could have given this is my first ever major surgery).  Magnesium starts in 30 min, wish me luck :D.

Good luck and very best wishes!!

Good luck with your surgery!

Dr. McGinn did mine back in June and I'm happy with it. The nurses at Lower Bucks were wonderful especially Susan and  Kimme!

Your mother can stay in the room with you apparently as a friend of mine stayed there with me and they'll provide the meals too. I didn't have to pay extra for this either. Saved on the  hotel/taxi fees, especially as she doesn't drive.

Diana at Gaia House is also fantastic! The breakfasts are out of this world.

Wishing you good thoughts on your surgery!

Love,
Clare

I wish I had seen this earlier and could have added more information for you but the first 3 weeks are the worst of all before you begin to feel better.

It's done...omg.  YES!!!!

The moments leading up to the surgery were so tense but the staff here has been so kind to me during check in and what not.  There were people all around me for quite some time in the prep room but all the hospital staff were so reassuring in the moments before.  Last thing I remembered was lackadaisically lying down on the surgery table after they wheeled me to the OR on a mobile bed.

Fyi: If you're looking for extreme handholding from the surgeon (which i wasn't). Mcginn is not necessarily for you...albeit, maybe that was also because I didn't really need it as I was relatively resolved and calm; both Heather and Mcginn did maybe a little handholding but both were also straight and to the point during the prep time.  Truly professional though and heather and I spoke about our shared status as Penn State alums.  They gave me plenty of time to think about everything and the complications up until the last minute.  We went over everything and was able to make an informed final decision.

Surgery was about 3.5 hours, I was unconscious/semi-conscious for about 5.  No immediate complications except apparently they had to use extra stitches inside my vagina while working on me.  Waking up in the post-op room was kinda uncomfortable but I'm better now in the patient room.

So I'm quite weak atm and lying in my patient bed.  So far, pain has been minimal except for the fact I'm stuck on my butt on a semi-hard bed (and I lost my fat cushioning via weight loss).  Nurse is saying that is actually my vagina/vulva, but hey, I can't tell where it is because I have seen it yet.  Regardless,  I haven't had to use the morphine pump at all and my family has been hanging out with me in the patient room since I woke up.  My mom, father, and my fathers gf are all here for me...this is usually like never the case due to their difficult divorce years ago.  It is crazy, this surgery has brought them all together behind me and has made everything so much easier so far :D.

Otherwise, some other stuff.  They used a lot of lubricant on my eyes during anesthesia and I still have some below my eyes I think but i don't really care.  Mouth is really dry but the occasional ice tastes awesome.  Furthermore, magnesium citrate (grape from cvs) bowel prep last night was easy...but the enema this morning, I had trouble using it and eventually my mom had to assist me.  The enema was only horrible part of the prep imho.

The hospital itself furthermore is in an iffy area but don't let that fool you.  It is modern and very clean and staffed.  Quiet atm too :D.  Much better than this one hospital in New Rochelle my mom went to for foot surgery, and got c diff/ischemic colitis at it :/ lol.  You can also, fyi: Consider having family staying further north near sesame place if you can handle the drive, there's apparently a nice Sheraton there (local motels/hotels near the hotel are iffy).

Congratulations!

Congratulations and welcome to the posties club :)

Hope recovery goes well for you

Hugs

Sorcha  ;D

Congrats! So excited for you! I wish you a speedy recovery!

Congratulations!!!!

The worst is over. 

Hugs

Jen

This is really encouraging. Thanks for sharing. I am scared stiff of the pain. But I want it gone so bad and my correctly reconstructed organ in its place. I may start the ball rolling with her to see what I need to do.

And congratulations to you! Must be a real relief that the big part is over...

Some information was apparently withheld, I learned more this afternoon.

I heard about "extra stitches" in the primary recovery room as I was waking up.  Turns out what actually happened was more than that.  Due to weight loss, the ligaments that held my rectum near my bladder were pretty loose.  Mcginn overtore them slightly making room for the vaginal cavity, and repaired it in the Operating Room with a four layer graft of muscle fibers and such.

She ran a dye test in the OR to determine the existence of a fistula, it was sealed tight, no fistula.  However, because of the extra work, I will be stuck in bed at the hospital during my entire inpatient stay and will also have the packing replaced, rather than removed during the first post op appt.  I then am going to have to return a week later to have the new packing removed and then start dilating.

So, I unfortunately won't really be eating much except ensure at the bnb (as that is easy on the colon) as we need the rectum to heal fully and I don't want to end up with a colostomy bag...at least she was more than qualified to make the correction during the surgery though.

A positive though, I asked if the stretched skin due to weight loss allowed her to be generous with the labia minora on my vulva (given her technique using mainly stretched penis skin for that area).  She said yes, and despite the complications, said I made the right decision to lose all that weight.  She was able to do quite well on aesthetics.  Just hoping my lower digestive tract heals well.

Congratulations on the completion of your surgery. You are in good hands with both Heather and Dr. McGinn. I found the hardest part of my hospital stay was staying on my back all the time!

If any of your nurses are named Susan or Kimme, let them know Clare from back in June says hello!

Good luck girl!!!! and best wishes for a perfect recovery..
Keri

Recovery in my case is getting difficult.

I had horrible GI problems last night.  I couldn't sleep even after I took two ambiens prescribed by the nurse.  It felt like acid reflux and gas.  Even after taking iv meds for both gas and reflux, still had issues sleeping.  The only reason I think I was able to finally stay asleep is because I went delirious from the pain...at least the pain went away when I woke up, especially since I was given permission to use a bedpan to let out the gas.

Now I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet as today is goal discharge day, but **** it is difficult to eat, especially after the total freak out last night.  I however just have to be extra cautious, this recovery is much harder than I anticipated it would be.  I mean, I never read anything about major gi problems from friends or anecdotes online...so :( (wish I did but no one wrote about it or told me, ugggh)

At least the pain down in my genital area is literally nothing and just w/e.  Furthermore, they had me walk around the patient wing today, I was able to do it but my vision was blurry and it was nauseating.

Being told over and over now to drink a boost nutritional drink, wish me luck now cuz I have to...*GULP*.

Good Luck!

It will take time but it will get better!!!!

Hugs

Jen

Omg...just

Holy ****, it took forever but I'm out of the hospital.  Also, the issue during my last post was really just TREMENDOUS GAS after three days straight bedrest.  Right before I left the hospital, I sat on the toilet (as I finally had permission), I literally just exploded poop, and just RELIEF.  It literally sounded like an eruption, my mom flushed it before I could see it though hah.  (I guess I had a lot difficulty pooping into the bedpan)

Then, more fun but I made it...if you've been watching the news right now we're being hit hurricane Joaquin/a nor'easter.  Therefore, getting to the bnb (especially walking from the car lot into the front entrance of the bnb) was extrenuating.  I had to hold the umbrella as it was too small to cover both of us, plus I was freezing cold as I walked from the car to the front door in nothing but PJ's and a snuggie.  Once we were inside and upstairs though (climb was really tough), just lol...GAIA is super clean, modern, shnazzy, a RECOVERY PARADISE.  Even more so too, my mom looked at the extra bed in the Grand Riverview room and immediately and spoke with the bnb keeper as she figured she'd have issues sleeping on it.  They let us just simply move to the two rooms across the hall (which are adjoined with a door) given her request for real bed.  It's all good now, so glad I'm out of the hospital, it must've been having more of an effect on my morale than I realized.

Only real issue now is that my legs tingle like hell because they've been in pressure wraps for days.  They're also quite itchy...meh.

Oh and funny addition, with the catheter in (possibly for another week and a half in my case in fact). I have to pee standing up...LOL.  Getting up is very doable with assistance right now so it's no big deal though.  I know there's a vulva down there, just a week and a half of auto-pee out of a capped tube (you don't use your bladder sphincter to pee with a catheter, it just comes out).

That is some serious irony...
https://youtu.be/-GuOceSJWas

Quote from: TG CLare on September 29, 2015, 02:09:30 PM
Good luck with your surgery!

Dr. McGinn did mine back in June and I'm happy with it. The nurses at Lower Bucks were wonderful especially Susan and  Kimme!

Your mother can stay in the room with you apparently as a friend of mine stayed there with me and they'll provide the meals too. I didn't have to pay extra for this either. Saved on the  hotel/taxi fees, especially as she doesn't drive.

Diana at Gaia House is also fantastic! The breakfasts are out of this world.

Wishing you good thoughts on your surgery!

Love,
Clare

I wish I had seen this earlier and could have added more information for you but the first 3 weeks are the worst of all before you begin to feel better.

Lol, she said you came down to visit yesterday or the day before (days are still rolling together) before your post-op checkup and that you said hi :P.  So, hi back ;).

Yes btw I can concur that the cream of wheat and especially the yogurt here are fantastic!  It's all I can unfortunately eat now though.

Btw: goodness this packing is getting tiring.  I had a freakout last night due to an incessant feeling of butterflies in my torso, hot flashes and sweating...I calmed down about it, tried to go back to sleep.  When I got up (I really can't tell if I really slept) I came to a conclusion given tremors I could see in the daylight that it was hypoglycemia.  Jeez Apple/cranberry juice was like pure adrenaline in my system when I had it!

Also as I peed a little blood 20 min ago, given specific instructions I recalled to call if you pee blood, I called the PA.  She said that was normal as the catheter was in so long.  But good god, I nearly fainted in panic after that yelling at my mom to pull my pj's up already so I could roll back into bed.

Thus, I guess I can conclude that recovery even at the Gaia is hard, but damn I'm looking forward to the first post-op appt tomorrow.  I want to see my vulva already even if it looks like a bruised tomato!  The packing is like a gift wrap I've been told I can't open on a long awaited present!

Omg...
The results I got to see today after removing the packing...I was expecting a bruised tomato.  As McGinn herself put it though, nope, it's frankenpussy!  To think I half expected to still see a penis down there given the like 5 lbs of packing and gauze she put over my vulva (god it made a massive bulge in my pjs).  Nope!!!

Removal of the packing was four seriously sharp snips (for the packing), and a tremendous 2 second sting for catheter removal (re-insertion was worse, 5 seconds and in two directions as she had to pull to adjust the catheter, and yes I'm still catheterized, will explain...).  She then tweezed off several blood clots and pulled out lots of bloody gauze :).

I must've followed recovery instructions well as there was minimal bruising, and she seriously got some exceptional external appearance, behind the hairy labia majora (haven't shaved for two weeks given she specifically states to shave exactly 7 days before surgery) my labia minora are indeed quite well defined and go all the way to the bottom of the vaginal opening, they don't stick out of the majora when I stand but meh, kinda to be expected...they are VISIBLE though when I stand though!!  My clitoris is also rather sensate (I literally jumped when she prodded it) and visible+hooded in my vulva. Depth was around 5 inches.  There is like no hair around the vaginal opening, albeit there may be some in my labia minora further up (which was originally the base of the penis...see her site, kinda predictable as she said that hair is hard to treat). That is ofc treatable after surgery...but we need to see if there is other regrowth later.

Regardless, good god, the whole endeavor was exhilarating and also I felt like a lab rat.  So many new sensations at once, and finally seeing a vagina/no penis down there under the packing...I nearly fainted.  My mom and McGinn were having a discussion after the fact and I like had to tell McGinn three times to get her attention, "Hey can I get some water?!". Lol.

But yeah, we however did not go over dilation, instead, I actually had new sterile gauze inserted into my vagina and the catheter put back in.  We didn't sew it back in though. The reason was related to the earlier hiccup in surgery, McGinn really wants my rectum to heal WELL after the enterotomy she performed to correct it in the operating room (dilation could cause issues with that due to proximity).  She did however assure me given the packing, I won't lose depth.  I might have a little less in the end though given now is expansion time, but you know what, it's probably more important that I don't start defecating out of my beautiful new vulva! (Tbh, I probably don't have a lot of room for expansion in there anyway, nature did not gift me with anything other than slender hips and broad shoulders, ugggghhh).  She is having me actually hold the packing in with a clean finger when I stand to use the toilet/pee/shower, so I guess I'll still get acquainted with where my new introitus is (look for the bottom of the minora, I've noticed is a good way to do it).  Otherwise, I'm on bed rest another week and still on a liquid diet, woo!  She also convinced my fam to have me stay in new hope rather than shlep three times to Manhattan (there, back, and there again) until Monday (thank goodness!)

If you have any medical knowledge, you might also be wondering with this setup, what about toxic shock syndrome?  Well, she actually put me on another antibiotic (was originally on flagyl only, now flagyl and bactrum), plus the gauze was literally soaked in antibiotics overnight, so I should be good, albeit ridiculously queasy.

So, this part of recovery should be annoying, but relaxing...so glad there's nothing between my legs now except a semi permanent max absorbency gauze tampon and a thin maxi pad.    We're also holding it together with spanx.  Just need to pretend I'm now having a week long super messy period (in a way I kinda am with all the blood) and pee out of a catheter for another week.  My spirits are higher than ever! :D.

Through all the details, it really feels like I can picture what's going on, and I crave my own appointment with McGinn like never before, lol.  Even through all the "horror stories" you're telling us, it all sounds so worth it.  Thank you, thank you.  I hope you continue to have a smooth recovery!

There are studies showing the tissue of a neovagina can over months turn into a mucosa with hormonal influence.
And mucosa has no hairs  :)

Some people use an estrogen crem additionally to hrt from time to time in the vagina.
It should be estrogen cream from a gyn, over the counter cream usually does not content enough estrogen.


hugs

You had a little trouble but it was fixed. You'll be inconvenienced a bit, but WOW. It is done! It's all upside from now on sister. You have what you've always wanted. You are YOU! Congrats, although belated.

Cindi

Dear Jessie;

Glad you are on the road to recovery, Jessie, and pleased Diana sent my wishes to you. I did see your Mom on my way into Gaia House, you look a lot like her. (Found out it was your Mom afterward.) Maybe she might remember me on the Saturday? I thought it might be too early to come up and say hi because I needed my rest when I got out of the hospital and besides, privacy is important.

Your experience was similar to mine. I almost jumped out of the chair when Dr. McGinn poked me there as well! (lol) I know she sounded disappointed when I said "what did I do to myself?" the first time I looked in the mirror! Her response was that she doesn't often hear that but we since have worked that out. It was post surgical shock for me. I had seen before/after pictures like a lot of us have but nothing immediate post-op!

You are in very good hands with Dr. McGinn she will take excellent care of you and I can promise you that things will definitely get better. I didn't think so at the time but they have. The hard part is over, Jessie, it only gets better from here.

Follow her instructions as best you can and you'll be well on your way to recovery.

Love,
Clare

So how goes the recovery?  Everything OK I hope.  :)

Good Luck!  You're the envy of many! :)
xx

Update:

This part of the recovery has been HARD.

Sleep is fleeting, pooping right now on a liquid diet is terrifying, and Mcginn's instructions to put a finger up my hoo-hah every time I get up to hold the packing in is a logistic nightmare.  On top of all of that, just this constant throbbing/pressure in my vag (which compounds my urinary and defectors sensations due to simple proximity). Yaaarrrrgh.

I guess you all can take the following from my SRS.

A: Everyone's recovery is different, and ->-bleeped-<- happens, you can have a complication that will make things harder.

B: McGinn seems to know her stuff.

Dear Jessie;

Hang in there. It isn't forever and eventually you'll look back on the experience and forget about the situation you are in now.

I concur with you that Dr. McGinn knows her stuff.

Love,
Clare

How are you today, Jessie?

Quote from: JessieBirdie on October 09, 2015, 09:13:02 AM
Update:

This part of the recovery has been HARD.

Sleep is fleeting, pooping right now on a liquid diet is terrifying, and Mcginn's instructions to put a finger up my hoo-hah every time I get up to hold the packing in is a logistic nightmare.  On top of all of that, just this constant throbbing/pressure in my vag (which compounds my urinary and defectors sensations due to simple proximity). Yaaarrrrgh.

I guess you all can take the following from my SRS.

A: Everyone's recovery is different, and ->-bleeped-<- happens, you can have a complication that will make things harder.

B: McGinn seems to know her stuff.

Quote from: Wynternight on October 13, 2015, 04:24:15 PM
How are you today, Jessie?

Sorry about the delay, I have been absolutely exhausted and things have been changing around quite a bit.  Until the catheter and packing came out, I was having daily anxiety attacks and could barely focus on anything...well except superhero movies (god just, superhero movies are amazing when you're recovering from surgery they're like some of the only things that keep your attention lol) and until well, just read.

My mom went home on Wednesday night and my dad and his gf acted as my surgery buddies for Wed-Thurs.  My dad, who is far more frugal than my mother, decided that we would stay together in one room (the cheaper upstairs room) for those two nights.  My dad wasn't an easy surgery buddy at all but his gf the next night (they stayed separately) was better.  Dealing with them in cramped space was easier than I expected, albeit my loud snoring father totally kept me up at night, had to take a sleeping pill the following night to keep my sanity.

On Friday, when my mom came back (and we had more space again) I finally had enough energy to hold a 3ds and start playing video games--this turned out to be a great distraction (bought super smash 3ds off the eshop, that REALLY kept my attention!) there was also finally another vaginoplasty patient in the Gaia House (along with my mom :D) downstairs come Saturday.  Speaking to her was invigorating, plus we played Smash together (she was too far away downstairs for local play, so crazy lag!!!) but honestly I was also kinda jealous of her due to the fact she was eating real food :/.

Over last weekend, the catheter that was still in me also really started to hurt, like ALOT.  Eventually come Sunday night I discovered that I didn't hurt as much when I HAD TO PEE.  I had a crazy argument with my mom about drinking water (didn't want to drink when my bladder was half-full, only when full to get it half-full again quickly, lol) that ended up in a call to the PA after I had an anxiety attack.  As usual, they effectively told us to stay the course.   Took a sleeping pill again that night due to crazy anxiety about the next day.

We also stayed in the Grand Riverview ($200 room) that night as the room we had been using for me to stay in the whole time was booked for that night in advance (remember I had complications that extended my stay).  It was nice to have a different room for a night, plus the bed was firmer and easier to sleep/lay on, but seriously I never would've been able to get in and out of that bed early in my recovery due to its height.

The day the catheter came out, my appointment was delayed twice due to double booking ( :v ) but I made it.  Just, the relief after the catheter and packing came out was insane.  But then, when everything was winding down, Mcginn immediately starts showing me how to dialate (facepalm).  I was totally distracted by the utter relief of no catheter and not having to put a finger in my vagina every time I got up to walk--yet she seemed concerned I wasn't paying attention--jeez you think! lol  I was also cleared for solid food at that appointment, thank god!

Things have just gone uphill quickly since then, after lying down while pressure equalized in my abdomen back in our room at the Gaia (just, how much I queefed on that bed while things moved around down here, holy crap!).  I had my first real meal (waffles and strawberries) at the Gaia after the appointment (I think I had a foodgasm), met the other vaginoplasty patient downstairs (btw, the downstairs rooms, even though they're kinda like dark and basementy, look slightly more comfortable, they also have comfortable places for guests to sit!), and now I'm back at my mom's in Manhattan.  The car ride was actually really easy when I realized I could go back with my father in his huge Nissan Cube (he visited that morning) rather than my mom's Kia.  It was far more comfortable than her car, I just used my donut on the car seat, leaned it back, put my feet on the dash, and moved my butt off the seat whenever we hit those annoying bumps on i-80 in Eastern NJ and the GWB/NYC (The last part of that ride, lol, might as well had my butt off the seat the entire time, NYC roads are HORRIBLE)!

Dialating has quickly gotten easier, I'm currently at dot 3 right below my clitoris or at the entrance of my vagina (which is where I think I'm supposed to be at 5 inches).  I've been sleeping a lot and eating quite a bit.  My energy has been coming back quickly, in particular today.  Didn't have to take a bactrim this morning because I ran out (which is helping with wooziness) and I'll be out of flagyl (the other antibiotic) come tomorrow morning.  Haven't had to take any painkillers since the catheter came out.  Also peeing is fun, I find it's kind of cleansing of all the lube after I dilate :D.  Been watching lots of MSNBC with my mom and playing lots of Tomb Raider on my Xbox One (games with gold :) ).  I slept during the democratic debate last night though, lol.

Btw, I have been capable of sitting on my donut cushion the entire time I've been writing this message.  Like nearly 30 minutes, that's something, right?

I just really started on the reimbursement process today, got most of the paperwork done but I need a ton of info from Liberty Anesthesia before I send it in--meh.  Annoying but I'll manage.

I'm so glad to hear things are finally starting to trend upward for you Jessie! 

:D

That's great! I'm very happy things are looking up for you!

That's great to read Jessie! I'm so happy for you and I'm sure you'll feel so much better soon. I found the first 3 weeks were pure hell but after 5 weeks everything is a breeze! 8 weeks is amazing and after 8 it all seemed like a bad dream.

Unlike you, I was the driver for my return trip, some 480 miles as my surgery buddy doesn't drive. She can ride a 2000 lb Percheron draft horse she has but not drive so go figure! It was done in stages so I could dilate and rest up but made it home alright.

I have found that you'll gain depth as you dilate. I lost about 1/2 inch between my initial consultation and first post-op visit but have since regained it. I was back about 2 weeks ago (when you were there and I must have just missed you at the office) because I just wanted to make sure I was still on the recovery track. No problems so another gold star.

Hard part is over, all down hill from here.

Best wishes,
Clare

Things still going well I hope?  I love reading your check-ins. :)

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

As my energy is coming back I'm getting pretty critical of my experience...

I'm pretty sure Dr McGinn gave me way a too big and/or overexposed my clitoris.  As my healing continues it seems way too elevated above my labia minora and it has been getting scab tissue at the bottom that seems to be scrapping against something all the time.  I mentioned it at my last post-op appt yesterday and she's like its about sensitivity (given glans tissue has a lower nerve density than cis clitoral tissue, which I get) but just right now (after a month) it REALLY does not look normal, not like clitoromegaly, but just, weird (just so much clitoris appears when I open my legs, like half an inch worth vertically if not more, plus there's excess minora tissue on the sides of my clitoris that don't go over it). Someone I met at the Gaia showed me hers and it's barely visible after like 2 weeks healing. Something is telling me I might want some sort of revision or labiaplasty to define my clitoral hood better because I just don't see how this is going to go down with swelling at all and I know I have the minora tissue available to get it done (plus lol, I seriously think this could be solved by simply stitching the excess side minora tissue together, xD). Gonna push the topic again at the next post op appt in two months...everything else about my vulva looks fine though and dialation is a non-issue, just annoying.

Otherwise stuff is coming back to normal somewhat I guess, most of my strength is back but I'm still taking it easy.  Can finally sleep on my side tonight, woo!

Hugs

Jen

Dear Jessie;

Glad you're feeling a lot better and seem on the way to recovery.

I can't comment on your situation for many reasons but Dr. McGinn is a very good surgeon. Hang in there and see how things develop. It just takes a lot of time to heal after such surgery.

Sleeping on your side. Oh boy do I recall how good that felt when I was able to do that!!

Love,
Clare

Quote from: JessieBirdie on October 27, 2015, 07:24:39 PMCan finally sleep on my side tonight, woo!

This gave me such a big smile! That was heaven for me. Congrats and stay strong Jess!!

New/long-time coming update after 10 weeks:

I've been back to my regular life at home in my own apartment in Connecticut for the past 4.5 weeks or so.  I switched over to the 3x a day dilation right around thanksgiving (albeit I tried 4x a day at first to be safe).  Seriously just, it's getting ridiculously tiring, I'm having a harder time getting the motivation to dilate now than I did during my initial recovery, especially in my, until recently, cold apartment (boiler broke--they only just fixed it today).  Also...I do it at work--yep, awkward but I manage somehow!!!  I have to as I work 30 minutes from home as an hourly at a call center doing 10 hour shifts (with an hour lunch), in fact I was even able to get accommodation time to do it during my shift while I was dealing with the 5x a day (now I just do it during my lunch).  At least I found a system that works; go to a general use side office, lock the door, bar it with a table (in case maintenance is stupid enough to unlock the door) and dilate on the carpeted floor with a washable bedpad and a single pillow.  Uncomfortable, but hey, it's only temporary for the next--4 months, ****!!!

But regardless, insertion is still uncomfortable, plus I still need to start with the purple #1 dilator and work my way up, but surprisingly I'm currently able now to get all the dots except the 5th on green soul source dialator #3 (I asked on the phone if I could use the larger dilators around week 6 and Heather, the physician assistant said yes) with a lot of work and I'm now in the process on and off of trying to get the #4 orange in.  I honestly think the only reason that's possible considering my original depth of about 5" is because Mcginn gave me a large vestibule, which seems to flex inward quite a bit when I dilate.  I've also noticed that there tends to be a lot of smegma-like whitish yellow snotty discharge on the dilators if I don't douche (Mcginn said I could, so I've been using disposable CVS vinegar+water douches about once a week).  My guess is that it's mineral oil+KY (I've been using the mineral oil at home lately because it's cheap, and KY at work as it's easier to clean up), urine, sweat and dead skin.  Hopefully I should see less of it once I'm not dilating 3x a day.

Otherwise, things feel basically back to normal, albeit there's occasionally random shooting pains.  IE: Good grief I was at the electrologist today and she was doing my upper lip and just BAM like woah major pain in the labia.  She thought she had caused it and starting wondering about acupuncture pressure points in my face and if they triggered it, lol.  I'm also able to sit now somewhat on hard surfaces without a cushion, albeit not comfortably.  I still keep my cushion in the car and use it at work, albeit I no longer bring it up to my apartment.

Appearance-wise, I still don't really like how my clitoris lies in my labia, albeit it seems a little less exposed as of late.  In terms of sensation I kinda stopped trying to play around with it and am just letting it heal, especially after Heather basically recommended not using a vibrator even externally until the next post-op apt (and internal is a big no no).  I did splurge on a Lelo Soraya though, it's in my nightstand ready to go once I get the go ahead if I'm brave enough, LOL.

My energy levels and everything are basically normal now, albeit given exercise restrictions are in play for at least another two weeks I've been careful to not exert myself.  It's funny, there's an FTM at my local support group who just had top surgery 6 weeks ago and he's been telling me how he still has trouble finding the energy to get about and out of the house.  Me, well I have no issues with that anymore and haven't since I got back home to CT--guess I'm healing pretty well considering then.

I dunno, life seems relatively normal now and things have died down.  My first day at work on November 12th was weird and emotional so my supervisor wanted to give me some time not taking calls at work, but I pushed myself to get back in the groove my second day back, and boy was I happy I did.  I'm a girl of routine, it helps keep my sanity.  I'm pretty sure btw my performance has improved since I got back since I'm just plain happier (like seriously, I feel like I've been high on life at times since I got to work), so screw the glass/cotton ceiling :D.

Another follow-up appt with Mcginn on Monday the 21st, guess we'll see what happens and I think I'm still going to be asking about that labiaplasty, or at least the vulva tattooing stuff her clinic offers (yes they offer that believe it or not, hah--see papillon ink on her site under available services) because seriously it at least needs more pink...I'm a darn perfectionist lol.

Glad to read you are greatly improved, Jessie. I remember you had a rough beginning after your surgery.

Before you see Dr. McGinn on the 21st, make some notes on anything that concerns you. I always seem to forget a thing or two when I see her and I remember afterward.

I was there last Monday for my 6 month check so we miss each other by a couple of weeks. You were recovering at Gaia House when I came down for a recheck.

I wish you good luck with your appointment and please say "hello" for me when you see Dr. McGinn.

Love,
Clare