Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Are there any therapists in Southern California who are willing to write recommendation letters for aspiring eunuchs such as myself?

Indeed, in regards to myself, I want to get surgically castrated both for sterilization purposes (considering that vasectomies can and sometimes do fail and considering that the doctors who perform vasectomies certainly don't have the nerve to man up and pay all of their patients' child support in the event of a vasectomy failure) and, if possible (I strongly value the ability to get erections using my penis and to have penis-in-vagina sex, so yeah), to help feminize my body and my face (I myself identify as genderqueer, so yeah).

Anyway, any thoughts on this? After all, I myself strongly don't want to be compelled to seek a "back-alley" surgical castration (which is the alternative to a safe surgical castration) instead. :(

(Also, I apologize for my bluntness here, but I am simply trying to get my point across here in the clearest way possible.)

Also, did I post this thread in the correct section of this forum?

Quote from: Futurist on November 28, 2015, 06:00:12 PM
Indeed, in regards to myself, I want to get surgically castrated both for sterilization purposes... and, if possible (I strongly value the ability to get erections using my penis and to have penis-in-vagina sex, so yeah), to help feminize my body and my face...

I can't help you with any therapists since I don't live in the US or SoCal, but I would point out to you that you may need to also consider an endocrinologist after castration. Without the T factory down there you run the risk of osteoporosis, hot flushes/sweating, bloating. You may also notice a distinct change (if not loss) of energy and in your libido and ability to get an erection. Some do, some don't - but it is something to consider. The options are usually taking testosterone (probably not useful if you want to feminise your appearance) or estrogen (you may grow breasts), but some kind of adult sex hormone is likely to be needed at any rate.

Quote from: Ms Grace on November 28, 2015, 06:08:18 PM
I can't help you with any therapists since I don't live in the US or SoCal, but I would point out to you that you may need to also consider an endocrinologist after castration. Without the T factory down there you run the risk of osteoporosis, hot flushes/sweating, bloating. You may also notice a distinct change (if not loss) of energy and in your libido and ability to get an erection. Some do, some don't - but it is something to consider. The options are usually taking testosterone (probably not useful if you want to feminise your appearance) or estrogen (you may grow breasts), but some kind of adult sex hormone is likely to be needed at any rate.

Yes, I am already well-aware of all of this. Thus, here is what I intend to do--if I will still be able to get erections using my penis and to have penis-in-vagina sex while I am taking estrogen replacement therapy, then I will take estrogen replacement therapy. Else, though, it appears that I will have to take testosterone replacement therapy while seeking to feminize my body in other ways, such as with the help of laser hair removal, electrolysis, and maybe, just maybe some kind of facial androgynization surgery.

Also, I would like to point out that keeping my testicles is just not a realistic option for me regardless of anything; after all, we certainly (and unfortunately :() have a strict liability theory of sperm in regards to child support here in the U.S. :(

There is a website called the Eunuch Archive.  For just a simple orchi to start with, there may be someone on the forum there to steer you in the right direction.  There are at least two well known U.S. doctors who will do the surgery with just informed consent. 

Quote from: BeverlyAnn on November 28, 2015, 07:00:18 PM
There is a website called the Eunuch Archive.  For just a simple orchi to start with, there may be someone on the forum there to steer you in the right direction.  There are at least two well known U.S. doctors who will do the surgery with just informed consent.

Actually, I myself have already joined the EunuchArchive a couple of weeks ago and am trying to get some useful information here as well. :)

Also, though, out of curiosity--who exactly are these two doctors? Is Mark Arnkoff one of these two doctors? If so, then who exactly is the other doctor in the U.S. who does informed consent orchiectomies?

In addition to this, I would like to point out that I myself am actually not opposed to trying to get a therapist recommendation letter for an orchiectomy. However, what I am concerned about is intolerant, gate-keeping therapists refusing to give me such a recommendation letter. :( After all, I myself certainly know what exactly I am signing up for when I am asking for an orchiectomy.

Quote from: Futurist on November 28, 2015, 09:24:33 PM

Also, though, out of curiosity--who exactly are these two doctors? Is Mark Arnkoff one of these two doctors? If so, then who exactly is the other doctor in the U.S. who does informed consent orchiectomies?

Dr. Arnkoff is one.  I'm not sure about the protocol of putting the other doctors name here so just do a search for GRS Atlanta and you'll find him.  Due to a chronic pain problem and something that should have been corrected in childhood, I spoke with his receptionist.  He's about twice as expensive as Dr. Arnkoff and takes NO insurance or Medicare. 

You might also try contacting some appropriate surgeons and asking if they can recommend a psych who'll help you. No doubt they would like your moneybusiness.

Quote from: BeverlyAnn on November 28, 2015, 10:32:04 PM
Dr. Arnkoff is one.  I'm not sure about the protocol of putting the other doctors name here so just do a search for GRS Atlanta and you'll find him.  Due to a chronic pain problem and something that should have been corrected in childhood, I spoke with his receptionist.  He's about twice as expensive as Dr. Arnkoff and takes NO insurance or Medicare.

Is he of Persian/Iranian or of Indian descent? If so, then I think that I know who he is. :)

Quote from: AnonyMs on November 28, 2015, 10:36:00 PM
You might also try contacting some appropriate surgeons and asking if they can recommend a psych who'll help you. No doubt they would like your moneybusiness.

Wait--surgeons do psychiatrist recommendations? ???

Quote from: Futurist on November 29, 2015, 12:04:51 AM
Wait--surgeons do psychiatrist recommendations? ???

I doubt they normally do so, but the surgeon's would know who the psych's are, since they keep getting letters from them. I'd assume they might know who's open on these things, and who's written the same letters before. No harm in asking.

Quote from: AnonyMs on November 29, 2015, 08:09:06 AM
I doubt they normally do so, but the surgeon's would know who the psych's are, since they keep getting letters from them. I'd assume they might know who's open on these things, and who's written the same letters before. No harm in asking.

OK; that makes sense. :) Thus, I will certainly try asking my desired orchiectomy doctor(s) this question. :)