Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm having my GRS in July and was asked via e-mail to quit taking both estrogen and AAs 2 weeks prior to travelling... so in total 18 days prior to surgery

Now I've already been 2 years on Estrogen and evidently risk for DVT drops a lot after the first year, but okay I can live with 2 weeks not taking Estrogen. Having to quit the AA however doesn't make sense to me, and causes me a lot of stress even thinking about it. Why do I have to do that? And why a whole 18 days? If I quit spiro just for 1 or 2  days I already notice androgenic effects, on CPA it takes about 4-5 days before I notice something. Since I am taking spiro, 18 days seems excessively much. I don't want to do that.

I guess the surgeon has their reasons and for your own safety during and after the operation it is probably wise to follow their instructions. If you don't understand why they've asked you to do this should email them back and request clarification.

You might simply talk to them, also about alternatives.

Some surgeons allow a lowered dose of estrogen.

Some allow patches.


*hugs*

Spiro messes with your blood chemistry and when you quit it, it takes a while for the body to adjust to the new normal. They don't want to be dealing with that complication when you are undergoing surgery/recovery and day or two isn't long enough for your body to stabilize. If you have been on Spiro for 2 years, I suspect your T production will remain pretty low in those weeks before surgery and it shouldn't be an issue after surgery.

It probably wont be just 18 days before, I had to wait 14 days afterwards as well.

If I did it again I'd get an implant so you don't have to go off it at all.

Quote from: Serenation on April 09, 2016, 08:39:53 PM
It probably wont be just 18 days before, I had to wait 14 days afterwards as well.

If I did it again I'd get an implant so you don't have to go off it at all.

Afterwards doesn't bother me too much, afterall it's practically an orchi. I doubt I can get implants or Lupron, but I might consider switching back to a high CPA dose the few days prior to discontinuation.

Quote from: Laura_7 on April 09, 2016, 08:30:44 AM
You might simply talk to them, also about alternatives.

Some surgeons allow a lowered dose of estrogen.

Some allow patches.


*hugs*

I might try that, thanks.

Quote from: Vii on April 10, 2016, 04:45:20 AM

I might try that, thanks.

Should they disagree with it you might think about small amounts of phytoestrogen.
There were studies with menopausal japanese women where it helped with hot flashes.
So if you have withdrawal symptoms you might think about a few small doses, like blended in a smoothie.
Don't take too high doses because of side effects and talk it through with your surgeon.

And if you have withdrawal symptoms after the op def talk to your surgeon.
Many allow for estrogen patches.


*hugs*

I think you'd want to be careful about taking any supplements before surgery. There's a large number that are dangerous. I looked up flaxseed and some sites I saw said not to take it before surgery, but I'm not sure if they were reputable sites or not.

Quote from: AnonyMs on April 10, 2016, 05:07:24 AM
I think you'd want to be careful about taking any supplements before surgery. There's a large number that are dangerous. I looked up flaxseed and some sites I saw said not to take it before surgery, but I'm not sure if they were reputable sites or not.

It is necessary to ask the surgeon.

There are studies showing Flaxseed may be taken before a prostate operation others say it might thin the blood to a degree.
So using small amounts of organic soy might be preferable.

Its simply a matter of regarding what is more important imo ...
a more happy patient may make for a better recovery ...


*hugs*