Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So, I had an email today from the holding group to say that I'm now at the top of the waiting list and my name is about to be sent to Nuffield Parkside.

As a reminder, the NHS uses a holding system these days which is rather like the way air traffic controllers put you into a holding pattern if the airport is too busy. Those of you who fly into London Heathrow will know this only-too-well. They send you off in figure of 8 patterns well away from the airport before you are given the authority to begin your approach.

And it is, almost literally, like that. In my case I was in a holding queue out in the East Midlands for 8 months to the day: 27th March was when they received my referral from my Gender Clinic, and today I was told that I'm now at the top of the queue ready to be sent to Parkside. The reason that emailed me was to double check my latest Body Mass Index BMI before sending my name to the hospital. [Edit. update.] They have this minute written to confirm that my BMI is below the threshold of 31 and they are therefore sending my name forward. The Gender Air Traffic Controllers have given permission to begin the approach.

That doesn't mean I'll be landing - having the surgery - tomorrow ;) I can expect another humungous delay. When I asked Parkside they wrote this:

"The NHS wait once we receive your referral from the GDNRSS to see Miss Rashid is 9-12 months and then if suitable for surgery the current wait it 6-9 months."

So I'm looking at a further 18 months, by which time I will be 63. On the other hand, as I have a friend who lives 20 minutes from the hospital I'm going to see if I can be put on a cancellation list. Unlikely but you never know,

Sigh. I suppose better late than never, and I'd like to get this done before Nigel Farage and his Trumpian lot get into power (if they do, but it's a risk).

xx

More good news! Congrats.

18 months will fly by, I am sure. And it could happen sooner. Good luck!

Quote from: Lori Dee on November 27, 2025, 06:27:33 PMMore good news! Congrats.

18 months will fly by, I am sure. And it could happen sooner. Good luck!

Thanks Lori Dee.

I've got my house move to the western Scottish Highlands coming up in January, with redecorating and then furniture installation, the latter being quite a saga when an island is involved. So I shall be pretty distracted for much of the first half of 2026.

The other thing to mention is that it's a chance to focus on weight loss and a good level of fitness. They simply won't go ahead with surgery if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is near or over 31. So lots of healthy eating and exercise is planned.

We never know what's around the corner but all being well by this time next year I'll be primed and ready!

p.s. you're right: it was quite a day yesterday. Emails about my GCS surgery, birth certificate, and GRS certificate arriving literally all occurred within minutes of one another. Do you think the universe was saying something? :)

xx

The message is clear: You are ready!

@Tills
Dear Tills:
I am so very happy to read your good news regarding your surgery, and also
the other things you mentioned about moving in January, redecorating and furniture, and
very importantly focusing on your health.... weight loss and a good level of fitness
getting ready for your big day.

For your followers and readers including myself please keep your updates coming as you
feel comfortable sharing.

HUGS, Danielle Northern Star Girl

I see the wait time has gone up since I went for my op, think it was about 6months from first appointment till surgery. I was 66 so you got this my dear, best wishes and good luck with the house move.

Oh thank you so much Danielle and likewise Davina.

What lovely messages. I go into the weekend with a smile and a glow from that.

xx

Congratulations. You deserve this.

Ladies, I have a slight dilemma emerging.

I'm in the process of buying a place in Scotland and should be moving there during 2026. This will likely be well before I am called in by Nuffield Parkside, Wimbledon (London) for surgery.

The NHS in Scotland is not part of the NHS UK. It operates separately under the Scottish Government and I know from experience that they really are unconnected.

If I update my NHS records to my new Scottish address I fear I will be dumped out of the waiting list for Parkside and probably from Gender Services in England.

As I definitely only want the surgery at Parkside under Tina Rashid, with the backup of a good friend who lives 20 minutes away and who will look after me post-surgery, I think I'm going to have to maintain my NHS record in Surrey until surgery is complete.

I can't see another way around this? And from experience I'd also say that it doesn't pay to be too open about it.

xx

(This is probably a question for those with detailed knowledge of the NHS in the UK.)

Hi Tills

I'm no expert in NHS.  However on the face of what you have said,  I would stay with the NHS in England and if you have a house in Scotland then visit England for your medical needs, until after you have had surgery.  Then transfer your NHS to Scotland.

Alternatively wait until you have had surgery then buy your house in Scotland.

Or buy your house in Scotland but still have a residence in England until after surgery and visit your Scotland house for a nice weekend getaway!

I'm sure you will find a wonderful solution to your dilemma.  Take care and all the best for the future.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Tills

Thanks @Sarah B

You're right. The sale is going through at the moment and under Scottish law you it becomes binding quite early. Plus it's a beautiful place :) I think the best, maybe only, solution is what you say: maintain my NHS records in the UK using the Surrey address. Then once the GCS is completed, with the aftercare, transfer. It may be a bit of a pain with getting other routine medical matters sorted when I'm up there but they would treat me for any emergencies.

xx

The long winding road continues.

My hospital have been in touch requesting blood results and an official print out of my BMI. Re. the latter they say specifically that if there's no BMI print out there will be no appointment.

BMI is actually a dreadfully clunky measuring tool but that's a whole different topic. I've complied and sent mine off.

xx

Quote from: Tills on January 29, 2026, 10:18:27 PMThe long winding road continues.

My hospital have been in touch requesting blood results and an official print out of my BMI. Re. the latter they say specifically that if there's no BMI print out there will be no appointment.

BMI is actually a dreadfully clunky measuring tool but that's a whole different topic. I've complied and sent mine off.

xx

I know the BMI is clunky and throughout my weight loss journey I have been told not to focus on it because it really doesn't mean how healthy you are.  But for certain medical procedures they do go by it, unfortunately.

However I noticed on some of your previous posts about switching from NHS England to NHS Scotland and the question about needing to be in England to be covered by NHS England.  I would recommend staying in England, or when you have an appointment, if it's virtual, have the virtual appointment somewhere in England.  Here in Ontario, especially with virtual appointments, the providers must ask if you are physically in Ontario, otherwise the government will not cover the appointment cost.  And through the internet, the Ontario Health program can most likely track down where your signal is originating from---and I assume that the NHS in England could probably do the same.  So for me, if I was going to rent a cottage in Quebec for a week, and I had a virtual appointment during that same week, I would have to drive back across the Quebec/Ontario border and be in Ontario, even if I'm just using my phone for the video.  As long as my phone was pinging off a cell tower in Ontario (or a Quebec cell tower that was showing that I was on the Ontario side) I'm fine.

I lived in Wales, my gp was NH-Wales, but my endocrine was in England.
It caused major headaches, to the point I would print out stuff from England and send it to my gp and vice -a-versa....
So yes, please, don't change your GP surgery until AFTER your GRS..

Quote from: SoupSarah on January 30, 2026, 06:07:11 PMI lived in Wales, my gp was NH-Wales, but my endocrine was in England.
It caused major headaches, to the point I would print out stuff from England and send it to my gp and vice -a-versa....
So yes, please, don't change your GP surgery until AFTER your GRS..

Thanks so much @SoupSarah and @NancyDrew1930

Yes that' exactly the plan of action. I have a friend down south in Surrey, which is where I'm currently registered, and so my NHS and GP address will remain there. She can pick up my prescriptions. The irritation will be if I need to be seen by a GP but I'll just have to suck that up until after the op when I can transfer. Fortunately I would still be seen for any urgent treatment in Scotland.

It's even more tricky in Scotland than Wales I believe because the two NHS's are not connected. NHS Scotland is a completely different entity. They can't even access records from south of the border.

I reckon it'll take about 15 months from here to surgery. It's a bit of a grinding process at the moment.

xx

Tills, hopefully everything moves swiftly for you and there are no complications with the move to Scotland how the the NHS systems can't work together efficiently is a total farce.

I hope I'm not asking a personal question here, feel free to tell me to keep my neb out but Tina Rashid is top of my list for surgeons in the uk. I understand she does PPV as an option. Is that an option you are going for or is it not available on the NHS?

Hi @Stottie Girl it's fine to ask ;)

I didn't know that she offers PPT. Wow. I'm not sure if it's available on the NHS. Probably not I'm guessing.

I don't think I'd be able to have Periotoneal Pull Through vaginoplasty anyway as I have diverticular. I think it would be considered a contra-indication.

I heard from the hospital yesterday:

"Thank you for this information, it has been added to your referral which will be reviewed by the clinical team.
We will be in touch in due course, please note this could be 3-6 months due to the waitlist."

It's a slow process.

xx

Hey, your way further on than I am! It's got to be getting excitng now!

I've never heard of diverticular, had to look it up. You might be right but then agin it couldn't hurt to ask when you see her, assuming you were interested in that of course.

I think the time will fly by.

Yesterday I was at Wimbledon Parkside hospital in South-West London which is where I am due to have my GRS vaginoplasty under Tina Rashid.

I was there for a separate cosmetic procedure, see:
https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=248367

I was very impressed by the hospital and everything that @SoupSarah has said in its praise appears 100% right.

I should hear very soon about my consultation date and from there it may be about 6 months to surgery. It has been a long wait.

xx

Quote from: Tills on April 21, 2026, 10:32:59 PMYesterday I was at Wimbledon Parkside hospital in South-West London which is where I am due to have my GRS vaginoplasty under Tina Rashid.

Is there anything you can tell me about Tina Rashid?  I have a consult with her in late June.  Hopefully my visa issues will be sorted by then, Home Office willing.

Quote from: Liz K on April 21, 2026, 11:04:00 PMIs there anything you can tell me about Tina Rashid?  I have a consult with her in late June.  Hopefully my visa issues will be sorted by then, Home Office willing.

Oh that's great news Liz, assuming the visa situation is okay.

Everything I've heard about Tina Rashid has been extremely positive. I've heard great reports from a variety of unrelated sources. Even moments like yesterday add to that picture: 'Oh I know Tina well. She's great.'

I was chatting separately to another doctor recently who was at a Conference where Tina Rashid was a keynote speaker and he said that the whole room was totally in awe. 'Could have heard a pin drop,' he said and he added, 'You could not be in better hands.' She seems to be garnering a lot of accolades, to the point where I think she's probably THE go-to GRS surgeon now in the UK.

However, in the interests of objectivity I will add that Tina Rashid has worked under Dr James Bellringer and both he and Parkside did come in for criticism on this forum some years ago:
https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=242022.msg2191475#msg2191475

@SoupSarah had GRS more recently at Parkside under Dr Bellringer and said that Parkside is a lovely hospital.

Tina Rashid would definitely be my first choice. I can only see positive comments about her and I just don't want to have such major surgery abroad. It's bad enough I don't have a support network.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on April 22, 2026, 01:51:22 AMTina Rahid would definitely be my first choice. I can only see positive comments about her and I just don't want to have such major surgery abroad. It's bad enough I don't have a support network.

I totally get that.

When I had my 9-hour FFS in Thailand I thought I was going to be on my own. I had lined up an English-speaking Thai nurse to help during the nights after discharge from hospital, which was arranged through Bobbie aka @warlockmaker  My intention after that was to go to Koh Phangan for several weeks to recuperate, not the full moon party side of the island but the northern parts where there are lots of Buddhist and related retreats. In the event the friend with whom I still have a base in Surrey flew out to Thailand to be with me through the operation and immediate aftermath: totally off her own bat and I flew back to hers a week after the op.

Whereas back then my C-PTSD was still buried deep within and raw, I've since been treating with it and I'm much more conscious of its presence and the triggers. Therefore I too don't think I could mentally cope with surgery abroad again: not even the bilateral orchidectomy which I had out there, and probably not the lip lift either. I would too readily go into panic mode.

xx

Quote from: Liz K on April 21, 2026, 11:04:00 PMIs there anything you can tell me about Tina Rashid?  I have a consult with her in late June.  Hopefully my visa issues will be sorted by then, Home Office willing.

Congratulations on such big news. Hopefully you'll get in quickly afterwards X

So exciting. I hope it goes well.

So today I got the phone call giving me my first appointment with the hospital next week. It's a triage and general consultation to start with and they will then talk me through the next steps.

I don't know how long the actual Gender Affirming Surgery will be from here but it feels like things are happening and a significant step.

Wow. 🙂

xx

That's great news. Keep us informed

Good luck and when they say to ice for pain management they mean it.

Good news, Tills!

Congrats!

Quote from: Tills on May 06, 2026, 01:01:15 PMSo today I got the phone call giving me my first appointment with the hospital next week. It's a triage and general consultation to start with and they will then talk me through the next steps.

I don't know how long the actual Gender Affirming Surgery will be from here but it feels like things are happening and a significant step.

Wow. 🙂

xx

Congratulations x

Quote from: Tills on May 06, 2026, 01:01:15 PMSo today I got the phone call giving me my first appointment with the hospital next week. It's a triage and general consultation to start with and they will then talk me through the next steps.

I don't know how long the actual Gender Affirming Surgery will be from here but it feels like things are happening and a significant step.

Wow. 🙂

xx

That is wonderful news Tills. I'm so excited for you. It's all go in your life at the moment! I am very interested in your journey as it is the route I would like to follow with Dr Rashid. How long have you been on the list if you don't mind me asking? I'm assuming it is the NHS route and not private.

Have they discussed whether you would need to have electrolysis down there or not? I know some surgeons don't require it. No worries if you don't want to discuss it, I realise it's a bit of a personal question.

Hi @Stottie Girl it's fine by me to ask :)

I started a thread a while back with timelines, so here's your answer on that score:

https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=250977.new#new

So, yes, NHS route. I did slightly wonder if things accelerated because of going there for my private lip lift consultation and forthcoming procedure. My lip lift surgeon wrote to the Gender Surgery team - at the same hospital and the two surgeons know each other well. But it might just be coincidence that the first appointment has come through a few days after she wrote to them.

I've had 6 laser hair removal treatments down below. It'll be interesting to see next week whether or not they want me to have more.

xx

Quote from: Athena on May 06, 2026, 01:41:04 PMGood luck and when they say to ice for pain management they mean it.

Can I ask others who've been through this whether they used ice?

Apparently I have a high pain threshold although I'm beginning to wonder if that's any longer true!

I can't take anything with morphine in it, including codeine, as it makes me throw up.

After I had my orchidectomy I just used paracetamol.

xx

Thanks for the link Tills.

My Mum has the same problem with Morphine (throwing up violently). I worry about her if she ever gets any severe pain. She broke her arm at the ball socket a few years back and they couldn't give her opiates so they just gave her Ibuprofen. She said it basically did nothing. I hope there are alternatives for people in your situation.

God that sounds horribly painful :(

Naproxen is fairly strong and non-opioid.

When Dr Sutin realised the issue he switched me to another strong non-opioid one. I think it was Celecoxib but it might have been Ketorolac. I'll ask my friend if she can remember which it was. I was in a bit of a blur at the time.

I will also say that although Dr Sutin was fantastic, as were PAI, the hospital were not. The nurse on the intensive care ward where I was supposed to be monitored the first night refused to let my friend into the ward and she went to sleep. She also spoke no English.

PAI have since switched to using a different hospital.

I'm going to ask my surgeon for a non opiod pain relief regime if possible as believe this is a much more modern method. I had codeine prescribed for migraines and it just made me feel nauseous. And didn't stop the headache.

Charlotte

Did I say this to you before? I did not need hair removal, just a couple of months from first visit to operation and I only used the morphine once to get to sleep after the op. Found I did not need pain killers, Dr Tia came and did the follow up checks as she assisted on the op. Out and back home in less than a week, bit stiff walking for a good few days. I had to climb stairs up to the 2nd floor to my flat and I managed that okay. Just make sure you have plenty of pads and baby changing mats for when you get home as it can be messy for a while!

Hair removal really depends on both the surgeon and technique. I'm going for scrotal skin graft and my surgeon needs perineum and scrotum clear. They can follicle scrape the scrotal skin to deal with some, but I prefer to be cautious as hair growth inside is not good at all. For the sake a removing as much hair as possible this mitigates risk so much more. But really best to check with surgeon and decide how to proceed.

Well following comments above ^^^ I've been in touch today with my laser hair clinic in Surrey. See here: https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=250585.0

I think I'm going to start another round of 6 x treatments on face, chest & tummy, and down below.

I don't really want to take a chance with it for my Gender Affirming Surgery and I'd like to have more work on my lip ahead of a lip lift.

xx

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 07, 2026, 01:43:43 AMThanks for the link Tills.

My Mum has the same problem with Morphine (throwing up violently). I worry about her if she ever gets any severe pain. She broke her arm at the ball socket a few years back and they couldn't give her opiates so they just gave her Ibuprofen. She said it basically did nothing. I hope there are alternatives for people in your situation.

I have problems with Norco but not morphine. I use Tramadol when I have surgeries. It, an artificial opioid. It's not as strong but still better than puking, for me. Real fun puking after coming out of anesthesia  from rotator cuff surgery.

Good morning ladies.

Well in my absence from this forum for a few months everything started accelerating at an amazing pace. I've had various phone calls, online appointments, and a face-to-face clinic appointment with full medical check-up.

And: I'm booked in at the end of this month (August) for my vaginoplasty. I'm so thrilled.

xx

p.s. I increasingly like to call it Sex Confirming Surgery. Hopefully the phrase passes the censors as I feel it's the one which resonates most for me. My sex and gender are female. The surgery confirms it (even better than affirms which seems to place the power more in the hands of others).

p.s. oh by the way, the hospital have NOT asked me to come off estrogen. Their advice is now amended in accordance with recently updated WPATH guidelines.

I understand from the hospital that they will only tell you to come off estrogen if you are a) on oral administration and / or b) your estrogen level is high above e.g. > 800 pmol/L

Quote from: Tills on July 31, 2026, 10:41:20 PMAnd: I'm booked in at the end of this month (August) for my vaginoplasty. I'm so thrilled.

Welcome back, Tills, and congratulations!

That is exciting news.

p.s. I'm also booked in for a bullhorn lip lift: https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=254703.0

xx

Quote from: Lori Dee on July 31, 2026, 11:06:04 PMWelcome back, Tills, and congratulations!

That is exciting news.

Thanks so much Lori Dee.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder ;) Actually I've been up to my eyes in renovating and decorating in Scotland so it worked quite well really.

xx

Welcome back, you were greatly missed. Hoping everything works well for you. 💚

Brilliant to see you back Tills.

I am massively excited to hear about your journey. Are you still going with Miss Tina Rashid? She is still my no 1 choice for me when I get to your point in my own journey.

Hope it all goes smoothly

Quote from: Stottie Girl on August 01, 2026, 04:10:07 AMBrilliant to see you back Tills.

I am massively excited to hear about your journey. Are you still going with Miss Tina Rashid? She is still my no 1 choice for me when I get to your point in my own journey.

No Mr James Bellringer in fact. There's a bit of a backstory about this. Under the NHS funding you can't request a particular surgeon. Well, you might be able to if you had for example a particular problem with a male or female surgeon, but they work as a team and therefore you are assigned according to their list schedules. The added factor about this is that I have heard Ms Rashid only operates every fortnight, at the most, whereas Mr Bellringer is full on with his surgeries. So the bottom line (ho-ho) is that I'd probably have had a lengthy delay if I had insisted on Ms Rashid.

So I accepted that and I'm happy about it. I don't mind at all. I got on well with Mr Bellringer at our consultation and he is, after all, now the most senior transgender surgeon in the UK.

It's quite possible that I will still see Ms Rashid in the process as they interchange e.g. on ward rounds and follow-up appointments.

xx

I think Tina Rashid does a fair bit of private work so that's probably why.

Either way, you are in good hands, they work out of the same place, so I'm still interested in your experience. I'm quite excited for you Tills! It seems to have come round so quickly.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on August 01, 2026, 09:52:35 AMI think Tina Rashid does a fair bit of private work so that's probably why.

Either way, you are in good hands, they work out of the same place, so I'm still interested in your experience. I'm quite excited for you Tills! It seems to have come round so quickly.

Thanks so much Stottie Girl.

It really did accelerate all of a sudden didn't it? It was suddenly appointment after appointment in a quick rush, which I'm so pleased about.

Generally Mr Bellringer gets great reviews. Our very own @SoupSarah went to him privately at Parkside I believe and had nothing but praise for the whole experience there.

xx

Well keep us posted. I thing Mr Bellringer has been around for as long as I remember wanting "Sex confirming surgery" he must be getting on a bit. I've been hearing that name for decades He must have fantastic experience.

G'day everyone.

Had my final pre-Assessment appointment today, which went well.

So I'm booked in for 3 weeks today. Yay!

Slight trepidation but I know it has to be done.

xx

Quote from: Tills on August 06, 2026, 10:21:57 AMSo I'm booked in for 3 weeks today. Yay!
Slight trepidation but I know it has to be done.

Exciting! Can't wait to hear about the experience(s) when everything is "in place".
💕

Quote from: Tills on August 06, 2026, 10:21:57 AMG'day everyone.

Had my final pre-Assessment appointment today, which went well.

So I'm booked in for 3 weeks today. Yay!

Slight trepidation but I know it has to be done.

xx

Woohoo! I'm so chuffed for you Tills! I would give anything to be where you are now!

Congrats, Tills!

That is exciting news. You have been waiting a long time for this.

Hope all goes well and wish you all the best.

Thank you so much ladies 💕 Your kind comments and encouragement are massively appreciated.

I woke up quite early this morning and I know that it's because now I'm back from renovating my place in Scotland, with the pre-assessment appointment completed, and having the surgery 3 weeks today (not y'day: I was getting ahead of myself lol), ... it's now very very real. It's not awaking with dread, at all, more excitement but also of course some trepidation.

And it's a strange thing. You're right @Lori Dee about the long, long, wait. Suddenly though it's accelerating really fast. Like a river you meander for ages but then you see the mist rising on the horizon, hear the roar of the rapids, and soon your boat is hurtling towards the raging torrent (but hopefully not the rocks).* I don't think an ordeal metaphor is a bad one because at the age of 62 I know this is going to be life-changing and, at times, tough.Very soon you're through the other side and you know it's something you had to do: to reach your goal and be on the stretch of river you knew you were always meant to inhabit.

@Stottie Girl I know the wait like this is awful and I really hope that yours will come through more quickly.


* Real life metaphor. A few years ago I paddled down the upper Mekong in a rickety canoe.

p.p. s. I also haven't told a single family member. My friend in Surrey knows because I'll be convalescing at hers, but her children don't which could be interesting. Two friends on the south coast know because after a month I may need to stay with them whilst my friend goes on a mini holiday. My old school friend in Bangkok knows. You friends on this forum. And my counsellor knows. And that's it. No one else and right now I've no intention of telling anyone else. Why so?

I would spread the cloths under your feet
But I, being poor, have only my dreams
I have spread my dreams under your feet
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Also I have a question please.

Exactly a month after the procedure my friend at whose house I'll be convalescing is going on a mini break and I will have to find somewhere else to be for 5 nights. My friends on the south coast have offered to have me, which may sound ideal but I do have some slight reservations. I'm not very good at staying in other people's homes, in fact I never now do it apart from my Surrey friend's where I have my own en-suite attic bedroom. I often get up in the night and make a cup of tea etc. and I also get anxious if I'm feeling trapped which I've a feeling I might at theirs especially as it's a ground floor room with little light. And I don't particularly fancy the 2 hour journey to get there and back.

The alternative is a lovely new Hilton hotel a mile from my friend's where I have stayed a few times. I really like it. Superb rooms, fantastic views, spotlessly clean, outstanding breakfast, nice staff, full room service. I am very tempted to stay there especially as I'd get the 5th night free (the Manager owes me one). My friend would drop me off and pick me up after her break. It's only 10 minutes from A&E and, indeed, only 30 minutes from Parkside itself. It will be a month after surgery but I'd be on my own ... so is it a good idea / bad idea?

xx

That sounds like a great place to stay. A hotel with housekeeping and room service? Sign me up!

As it will be a month post-op, I think you will be fine on your own. But let your body tell you what it needs. If you are having issues and you would be unsafe or unsure about staying alone, reconsider the friends' offer. Barring any complications, I think you are in for a nice, relaxing treat at a nice hotel.

Thanks so much @Lori Dee That's really encouraging and very much on my wavelength :)

xx

Sorry for various posts on this but another curious thing. They mentioned covid yesterday, saying that there is still a lot of it about at the moment and that if I feel ill in the fortnight prior to surgery I need to test myself for covid. The reason? Apart from feeling like rubbish, covid can heighten the risk of blood clots forming through surgery and they would defer the operation.

I confess that I'd almost forgotten about covid. But I reckon I'm going to buy a few face masks for use on public transport over the next few weeks. It will feel very strange to be doing that again but I'd rather play it safe for the surgery.

Hi Tills

Who is Tills?  (just joking)

---

Yes, In answer to your covid question.  In a large international study of surgical patients, 2.2% of patients with perioperative COVID-19 developed a postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE).  In other words, approximately 97.8% did not develop a VTE [1].

Put simply, about 2 out of every 100 patients with perioperative COVID-19 developed a VTE while about 98 out of every 100 did not.

It is important to distinguish perioperative COVID-19 from having had COVID-19 sometime in the past.  Among patients classified as having a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, the reported VTE rate was 1.6%, meaning approximately 98.4% did not develop a VTE [1].  Patients with a previous infection had an even lower reported VTE rate of 1.0%, meaning approximately 99% did not develop a VTE [1].

Although the study found that COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of VTE following surgery, the absolute risk remained relatively low and the overwhelming majority of patients with perioperative, recent or previous COVID-19 did not develop a postoperative VTE.

---

Your suggestion of wearing a mask sounds like a good idea and stay in side?  Anyway, its good to hear that your surgery day is coming soon.

Trust me its a wonderful day that day.

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
[1] COVIDSurg Collaborative & GlobalSurg Collaborative. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: An international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia, 77(1), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15563
@Tills

The Hilton sounds like a feasible plan to me Tills. I don't know how you will be in your rcovery but being near a hospital and having room service available, fantastic breakfasts, good views and a free nights stay doesn't exactly sound like you will be slumming it!

You would have been welcome to recover in my spare room for a few days but A) I'm miles away, B) the house is a wreck and C) It's most definitely not a Hilton!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on August 07, 2026, 01:30:54 AMThe Hilton sounds like a feasible plan to me Tills. I don't know how you will be in your rcovery but being near a hospital and having room service available, fantastic breakfasts, good views and a free nights stay doesn't exactly sound like you will be slumming it!

You would have been welcome to recover in my spare room for a few days but A) I'm miles away, B) the house is a wreck and C) It's most definitely not a Hilton!

That's so incredibly kind of you @Stottie Girl thank you so much. Made me smile about points B) and C) though 😀 I'm not normally fussy I don't think. I mean, I just spent nearly 2 months in Scotland sleeping on a wafer thin sofa bed and using camping gear all that time, with no fridge so eating only non-perishables, whilst I did the place up. I didn't have a single meal out or takeaway.

xx

Thanks so much @Sarah B

Actually I have to say that I'm quite shocked at how high that incidence is. c. 2% is a high risk. I mean, 1 in every 50 patients at risk of a VTE is a pretty significant risk.

Compare it to, say, the theoretical risk of oral estrogen with which we are all familiar: is that, what, about 1 in a 1000?

Anyway, Parkside's policy is that covid in the 2 weeks prior to surgery means they defer the operation. Seems fairly sensible to me: VTE is definitely not something to play around with.

xx

By the way, the food at Parkside is fantastic. You'll be well fed while you're there. 🙂

I hope I feel like eating that lush food @Devlyn 😋

I'm gradually getting my things together and exercising lots to keep fit. They told me that they will weigh me the morning I come in. I'm guessing that's more to do with the anaesthetic but it's a reminder about their strict rules on BMI.

I had a bit of a wobble yesterday evening, for various reasons. I know it's likely to be a gruelling experience afterwards. I'm reliant on my friend here ... who's not altogether reliable. It does feel like there's a bit of passive aggressive hostility in the air as I don't think she really approves of me having the op. She won't articulate that so it hangs like an intangible presence. Also I do hope I have some sexual feeling once it has all settled down. I may be 62 but I would still like a sensate life down below.

It felt fab to buy some clothes that I have avoided all my life: more of a statement of intent with the leggings as I know I won't be able to wear them straightaway but it will be wonderful to be able to step out without a bulge.

xx

p.s. Re the little wobble it's also because I'm walking a pretty lonely path. I have told very, very, few people (including no one in my family) and I just know that if I were to dare to mention even the faintest scintilla of a doubt to my friend she would pounce on it and try to balloon it. She already tried three times a week ago to ask me if I was sure! And three times I changed the subject. Living in an environment where those seeds are being scattered requires resilience. Which fortunately I have in abundance 99.9% of the time 😀

Seriously though, it's a lonely path. I'll be in the hospital for 4 nights over the August bank holiday and my friend won't come and visit me (her way of showing disapproval I suspect) so I won't have a single visitor. So having friends on this forum really helps. And I'm pretty sure over the years that I've read most people approaching GCS on this forum have 'a moment'. We wouldn't be human if we didn't check in with ourselves.

xx

Oh and by the way, mega praise to Parkside for not asking me to come off estrogen. Because my estradiol level is c. 400 pmol/L they have left me on hormones, as per latest WPATH guidelines.

I shudder to think how tough this would have been without any hormones in the system (I had an orchidectomy in 2014).

xx

Pushing through the doubts (internal or external) is a show of strength and resolve. You have come too far to back out because someone else disapproves. She isn't the one having surgery. She can't live your life for you.

Wishing you the best. Check in when you regain consciousness. We will be here for you.

Big Hugs!

I've scanned back through the topic, so forgive me if I missed it, but do you have someone to pick you up when you're discharged from Parkside?

You aren't walking the path alone Tills, I know we are virtual friends but we are all following your journey with you and someone is here 24/7 due to time differences. Whenever you are feeling lost or alone, you have this place to fall back on.

I know it's not quite the same, it is what I will have to deal with as I negotiate all of this solo. I don't currently even have a disaproving friend I can call on so you have that over me! Plus, maybe she is just worried about you? She is letting you stay there to recouperate at least, that shows she does care about you.

I have been alone most of my adult life so am totally comfortable being solitary but I do find tackling this stuff solo is scary, that's totally normal, it does not mean that you are having real doubts. Once you are though this and pulling on those leggings bulge free for the first time you will know it's all been worth it. I dream constantly about the day I can do that.

This will be a wonderful thing, don't worry.

If your friend drops you in it you can always PM me Tills, maybe I can help. I'm sure there are other UK girls who could offer help if needed too.

You've got this.

Quote from: Lori Dee on August 11, 2026, 12:50:45 AMPushing through the doubts (internal or external) is a show of strength and resolve. You have come too far to back out because someone else disapproves. She isn't the one having surgery. She can't live your life for you.

Wishing you the best. Check in when you regain consciousness. We will be here for you.

Big Hugs!

Love this @Lori Dee - thank you :)

I'll do that. It'll likely be late on the Friday as I won't have the op until later that afternoon.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on August 11, 2026, 04:10:57 AMYou aren't walking the path alone Tills, I know we are virtual friends but we are all following your journey with you and someone is here 24/7 due to time differences. Whenever you are feeling lost or alone, you have this place to fall back on.

I know it's not quite the same, it is what I will have to deal with as I negotiate all of this solo. I don't currently even have a disaproving friend I can call on so you have that over me! Plus, maybe she is just worried about you? She is letting you stay there to recouperate at least, that shows she does care about you.

I have been alone most of my adult life so am totally comfortable being solitary but I do find tackling this stuff solo is scary, that's totally normal, it does not mean that you are having real doubts. Once you are though this and pulling on those leggings bulge free for the first time you will know it's all been worth it. I dream constantly about the day I can do that.

This will be a wonderful thing, don't worry.

If your friend drops you in it you can always PM me Tills, maybe I can help. I'm sure there are other UK girls who could offer help if needed too.

You've got this.

Love this!!! Thank you soooooo much.

xx

Re leaving the hospital, incredibly at the video appointment they said I could take the train. That would mean a cab to the station, train for about 30 minutes, and my friend would meet me at the other end. But that's far from an ideal solution and, as a different nurse told me during my pre-Assessment Appointment, 'what happens if there's a problem with the trains?' Which is quite possible, especially around Wimbledon for reasons I won't go in to here.

So cab it is (probably about £100). If the driver doesn't listen about going slowly I'll employ a tactic I've used in other parts of the world: wave a banknote if he / she slows down. I'll just need someone at the hospital to help me with my bag but that won't be a problem, and at the other end my friend will help it, and me, out the cab.

xx

p.s. £100 for a cab for an op which would have cost me £25,000 is a deal I'm not going to start whingeing about ... ;) :D

Yikes! Cabs are expensive down there!

Yeah, when you put it in the context of the op cost it's not a bad deal is it!

I'm, surprised your friend isn't picking you up though, I would have.

Will the hospital not have porters who can help you with the bag at that end?

Quote from: Stottie Girl on August 11, 2026, 08:45:54 AMYikes! Cabs are expensive down there!

Yeah, when you put it in the context of the op cost it's not a bad deal is it!

I'm, surprised your friend isn't picking you up though, I would have.

Will the hospital not have porters who can help you with the bag at that end?

Hi Stottie Girl (can I call you Sarah?), thanks and agreed.

Yes hospital porters or someone will help me at that end.

I was slightly incredulous about the train suggestion. It's probably not a very good idea.

I need to try and avoid letting myself get into a negative mindset about my friend. If it were her (nearly 30 yr old) daughter, she'd be camped out at the hospital and would pick her up. On the other hand, as you have rightly said she is letting me stay and she will do my meals etc. And to be fair she doesn't like driving in London.

It's one of the main things that caused that minor little wobble but I think I'm through that. I like the 'You've Got This' which you wrote.

:)

xx

Quote from: Tills on August 11, 2026, 09:13:08 AMHi Stottie Girl (can I call you Sarah?), thanks and agreed.

Yes hospital porters or someone will help me at that end.

I was slightly incredulous about the train suggestion. It's probably not a very good idea.

I need to try and avoid letting myself get into a negative mindset about my friend. If it were her (nearly 30 yr old) daughter, she'd be camped out at the hospital and would pick her up. On the other hand, as you have rightly said she is letting me stay and she will do my meals etc. And to be fair she doesn't like driving in London.

It's one of the main things that caused that minor little wobble but I think I'm through that. I like the 'You've Got This' which you wrote.

:)

xx

Of course you can call me Sarah! Everyone else does!

I'm not being a debbie downer on your friend, driving though London can't be fun, like at all, I don't blame her for that. I think if it was me I would have gone with you in a taxi is all, that being said it is expensive. Maybe there's no real need in all honesty, you will be with "someone" after all. I'm sure many people do that journey alone too. The important thing is she will be there for you when it counts by providing a safe roof over your head and feeding you ha ha! Can't be all bad eh?

You wouldn't be human if you didn't have a little wobble Tills! Just keep that magical leggings moment in your mind!

Well I can now say that my GRS surgery is at the 'end of next week'. (If you take Sunday as the start of the week ;) )

Which feels cool to be able to write that. I think I'm fairly organised. I'm going to meet up with various family members this week. It's not that I'll be telling any of them but more because I know I'll be unlikely to visit them in the next couple of months.

Then the week of the Op I'll be taking it easy as per hospital suggestions. I might head over to RHS Wisley gardens, which I love, but will do so in a casual way. It's only about 15 minutes from my friend's house.

I don't have to attend on Friday week until 10.30 am, which means I'll be an afternoon surgery - likely late afternoon I'm guessing. A couple of advantages of this are that I am allowed breakfast and I can drink up until I arrive. So all being well I'll pop in to my Caffè Nero beforehand for my favourite double macchiato.

xx

Quote from: Tills on July 31, 2026, 10:41:20 PMGood morning ladies.

Well in my absence from this forum for a few months everything started accelerating at an amazing pace. I've had various phone calls, online appointments, and a face-to-face clinic appointment with full medical check-up.

And: I'm booked in at the end of this month (August) for my vaginoplasty. I'm so thrilled.

xx

p.s. I increasingly like to call it Sex Confirming Surgery. Hopefully the phrase passes the censors as I feel it's the one which resonates most for me. My sex and gender are female. The surgery confirms it (even better than affirms which seems to place the power more in the hands of others).

Hi Tills

Can you let us know how you have found Parkside?

I am going with Tina Rashid next month. Private and so pricey but worth it :)

Quote from: RachelBk on August 28, 2026, 05:51:21 AMHi Tills

Can you let us know how you have found Parkside?

I am going with Tina Rashid next month. Private and so pricey but worth it :)

I am very interested too as private with Tina Rashid would be my route too. No idea how I'll fund it yet though ha ha! I would personally be interested in any feedback you yourself might be able to provide Rachel. If you are willing to share of course.

You must be getting very excited, I'm not at all jealous!

Hi Tills, somehow I lost track of how you are going.

I guess you may already be in by now, but I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.