Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I will be having what my surgeon, Dr. Sherman Leis, calls a "modified vaginoplasty" in Philadelphia on Friday, December 14.    Other surgeons call this procedure a "partial vaginoplasty" or a "zero depth" vaginoplasty.   To be correct in the use of terminology, it is not a "cosmetic vaginoplasty!"

I am happy to share my experience with others in the hope of being a help in the same way that so many that have done this before me have helped me.   So please feel free to ask questions.

I have awesome  support, my SO will accompany me, and two daughters and a brother will be visiting me while in Philadelphia, and even another forum member.

Outside of three days hospitalization, I will be staying in the recovery apartment of the clinic of Dr. Leis for almost three weeks.  This is to be sure I am healed enough to take the long and exhausting trip back home to Israel.

I so much appreciate this forum and other like it.   Being able to read about the real experiences of others on this journey of transition over time and distance has ben a real gift to me.   Thank you! :)

Congratulations! I seriously considered the cosmetic vagina option. Or as some surgeons call it, a vulvoplasty. In the end, I chose an orchiectomy, also known as the Nutzoff procedure.






Edit: corrected typo.

Quote from: Devlyn on December 10, 2018, 08:32:49 AM
Congratulations! I seriously considered the cosmetic vagina option. Or as some surgeons call it, a vulvoplasty. In the end, I chose an orchiectomy, also known as the Nutzoff procedure.






Edit: corrected typo.

I am very much debating this, too.  I will see an Urologist in the very near future, and see hat comes from that as an outcome.

Here is a recent relevant study of transgender women and satisfaction of those that chose a vulvoplasty over a full vaginoplasty.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29706578

Quote from: Dorit on December 10, 2018, 12:02:11 PM
Here is a recent relevant study of transgender women and satisfaction of those that chose a vulvoplasty over a full vaginoplasty.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29706578

Thanks Dorit!

This sounds pretty reassuring!

I am on my fourth day post op. I believe that the worst of the recovery is past. My surgeon says that I am healing well and that my previous excessive drainage has stopped. I am surrounded by loving family. Last night my wife, brother, daughter and boyfriend came into my room with a bottle of champagne! I am so grateful for the love and acceptance I am receiving!

(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/59100-190518195520.jpeg)

Dorit, congratulations!!  Great news all around, sounds like you have an awesome family.  And best wishes for your continued recovery.

Quote from: Dorit on December 17, 2018, 06:53:34 AM
I am on my fourth day post op. I believe that the worst of the recovery is past. My surgeon says that I am healing well and that my previous excessive drainage has stopped. I am surrounded by loving family. Last night my wife, brother, daughter and boyfriend came into my room with a bottle of champagne! I am so grateful for the love and acceptance I am receiving!

Congratulations!  And it is wonderful to have such a great family!

Quote from: Dorit on December 17, 2018, 06:53:34 AM
... Last night my wife, brother, daughter and boyfriend came into my room with a bottle of champagne! I am so grateful for the love and acceptance I am receiving!

That's some support network you have!!  Congratulations. 

Quote from: Dorit on December 17, 2018, 06:53:34 AM
I am on my fourth day post op. I believe that the worst of the recovery is past. My surgeon says that I am healing well and that my previous excessive drainage has stopped. I am surrounded by loving family. Last night my wife, brother, daughter and boyfriend came into my room with a bottle of champagne! I am so grateful for the love and acceptance I am receiving!

Brilliant news...congrats I hope your recovery is uneventful. Wish you all the joy of it[emoji3]

Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am now one week post op.   My major discomfort issues are probably unique to me; itchy skin rash from laying in bed for a week accompanied by heat flashes and perspiration, probably due to hormonal changes, plus a flowering of canker sores from the abrasion of the oxygen tube during surgery.    The first makes it hard to sleep, the second hard to eat!

I had my catheter removed, I was a bit afraid after reading accounts of painful urination that went on for weeks.   No pain whatsoever.    Better yet, I had a deep emotional experience of joy and validation as I can now pee as a woman!!

I would like to clarify about my modified vaginoplasty, as my surgeon Dr. Leis refers to it.   It was not zero depth.   We had discussed in pre-op the options and my needs, and he said he could give me a shallow vagina of an inch or so.   This is what I chose.   No dilation is required, and obviously penetrative sex is not really possible, but for me personally it added a dimension of reality to my GRS.   

I am very happy with my choice of surgeon.   Because I am in the recovery apartment of his clinic, I am examined by him daily, sometimes even twice.   I believe this kind of daily attention from the surgeon is rare in the US.   It certainly adds to my sense of well-being.

Dorit
This sounds really  great! 
The cancer source are probably herpes simplex, a very opportunistic virus which all of us got as a present from our birth mother during our birth.
I hope your healing will be nice and easy, without any complications!  And you go home with this wonderful, brand new vulva!
You got exactly the surgery I hope to get one of these days!

If the canker sores are caused by a virus, there are topical medication that will knock them out in 2-3 days. They are by prescription so if you need them, ask your doctor for them and you sores will be quickly cleared up. As for laying in bed, I spent 6 days on my back and sides so I ran out of places I could lay comfortably. Being allowed on my feet was the first time that I could allow the rest of my body to recover from being in bed so long. Yes your experiencing menopause with hot flashes. It will pass quickly enough when the doctor allows you to resume your hormones. It's uncomfortable enough but at least your air-conditioning is working or the room temperatures are cool.

Hi Dorit

Sounds like you are well on you way to recovery. I glad the removal of the catheter went well. It took me a few days for sensation to properly return but you sound like you have had a great result. Peeing is so very different

You sound pretty happy with everything so far and that is great...thanks for the update

Liz

Dorit,

Sounds like all is going well.  Congratulations.

I hope by now, Christmas day, the side effects (sores) have cleared up. And that you're up and about as before. Although moving slowly and not as long.

Your sister
Denise

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

I am now 11 days post op.   Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.   My mouth sores have run their coarse, usually a week to ten days.  It is a weakness particular to me, I get them from any small injury or abrasion to my mouth.   My rash has mostly cleared up, I have a cortisone cream that helps the itching.

So I am feeling stronger day by day, but still quite a bit of swelling and a small amount of regular bleeding.   This is really an intense experience of on one hand dealing with the physical discomfort and pain, and on the other hand experiencing a deep emotional joy and gratefulness.   

For me personally it is worth it!   I am very happy!

I'm so happy to hear you're feeling better.  Stronger every day!

Minor complications.   My surgeon has been keeping an eye on some skin around the top of my vagina that was getting dark.   Sure enough, it was dead skin and yesterday he decide to cut it away. Smelled bad!  He said this is not an uncommon occurrence, and that new skin will grow back.   I share this in wanting to paint a realistic picture of my healing.   Some things go wrong.

I also want to share the deep personal and emotional healing this has been for me.   In spite of the pain and discomfort of my body, I am experiencing a release of joy and delight in myself that I never thought possible.   I giggle a lot!

Quote from: Dorit on December 26, 2018, 09:34:15 AM.

I also want to share the deep personal and emotional healing this has been for me.   In spite of the pain and discomfort of my body, I am experiencing a release of joy and delight in myself that I never thought possible.   I giggle a lot!

I think that this is what it is all about!  Having arrived finally!
I do not have any dysphoria about my genitals, they are just there for one function only, letting water!  And to imaging that this would work as well being a real woman with real female genitalia is a very exciting thought.
After these were "stolen" from me shortly after birth, it is for me like finally getting me original body back.

I envy you so much for being there already, while, at the same time, I feel very happy for you!

Quote from: Dorit on December 26, 2018, 09:34:15 AM
Minor complications.   My surgeon has been keeping an eye on some skin around the top of my vagina that was getting dark.   Sure enough, it was dead skin and yesterday he decide to cut it away. Smelled bad!  He said this is not an uncommon occurrence, and that new skin will grow back.   I share this in wanting to paint a realistic picture of my healing.   Some things go wrong.

I also want to share the deep personal and emotional healing this has been for me.   In spite of the pain and discomfort of my body, I am experiencing a release of joy and delight in myself that I never thought possible.   I giggle a lot!

Hi Dorit

I was told I had a minor complication when they took my packing out...some of the sutured skin had split causing discomfort when dilating...but I could not get really concerned about it as I feel so content. Its great to hear you are feeling so positive and even a small setback such as you describe really just bounces off that positiveness and  happiness I am sure you are radiating...congratulations and I hope your recover continues to go well.

Take care

Liz

Dorit you are setting goals and then conquering.  This is mountain climbing.  Minor complications, major accomplishments.  I understand and share in your happiness. 

How are you doing?  I think of you often as we're about a day apart.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Thanks Denise, I think of you often too.   I am having a slow recovery, have to deal with a urinary infection now.   I am progressing and feel stronger everyday.   I am this Friday facing a continues 24 hour trip back home to Israel, including an 8 hour flight to Europe    I am determined to make it, even though I could postpone.

I am very happy.   I am experiencing a deep transformation in my spirit that is filling with joy and gratitude.   It is worth the suffering.

Have a good flight.  If you don't have a pillow for sitting on that's shaped like a U (a friend loaned me one, it's wonderful) ask your Dr/their-office about where to get one.  The one I have looks like a horse collar.  You might be able to use a soft neck pillow.

I assume you'll forgo dilation during the trip.

I hope your stay here was enjoyable for other reasons than surgery.


Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Some major airports for international connections have day-hotels inside the airport.  Prices are somewhat high but can help you stay closer to initial dilation schedule if you have enough time between flights.  Traveling 24 hours 3 weeks post-op is very soon after this type of surgery. 

I traveled from Seattle to Seoul for VFS 6 weeks after GCS/GRS - a short trip in comparison (10 hour flight).  I was totally fine in coach-class seats but 6 weeks is very different than 3 weeks.  Hopefully you have a bit of extra room on your flights so you can fully recline your seat.

The u-shaped seat cushion I was provided in my GCS goodie bag is basically a neck pillow sold at airports.  The one I had was filled with material instead of air (not the inflatable type), it helped the first few days.

Quote from: Dorit on December 31, 2018, 08:46:28 AM
Thanks Denise, I think of you often too.   I am having a slow recovery, have to deal with a urinary infection now. 

This is one of the most common infections caused by cahteterization!  Somebody was a little sloppy in handling your catheter!  Not a big deal as infections go, just pretty uncomfortable.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

QuoteNot a big deal as infections go, just pretty uncomfortable.

Cranberry pills can help with infections.  My urologist recommended them.

So much help and encouragement, you are all so sweet!   My surgeon is amazing, last Sunday morning he went to a pharmacy and brought an antibiotic.   It is working.   I also had my first outing on New Years day!   I had a walk around the block in what is for me very cold Philadelphia.   I did receive a donut inflatable pillow as a gift, plus i like the idea of using the common neck pillow too.  I had enough sense to take economy upgrade for the 8 hour leg to Frankfurt.   We are behind the bulkhead, no seats in front.   There will be a 2 1/2 layover, maybe I can find a spot to just lay down, then a 4 hour flight to Tel Aviv.    Our daughter will meet us at the airport and take us home, about a 2 hour drive.   As daunting as this seems, I believe I am ready.

Quote from: Dorit on January 02, 2019, 08:14:37 AM
So much help and encouragement, you are all so sweet!   My surgeon is amazing, last Sunday morning he went to a pharmacy and brought an antibiotic.   It is working.   I also had my first outing on New Years day!   I had a walk around the block in what is for me very cold Philadelphia.   I did receive a donut inflatable pillow as a gift, plus i like the idea of using the common neck pillow too.  I had enough sense to take economy upgrade for the 8 hour leg to Frankfurt.   We are behind the bulkhead, no seats in front.   There will be a 2 1/2 layover, maybe I can find a spot to just lay down, then a 4 hour flight to Tel Aviv.    Our daughter will meet us at the airport and take us home, about a 2 hour drive.   As daunting as this seems, I believe I am ready.

Some of the lounge seats in Frankfurt can have the foot part pulled out, and others can have the armrest liftet.

When you check in for you flight, you might be able to get a bulkhead set for the Tel Aviv section also.  They are mostly reserved for handicapped people (I get them all the time, even without reservation, I just show my handicapped card upon checking in), and they might allow you to take it because of your condition, just ask and wine a little!  :angel:!
I wish you a great trip home, and a nice and pleasant flight!

Frankfurt is a very big airport with lots of walking. Depending on how mobile you feel, you may want to request that they transport you in one of the  electric carts. The walking is great as a break between my typically long flights (6 hr to Frankfurt / 12 hr from Frankfurt to US west coast) but may not be so comfortable depending on your recovery status.

Brook


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

@Dorit I hope your flight home is uneventful.  Please let us know how you're doing when you get home, after sleeping a day or two   [emoji16]

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Quote from: Dorit on December 21, 2018, 05:53:07 PM
I am now one week post op.   My major discomfort issues are probably unique to me; itchy skin rash from laying in bed for a week accompanied by heat flashes and perspiration, probably due to hormonal changes, plus a flowering of canker sores from the abrasion of the oxygen tube during surgery.    The first makes it hard to sleep, the second hard to eat!

I had my catheter removed, I was a bit afraid after reading accounts of painful urination that went on for weeks.   No pain whatsoever.    Better yet, I had a deep emotional experience of joy and validation as I can now pee as a woman!!

I would like to clarify about my modified vaginoplasty, as my surgeon Dr. Leis refers to it.   It was not zero depth.   We had discussed in pre-op the options and my needs, and he said he could give me a shallow vagina of an inch or so.   This is what I chose.   No dilation is required, and obviously penetrative sex is not really possible, but for me personally it added a dimension of reality to my GRS.   

I am very happy with my choice of surgeon.   Because I am in the recovery apartment of his clinic, I am examined by him daily, sometimes even twice.   I believe this kind of daily attention from the surgeon is rare in the US.   It certainly adds to my sense of well-being.

Congratulations! He was my surgeon too back in 2010. He does very good work. I also stayed in one of his apartments.

Hello Dorit,

Congratulations on your GCS. I hope you are recovering well.

Dr. Leis seamed like a very nice person. I saw three presentations of his and he presented very real results and expectations from his surgeries.

Is he still operating out of Lower Bucks Hospital?

Rachel

Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him? :)

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

Quote from: Dorit on January 06, 2019, 10:18:46 AM
Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him? :)

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

I hope everything will continue to work that well for you.  And keep those opiates away if you don't really need them.  They are nasty stuff!
Hugs
Linde

Thank you for sharing your very personal experience, Dorit. I'm so glad you are doing so well. I read everything I can about others' GCS experience, because I'm planning mine in July after I graduate from nursing school. I have my first consult with the surgeon this coming Friday, January 11. I'm so excited! Sending you thoughts of healing and happiness!

Quote from: Dorit on January 06, 2019, 10:18:46 AM
Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him? :)

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

Hi Dorit

I hear you, its such a great feeling to finally make it home to your own bed and have your own stuff around you. I hope you don't have too much more in the way of discomfort. I only had to fly for an hour to get home (sitting on my donut) and that was bad enough but 20 hours sounds really uncomfortable.

Glad to hear you a healing well. I hope you can continue to make great progress. I find that dilation time has really become "me time" and have to be a bit careful or I am likely to doze off and wake with the finishing alarm. LOL

Take care

I am now one month post-op.    I just returned from my first checkup with the Israel medical services  surgeon and gynecologist for the transgender community.   They declared that the work of my GRS surgeon, Dr. Sherman Leis in Philadelphia was excellent, and that my recovery was progressing well.   It was so reassuring to me that I cried.  They gave me some treatment and advice for the minor complications that I have been suffering and assured me that they will heal.

I feel I have reached a milestone in my recovery that has been a real suffering and challenge for me emotionally.    I know that I am still far from normal, but see a real progress in healing that was just confirmed by the doctors.   Also even though it is a whole day trip to Tel Aviv and back, I now have a "home" for my care that is made up of a loving and encouraging staff, instead of trying to relate to a local gynecologist that has absolutely no experience with transgender patients that have been through GRS.     I am happy and grateful!

So nice to read Dorit!  You're doctors sound wonderful!

Quote from: Dorit on January 16, 2019, 09:56:55 AM
I am now one month post-op.    I just returned from my first checkup with the Israel medical services  surgeon and gynecologist for the transgender community.   They declared that the work of my GRS surgeon, Dr. Sherman Leis in Philadelphia was excellent, and that my recovery was progressing well.   It was so reassuring to me that I cried.  They gave me some treatment and advice for the minor complications that I have been suffering and assured me that they will heal.

I feel I have reached a milestone in my recovery that has been a real suffering and challenge for me emotionally.    I know that I am still far from normal, but see a real progress in healing that was just confirmed by the doctors.   Also even though it is a whole day trip to Tel Aviv and back, I now have a "home" for my care that is made up of a loving and encouraging staff, instead of trying to relate to a local gynecologist that has absolutely no experience with transgender patients that have been through GRS.     I am happy and grateful!

This is great news!  And going to Tel Aviv is not all that bad.  I remember from long ago, how fun it was to sit in one of the street side cafe's along Dizengoff and watch the people parading by!
Good luck for your further recovery!

That's great and it sounds like you have a good medical support system.  [emoji16]

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk