Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi relatively new to site. I've been on HRT for 16 months and now looking in to several possible surgeries. Most of all orchiectomy and voice feminization. Has anyone out there had experience with either one? I'm more than ready for orchiectomy because I don't want to take testosterone blockers any longer than I have to, and also nothing works down there anymore, anyway. Trouble is, I'm having a hard time finding out about surgeons who perform this. I've found very few on line and most of them have not responded to my email inquiries. I live in Northern California and you would think there'd be a lot of resources here but I haven't found any yet. The only responses I've gotten are out of state.
Have any of you experienced voice feminization surgery or know anyone who has? I realized it is risky, but I would love to hear any feedback anyone has. I started my transition late in life but now that I'm doing it I'm very impatient to move forward. I'd really appreciate any responses. Thanks, and my best wishes to all my sister transgenders out there.

I've got orchiodectomy coming up in March (in New Zealand). Personally I like the idea of no testicles, no testosterone, and easier wearing nicer clothes. I've actually found that stuff does work down there if I want it to and this isn't a bad thing. The recovery time to be back at work has been pegged at a week and full recovery in a month. As for voice surgery a friend has just had it and seems happy. Personally I found that voice training was enough to feminize my voice sufficiently.

Hi Erica, welcome to Susan's Place! I had an orchiectomy in 2017, in large part to get off blockers. I covered the whole thing start to finish in this thread. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,224375.0.html

Good luck!

Hugs, Devlyn

Surgeons here recommend not having an orchiectomy as you lose material that can be used for a vaginoplasty.

I know that voice surgery can be very risky.  The basic pitch isn't the most important factor, I still sing bass in the church choir but I have trained my voice to be sufficiently feminine that I pass.  My spoken voice is in the contralto/tenor overlap area and I have taken out the chest resonance.

Quote from: MaryXYX on December 21, 2018, 07:09:59 AM
Surgeons here recommend not having an orchiectomy as you lose material that can be used for a vaginoplasty.

I know that voice surgery can be very risky.  The basic pitch isn't the most important factor, I still sing bass in the church choir but I have trained my voice to be sufficiently feminine that I pass.  My spoken voice is in the contralto/tenor overlap area and I have taken out the chest resonance.

This varies from surgeon to surgeon. I specifically asked Dr Oates this question, and he said it wouldn't affect GRS in any way except shaving ten minutes off the procedure. None of the scrotum is removed during an orchiectomy, so that has no bearing.

A lot does vary from one surgeon to another.  After an orchiectomy the scrotum will shrink.  That can reduce material used for forming the labia.

I had voice surgery and I recommend you attempt voice therapy first as the surgery may not be required. Also what you learn it therapy will still be required after surgery so you lose nothing and possibly avoid surgery. If you look under Voice therapy and surgery (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,346.0.html) you should find a good deal of information and my thread (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192393.0.html) is available with a fair amount of information. Start your own thread or after you gain Personal messaging abilities, feel free to ask me any additional questions you might have.

Quote from: MaryXYX on December 21, 2018, 07:38:03 AM
A lot does vary from one surgeon to another.  After an orchiectomy the scrotum will shrink.  That can reduce material used for forming the labia.

Yes, it shrinks, but the tissues remain elastic. Our scrotums and penises always changed shape and size, that remains constant. That's how Dr Oates described it to me.....hos language was much more colourful!  :laugh:

Quote from: Devlyn on December 21, 2018, 08:04:30 AM
Yes, it shrinks, but the tissues remain elastic. Our scrotums and penises always changed shape and size, that remains constant. That's how Dr Oates described it to me.....hos language was much more colourful!  :laugh:

I think your doc is right!  Even "Standard" human skin can be stretched quite a bit!  The skin of the scrotum is designe to be very elastic to be able to keep the temperature of the testicles within a certain range!

We used skin for a lot of different tests in the lab, and it was always very elastic. 
I also plan for an orchi, and do not envision any problems with a possible later SRS because of it.

Ask the doctor who is prescribing your hrt for a referral to a urologist.  That is what I did. I have an appointment with him January 3rd to get the ball(s] rolling.   :D

Quote from: GordonG on December 21, 2018, 03:43:26 PM
Ask the doctor who is prescribing your hrt for a referral to a urologist.  That is what I did. I have an appointment with him January 3rd to get the ball(s] rolling.   :D

I have to wait an entire week longer to get the same stuff rolling.  I hope I can convince him to charge my insurance for  it, because I have quite some pain down there caused by those little guys.

Quote from: GordonG on December 21, 2018, 03:43:26 PM
Ask the doctor who is prescribing your hrt for a referral to a urologist.  That is what I did. I have an appointment with him January 3rd to get the ball(s] rolling.   :D

;D