Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've learned a great deal from other's GCS diaries so I'll try to contribute too . . . 

I'm having GCS with Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner and Dr Lee C Zhao at NYU-Langone Hospital in NYC on August 11th. They will both be using a "robot" during the surgery which is very exacting. Dr Zhao is a Urologist and will participate with that expertise while Dr BL will be the plastic surgeon. They require a minimum of a week's stay afterwards in the hospital so the soonest I would be released would be Friday August 18th.

NYC might not be a great choice for some. It can be intimidating. I live in the Midwest but have spent years in Publishing and have been to NYC countless times so I was very much OK with it.  Yes, its a bit more expensive, but in the end, not that much more. Bought in advance, my flight and room in NYC for a couple days aren't costing me much more than any other city.

Dr BL sees patients on Tuesdays so I have initial follow-up appointments on Aug 22nd and the 28th. Dr BL requires all patients to stay within 1 ½ hours of the office till the 2nd appt.    Hopefully, I will be finally flying home on the evening of 8/28!  :-)

I had all the required Pre-op testing and paperwork completed last week by my local GP.  I passed all with flying colors.  They were faxed to Dr BL's office this morning. That was pretty much the last piece of the puzzle.  :)

What's a bit different about my case is that I'm 65 and will be 66 in September. I was very athletic for many years, and was in pretty good shape up until my early 50's, when I stopped playing sports altogether and went on HRT. I published a magazine for 6 years and sat at a computer 7 days a week. Sitting is the new smoking and I can attest to it. Between, age, HRT and sitting I'm a shadow of what I once was. In some ways that's been good for passing but nothing else. I stopped publishing 18 months ago and got a part-time retail job that forced me to walk 6 hours a day, 4 days a week.  That has brought my legs back a lot, but thanks to HRT the muscle mass did not return.

I have a long-time friend in Seattle who will be flying to NYC to be with me. After I'm released we'll be staying with her Aunt in Princeton, NJ.  I have another friend who will try to make it for the surgery but she is a real world traveler these days, doing drug testing in 3rd world countries, and is stuck in the Fiji islands at the moment.

My Immune System seems strong in some ways and not so much in others. Age takes its toll.  It's a toss-up. Last week when I went to my Dr's office for the Pre-Op labs and EKG it was quite the party atmosphere. Their TG practice is the best within 500 miles and has been active for 20 years. I've been seeing them all for 17 years so it was their send-off for me as much as anything. It all went well.

I expressed some concerns about my age but my Dr looked me in the eye and said she's had others older than me do this with no problems and that I should be fine. She knows I'm well versed in all the potential issues. She tapped her head and said, "keep the good thoughts"!!  :)

More later . . . .

I heard of him so you decided on the colovaginaplasty? Since I believe he use the robot thing for that procedure right ?
And congrats love


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Quote from: TinaVane on July 17, 2017, 02:17:35 PM
I heard of him so you decided on the colovaginaplasty? Since I believe he use the robot thing for that procedure right ?
And congrats love

The primary surgeon here is Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner.  Dr Lee C Zhao is assisting and providing only his expertise as a Urologist. Both will be using a robot. This will be the normal penile inversion. . . . :)

Quote from: Gail20 on July 17, 2017, 02:26:19 PM
The primary surgeon here is Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner.  Dr Lee C Zhao is assisting and providing only his expertise as a Urologist. Both will be using a robot. This will be the normal penile inversion. . . . :)

Oooooooooooo interesting .... 
what made you decide on them and not the other one who seem to be more popular ?


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Quote from: TinaVane on July 17, 2017, 02:47:09 PM
Oooooooooooo interesting ....  what made you decide on them and not the other one who seem to be more popular ?

I looked at several surgeons around the country who had done many surgeries.  She was one of these.  I found myself attracted to the University related practices since I'm older. I thought that they might have a greater depth of knowledge and services. On an emotional level, as well as intellectual, I was interested in having a woman do the procedure.   I guess it was a trust issue too. Dr BL easily has the best reputation of any of the surgeons for bedside manner,  one of the nicest Doctors I've ever met.  She does rounds, and spends significant time with patients, on the weekends. Her academic credentials are the best of anyone I looked at and I looked at all the majors.  Some others have more experience but I felt that her 5 or 6 years were more than sufficient.

Last Laser treatment this morning. This was the biggest surprise so far. The latest laser equipment is so superior to what they had when I got my face Lasered 15 years ago.  Overall it was a piece of cake!  :) I also had a lot less hair than most. This is about the only advantage of being a little older.

Stopped by on the way home and picked up a copy of all the documents from my Pre-Op Appointment  and Labs last week.  My GP Faxed them yesterday to NYU but now I'll have a copy too just in case. .

Well, 2 weeks from tomorrow I'll be in NYC at NYU and undergoing surgery.  :)

Not to jinx anything, but with the exception of Trump tweeting, everything seems to be falling into place. I mention Trump because he was my motivation in January to get GCS as quickly as possible.  I'm using Medicare, and I know that with one Tweet in the morning, he could cut off funding to hospitals that performed GCS and receive any kind of Federal funding. . . . looks like he can't hurt me at this point but . . .

Quote from: Gail20 on July 27, 2017, 11:18:09 AM
Well, 2 weeks from tomorrow I'll be in NYC at NYU and undergoing surgery.  :)

Not to jinx anything, but with the exception of Trump tweeting, everything seems to be falling into place. I mention Trump because he was my motivation in January to get GCS as quickly as possible.  I'm using Medicare, and I know that with one Tweet in the morning, he could cut off funding to hospitals that performed GCS and receive any kind of Federal funding. . . . looks like he can't hurt me at this point but . . .

Positivity vibes sis

Flying to NYC on Monday.  Pre-op appointments with both surgeons on Tuesday morning; Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner (Plastic) and Dr Lee C Zhao (Urologist). No appointment with the robot that will be assisting.  I was hoping maybe I'd get to talk with R2-GCS or something. . .;-)  There's also an appointment with NYU-Langone Medical Center in the afternoon to get admitted and go over the finance stuff I guess. . . .

Have Wed off and will train down to Princeton to meet my friend's Aunt who I will be convalescing with with from the 18th to the 28th. . . Then back to NYC on Thurs Am to begin the clean-out routine. .  yuck.  I'm told I'll get a call on Thursday some time to tell me the exact time of my surgery on Friday 8/11. . .

Spent 2 hours in the yard yesterday hoping to do enough to make it look OK till I get back at the end of August and can have friends takeover. Sleeping well so far which is a a good sign anxiety is at a good level. Also, trying to eat well. Not much time for jitters when you're shutting your house down and packing for a month. . . .

Keep it coming ❤️[emoji182][emoji56]


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Gail,
   I am so glad you are posting your experience. I thought very highly of Dr. B-L. You are right, she is a wonderful person, a rising star I think. Look forward to hearing more. Congrats, I am so excited for you.
Moni

  Hi Gail !
  I will be there for an 8am appointment on August 8th , funny , as I am typing this I receive a call
from their office confirming my date and time, good Karma :) Look for two amazons , one long brown hair ( me ) the other a red head . Let me know what time you see her  maybe we can get together. BTW they are FANTASTIC, she gave me back my life after my disaster in Miami. Patty

Hi Gail.

Laurie here. You have a whole year on me as I am 64 and will be 65 in September. I think I will also follow your adventure with interest  even though I have not thought too much about GRS for myself as I see it as still a distant possibility (in time that is). I've only begun since I have only come to the conclusion I am trans last November and began HRT in December..  Trump and his admin are also a concern for me as I get my HRT and therapy through the VA and If I do decide on surgical procedures done, it will likely be through medicare.

  Anyway Hi Gail and beware, I am watching you.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Quote from: HappyMoni on August 03, 2017, 12:54:44 PM
Gail,  I am so glad you are posting your experience. I thought very highly of Dr. B-L. You are right, she is a wonderful person, a rising star I think. Look forward to hearing more. Congrats, I am so excited for you.
Moni   

Thank you!   :)

Quote from: justpat on August 03, 2017, 05:39:45 PM
  Hi Gail !  I will be there for an 8am appointment on August 8th , funny , as I am typing this I receive a call
from their office confirming my date and time, good Karma :) Look for two amazons , one long brown hair ( me ) the other a red head . Let me know what time you see her  maybe we can get together. BTW they are FANTASTIC, she gave me back my life after my disaster in Miami. Patty  /quote]

I'll be on the look out for you.  I'm was pretty tall but have shrunk to just over 6' now.  They tell be I have a big smile. .  I guess look for that. . . :)

Quote from: Laurie on August 03, 2017, 07:35:19 PM
Hi Gail.  Laurie here. You have a whole year on me as I am 64 and will be 65 in September. I think I will also follow your adventure with interest  even though I have not thought to much about GRS for myself as I see it as still a distant possibility (in time that is). I've only begun since I have only come to the conclusion I am trans last November and began HRT in December..  Trump and his admin are also a concern for me as I get my HRT and therapy through the VA and If I do decide on surgical procedures done it will likely be through medicare.  Anyway Hi Gail and beware, I am watching you.   Hugs, Laurie

I'm 65 and will be 66 in September. . .  been on HRT for 17 years so I was a bit overdue for GCS but didn't have the funds. I aggressively began searching for a surgeon in January because I knew Trump could end GCS with the stroke of a pen.  I could see Pence at his elbow pushing him to do it. Looks like Medicare is going to pay for mine. They and my supplemental policy paid for the GCS Pre-Op Consult last April and it looks like they're all set to pay for GCS now. Hard for Medicare to turn down NYU!

Thanks for the good wished!!!  :)

Gail

Quote from: justpat on August 03, 2017, 05:39:45 PM
.... Look for two amazons , one long brown hair ( me ) the other a red head . Let me know what time you see her  maybe we can get together. BTW they are FANTASTIC, she gave me back my life after my disaster in Miami. Patty

I wonder who that red head could be, LOL.

Gail, I've see the results of Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner from two of her patients and her work is amazing. I'm scheduled for May 3rd 2018 with her for GCS, but if a cancelation happens it could be as early as November or December.

Quote from: Sydney_NYC on August 03, 2017, 11:52:53 PM
I wonder who that red head could be, LOL.
Gail, I've see the results of Dr Rachel Bluebond-Langner from two of her patients and her work is amazing. I'm scheduled for May 3rd 2018 with her for GCS, but if a cancelation happens it could be as early as November or December.

Hi,  I have 10:45 and 11:45 appts, one each with the 2 surgeons  I originally had a January 4th 2018 date but they called one day in mid June and offered me August 11th because of a cancellation.  After getting over the initial shock, and realizing I'd have to jump thru a lot of hoops to do it,  I quickly said yes! Hope to see you and justpat there. I'll also be with another young woman! :-)

Quote from: Gail20 on August 04, 2017, 10:12:07 AM
Hi,  I have 10:45 and 11:45 appts, one each with the 2 surgeons  I originally had a January 4th 2018 date but they called one day in mid June and offered me August 11th because of a cancellation.  After getting over the initial shock, and realizing I'd have to jump thru a lot of hoops to do it,  I quickly said yes! Hope to see you and justpat there. I'll also be with another young woman! :-)

My surgery date was setup in April after all my letters were received. Dr Bluebond-Langner's office called me in mid May and said there was a cancellation for July 3rd and I was next of the list, but I had to turn it down because my electrolysis isn't completed yet down there. It will be completed by October and her office is aware of that and they know if there is an opening early after that I will take it. Since I live 30 min (without traffic) from her office and I'm self employed, it's easy for me to change my schedule since I will have at least a 4 week notice so I can stop taking estrogen for the surgery.

Quote from: Sydney_NYC on August 04, 2017, 11:19:48 AM
My surgery date was setup in April after all my letters were received. Dr Bluebond-Langner's office called me in mid May and said there was a cancellation for July 3rd and I was next of the list, but I had to turn it down because my electrolysis isn't completed yet down there. It will be completed by October and her office is aware of that and they know if there is an opening early after that I will take it. Since I live 30 min (without traffic) from her office and I'm self employed, it's easy for me to change my schedule since I will have at least a 4 week notice so I can stop taking estrogen for the surgery.

Hope your # comes up again soon!! You're lucky to be so close. Having spent years in publishing, I've been to NYC many times but its still an intimidating and expensive place to get in and out of . . .

Gail, I'm so excited for you! Have a great trip and I know you're going to have an amazing outcome :-)

Quote from: SadieBlake on August 05, 2017, 04:34:33 PM
Gail, I'm so excited for you! Have a great trip and I know you're going to have an amazing outcome :-)

Thank you!! :-) Down to the wire now. Cleaning the house within an inch of its life today and packing for flight to NYC tomorrow at Noon. Last load of laundry too.

I've traveled a great deal for business over the years but never for 4 weeks!!! Basically taking everything.  Getting a bit jittery now but I expected that to finally happen. . . :-)

Gee. . . my cell phone just beeped while I was writing here.  There's a weather advisory and they're suggesting I consider re-booking my flight.  Needless to say this would be a total disaster if I missed my appointments on Tuesday morning. . . later

Maybe not so awful, my pre-op meeting was 15 minutes on the phone with Heidi Wittenberg, easy, peasy as I couldn't be in CA as early as they wanted to schedule it.

Hugs, smooth flights and best wishes!

Gail,

Congratulations and good luck, I am excited for you. I had GCS at age 54 and everything worked out. I was low on electrolytes which caused an issue until they figured it out. Eat what you are allowed before GCS. 

Thanks all for the well wishes. . .

No update on the fligiht other than they are expecting huge rainfall tomorrow in NYC. . . . but  . .  in going to Delta's Web Site I inadvertently discovered that my big new piece of luggage is too big!!!   Had to rush and return it and buy a new piece. . . not going to be able to take as much stuff. . .   guess packing will get easier. ..

Hopefully the flight scare was just to alert me that my luggage would not fly . ..  fingers crossed. . . :)

Gail, I hope your flight does not have any delays or any other kind of problems. I'll be wishing you a wonderful trip and beautiful results from your surgery.

Best wishes and Hugs,
   Laurie

Thank you for the link to your thread.  I'll be continuing to read how you progress.  Wish you the very best of outcomes.

Jennifer

8/8/16 Note:

Appointments on Tuesday morning with both surgeons were a breeze. They are impressive again with their great bedside manner. 

Afternoon appointment was totally different.  RN went though my entire history and all the Lab work my local Dr had done.  Turned out I was too efficient and had the Lab work and EKG done one day too early!  So they just redid them both in a few minutes.  They are sooooo efficient.  The RN was incredibly nice and knowledgeable. Afternoon appt took over an hour and a half. They also did a chest X-Ray at the end. I got to look at it on the screen. I was fascinated. She looked at me and said.  You must be hungry?  Huh?  She said, "your stomach is full of air". I'd had a huge Sushi lunch across the street with a girlfriend just before the appt!  Guess my stomach clears fast.  Guess that's a good thing.  :-) Off to Princeton till Thursday the day before surgery!!!

Took the train back to NYC from Princeton with girlfriend. Another girlfriend who was flying into Newark Airport from St Louis and coincidentally ended up with us on the same train into NYC. .  the Universe seems to be bringing this all together. . .

As soon is I got into my room and downed the first bottle of Magnesium Citrate NYU-Langone Medical Center called and told me to be there Friday morning at 6AM for 7:30AM surgery. . . I'll believe this is really going to happen when I wake-up from the surgery. . . ;-)

Gail,
   You know when you are on a roller coaster and it goes click click click right before you get to the top and the ride begins, this is that moment. Now enjoy the ride.
Moni

Here rooting for you Gail. Praying for no complications and wonderful results.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Went under Friday morning but surgery was stopped due to an unusual heartbeat pattern. When I awoke in a different place and bed I immediately knew nothing had happened. I spent the day and last night here in the hospital in order to get an Echo Cardiagram yesterday and  a Stress Test today. The net is there is nothing wrong and Surgery is now rescheduled for next Friday unless the Stress Test this morning shows something totally unanticipated. My heart is actually very string!! She'd a lot of tears yesterday morning but I've moved on. The hospital and staff are incredible.  NYU truly gets the best of the best. Both my Surgeons were in to see me at 7:30 on Sat mirning!! So the Dress Rehearsal had some glitches but that means the Show will be great!!

I was thinking of you, sorry to hear of the hiccup :-( really glad to hear your rain date is just put off a week.

Hugs and hope you're doing ok with the additional wait.

 Hi Gail,

  So sorry to hear of the delay but happy that it looks like a minor glitch and they'll be able to do your reaffirmation surgery on Friday.  Still here praying and rooting for you.

   Hugs,
    Laurie

Oh wow Gail, I can't imagine how that would feel. They are looking after you for sure. I know it will be fine. It might be good to tell them as you are put under, "No funny business, this time."
Moni

Big hug! Resume the countdown! Girl in T minus six days and counting.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

Gail: Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am so excited and happy for you as you are getting closer to being your true self. The physical will match the soul!

You inspired me to check out Drs in the NYC area (where I live) and I now have a consultation scheduled in November with Dr BL. I also have a consultation next week with Mt Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine, although with some trepidation as I read a post here about the negative results and poor bedside manner from them. Will meet with them with an open mind but NYU Langone is at the top of my list. Followed by Meltzer in AZ.

Sending you all the very best thoughts!

Hugs

Nina

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. Down in Princeton with friends eating well and storing up energy. Love college towns, so vibrant and fun. Totally over the Fiday emotional roller coaster. Not looking forward to repeating all the Prep again but I'm going to be really good at it this time. T minus 5 days and counting . . . :-)

Well, here we go again.  Dress Rehearsal last week was a bust but tomorrow morning at 7:00 or 9:00 am, hopefully I'll last more than 45 minutes this time with no irregular heart beats or other stuff and I'll wake-up this time with the surgery complete!! :-)

Checked in again early at the Stewart Hotel NYC (they know us now) so I could begin the "day before surgery" cleansing rituals at Noon! Actually, got started at 12:15 by drinking the first of two bottles of Magnesium Citrate (Lemon). These 2 bottles came from Rite-Aid.  The Walgreen's version last week was much better. Got a tip to NOT get the cherry or other flavored ones and stuck with the Lemon again. The Walgreen's version was so good we thought it might make a good mixer. .  not so with Rite-Aid's version.

The 2nd bottle gets downed at 2pm followed by (2) Dulcolax pills. Then the real fun begins. . . yuck . . . At 7pm I give myself the first of two Fleet Enemas.  That's really great fun.  The 2nd one is first thing in the morning.

Hope this isn't TMI but the idea here is to tell all . . . later

Gail,
   You should get extra vagina points for doing the bowel prep twice. I will be thinking of you and hope all goes smoothly. As for me, I am trying to master the dilator in one hand the ice pack on the eye while typing. I should go into juggling. lol
Hugs and good wishes.
Moni

Well, its done and I'm one day Post-Op!! Went in at 10:30 am Friday and was out of the OR at 3!!! Pain in the area is not as bad as my back pain and bloating, which is really bad.

Was able to get up with assistance, take a couple steps and sit in a chair briefly. Sitting on the bandages is painful. I also don't have much appetite. Still, everything is textbook. Great blood pressure, temp and oxygenation. Passing the usual fluid just fine and the drainage from the operation sites is minimal . . . one day at a time . . . later my friends . . . :)

Congratulations,  very happy for you and glad all is well. X

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Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You are kicking my butt, I couldn't get up the first day. So happy it went well.
Moni

Well, shock upon shock, physical therapy person came in to get me up to try and walk. I walked around the entire floor twice! Cant believe I could do this. Wed the packing comes out and dilation begins. They gave me a complete set. And like others have said, the orange one looks impossible . . .

Quote from: Gail20 on August 21, 2017, 09:13:49 AM
Well, shock upon shock, physical therapy person came in to get me up to try and walk. I walked around the entire floor twice! Cant believe I could do this. Wed the packing comes out and dilation begins. They gave me a complete set. And like others have said, the orange one looks impossible . . .

It looks like they stopped the wrong person's operation the first time. You sound strong as a bull, eh, or as a cow. Well, there is probably no good bovine reference here. lol  You sound like you are kicking butt. I couldn't walk like that because I lost a lot of blood. I almost needed a transfusion. Glad you are doing so well. Does it seem real yet? Oh, I am about 8 weeks out and thought the same thing about orange, but I find I am doing it comfortably now. One step at a time.
    If you get a chance at some point, I am curious if they used a robot and for what parts of the procedure. No hurry, basque in the glow of having this thing done. Yea!!!!!!!
Moni

Thanks Moni.  No, I really don't feel like a real Cow yet.. .;-)  I think some of that will come when the bandages all come off and I see all the new equipment.  Its clearly evident that I'm flat down there now but its pretty heavily bandaged so Ive yet to see the definitive view. So no complications yet but the list is long of all the potential ones so I'm still planing for the worst and hoping for the best . . .  :)   Gail

Well unless your complication is growing  utters down there, I won't call you a cow. I like your approach to things. Enjoy this exciting time, Gail.
Moni

Great news Gail!!! Happy happy happy for you :-)

Complications!!

So Ive always had the understanding that all the packing comes out tomorrow (Wed) and they teach me to dilate. I'm then in the hospital till Friday. 

They just told me that, yes I get the packing out and will dilate twice, but then I'll be released tomorrow at 3pm!!! I just don't see this. I know some go to other care facilities but I thought most stayed for a week. Am I mistaken about all this??  I sure don't feel ready for a cab or train ride!!

I was overnight at the surgery center, then to a recovery facility for 2 additional days and left for my 3 week stay in SF after that.

It came to about 80 hours of hospital time.

Thank you so much! Somehow in all my prep and planning I'd gotten this apect wrong early-on and kept the error alive till now. . . . got a room in NYC for 2 nights. . . . :)

Woo! Where are you staying?

Click click click

I've found the area around Penn Station to be good if you're living here for a bit on your own dime. Ive been staying at the Stewart Hotel and New Yorker, both catercorner from Penn Station.  I'm booked at the New Yorker now for Thur and Fri tis week. Then we'll take the train or drive to Princeton for 10 days . . . also I generally like old hotels . .

I had surgery on a Tuesday and left the hospital that Friday morning for a recovery BnB.
Moni

Yes, I certainly was not paying attention to this issue.  I created calendars based on it and they were just plain wrong.

I do think its a bit much to plan for the first bowel movement, two pees, bandage removal and the first 2 dilations tomorrow and then release me at 3pm.  Should have had bandages removal and some of the other stuff today, , ,

Everything went well except my Bladder did not respond. They're calling it Lazy bladder; generally the result of someone who has continously held their Bladder a lot over the years. Guilty! :-( (I was tucked. I could hold it all night. Not a good idea)

They released me yesterday afternoon with a catheter in place. Stayed in a hotel in NYC last night and took the train early this Afternoon to Princeton.  I go back to my Surgeons office Tues morning for the Catheter removal, bladder scan and check up. Dilating is pretty easy but I have an incredibly helpful friend  who is making it all far, far more easy

Bruising is huge and more continues to be revealed as I'm more active. Walked about 7 blocks from hotel to Train track!!! I'm certainly strong at least. Pain is not fun at all but I'm using Tylenol and Ibuprofen and no more Oxycodone for the last 2 days.

Just diated and now going to nap before dinner with my new adoptive Princeton family

Hi Gail,

  It sounds like you are doing okay in spite of the  bit of planning mishap. Glad you are  okay and making progressing with healing.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Day 8:

well, I sent an update from my phone yesterday but its not here. . .  :-(

First a question, seems like standing or laying down are really the only 2 options.  Sitting is pretty tough.   Took the hour long train ride down from NYC to Princeton Friday but grabbing the rack overhead and balancing on one hip was as good as it got. . . My donut really just crushes down too far under my weight to really offer much relief. . .

Yesterday after the train ride and 7 block walk, I was in pain much of the day.  Got a bit better just before bed and today has been far batter . . .:-)

Yep, standing and laying down is how I spent most of my first few weeks. You may need a better donut, mine worked well enough to be able to sit and I needed some form of pressure relief for the first 7-8 weeks.

Hugs, glad it's going well! I certainly didn't have the energy to stand on a train for an hour 8 days out.

Hey I am really glad you had a successful surgery and are moving around :). I'll ask more questions later about it when you are feeling better.

Regarding the donut, perhaps go to a store that sells a lot of this medical equipment and get a donut that is thicker?  That out to help you out a bit?  Or are you getting better quick enough to start sitting soon?

I have seen donuts sold in the Walmart pharmacy and in Walmart as neck pillows for travel so hopefully you will find several to chose from.

Thanks for the ideas!!  :-)

Quote from: SadieBlake on August 28, 2017, 05:07:24 AM
Yep, standing and laying down is how I spent most of my first few weeks. You may need a better donut, mine worked well enough to be able to sit and I needed some form of pressure relief for the first 7-8 weeks.

Thanks Sadie, Just hearing your shared experience really helps. . . except fr the 7 to 8 weeks part . . . .   ;-)

Day 12:

Trained up to NYC for appt with both surgeons. Made the 7am train after dilating. Cant believe I puled that off.

Hope this isn't too much info but when they released me last week I could not pee. :-(  They were not that concerned, and since I had a top NYU Urologist doing that part of the surgery, I was reasonably ok with it. Still. i left with a Catheter and that just added lots more things to maintain.

They removed the Catheter yesterday morning but nothing happened.  They told me go walk and drink LOTS of fluids.  I spent the next 4 hours trying to get my bladder to work again. Finally, I was able to get it to work again in very short spurts but not enough to empty it. They were borderline ok with it and released me with no Cather. On the train ride back to Princeton, my bladder got incredibly full. I exited the Train in Princeton and headed straight for the women's room. For the first time I just peed on demand. Still doesn't empty completely  but from then on it's basically working.      happy girl!!

Quote from: Gail20 on August 30, 2017, 11:33:26 AM
Thanks for the ideas!!  :-)

Thanks Sadie, Just hearing your shared experience really helps. . . except fr the 7 to 8 weeks part . . . .   ;-)

You seem well ahead of my curve and I paid the hard way for arriving to surgery quite fatigued. Everyone is different and for me the big turning point was at week 7.

And big yay for peeing! I remember that sensation of not being able to fully empty.

Day 16
Well, Friday morning it was back to NYC to see the Urologist over my Bladder not fully emptying. They decided it was best to let it calm down so thye put the Catheter back in and sent me home.  I'm scheduled to  see all my Drs on Tues morning when they're hopefully supposed to tell me its OK to fly home.  Its likely they'll release me and I'll fly home with the Catheter still in.  My local Dr will remove it in 10 days. This has been a hassle but I'm older and thought something like this might happen.

Overall the work is beautiful. I have no trouble dilating and all the suturing is healing nicely with no signs of infection at all.  All the new structures look incredibly good,  Its almost like they all magically appeared. . . :-)

Go Gail!

Sorry to hear about the bladder and catheter issues. I think the catheter was one of my least favorite things from my GRS the experience and I didn't even have that much of a problem.  My heart goes out to you having them put it back in. Post-op +8 was long enough for me to be begging for the damn thing to come out.

I can totally relate to the bladder issue as well. Getting control of the bladder functions is more of an extended process than anyone mentioned. Especially for people over say... 45. I'm guessing, no one quote me on this. I was aware that there was a risk, but there should be more information and discussion on this issue. There's a significant amount of impact in that area and we still have to take the prostate gland into account even if it's considerably smaller. I haven't struggled with the ability to pee, but it's taken a while to regain my control and force. I don't know whether it's related to nerve regeneration or muscle control, I have to pay attention not to put myself in a position where I might have to hold it. If it wasn't slowly improving, I would be worried. Fortunately, that's not the case.

I know it's a bumpy road to recovery. You'll do great. Feel free to reach out.












especially for 

Thank you Emma for the support and info. . . You are so right.  This is an issue if you're older especially if you've been in the habit of holding off peeing.  You stretch your bladder and muscles and as you get older they don't perform as well. They have a name for it, "lazy bladder",.  Teacher, nurses and policemen all seem to have issues with this. I was guilty of this.  Word to the wise: "When you feel you have to pee, PEE!"  Your older self will thank you!!

QuoteYou stretch your bladder and muscles and as you get older they don't perform as well. They have a name for it, "lazy bladder"

A few months ago, I mentioned I had BPH.  In addition to prescribing meds to shrink my prostate and improve flow, my doctor sent me to a urologist.  I was at his office a couple of weeks ago and last week, went to the hospital, where he looked inside my bladder.  He mentioned my bladder doesn't empty fully, because it had developed folds due to not being able to urinate properly.  He compared it to a balloon that doesn't go back to it's original shape, after being inflated for a period of time.

3 Weeks + 2 days:
I haven't posted cuz sitting is not much fun and I prefer to post using my laptop vs phone. . . this is my first outing to my fav coffee house. . .

Healing has been interminably slow. . . each day since Ive been home since last Tuesday has been about the same. . except for Friday when I thought I was going to have to call 911. I woke up and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and started bleeding a LOT!! There was a steady drip, drip, drip coming out of my vagina.  I'd had absolutely no problems like this at all before.  My dilating had been totally uneventful.  I laid down on the bathroom floor to take any pressure off this area hoping it would help stop the bleeding. I always carry my phone around with me just in case something like this might happen so I called my local GP and they said call 911. . . I delayed the 911 call and after 45 minutes the bleeding stopped. It was stupid not to call 911 but in the end I got away with it. (don't do this) I laid on the floor another hour after the bleeding stopped afraid that if I got up the bleeding would start again.  It didn't. I figure I lost a pint of blood tho plus 2 bath mats and 2 towels.

The LGBT RN liaison for Dr Bluebond-Langner believes that what happened was that a clot way up in the top of my vagina got dislodged and blood just flowed freely till it finally clotted over again. . .

I actually was able to dilate late Friday before I went to bed and since then I haven't had a hint of a problem. I also now have all my depth back too . . . So in the end the day turned out fine but no one is was more surprised than me!! 

The LGBT RN asked that I send pics yesterday so they could see where I am in the healing process. Dr B says I'm healing "beautifully" and I'd have to agree. I have none of the problems I'd heard of here.  Stitches are all healing nicely without a hint of infection.  There is absolutely no dead skin.  Everything looks pretty. The Clit, Urethra and Vagina all look like they've been there all my life.  Only the stitches in my leg creases and below my Vagina give it away . . .

Great surgery team; Dr Zhao (Urologist) and Dr Bluebond-Langner using a Robot seems to be how everything was crated so precisely. Also, round the clock care/antibiotics in a major hospital has to contribute to the outcome. . . and maybe good genes I guess. . . :-)

Hi Gail,

Do we need to send you a 24hr/day babysitter to make sure you don't do terribly scary things like that again? Sheesh!  And just where did you leave your brain  before you went into the bathroom?  Blood driping and a doctor telling you to call 911 means CALL 911   :eusa_wall: :icon_yikes: :icon_poke: :icon_poke:
  I am glad it all worked out in the end but you should be smacked up the side of your head until iy contain some common sense.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Quote from: Gail20 on September 10, 2017, 12:51:17 PM
3 Weeks + 2 days:
I haven't posted cuz sitting is not much fun and I prefer to post using my laptop vs phone. . . this is my first outing to my fav coffee house. . .

Healing has been interminably slow. . . each day since Ive been home since last Tuesday has been about the same. . except for Friday when I thought I was going to have to call 911. I woke up and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and started bleeding a LOT!! There was a steady drip, drip, drip coming out of my vagina.  I'd had absolutely no problems like this at all before.  My dilating had been totally uneventful.  I laid down on the bathroom floor to take any pressure off this area hoping it would help stop the bleeding. I always carry my phone around with me just in case something like this might happen so I called my local GP and they said call 911. . . I delayed the 911 call and after 45 minutes the bleeding stopped. It was stupid not to call 911 but in the end I got away with it. (don't do this) I laid on the floor another hour after the bleeding stopped afraid that if I got up the bleeding would start again.  It didn't. I figure I lost a pint of blood tho plus 2 bath mats and 2 towels.

The LGBT RN liaison for Dr Bluebond-Langner believes that what happened was that a clot way up in the top of my vagina got dislodged and blood just flowed freely till it finally clotted over again. . .

I actually was able to dilate late Friday before I went to bed and since then I haven't had a hint of a problem. I also now have all my depth back too . . . So in the end the day turned out fine but no one is was more surprised than me!! 

The LGBT RN asked that I send pics yesterday so they could see where I am in the healing process. Dr B says I'm healing "beautifully" and I'd have to agree. I have none of the problems I'd heard of here.  Stitches are all healing nicely without a hint of infection.  There is absolutely no dead skin.  Everything looks pretty. The Clit, Urethra and Vagina all look like they've been there all my life.  Only the stitches in my leg creases and below my Vagina give it away . . .

Great surgery team; Dr Zhao (Urologist) and Dr Bluebond-Langner using a Robot seems to be how everything was crated so precisely. Also, round the clock care/antibiotics in a major hospital has to contribute to the outcome. . . and maybe good genes I guess. . . :-)

So, is the moral of the story, don't brush your teeth after having GCS? Wow, that is scary stuff. Yeah, don't do that any more. First of all, you have me agreeing with Laureeta, second of all, ...don't do that! Gail that so reminds me of my FFS when I found myself on the bathroom floor, bleeding. Glad you didn't need the surgery to fix it that I did.
I still don't understand how the use of a robot makes things better. Doesn't it just respond to the movements of the surgeon behind it? Does it smooth out their  unsteadiness or something?
Glad you are doing well. The not sitting thing can be a real pain in the... well, you know. There is hope, I am less than 3 months out and don't need the donut any longer. I can even lift kids for my work. You will soon be doing the high leg kick like the other Rockettes. Thinkin of you Girl!
Moni

Quote from: HappyMoni on September 10, 2017, 04:34:24 PM
I still don't understand how the use of a robot makes things better. Doesn't it just respond to the movements of the surgeon behind it? Does it smooth out their  unsteadiness or something? Moni

The Robot increases accuracy a hundred fold.  They can make more precise movements with less errors.  It takes any worry out of perhaps breaching the gap between the neo-vagina and the rectum. All of Urology has been moving to the Robot for the last decade. Its state of the art. . . You're not going to find Robotics outside major hospitals and medical centers tho.  Dr Bluebond-Langner's reputation got may attention and the the team surgery approach and the robotics is what sold me on the NYU program . . .

We have several surgeons around the country who do phenomenal GCS work. Many have innovated in various ways. Having a medical center like NYU jump in, teaming up a top Urologist and a Plastic surgeon plus robotics is really innovative. We all love our surgeons after the fact and I certainly fall into this category too . . . .

Thanks for answering that Gail. I may have to see if I can find a video of that on line. It is interesting. As for the team approach, I think there is usually a team working on a patient with GCS. Not often do you have two doctors working together, though. My doctor made clear that under her supervision a PA would be doing some of the work. Hope you are progressing well.
Moni

Week 4:

It still hurts to sit but not for the obvious reasons. 11 years ago I pushed those two pesky items up into my lower abdomen and forgot about them.  They liked it so much they evidently grew in. When the surgeons went in to remove them they had to do some creative cutting and the net is that the nerves there didn't like it one bit. The skin over this area is VERY sensitive.  A sheet laying on it hurts, so clothes are not fun at all. The good news it is ever so slowly getting better. . . .

My surgery really went incredibly well and the results are outstanding. Still I had problems but none of the ones that I'd read about here. I had a LOT of bloating right after the surgery and it was VERY painful. Never heard anything about that happening to anyone before.  My bladder didn't want to cooperate so I ended up getting released with a catheter for 10 days.  Its out now and my bladder is getting back to normal now.  (who knew a good pee is could be soooo satisfying) In contrast, my Clit, Urethra and Vagina all look like they've been there all my life. All the stitches are healing with not a sign of any infection anywhere.

Dilating: I have noticed, that while I can still get maximum depth, its becoming harder to get it in.  I seem to be LOTS tighter than I was at first. . .  I guess I'd heard similar reports from others here, that it can become tighter as it all heals. . .

At week 4 I drive to the store, run errands, go out with friends a bit in the evening (no alcohol) but I'd be doing LOTS more if not for that lower abdomen pain which no one else here has likely ever encountered.  Sooooo a word to the wise.  If you've tucked those guys up there and forgot about them, maybe retrieve them once and awhile so they don't grow into their new home . . .

Quote from: Gail20 on September 15, 2017, 04:52:14 PM
The Robot increases accuracy a hundred fold.  They can make more precise movements with less errors.  It takes any worry out of perhaps breaching the gap between the neo-vagina and the rectum.

This. While I don't think Wittenberg is using robotic assist for these procedures, the fact that that's in her resume was one of the things that sold me on her -- that and the fact that her first vaginoplasties were on natal females born without vaginal cavities, yes it's a different procedure, but she cut her teeth a long time before she started doing MTF work. And for all I know, she did use some robotic assist, I trust her, I didn't ask details. We're both professionals, she has in fact used medical devices I designed. I trust her to do her job right and all we talked about were the specifics that differ between people doing the current basic PI technique and which specific flavor she was using.

Quote from: HappyMoni on September 15, 2017, 05:10:21 PM
As for the team approach, I think there is usually a team working on a patient with GCS. Moni

Oh yes on the team approach. When they walked me into the operating room and had me lie down, there must have been 8 to 10 people there all garbed and masked making preparations.  It looked like Star Wars to me. By Team tho, I was specifically referring to a Urology Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon cooperating on the surgery both bringing their unique expertise . . .