Hello! It's such a shame that so much history was lost from this site. So unexpected as well.
For those who remember me, I have an exciting update! I had full vaginoplasty on 21st March 2024. I've only had some minor complications and my experience seems to have gone better than most of the anecdotes I have heard. This was on the UK NHS, around 4.5 years after I first saw a GP about transitioning.
The operation was carried out in Wimbledon. I was there for seven nights in total; one night before the operation and six after. I was already mobile the day after having the surgery and able to continue exercising, and I was able to travel back to Wales on the train unaided. The skin of my penis was sufficient on its own to create the neovagina.
There have been some minor complications as I alluded to earlier. I had wound dehiscence (the stitches separated slightly) and the wound became infected. That happened in the first two months after surgery. I also developed some granulation tissue which was making everything down there rather wet. That's ongoing and I'm still having treatment for it, but the weirdest aspect of the treatment is that during my second daily dilation (I'm now down to two a day), I have to insert a sugar cube before commencing that dilation; it takes quite a bit longer than a normal dilation as a result.
I have not lost any depth. The gender nurse said that my depth was five inches (12.7 cm). I've mostly kept to the schedule of dilation - beginning with three dilations per day basically for the first two months and then dropping to two; I believe I've only missed one dilation during that time which was quite recent and doesn't appear to have caused any ill effects. I'm able to push my dilators in as far as the fifth and last dot.
I think I've partly been lucky and partly taken some wise decisions. My health was excellent beforehand and it still is excellent. I stopped drinking in January 2023 since I knew this operation was coming up and I wanted to be as healthy as possible. I don't miss alcohol at all. I've also kept to the WHO guidelines for aerobic physical activity for the past several months, not even having a break for recovery from the surgery. (I suppose that may be partly why I experienced the dehiscence.)
When I have fully recovered from this surgery, I will consider my transition complete. Of course, there will be bloods every now and again, and titration of medicine levels; I'm going through one such titration now, as I require lower levels of medication after the surgery.
Some people may remember that I used to post regularly to this site, and then it became occasional. I plan to keep updating this site occasionally. I owe a debt of gratitude to this site which helped me so much in my early days of transition.
Thank you for your time reading my post!
@Ellie_Arroway_againDear Ellie:
I was hoping that you would return to the Susan's Place Forum after your absence.
As you are aware, the site experienced a site crash on January 1st this year and much
data was lost including member accounts, postings, private messaging, etc.
Through what seemed to be endless work our staff has done a great job in piecing things
together again to very quickly have a fully operation site even though much of the lost
data appears to be unrecoverable.
I am very glad to see that you have registered with a new member account.
I am thrilled to read about your good news including your full vaginoplasty just
4 months ago in March. Your report regarding your quick recovery was a nice bonus
for you. Count yourself fortunate in that regard.
Some things have changed here on the Forum since you were last a member here... you should
read a couple announcements that were posted after the crash:
The New Years Outage and our Lost years
https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,246809.0.html
The "NEW" updated Forum
https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247170.0.html
Important Update: Revising Our Language Moderation Guidelines
https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247169.0.html
The Foul Language and Respectful Communication Policy
https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247168.0.html
... and be certain to read the revised and updated Terms of Service rules for the site.
As we embark on this new chapter, we urge all returning members to familiarize themselves with our updated Terms of Service (TOS), which are vital for maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone.
You can review the new TOS here:
Susan's Place: Community Guidelines and Terms of Service
--> https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,2.0.html
If you have any questions you can Email me at alaskandanielle@yahoo.com and of course
you can contact me on the Discord Susan's Place server.
Many HUGS, and a BIG warm WELCOME back.
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
cc: @Sarah B @Lori Dee
Hi, Ellie! Good to see you back here. And congratulations on your vaginoplasty! I am glad you are healing well.
Hello, Ellie.
Welcome back to the site. I am always happy to see members return even if I never met them before. The fact that you came back tells me we are doing something right. I agree that Susan's has been so helpful to me, so here I am trying to help others.
Again, welcome back!
Lori Dee
Hello EllieMy name is
Sarah B and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place Again!
I also see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well. I was here in 2010 and left in 2012. I have only just recently came back, although I lost a couple of post in the crash. I did not lose the majority of what I wrote when I first came here.
Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads. I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new and old members. I know its hard to repeat stuff that you have already typed out. I know what it is like, it happened to me while I was writing part of my story. So I hope you can write, a little bit more of your past.
In addition members of Susan's will more than likely will discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well as you know well!
I wish you all the joy, peace and happiness in the years to come, like I have and of course a speedy recovery. Take care and all the best for the future.
Once again, Welcome Back to Susan's Place!Sarah BOffical Greeter@LoriDee @Northern Star Girl @Ellie_Arroway_again
Welcome back Ellie, and sorry you lost Contact! Congrats on your op and recovery! It should all get easier from her on!
Hugs,
Allie
Hey Ellie, welcome back! Congratulations on your surgery, and welcome to the "I had wound dehiscence" club. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Hi my dear, good to see your back. Your trip to Wimbledon sounds very much like mine except my stiches stayed put, granulation and then an infection in the treated area. I put that down to leaving my douche in the shower and getting a mould form inside even though it was given a good clean. Salt and baking soda was my docs way to treat that. Best wishes XXX
Welcome back Ellie!
Chrissy
Welcome back, sweetie! <3 Was wondering where you'd disappeared off to. :)