Hello Everyone!
So I just got back from San Francisco to the Midwest after having my trachea shave performed by Dr. Ousterhout and I believe it went very well.
Landed in SF last Tuesday for an afternoon pre-consult with Dr. O and Mira. Right away Mira was bubbling with energy and positive vibes, which I felt very reassured with. She took me to an exam room and took before photos of the area and chatted with me until the Dr was finished with another couple who were having FFS done along with my TS on Wednesday. Dr. O came in and greeted me and took care of any questions or concerns I had and described the procedure and what he was going to be doing. He was convinced that I was going to be restless and prescribed me Valium, along with my antibiotic regimen and Oxycodone. When I went to pay and get my scripts from Mira I told her that I really didn't need the Oxycodone or Valium, but she wanted to play it safe with me and was accommodating. I was told just to request five of each from the pharmacy so that if something did happen then I wouldn't be in agony. I agreed to this and went to fill the scripts, which was just in the N tower of the campus.
On Wed I woke up early to get up and walk to the hospital, I was staying at a nice little hotel called the Metro; which was four blocks away and super affordable. (No mini-fridge or microwave though so be warned, though probably in the larger rooms there was). I arrived at admitting and there was nobody really there. The registration lady was very nice and the RN already was expecting me and called down to see if I had arrived yet, while with her. I next was walked down to my room in the outpatient surgery area and completed filling out my vitals. I hadn't weighed myself since mid-Dec, right before I started taking HRT in Jan; so I told them I didn't know. They grabbed the scale and I was surprised that I had gained 20lb, because it must have distributed pretty evenly around my body! So I guess I am 5'7"-5'8" at 136lb. I'm not really sure if I need to gain much more as I don't really have that good of grasp on proper proportioned height:weight, but possibly I should start tapering my diet?
Anyways. I was surprised that like nowhere in SF had AC, not even the hospital. I guess it really doesn't get that hot there except that there was a large 100deg heat wave passing through as I came. Dr. came in and checked on me about an hour before surgery and made sure I didn't have any last minute questions. I didn't. Went up to go pee one final time before the surgery, and I guess the gown was slipping, b/c when I got back to my room I was told that I had to remove my bralette. Soon after I was taken to the OR room, which thankfully, being underground and shielded from the outside was much cooler. It felt really refreshing. The operation itself took somewhere between 30-60min and went without a hitch. I was awake the entire time and could speak unless the Dr. asked me not to (like when operating on that area, so the voice box didn't move on him). Wasn't in pain at any time during the operation, though it did feel a bit weird. I asked afterwards to see the instrument that was used because it felt very unique. I come to find it was just a normal looking operating tool. I also asked why he had applied a steroid when the cartilage was shaved off, when he informed someone to get him the steroid. Apparently if the steroid isn't applied, the cartilage can grow back!!!
I was wheeled up to my room on the fourth floor to recover and texted Mira I was ready to be picked up and feeling fine about half an hour after surgery, when the RN had finished taking her BP/Heart Rate readings. She was shocked and told me that I had to wait a few more hours because I had just had major surgery. So I sat and watched Reba while I waited. Also drank a lot of water. Hadn't been able to drink any since Tuesday at 11:59pm, so I was a bit dehydrated. After the wait Mira came and picked me up to drive me back to the hotel. We chatted about things to do, recovery information, not to overdue myself, restaurants, the different surrounding districts and what I could find in them. She was just a delight! So I rested the rest of the time in bed back at my hotel, and went out once just to get some food.
Thursday was mainly bed rest, venture out to get food, and reading down in the garden behind my hotel. Pretty much all swelling and bruising already fading away. Only taking antibiotics, didn't need the other two scripts.
Friday, I felt rested and too cooped up, so after breakfast I walked about 25ish blocks westward to the botanical gardens, toured that area and didn't make it back to the hotel for about 8hrs. My legs felt dead, but my throat still felt right as rain. Noted that there was this weird feeling of air or fluid in my operation area when I lightly pressed it to Mira before I had left, and was told that it was normal.
Saturday. Hiked 50ish blocks to Fisherman's Warf and to the Asian museum. Another long day walking and Sunday I decided mainly to loaf around to let them recover. Did buy my first dresses and skirts though on Sunday at a place called Ambiance. It was only about 4-6 blocks away I think.
Monday. Sutures removed around noon and I was feeling great. Went over some last minute questions with Mira, and she would mail me the before and after shots along with all my records and tax information when she could.
Tues. Had to attend a HR meeting with my boss. Was panicking just a little bit because I really need a proper source of income right now, and you know, when someone mentions a meeting with HR its never really for a good reason. I tried to stay positive and joked with my Mom that it was probably so I could be referred to as Jenny instead of Josh around the hospital. In fact it went much better than expected and my positive energied joke is what actually occurred. Right after that meeting I had to go to one of our affiliate offices and a new name/security badge was issued for me ;D!
So now I have about 10min to get ready for my first day back at work and am on a 5lb lifting restriction until next Tuesday. Which is pretty easy to do since I work in a hospital lab.
Have a wonderful day,
~Jen
P.S. When I get the pre/post pics I will post them here.
So... I still haven't gotten the info packet so I thought I would post my own photos. The first one is a week before the operation, the second a week post-op, and the third is today at 3wk post-op. Sorry about all the angles. Hopefully when I post in the future I'll remember to take more consistent photos.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foi59.tinypic.com%2Ff9f8xt.jpg&hash=99e6340ef684a9bae457d7e712b7b530f9f346ea) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foi61.tinypic.com%2Faxbakg.jpg&hash=754f55c005ec38ba42ad2884e1d0a9eea28df63d) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foi58.tinypic.com%2Faep6o1.jpg&hash=c98758eef5228ac22c456199d09a6ab6748e9082)
Hi ,
Congratulations for your result :D It looks great .
I have a huge Adam Apple , yet the cartilage is too thin so it is not possible to shave much .
I love your description , it seems that you had a great experience and I enjoy reading detailed stories on Susan's :P .
Hey Claudia,
Thanks for the comment, but can you provide some sort of reference that states that you can't shave too much off. Is it because you have some form of osteoporosis and if too much is taken away it may collapse? Just curious as I haven't heard of this being an issue before. Also I think size is pretty dependent on the persons view. I could never figure out the size of my apple due to almost an even split on "yes its large" to "no its hardly noticeable" from the various people (friends/coworkers/therapist) I knew.
Have a wonderful day!
~Jen
Hi ,
Well , in the CT scan it was revealed that it is too thin , I can't say because I am not an expert , but that is what the doctors say .
It was possible to shave a little , but I guess the risks of affecting the vocal cords was too big so they decided not to do it and I am ok with that .
Your Adam Apple was quite small in my opinion , sometime mine seem smaller too and anyway , i wish it will remain my last masculine physical trait , i would not be so upset about it :)