In 3 weeks time I'll get getting my hysto and today I finally sat and read the leaflets they gave me about what to expect. I knew reading them would give me jitters which is why I've been putting it off.
The whole thing freaks me out. I wasn't nervous at all before top surgery. Standing topless being fondled, drawn on, having pictures taken, whatever .. it was a means to an end. I don't know why I can't have the same mentality about this surgery.
My surgeon is great and has already told me that I'll be admitted to a male ward, no previous exam is required and I won't have to come off T.
HOWEVER....I still have some worries.
Will I have to have a catheter? For how long? Apparently everything down there gets packed with gauze...does a nurse then have to take it out or can I do it myself? I wasn't told anything about exams later on...are they gonna want to take a look? Or will they just ask me how things are feeling?
Being on a male ward, that is obviously what I wanted....but I'm a little worried about the nurses. At least half the nurses who came to check up on me after I had top surgery had to ask me what I'd had done and I got misgendered multiple times. I was in a private room for most of my time there so it wasn't so bad. This time I've been told there's no chance of a private room. I want everything to be conducted in a discrete and business like manner, just check what you gotta check with minimal talking about any of the parts involved. I really don't want to have to explain myself to 10 different nurses throughout my stay with just a thin curtain separating me from 5 other random dudes.
This is all with the NHS, it's just a regular hospital set up to perform regular hysto's for women. All the leaflets are geared towards women....so is all the stuff I look up online. It just makes it worse and I'd really appreciate anyone who has any experiences to share from the male perspective!
Quote from: Jeatyn on September 08, 2014, 10:40:48 AM
Will I have to have a catheter? Yes you will, getting up will be a chore at first let alone using the bathroom.
For how long? From the time of surgery (they put it in after you are under) until you can get up on your own.
Apparently everything down there gets packed with gauze...does a nurse then have to take it out or can I do it myself? No you can't remove it on your own. The surgeon removed mine when he did the exam the morning after surgery.
I wasn't told anything about exams later on...are they gonna want to take a look? The surgeon did the exams to make sure everything was healing alright. And later on to make sure the stitches were dissolved and to remove the ones on my stomach, but that was weeks later after I'd been released.
Or will they just ask me how things are feeling? They'll do this too. Be truthful with them.
Congrats on the hysterectomy. It's been a year since I had mine done here in the States and honestly it was worth the trouble of the exams. Grit your teeth if you have to, you'll get through it. Also remember NO LIFTING. Period. Nothing heavier than a milk carton for six weeks is what I was told, as was my mother.
Likely you will have a catheter which will be taken out either that night or next morning. Mine was taken out the next morning after the surgeon checked on me. I asked the nurse the previous night if it could be taken out. She said I would be ok without it but she had to ask for my surgeon's approval first. I did not want to bother him so I just waited until the next morning.
If you really hate to have one, you can ask your surgeon. Some surgeons might agree to take it out before you even wake up from the surgery, but it would be a little uncomfortable to get up and go to the bathroom by yourself for the first a couple of hours.
Some surgeons use vaginal packing and some don't. I did not have one. If you will have one, it will be taken out by a nurse or your doctor, in private.
At the 1 month recheck appointment, my surgeon told me he usually does an exam to check the vaginal cuff but he said he did not have to do one since I was apparently recovering well and the exam would make me stressed.
I had mine done in my town hospital, neither my surgeon nor the hospital has done this type of surgery on men before as far as I know, but I was definitely well treated and nobody asked any inappropriate questions.
Congratulations on getting your surgery setup; I look to the day I can have mine. Are you getting a lap procedure so no big incisions to heal. Talk with with your surgeon about how things can be done so you can feel best about yourself, if he/she has ever had ftm patients they will understand your concerns. I have never had a pelvic exam and was told so long as I don't have any problems down there or have a guy in me I am fine. No guy will ever get in me only a tampon has ever been in there.
The first plan is for a laproscopic assist - but if for whatever reason once I'm under that isn't possible, I'll be getting the full abdominal incision type.
The surgeon has never had a FTM patient, but he did help me out a few years ago by prescribing me an e-blocker when I was waiting for funding approval for T. I feel comfortable with him but NHS hospitals tend to give you very little time with the surgeon. The nurses do everything apart from the actual surgery.
I've never had a catheter before. Eugh denial and ignorance was so much better when I was picturing waking up from the surgery in a bit of pain and needing to wear pads for a few weeks with no other exams or things inside me at all xD
I sure hope you don't end up needing a full abdominal incision so the recovery is so much longer and harder than a simple lap procedure. I have never had a catheter so can offer little about how it feels and when you can get it out. You probably will have a pad on when you wakeup but just think this will be the last time you will need them. I hate pads so much, have only used tampons since I found out how much better they are, about a year after I started needing something to absorb that awful flow every month. Ever month when mine starts I think someday soon this will all end.
Catheter should not be painful, but a little uncomfortable. It made me constantly feel like I need to pee when I actually didn't.
My surgeon did not say anything about pads, but after searching online I thought I would need a lot of them after the surgery so I ordered some online. In fact, they only put a bed pad under me in the hospital, and I did not need once I went home. My post op instructions said expect bleeding for a week, and I only had very light bleeding once at 4 days post op, when I was stupid enough to return to my workout.
And now I have a brand new box of pads that I don't know what to do with......
ah yes the very last time, for absolute certain :P I haven't had one in at least a year but I still live in dread of one surprising me. No more pregnancy paranoia either, hooray! I'm very much looking forward to life afterwards but I'm dreading the surgery and recovery :(
Left over pads can always could always come in handy as emergency bandages I guess :D
I took an Emergency First Aid course and and menstrual pads were recommended as the best thing to carry to put on serious bleeding injuries, apply a large one and hold as tight as necessary to stop the bleeding. There are several girls in my family that I can give any extra tampons to when I get to that point. I would like to have no more shark week every month, that is my worst dispheria that I have; that I think is because it come every month and you have no control over it.
Quote from: Jeatyn on September 08, 2014, 12:13:18 PM
ah yes the very last time, for absolute certain :P I haven't had one in at least a year but I still live in dread of one surprising me. No more pregnancy paranoia either, hooray! I'm very much looking forward to life afterwards but I'm dreading the surgery and recovery :(
Left over pads can always could always come in handy as emergency bandages I guess :D
Strange thought for you to have.
I know this might sound stupid but I'm not very educated on the topic so can I ask other than psychological obviously what are the reasons to get a hysterectomy? I read something about being on t making it necessary is that true? I really want children one day(not to give birth god no.. But definitely genes) and that'd def be a deciding factor for me as far as when I'd want to start t
Remember when dealing with pads that they use them for cis guys who have just had a prostate biopsy as that can bleed a little afterwards and it's a convenient ready made product soaking that stuff up.
Quote from: mac1 on September 08, 2014, 01:19:10 PM
Strange thought for you to have.
I'm gay with a cis-male partner...you can fill in the blanks from there :P
I already have a daughter as well, I'm so not doing that again!
Quote from: JHeron on September 09, 2014, 02:23:43 AM
I know this might sound stupid but I'm not very educated on the topic so can I ask other than psychological obviously what are the reasons to get a hysterectomy? I read something about being on t making it necessary is that true? I really want children one day(not to give birth god no.. But definitely genes) and that'd def be a deciding factor for me as far as when I'd want to start t
There are not enough studies on the subject to say either way but it's recommended to reduce the risk of cancer. (The guidelines in England are to have it within 5 years of starting HRT) There's a history of it in my family so better safe than sorry! Plus it means the T has less to fight against; and in my case it means I can stop my E blockers. Less meds is always better IMO. If you're wanting to use your eggs it might be a better idea to harvest them before starting T - your baby making factory has a chance to shut down completely when you're on T. Either way you'd have to come off and then start taking female hormones.
Yeah that makes sense is definitely have to push everything back to do all that I read in some study that embryos can be frozen for upwards of a decade so my plans get that uncomfortableness out of the way to feel safe enough to start T once I'm on it I won't care much for my repro system after that. But geez cancer? And liver problems? This really bums me out all the things that can go wrong medically I'm starting to see it as becoming myself would cut 20+ years off my lifespan..
I had a catheter for two days mostly because I had this epidural thingy for pain medication and its potential side effect is to numb the lower half, including the bladder area so it was kinda necessary. It wasn't too bad, though, just kinda funny not having to use the toilet for that long. Removing the catheter, however... well, let's just say I'll live without ever having to experience that again, pretty uncomfortable couple seconds.
Due to the epidural thingy, the nurses also frequently checked my blood pressure (lowering the pressure as side effect) and foot movement (idk, just because?).
The only thing they really checked on me was the actual incision. Oh yes, I didn't have a laparoscopic operation, btw. My home town's hospital lacked skillz so it was done through all the stuff in the abdomen. Also the reason why I spent four days at the hospital.
I was actually in the OB/GYN ward (I suppose?) afterwards... It was a huge anxiety source for me beforehand but I called there and asked if I could have a one-person room or have a two-person room all for myself for obvious reasons. They were very friendly and I had the latter one. I didn't really move around the ward after the surgery so there weren't any awkward moments etc.
But yeah, one experience from the northern wilderness called Finland.
Quote from: Tossu-sama on September 09, 2014, 01:06:59 PM
I had a catheter for two days mostly because I had this epidural thingy for pain medication and its potential side effect is to numb the lower half, including the bladder area so it was kinda necessary. It wasn't too bad, though, just kinda funny not having to use the toilet for that long. Removing the catheter, however... well, let's just say I'll live without ever having to experience that again, pretty uncomfortable couple seconds.
Due to the epidural thingy, the nurses also frequently checked my blood pressure (lowering the pressure as side effect) and foot movement (idk, just because?).
The only thing they really checked on me was the actual incision. Oh yes, I didn't have a laparoscopic operation, btw. My home town's hospital lacked skillz so it was done through all the stuff in the abdomen. Also the reason why I spent four days at the hospital.
I was actually in the OB/GYN ward (I suppose?) afterwards... It was a huge anxiety source for me beforehand but I called there and asked if I could have a one-person room or have a two-person room all for myself for obvious reasons. They were very friendly and I had the latter one. I didn't really move around the ward after the surgery so there weren't any awkward moments etc.
But yeah, one experience from the northern wilderness called Finland.
Did you not have general anesthetic? Or did you get the epidural and anesthesia?
Quote from: Jeatyn on September 10, 2014, 03:31:41 AM
Did you not have general anesthetic? Or did you get the epidural and anesthesia?
I had general anesthesia, wouldn't imagine going through an operation like that without one. :D
Quote from: Tossu-sama on September 10, 2014, 05:34:00 AM
I had general anesthesia, wouldn't imagine going through an operation like that without one. :D
haha ok good, I know some operations are done with you completely awake and I was like hangonaminute I don't want to be awake during this no matter how numb I am :P
I just had mine done just over a month ago and like you I was more nervous for the hysto than the top surgery. I had a catheter for 1 day and the nurses were awesome. The only thing is please don't push yourself too much after the surgery. I felt fine and may have pushed myself too much which landed me in the emerge after the 2nd week because I kept bleeding. I was going through a pad an hour which was scary. But again the hospital was awesome considering I've been on testosterone for over a year now and pass 100% as male.
You'll be fine but please just take it easy after the surgery! Good luck!
I had NO catheter.
I was discharged the following morning.
There was no gauze packed anywhere.
I did need to use pads for some very light bleeding which is normal from where they oversew where they took the cervix out.
I had laparoscopic-assisted vaginal and general anesthesia. I was on the maternity wing but I was still early in transition, had just started T, was not out to my OB/GYN, and was F on my insurance. They did ask if I had a nickname so I said Jay, so at least they called me by the right name.
When I woke up after this procedure I was elated. Moreso than following top surgery AND bottom surgery combined. I could not wait to be rid of those horrid organs.
Congrats! You'll do fine!
Jay
Jay, so your OB/GYN didn't know you were taking t? You must of had a valid medical need for the procedure. Were you asked if you wanted to keep your ovaries? Great your insurance covered the surgery.
My experience was like Jay's. No catheter, (removed before I woke I'm told) no gauze or packing of any kind. Light spotting for a few days after and that was it.
Interesting, I hope my experience is similar too Jay/KAT! I guess it depends on if I end up getting the laproscopic or not.
It may depend on the surgeon/institute practices also. I had what is basically a laparoscopic procedure and had both a catheter and packing. Maybe give them a call and ask if you want to be sure which way your surgeon will do it?
I plan to ask when I go to my post-op check next week. Giving the surgeon a call isn't really a thing when you're with the NHS =P I only have an appointment line. All the replies have been helpful, I'm no less nervous but at least I know what sort of questions I need to ask now. I have a feeling though most of the replies will probably be "it depends" :P
My down-there doctor says he does full laparoscopic, so at least I won't have to have a stranger poking around in that area. I'm shooting for December 2015, but I have been worried about logistics lately. I need a private room, for one thing. And I'm wondering how long before I can lift anything. I will have to farm my cats out while I'm in the hospital, and I will need to lift their carriers when I take them back home again.
If I can get the kennel people to lift the carriers into the car, I suppose I can lock the driveway gate and sort of herd the cats into the back yard.
Oh, well, I have more than a year to think about this.
Congrats, Jeatyn. I have the heebies about hysto, too, but I didn't have significant issues when it came to top surgery. I think it's because top surgery made a visible difference in my being read right, but hysto is private and just for me. However, that's just a theory of mine.
Quote from: Arch on September 13, 2014, 03:08:26 AM
My down-there doctor says he does full laparoscopic, so at least I won't have to have a stranger poking around in that area. I'm shooting for December 2015, but I have been worried about logistics lately. I need a private room, for one thing. And I'm wondering how long before I can lift anything. I will have to farm my cats out while I'm in the hospital, and I will need to lift their carriers when I take them back home again.
If I can get the kennel people to lift the carriers into the car, I suppose I can lock the driveway gate and sort of herd the cats into the back yard.
Oh, well, I have more than a year to think about this.
Congrats, Jeatyn. I have the heebies about hysto, too, but I didn't have significant issues when it came to top surgery. I think it's because top surgery made a visible difference in my being read right, but hysto is private and just for me. However, that's just a theory of mine.
Yeah I feel the same way, there's no instant visible result to look forward to that overshadows the nerves. Luckily I have my partner and sister to help out with anything I need when I'm at home - it's just the hospital part I'm not looking forward to.
I worry about the hospital experience, too. I don't want any unexpected surprises--when I'm already under pressure, I do not respond well to "unpleasantries."
I'm getting a jump on one right now. I recently signed up for an online feature of my main medical center--they post records, test results, stuff like that--and noticed that my official record still has my old name listed as a "preferred name." First of all, the name isn't even correct--I have never gone by that name. Second, it's not a preferred name. Third, I haven't used my birth name in nearly twenty years.
I asked the doc to look into taking that off my record, but he will probably refer me to the records department. It recently centralized so that getting hold of a live human being is nearly impossible. My GP probably would have taken care of this instantly, but he doesn't practice there anymore. But by hook or by crook, I'm having that name expunged from my records.
Sorry, didn't mean to hijack. Just commiserate.
That's so crazy that they have that there after all this time. My birth certificate is the last remaining evidence of my old name.
I'm the same way with unexpected surprises too, I like everything to be planned out in advance. My anxiety has gotten way waaaay better over the years but this sort of thing brings a lot of it back :P
As it turns out, 90% of my worries have been all for nothing - it was requested I be put on a male ward in a generic recovery area. The nursing staff decided having me in a private room on the gyno ward (which by nature is female) would make more sense. I'm 100% ok with this, private room, thank god for that. *huge sigh of relief*
I had to give a urine sample and there were massive signs plastered everywhere saying "these toilets are for female patients only" and the nurse said "ignore those, we'll make an exception for you" :D hopefully this is a good sign for things to come and I won't have to constantly explain my situation.
The nurse I saw recommended I take 6 weeks off uni (she actually implied I shouldn't go at all, she assumed at first I hadn't applied yet, not that I'd be going into my final year) ... she gave me a sort of chart that has the number of weeks on it and the types of activities I can and can't do. It's way more cautious than I planed on being which worries me. I simply can't take 6 weeks off Uni, I will fail. I was thinking more like 2 weeks, and then going in and seeing how I felt. I refuse to go back if I'm still bleeding even slightly, not happening. I figured I would be good after 2 weeks.
Quote from: mm on September 11, 2014, 06:12:13 PM
Jay, so your OB/GYN didn't know you were taking t? You must of had a valid medical need for the procedure. Were you asked if you wanted to keep your ovaries? Great your insurance covered the surgery.
No, my OB did NOT know I was on T. I discussed things with my endo and he recommended 2 days off prior and 2 days off after (I'm on daily gel). And I did ask him to remove everything, ovaries and all, and then had to endure 3 lectures on female hormone replacement therapy. I finally told him I had an endo and that was covered. Insurance covered it and yes I did have a valid medical reason: fibroids and nasty periods. (nasty as in way TMI for this forum because y'all don't want to hear the gory details, LOL)
This was my first surgery in my transition process. Usually I'm not one for surgery but actually I loathed those parts and getting rid of them was life changing. I'd hated them since I first learned they existed, and the joy I felt when I woke up knowing they were gone was indescribable. More joy than after top surgery, more joy than after lower surgery. Weird but true.
sneakersjay, I can understand your joy in being rid of all those parts. I have my shark week now and would sure like to be rid of mine. I have never understood why girls go through this every month. I am on 23 and don't have enough of a medical reason for surgery now. I hope to find a trans friendly surgeon when I have the money in a couple of years.
Quote from: mm on September 17, 2014, 01:33:47 PM
sneakersjay, I can understand your joy in being rid of all those parts. I have my shark week now and would sure like to be rid of mine. I have never understood why girls go through this every month. I am on 23 and don't have enough of a medical reason for surgery now. I hope to find a trans friendly surgeon when I have the money in a couple of years.
Many surgeons won't mind to do it as long as you have the letters ready, not that they care about the letters, just for them to avoid the liability.
Also when you start T, it is nice to keep a good relationship with your prescriber, because they can contact the surgeons directly and be an advocate for you. That was how I got my hysto.
Quote from: sneakersjay on September 17, 2014, 01:08:47 PM
No, my OB did NOT know I was on T. I discussed things with my endo and he recommended 2 days off prior and 2 days off after (I'm on daily gel). And I did ask him to remove everything, ovaries and all, and then had to endure 3 lectures on female hormone replacement therapy. I finally told him I had an endo and that was covered. Insurance covered it and yes I did have a valid medical reason: fibroids and nasty periods. (nasty as in way TMI for this forum because y'all don't want to hear the gory details, LOL)
By everything, do you mean uterus, ovaries and falopian tubes?
Everything went well and everything I was worried about didn't happen. I got released 20 hours after surgery and was asleep for most of that. The catheter was taken out while I was still under and I have no padding. I'm not even bleeding. ^_^ Hopefully the rest of recovery is just as uneventful and I'll be back to Uni in no time.
Lol, I was going to post about how a catheter is unpleasant when put in wrong and feels like nothing when done right (I had one inserted 3 times in my lifetime), but looks like things are already over and done with! Congrats Jeatyn. ;D
Fantastic! I'm glad to hear that it went so well!