Alright. I think I've narrowed who I want to have my SRS done by. I am interested in both Brassard and McGinn. I do have just a few questions about both though for those who can answer. :angel:
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(1) Depth - Since starting HRT I am now at an erect length of around 4.5", where I was 5.5-6" before. What will this translate to vaginally?
(2) Sensitivity - How is yours, both clitorally and vaginally? Also are all the nerves in the gland used in forming the clitoris?
(3) Lubrication - Do you get wet when thinking about something that turns you on? How is your self lubrication? Do you self lubricate?
(4) Aesthetics - Are you happy with your outcome? I am hoping for something like these: http://urogyn.org/labiaplasty_rim.html
(5) Expansion - During intercourse can your depth expand?
(6) Feeling - At 3-6mo post op, how would you best describe the inside feeling of your new vagina?
(7) HRT - Do you really need to stop HRT? For example, I am on pellets and can't really stop those. But then again there also shouldn't be any clotting risks with this method.
(8 ) Heal Time - Was the recovery stay in the area sufficient? Lacking?
(9) Pain - Did you need to use pain meds? If so, would you consider the dose low, med, high? Do you think you could have not used them?
(10) Operation Time - How long did your surgery last?
(11) Electrolysis - I took the layout provided on Dr. Bower's website. Did you need it? If not, were there "unwanted results"?
(12) Company - Did you ask someone to come along or not? Can you explain how you felt during recovery?
(13) Time off - For an active job (running around a hospital) about how much time is recommended to take off before going back?
(14) Restrictions - Were you on any afterward? If so, what were they?
(15) Complications - Did you experience any? If so, please explain?
(16) Cost - I know Dr. McGinn is $19500, but I believe I need to also pay for two weeks lodging and food. What are the costs associated with Dr Brassard?
(17) Consult Time - How long is the consult? Do they allow you to consult by phone/web?
(18) Unconsidered - Are there any questions I haven't asked and should be?
(19) Name Change - Does this dr require you to have your legal name changed? For example i cant start this process until my house sells and then it will take 2-6 mo.
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I used to be a pretty logical person, so I thought. Then I watched a full length recording of this operation and said to myself "Yeah, that sounds fairly reasonable." I also realized no sane person would think those thoughts if it wasn't a necessity. It was at that time I finally admitted to myself that I was meant to be a woman, as I was still teetering and letting fear rule me. I was also originally planning to have SRS done 2016 or 2017.
However, for me things have been moving along quite well (except for maybe money, that's been outputting >> inputing) and I've reevaluated my goals at five months. At this time I feel as though I am ready for HRT, but know I'm pretty much roadblocked until Jan 9, 2015 (when I started HRT and living full time). I do know I want to set an appointment close to my HRT implants (so that I am not missing a session), which leaves late Jan/early Feb or late April/early May. That way too, my Endo can work with me to provide the best dosage. I will also be discussing this with my therapist next week to get their opinion, but I believe we are both unconcerned about the pace I am going, and have no other psychological problems except for a possible need that I feel to be submissive to a guy (that was strange to me).
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me and others reading this, and for simplicity's sake can you post like this example?
(1) 5.17"
(2) None
(8 ) 2wks, but lacking
And so on and so forth, with as many as you can answer from your experience.
Thanks, so much
~Jen
PS careful on #8 or it turns out to look like this: (8)
Quote from: Jennifer.Alexandria on June 14, 2014, 01:44:59 AM
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(1) Depth - Since starting HRT I am now at an erect length of around 4.5", where I was 5.5-6" before. What will this translate to vaginally?
(2) Sensitivity - How is yours, both clitorally and vaginally? Also are all the nerves in the gland used in forming the clitoris?
(3) Lubrication - Do you get wet when thinking about something that turns you on? How is your self lubrication? Do you self lubricate?
(4) Aesthetics - Are you happy with your outcome? I am hoping for something like these: http://urogyn.org/labiaplasty_rim.html
(5) Expansion - During intercourse can your depth expand?
(6) Feeling - At 3-6mo post op, how would you best describe the inside feeling of your new vagina?
(7) HRT - Do you really need to stop HRT? For example, I am on pellets and can't really stop those. But then again there also shouldn't be any clotting risks with this method.
(8 ) Heal Time - Was the recovery stay in the area sufficient? Lacking?
(9) Pain - Did you need to use pain meds? If so, would you consider the dose low, med, high? Do you think you could have not used them?
(10) Operation Time - How long did your surgery last?
(11) Electrolysis - I took the layout provided on Dr. Bower's website. Did you need it? If not, were there "unwanted results"?
(12) Company - Did you ask someone to come along or not? Can you explain how you felt during recovery?
(13) Time off - For an active job (running around a hospital) about how much time is recommended to take off before going back?
(14) Restrictions - Were you on any afterward? If so, what were they?
(15) Complications - Did you experience any? If so, please explain?
(16) Cost - I know Dr. McGinn is $19500, but I believe I need to also pay for two weeks lodging and food. What are the costs associated with Dr Brassard?
(17) Consult Time - How long is the consult? Do they allow you to consult by phone/web?
(18) Unconsidered - Are there any questions I haven't asked and should be?
(19) Name Change - Does this dr require you to have your legal name changed? For example i cant start this process until my house sells and then it will take 2-6 mo.
I went to Brassard.
1) I don't know the precise conversion for you, because it varies. Lots of women get more depth than they had length, though. I was about 6" erect originally but things shrank and I hadn't measured in a few years by surgery time, and got 5.5" depth.
2) All glans nerves used in the clit. I was sensate from the moment I woke up, and am SUPER sensitive now, all over. The clit is too sensitive to touch directly. I was orgasmic 3 weeks post-op in my sleep.
3) I self-lubricate to some degree. Not usually from stray sexy thoughts, but once I'm aroused, yes.
4.) Perfectly happy, and I have something similar to that look, very "neat" and dainty.
5) I don't have sex with men, so no clue.
6) I ... have no idea. It felt sorta nice, I guess, but there's no frame of reference I could use to explain it to my past self, so I doubt anything I say would make sense.
7) You'd have to ask the surgeon. I had to stop, but I was on patches.
8 ] More than adequate; I was up to driving a few hours myself by the time I went home, and then it was just a matter of resting a lot and healing up.
9) I'd rate the total surgery pain maybe a 4 out of 10; used pain meds for the first 2 days, relatively low doses, and it was enough. (I did end up on medium doses of oxycodone for 3 days due to *catheter* pain, but that's separate; however, re: nursing care, the pain control was sufficient and easily provided then as well.) I don't think I would have *enjoyed* not using any pain meds, but I suspect I'd've survived.
10) A bit under 2 hours, I'm told. (Less time under anesthesia is better.)
11) No hair removal done at all; Brassard recommends against it. Zero hair regrowth since, and I'll be 2 years post-op very soon.
12) My wife came with me, and was fantastic. She did a lot of fetching and keeping me cheered up.
13) Dunno. I took 4 weeks with an office job and wish I'd taken one more.
14.) No lifting over 10 lbs for the first two months; also no pets in bedroom, fans on crotch, or tight underwear for the same time.
15) Nope. Unless the catheter/bladder spasms counts, and that resolved when it was pulled out. I did also lose one stitch a little early but everything healed fine with no intervention.
16) Brassard has an all-inclusive price unless you bring someone with you (then you have to pay for a place for them to stay and for food for them); I had to pay for my travel to/from Montreal and that was it. That included food, meds, and supplies like underwear and KY, btw.
17) My consult lasted about 15 minutes and took place right before surgery, which was offered as an option for traveling patients.
19) Don't know; didn't come up for me.
Dr. Brassard was my first choice,
Dr Mc Ginn was my second choice.
Either doctor will give you the best outcome with what they have to work with.
Most of what you ask will come from how much effort you place in your own healing and fallowing directions.
Being Jenna is also a Montreal girl what she said i will echo her experience.
I live in Montreal so travel was easy for me. All the doctors and staff are there for you and will do what they can to make your stay as easy and comfortable as it can.
Not everyone responds to healing or pain the same so it can be easy or hard dealing with pain.
He does a neat surgery but ask for anything specific. It truly comes down to donor material.
Lots of luck on your choice. Maybe expectations are a little on the unrealistic side, keep in mind this is not natural and using material that is not quite the same as CIS. It will function as a neo vagina.
Isabell
I already know that each doctor will do the best for their patient and other genereralizations. What I am asking is for personal experiences, not generalizations. Travel/cost/and getting time from work are not a problem for me (290+ hours of PTO at begining of Jan.). And I ask so many questions to get an idea of what to expect as to not be unrealistic.
My vote goes to Dr. McGinn! :)
Quote from: Jennifer.Alexandria on June 14, 2014, 03:55:12 PM
I already know that each doctor will do the best for their patient and other genereralizations. What I am asking is for personal experiences, not generalizations. Travel/cost/and getting time from work are not a problem for me (290+ hours of PTO at begining of Jan.). And I ask so many questions to get an idea of what to expect as to not be unrealistic.
What i am trying to say is.... what sometimes you expect is no possible. It is a major surgery and the surgery is the easy part. Its what is done after the fact that will answer many of your questions.
I said i am another Dr. B girl and what Jenna wrote back to you is a good reference to his work.
I have seen and heard it so many times. What i got and what other girls got at Dr. Brassards is different. Everyone of us are our own. He does his best with what we give him to work with.
Now all you need is someone from McGinn. (she was one of the surgeons that did my BA)
As i said both of them are good and will give you the best outcome possible.
Isabell