Among many other things I can say that I am a little bit neurasthenic and very sensitive to pain. Is the SRS very hideous painfull? (I have never been in any kind of bigger surgery)
Hm... from what i've heared it is a major procedure with lot of pain involved
but it all highly depends of your pain tolerance ie. your perception of pain.
Luckily, there are many painkillers nowdays so.... :P
Any major surgery's accompanied by a period of some pain. It's painful at first but it gets better with healing & pain meds.
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
From the girls i know who've had it, some sailed through it. Some said it stings like a bizitch, one didnt have much pain but when she tried walkin around and things it was really uncomfortable.
Their are aload of horror stories people will tell you, basicly its different for any one.
I was very uncomfortable at times, but no pain, really. The painful part was from being laid out on my back for so long.
Lia
Well, I'm a big cry baby ;D, and yes it is painful. I actually started a thread about it a while ago, and needless to say I was rather upset with some people for not having warned me about the pain. Yes, there is medication you can take; however, loading yourself with controlled II narcotics isn't a good idea for a number of reasons (i.e, you can die from them, you can become addicted and/or you can run out of your prescription and then the little pharmacy computer will display a message "refill too soon"...and then what?) It's not like you can call your doctor for a refill (not on a Schedule II substance anyway).
tink :icon_chick:
I look at the situation in the view of "Does it really matter?" To explain, does it matter that there is a chance to die? No. Does it matter that it will hurt? No. Does it matter that it costs more than I've ever made in my life? No. Simply, it doesn't matter. It is a do or die trying. An really for me it is exactly that simple.
Quote from: Kimberly on October 04, 2008, 07:16:59 PM
I look at the situation in the view of "Does it really matter?" To explain, does it matter that there is a chance to die? No. Does it matter that it will hurt? No. Does it matter that it costs more than I've ever made in my life? No. Simply, it doesn't matter. It is a do or die trying. An really for me it is exactly that simple.
I agree totally! If you have made it to the point of SRS, it is very much like being in the middle of Electolysis, or mile 135 in an ironman....why stop now.....the pain is only temporary, but completion is forever!
To be honest, I don't remember much pain, but I was pretty well doped up the first day. After that it was more like major discomfort, like I had been sandpapered. By day 4 I was just sore.
When I had the penile inversion, all they gave me was tylenol and I had no discomfort at all the first couple of weeks. Then I started getting feeling back and it stung for a while quite severely, but I was still on my feet. Not as bad as FFS, or even BA or lipo, if you ask me.
But when I had the colon graft revision I was in MUCH MUCH MUCH more pain. It was even a lot worse than FFS.
I was in my mid twenties the first time around, and my late thirties the second time. So maybe part of it is age. But the type of procedure is also significant, unless I miss my guess.
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 04, 2008, 03:46:10 PM
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
Really. It has been my goal for so many years. I should just hope that I can get it before it is banned/ made more difficult to get (with Zucker criters I am not a transsexual.)
Posted on: October 05, 2008, 01:00:51 am
Quote from: Tink on October 04, 2008, 06:32:27 PM
Yes, there is medication you can take; however, loading yourself with controlled II narcotics isn't a good idea for a number of reasons (i.e, you can die from them, you can become addicted and/or you can run out of your prescription and then the little pharmacy computer will display a message "refill too soon"...and then what?) It's not like you can call your doctor for a refill (not on a Schedule II substance anyway).
tink :icon_chick:
I do not live in the USA and do not understand what controlled II narcotics mean? In my home country there are different drug laws. (I do not know about these much.)
I was very uncomfortable at times, but no pain, really. The painful part was from being laid out on my back for so long.
Lia
haha ;)
Sorry, I sometimes forget that not everyone lives in the US, but to answer your question:
Quote from: goingdown on October 05, 2008, 03:23:09 AM
I do not live in the USA and do not understand what controlled II narcotics mean? In my home country there are different drug laws. (I do not know about these much.)
They are drugs classified by their potential for abuse if used inappropriately. For example, a Schedule I drug is illegal in the US and is more dangerous than a Schedule V; they move from 1 to 5 (Schedules) in order of highest rate of chemical dependency and harm to public safety. I'm certain that your country has its own laws as well; hence, do not worry too much about this. I only mentioned it because...well....let's just say that it crossed my mind....I know I was totally off topic but oh well. ;D
tink :icon_chick:
Thank you for explaining it. It was a total mystery for me.
Quote from: goingdown on October 05, 2008, 03:23:09 AM
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 04, 2008, 03:46:10 PM
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
Really. It has been my goal for so many years. I should just hope that I can get it before it is banned/ made more difficult to get (with Zucker criters I am not a transsexual.)
Posted on: October 05, 2008, 01:00:51 am
Quote from: Tink on October 04, 2008, 06:32:27 PM
Yes, there is medication you can take; however, loading yourself with controlled II narcotics isn't a good idea for a number of reasons (i.e, you can die from them, you can become addicted and/or you can run out of your prescription and then the little pharmacy computer will display a message "refill too soon"...and then what?) It's not like you can call your doctor for a refill (not on a Schedule II substance anyway).
tink :icon_chick:
I do not live in the USA and do not understand what controlled II narcotics mean? In my home country there are different drug laws. (I do not know about these much.)
What does this mean "Zuckers Criteria" of TS, what is different about his definition of TS?
Are they planning to ban SRS in the future?
One of my MTF friends said that she didn't really feel hers as she had so much pain meds she said it was pain free pretty much!
Quote from: goingdown on October 05, 2008, 03:23:09 AM
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 04, 2008, 03:46:10 PM
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
Really. It has been my goal for so many years. I should just hope that I can get it before it is banned/ made more difficult to get (with Zucker criters I am not a transsexual
Not really. But I will try and discourage everyone and anyone from going through with it. You need to be really sure. In terms of other surgeries that I've had, it was no worse. In fact it was somewhat easier than some. I did not have FFS. I suspect that FFS would be much more painful.
Cindi
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 05, 2008, 04:35:12 PM
Quote from: goingdown on October 05, 2008, 03:23:09 AM
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 04, 2008, 03:46:10 PM
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
Really. It has been my goal for so many years. I should just hope that I can get it before it is banned/ made more difficult to get (with Zucker criters I am not a transsexual
Not really. But I will try and discourage everyone and anyone from going through with it. You need to be really sure. In terms of other surgeries that I've had, it was no worse. In fact it was somewhat easier than some. I did not have FFS. I suspect that FFS would be much more painful.
Cindi
Why do you try to discourage it? did it make life better or worse for you? I am just curious and I want to hear from all sides of the argument, not only the positive experiences.
I kind of agree with Cindi, hmmmmmmm... that's twice today now, let's see if we can break a record.
As I read some of the posts here in the last couple of years I have cried at some of the sad and the tragic occurences that befall some of our friends here because of wrong decisions they made that got them in deeper into the mire that transition can be at times. Finances, jobs, working the streets. And then you have you drama queens, not hard to tell them apart.
You also have those unfortunates that will never make it to surgery for whatever their reason, it is irrelevant. It is the decision that you make even before you start the road to transition that will mark the beginning of a life-transforming journey. Are you ready for that? Is this realy what you truly want to do with your life?
This is a life commitment, you can't change directions in mid course. It is a need that is relentless, not just a want. Sometimes it gets to the point that one has the need or feels the need so deeply that they contemplate suicide if they can't move forward in accomplishing this life altering phase, living full time as female/male which, by the way, is for life. So is this need deep and strong enough that you would be willing to take a chance to die on the operating table in order to be free to be who you truly are? I beleive these souls are serious about fulfilling their lifelong need.
I beleive my mate is the most important thing in my life to me. I love her like nothing else I ever have before in my life except my dearly departed mom. Outside of having already transformed to be who I am she is my life, she is my essence. She told our doctor yesterday that she would sooner die on the table than to remain the way she is. If that be so, I will follow her in to the next dimension as well, maybe get the same seat on that intergalactic Greyhound Bus.
To read about the changing characteristics, experiences, feelings, and emotions of a transsexual please feel free to visit my blog **Cindy's Ramblings Blog**
Cindy
Quote from: Tina B. on October 04, 2008, 09:46:28 PM
Quote from: Kimberly on October 04, 2008, 07:16:59 PM
I look at the situation in the view of "Does it really matter?" To explain, does it matter that there is a chance to die? No. Does it matter that it will hurt? No. Does it matter that it costs more than I've ever made in my life? No. Simply, it doesn't matter. It is a do or die trying. An really for me it is exactly that simple.
I agree totally! If you have made it to the point of SRS, it is very much like being in the middle of Electolysis, or mile 135 in an ironman....why stop now.....the pain is only temporary, but completion is forever!
I have not yet had GRS. I am scheduled for mine on November 3. I am fully aware that it will be accompanied by pain and soreness but I have been ready for that for years and I will not cancel my surgery.
I have, however, found a pain that is deeper and more hurtful than any physical pain that I will endure: finding out that there may be a delay on my surgery, the surgery I have hoped for, envisioned, and dreamed about since I was 13.
I had all of the required pre-surgical tests, including an electrocardiogram. My doctor looked at the ECG and told me that there was a small abnormality in my heartbeat. I knew it was there and at 57 years old, I am not surprised.
My doctor got me an appointment with a cardiologist for a consultation. Now what in the hell does that mean? My doctor wasn't sure so it could range from listening to my heart to a cardiac stress test.
I am far from inactive. When I walk for my heart's benefit it's at a march tempo, 4/4 time. At The women's shelter I move fast, lift and carry large loads, and I break a sweat. Never had chest pain or tightness.
So my doctor and I talk by phone on Friday night and I asked her a question: shall I buy my airline tickets?
When she told me to hold off, I felt my entire being just drain away into nothingness. I replied that I did not care if I left the operating table or not, I would be no worse off than I was without the surgery. I was in pain to the level of my soul when i told her that I actually felt suicidal.
Me suicidal? After walking through the brick walls I have in my life, and now I am stopped by an ECG?
She asked me if I had the means to kill myself. I told her that I didn't. I have no whiskey in the house and I couldn't do a pills and liquor exit. When I told her that I have keflex (an antibiotic) in the house and that it's no good for a suicide she told me that if I have suicidal ideations again, to go to the ER.
I feel better now and I am anxious for my appointment with the cardiologist to happen on October 15. I might have to delay my surgery but I believe it will happen soon.
That pain was to me a far worse pain than the actual surgery.
Wing Walker
Still Flying, Praying for Forgiveness
I beleive that my dearest love meant it. I never seen her like that before. I would expect it out of myself and I am usually the one that falls apart emotionaly and she comes around to pick up the pieces for me. She has always been my rock. This time I was the one picking up the pieces of that shattered egg. I pray that I will have the joy of reassembling the shell for that egg and watch a baby swan hatch and grow into a beautiful graceful white bird spread open her wings and take her solo flight.
I love you my dearest.
Cindy
For me it has been many years situation surgery or (somehow) suicide. I got hurted much for the statement discouraging me to having a surgery. :'(
Hi Goingdown, I have read your post but I am not to certain I got the complete picture, could you tell me more on what you have posted?
Cindy
Helo Cindybc!
I was just asking about the pain what SRS will cause. I am 100% sure of wanting the surgery knowing the all risks. So the statemant for Cindi Jones that said don't do it was very hurtfull for me. And just wanted to make clear that if there were no possibility to SRS I will rather die.
Hi Goingdown, yes there is pain and this pain varies with different individuals as I am learning myself. But the pain is worth it to be the true self. It is not the type of pain that is debilitating, if it is, there is something wrong in which case you consult a Doctor. You are still able to move about and do stuff even one week after surgery, just limited as to what you can do. It is uncomfortable but bearable OK
As for what Cindi said she was expressing a word of warning, if your not ready, don't do it. You will find a good portion about that warning in my post above.
As for my love, that is how deep this need can be for some. But I love her to much to just simply let her go without a fight. But I believe that Nov. 3rd will happen and I will be there to watch over her.
Cindy
I know that I am mentally ready however I must eat hormons for a longer time to be physically ready. :)
Hi Goingdown glad to know that you are understanding of the procedure,
#1 prepare the physical, eating hormones as you call it.
#2 prepare psychologically
#3 prepare emotionally
#4prepare spiritually
#5 When you are ready to be you, educate yourself what it is you need to expect once you become you, then just be the best you you can be. Learning from other women can also be an asset to you.
Cindy
I cant wait to just wear clothes that totally fit me... And be totally ruined on painkillers...
You know what?
Emotional whatevers!
Make a playlist or movielist of every thing you will sit on your ass and do all the time you heal. Seriously. I'm having a marathon of movies I felt guilty about watching, like Ferngully and stuff, and enjoying my drugs and making tea and having my 2 art school friends over... :3
Then I am drinking a shot of something really symbollic and making a toast to science. If my cat is still around and kicking, I will have him by my side always that week too...
Hi Deviousxen, collecting movies is a good idea or read books, entertainment or something to exercise the mind is a must. You will have mobility, how ever restricted, but as for having friends around I would say you may want to rethink that one unless they are just popping in for a visit.
As for the pain killers, the Dr. will ween you off those when the Dr. thinks it's time. But the trick is, is to keep moving about every day. Keep yourself clean down there and do your dilations four times a day and all will be well.
Pleasant dreams
Cindy
Quote from: Tink on October 04, 2008, 06:32:27 PM
Well, I'm a big cry baby ;D, and yes it is painful. I actually started a thread about it a while ago, and needless to say I was rather upset with some people for not having warned me about the pain. Yes, there is medication you can take; however, loading yourself with controlled II narcotics isn't a good idea for a number of reasons (i.e, you can die from them, you can become addicted and/or you can run out of your prescription and then the little pharmacy computer will display a message "refill too soon"...and then what?) It's not like you can call your doctor for a refill (not on a Schedule II substance anyway).
tink :icon_chick:
I have to say, I agree with most of what Tink has said there, infact I was most upset at my Mother who said that there wouldn'd be much pain, my Mother was putting me under a bit of pressure at the time for me to have SRS, anyway when I came around after the surgery, yes the pain was hideous, I remember Cindybc saying in another thread, the only pain thats worse is child birth, but everybody is different, theres no gain without pain.
But after about a year after the surgery, my first experience ''going all the way'' with a guy, was a beautiful feeling, to be finally excepted as a woman, made all the pain well worth it, even now after 23years when I look down, its like as if the other thing was never there, Im just a woman that got something put right, even if the pain was hideous at the time.
p
Yes. So to is doing the Iditarod. Or track and field. Or being a stagehand. Do you want it, or not?
My experience was that I used the Demarol pump some during the first two days and used only about half of the pain pills they gave me for the third day on. Stopped pain meds completely after 5 or six days.
You are up walking the day after surgery, which is somewhat uncomfortable (not painful) because of the large amount of packing in the vagina. That comes out at about the 7th day and the catheter, too. Then you start dilating. Just be sure to lube yourself as well as the stent.
The woman across the hall from me had a spinal block for the surgery itself and used no pain meds at all - Zero.
So it's not bad. I was 63 at the time.
Robyn
Hi Pretty Pauline nice to see you again and yes it's worth the pain to be yourself. I don't even want to go there like the what if it wouldn't have been possible. I considered myself female and lived as a female for a good many years thinking I would have to accept the fact that the way I was was as fare as I was going to get so I did my best to just keep it out of mind and just continue on with my life as a woman to the best of my ability. I wasn't looking to have physical sex with either a man or woman anyway because of some very painful circumstances I experienced in the past. But all the anxiety, fear, hurting, and sorrow I suffered getting there was all worth the pain to be as fully a woman as I can be. I enjoyed every bit of this journey it was certainly much more interesting to experience then the previous 36 years of my life.
Hi Robyn thank you for your contribution, hmmmm, I am the same age now as you were when you had the surgery.
Love to all
Cindy
Quote from: Robyn on October 06, 2008, 05:56:55 PM
My experience was that I used the Demarol pump some during the first two days and used only about half of the pain pills they gave me for the third day on. Stopped pain meds completely after 5 or six days.
You are up walking the day after surgery, which is somewhat uncomfortable (not painful) because of the large amount of packing in the vagina. That comes out at about the 7th day and the catheter, too. Then you start dilating. Just be sure to lube yourself as well as the stent.
The woman across the hall from me had a spinal block for the surgery itself and used no pain meds at all - Zero.
So it's not bad. I was 63 at the time.
Robyn
Thank you for sharing, Robyn. I am 57 and scheduled for GRS on November 3. The range of possible post-op discomfort is wide so every bit of info helps.
Wing Walker
I was like Robin. I used the pump a bit in the first couple of days but after that I was pretty well off of that. My most painful part was lying on my back for four days straight. I had low back pain that was excruciating.
But FFS was like bobbing for french fries and horribly painful. SRS in comparison was a walk in the park.
-Sandy
I think we collectively object to the phrase "hideously painful." It's more like the sweetest, most welcome and joyful pain you've ever experienced.
Quote from: glendagladwitch on October 06, 2008, 07:28:37 PM
I think we collectively object to the phrase "hideously painful." It's more like the sweetest, most welcome and joyful pain you've ever experienced.
Well put! I might add, it's certainly not like the unrelenting agony of living an un-fulfilling existence dimly lit with the knowledge that you could have chosen to do something about it... and didn't.
T-minus 16 days to my SRS w/ Brassard (10/22). Just had FFS (6/14) and come equipped with the confidence from knowing that I could get through 'the works' w/ Dr Z. The drugs really helped.
Thanks to all 4 sharing your experiences. It helps in many ways. I'll be back with mine soon.
Miranda
Quote from: cindybc on October 06, 2008, 06:56:10 PM
Hi Pretty Pauline nice to see you again and yes it's worth the pain to be yourself. I don't even want to go there like the what if it wouldn't have been possible. I considered myself female and lived as a female for a good many years thinking I would have to accept the fact that the way I was was as fare as I was going to get so I did my best to just keep it out of mind and just continue on with my life as a woman to the best of my ability. I wasn't looking to have physical sex with either a man or woman anyway because of some very painful circumstances I experienced in the past. But all the anxiety, fear, hurting, and sorrow I suffered getting there was all worth the pain to be as fully a woman as I can be. I enjoyed every bit of this journey it was certainly much more interesting to experience then the previous 36 years of my life.
Cindy
Hi Cindy, oh gosh I think you misunderstood me ''I wasn't looking for physical sex ether with man or woman'' lol, but on a more serious note, infact I wouldn'd have any real interest in sex, its hard to explain, but when a guy shows an interest in me and finds me attractive and excepts me as a woman, it is a beautiful feeling, nothing sexual, its all I ever wanted, just to be excepted, only yesterday I was on a crowded train, anyway it braked suddenly, lot of passengers fell forward, nearly lost my balance, but this guy gave up his seat for me, total stranger, it was a nice feeling, what was going thru his head, did he feel sorry for this girl with sore feet carrying 2bags, whatever, he saw me as a woman and wanted to be a gentleman, maybe it was my perfume, whatever the reason, it was nice.
p
PS Wing Walker, you'll be ok, everything will work, take care, in our prayers.
Hi Pauline sweets. Yea same as me. I love the attention and the little courtesies shown towards women, I love being treated as a woman, after all that is what I am. Last time I saw the other me was where his sword lay upon the ground and he laid on his cape upon that slab of concrete, then drifted off to another dimension. It's OK I have a silly imagination even had to romanticise the departure of the other me. Actually I love men as long as their gentlemen type. As for the little courtesies and compliments well I don't know about GG's but I could live on that type of attention. The feeling you mention? Like I actually get shivers at times, like tiny bubbles of pleasure going through you of course all these are delightful wonderful feelings which can certainly make you blush. Be kind of hard for me to blush though, especially during the summer, I am sort off dark skinned. But I still feel the flushing of my cheeks.
Then I course I have my beloved and she loves me for the way I am, I mean personality wise and everything else, as well as the imagination. But then she is a romantic herself. Intimacy is like a fantasy land, it captures the heart and soul. In imagination we are two angels spirits walking the desert sand in the moonlight with a plethora of twinkling stars decorating the whole canopy of heaven.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi11.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa191%2Fcynthiag932%2F2angels.gif&hash=90d65e992d519ea99afb33d4111ed5aed70e4e1c)
Cindy
What if it's hideous painful? would it stop you from having it? isn't the question kinda ironic if you think about the pain you've got to put up with day by day in a body that isn't yours?
I agree. The pain would be nothing comparing what kind of suffering TS is. I just want to be prepared that it is not a surprise how much pain it causes.
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 05, 2008, 04:35:12 PM
Quote from: goingdown on October 05, 2008, 03:23:09 AM
Quote from: Cindi Jones on October 04, 2008, 03:46:10 PM
Yes. Don't do it.
Cindi
Really. It has been my goal for so many years. I should just hope that I can get it before it is banned/ made more difficult to get (with Zucker criters I am not a transsexual
Not really. But I will try and discourage everyone and anyone from going through with it. You need to be really sure. In terms of other surgeries that I've had, it was no worse. In fact it was somewhat easier than some. I did not have FFS. I suspect that FFS would be much more painful.
Cindi
I think what Cindi is getting at here is that if there is literally ANY thing you can do instead of SRS, that will keep your mind and life together, then do that.
Most, if not all, of transsexuals that go through the whole process of transition, not just SRS, are prepared to sacrifice EVERYTHING in order to be whole. We are prepared to, turn our backs on careers, friends, family and fortune in order to be who we truly are. If you are not prepared to do that, then do not go down this path.
By inference, then, the pain associated with surgery is a minor component to the transition process. If you have prepared yourself for the goal of transitioning, then acceptance of some physical pain is acknowledged.
BTW: I had an orchiectomy prior to my SRS and neither were very painful. More discomfort than anything else. But then again, I have had some very painful procedures in my life not associated with my transition so I have some perspective to put it in. I do know of a couple of friends of mine who had never been in the hospital before and they went through the operation with no real problem with pain. As I mentioned before, FFS is much more painful. There are many more nerves in the face then just about anywhere else in the body. And each one of them will scream after the operation.
-Sandy
For MTF it feels like jumping off a second story roof and landing crotch first on a fence post. Then the doctor leaves the fence post (packing) in for 3-4 days. But its a good pain. Like childbirth.
Quote from: TreeFlower on October 15, 2008, 09:57:26 AM
For MTF it feels like jumping off a second story roof and landing crotch first on a fence post. Then the doctor leaves the fence post (packing) in for 3-4 days. But its a good pain. Like childbirth.
That makes me feel wonderful....
Hi Deviousxen, "hee, hee, hee." You sound truly enthusiastic, like you just swallowed a half dozen canaries complete with the feathers or something, *coughs feathers.* Don't worry hon, it ain't quite that bad, well it certainly isn't a party either. From what I hear from everyone else it appears everyone experiences it differently at varying degrees of pain, like just numb to....well the fence post thing.
Cindy
Quote from: cindybc on October 16, 2008, 12:16:19 AM
Hi Deviousxen, "hee, hee, hee." You sound truly enthusiastic, like you just swallowed a half dozen canaries complete with the feathers or something, *coughs feathers.* Don't worry hon, it ain't quite that bad, well it certainly isn't a party either. From what I hear from everyone else it appears everyone experiences it differently at varying degrees of pain, like just numb to....well the fence post thing.
Cindy
The fact my sense of humor isn't going that far doesn't make me negative, it makes me sane.
I totally wanna cry right now...
Hi Deviousxen, Awwwww so sorry hon, forgive me, I didn't meant to upset you. It is a big deal though and I wish I could help you by saying that it will be fine and you won't feel any pain, If I did I would be a liar. And just how painful, again like I said before, everyone has a different pain threshold, it appears. For me, tweren't realy no big deal outside of slowing me down some from my usual overactive self. and there is time into maintenance involved as well.
Cindy
treeflower...you hit the nail on the head, or something very similar...but...i'd do it again tomorrow.
Quote from: pennyjane on October 17, 2008, 08:48:46 PM
treeflower...you hit the nail on the head, or something very similar...but...i'd do it again tomorrow.
So would I :)
No tanks.
I have the rest of my life to live as Cindy now. It's been a wonderful adventure but it ain't over yet and I thank Universe for my good health. I only pray I can teach others to embrace their own adventure.
Cindy
hi sandy, <still praying with hope>. i think you're right about being willing to sacrifice everything. i think we really do have to be prepared for that. fortunately, and more and more so, it usually doesn't cost it all.
i wonder sometimes where i would have been if my annie hadn't been so supportive and understanding. would it have ever come to the point where i'd be willing to sacrifice her? i'd like to think "no", but in all honesty i was getting to a place where sanity, and even life itself, was coming into jeopardy. i praise my God everyday that i never had to face that dilemna in reality.
i think one of the fundamental reasons we come to that place in our lives so often, transsexuals that is, is that our perspective, knowledge and information about transition is so weak. the very fact that we know we might lose it all, that we might horribly harm people we love by transitioning, is enough to drive a lot of people crazy in itself.
i believe in service. service to our fellow human beings is really about all life is worth to me. it is my life's goal anymore to just do what i can to personally be a part of altering that dynamic in a positive way. to be a part of bringing our society along to a point where we <transsexuals> don't have to make such choices...<transition or die> <transition and lose everything and everyone>. my life is about making transition for my transexual successors only about medical stuff. where the biggest problems are health and physical status. seeing a world where transition is accpeted as a medical need like so many others. i have a small gift for sharing one on one with some girls and sometimes even do some good with that, but my big gift is demonstating a positive model of transsexualism to the greater society.
it's not a great thing, i haven't the skills and abilities to affect the world outside of my life here in this small town. so it's here...it's my everyday life that i share with people here that i do the most good. sure, it's not much in the greater scheme of things...but just a few years ago the idea that i could affect any positive change in any way was not even a possiblity in my mind. it's folks who hold only the narrow stereotype of us that i can affect. not those with blistering hate, those with well constructed bigoty...i can't do any more with them then the next girl...but where i think i contribute is among those who...well...hold a negative opinion, but not with much depth.
my transition has not cost me everything. it has been nowhere near the painful experience i imagined in my ignorance. i did lose things, important things at the time, but what i have lost is but a tiny speck compared to what i have gained. every aspect of my life is better. it's all been affected in a positive way. that is what i want to share with those of us in the ts sorority. it's not like it used to be, there are more and more people out there who are willing to give you an honest shot if you're willing to take it.
not to long ago our church offered a six week seminar aimed at identifying what our spiritual goals were so we might make some consicious efforts to attain some of them. i could think of no greater goal then just this: since i have transitioned, and everyone knows of my past and my gender status i want to live long enough and remain firm enough in myself so that when the children of our chruch leave home to pursue their own lives...they will never remember a time when there wasn't a transwoman sitting there in the pews with everyone else every sunday moring. worshiping just like all the rest. singing the hymns, reciting the lithurgy, getting involved in chruch affairs and loving them, nurturing them in just the same way as all the rest. so to these people having transsexuals, and others who have significant differences from the norm, in their midst won't be a source of discomfort for them, just a matter of indifference...as in, "yes...and...?"
and to accomplish this what do i have to do? nothing special, just live and be me, out in the light.
Penny!
I could have not said any more eloquently or thoughtfully! We have so much in common. I too wish to serve, to be a standard by which others may see the truth. My family any myself are also members of a church that is very understanding. And the small children there just see us as just loving people just like everyone else. You are doing the same thing right now. I would call that your ministry. And you seem very good at it. Never discount the small effort or the one-on-one encounter. They can move mountains.
Pat and I thank you for your prayers really they are helping as much as the most powerful medicine.
Thank you.
-Sandy
Hmmm, since we are on the subjects of performing deeds, beliefs, and determination of will, this is my two cents' worth.
Material things? I lost everything that was of value to me long before I started the journey to transitioning. My life was a nasty desperation. I had my three kids taken away and lost a half-million-dollar piece of property that was an inheritance from my mother and father. I moved all over the place drinking alcoholically for several years, then I finally sobered-up while living on the streets of a city in central Ontario.
Even during my drinking years, while living on the street, I was always trying to help another when I was unable to fully look after myself. After I sobered-up I trained as a Social Worker and worked with the unfortunate for the last twenty years. I guess one can call it dumb luck or maybe I was blessed.
During the last twelve years I learned much about just who Cindy is. Yes, I am quite grateful for having talked with a certain Anglican minister. She was the one who helped get me off the street and 9 years later she helped me to find who resided within.
I have never been a religious person but I consider myself spiritual, and I have been out there under dangerous conditions trying to help another soul, such as a mom and children get out of the home without getting killed by an irate, abusive husband. These rescue missions came unannounced at all hours of the morning and night, and I would still show up for work during the day.
Now I have been retired for the last two years and here again I am back doing the same type of work. Did I lose material stuff? Did I lose family? Did I lose friends? Yes. But then I had already lost all these years before I ever started transitioning. But I gained more than I ever lost when I put the cork back on the bottle and decided to be me at any cost. What cost? I have been blessed, and I have been rewarded ten-fold for what good I have done. To me the greatest reward is not monetary, it is a smile on the gaunt face of one who hasn't eaten a substantial meal for a very long time.
I live comfortably, and my love and I are not wanting for anything and we have many good friends here. I believe that for as long as I can still stand on my two legs I will be in the business of working with folks in need.
But what do I know? I'm just a reformed old street bum.
Quote from: cindybc on October 19, 2008, 02:25:28 AM
But what do I know? I'm just a reformed old street bum.
Sounds more like a saint to me!
-Sandy
Quote from: pennyjane on October 17, 2008, 08:48:46 PM..but...i'd do it again tomorrow.
If I were a teenager again with 1/10th of the knowledge of what life would be like after transition/SRS, I would be screaming bloody murder, breaking down door, demanding somebody do something!!!
(Oh, wait, I did that! :o )
Well I would have done a whole lot more a whole lot sooner.
Yes, SRS is hideously painful but thankfully we have drugs that are exceptionally good at removing pain. Frankly I don't know how anyone could think SRS isn't hideously painful. When the nurses weren't on time bringing my pain killer shots, I can assure you that I was in agony. You have to remember that any surgery causes swelling and if you think being kicked in the groin was hard imagine having your genitals crushed from swelling and it isn't too hard to imagine the pain.
However pain shouldn't be a sole reason for not continuing SRS. I have acute intermittent porphyria which causes nerve pain among other things. The pain from that is the worse pain I have felt because my nerves are saying it is the worst pain ever. The worst pain I have felt post op was no worse then the nerve pain. It has been entirely controlled by injections of fentynal, hydromorphone, codeine, dexamethasone and naproxen suppositories post operatively. Without complications I am off the fentynal in 5 days, off hydromorphone after another 7 days and codeine with 7 more days. All in all I only needed longer dosing cycles with complications and multiple opioid classes limit the danger of addiction (quite real for me).
Best of luck and all surgeries are painful. When the pain of staying this way overcomes your fear of post operative pain and complications then it will be time for surgery.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Posted on: October 26, 2008, 02:37:02 pm
Incidentally spinal blocks post op (before being awoken) are great, talk to your surgeon but make sure they know what they are doing or have the anesthesiologist do it. PCA or patient controlled analgesic is by far the most effective pain control route after blocking the nerves. It is very useful, allows for smaller more physiologically appropriate dosing and is available on demand. Make sure to use one post op. Combine both and you will have highly effective pain control. It is pretty hard to die from narcotics the way they are delivered today. You should be aware how much medication you need before you run out. A decent doctor will prescribe what you need for as long as you need it. Just make sure to ask yourself with each dose do I need or want this? Also patient who refuse or aren't given proper pain management take longer to recover and are subjectively in pain longer then if proper pain management is in place. Pain takes a huge toll on the body when you can least afford it.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Quote from: ->-bleeped-<-boy link=topic=44888.msg296452#msg296452 date=1225051627
Yes, SRS is hideously painful but thankfully we have drugs that are exceptionally good at removing pain. Frankly I don't know how anyone could think SRS isn't hideously painful. When the nurses weren't on time bringing my pain killer shots, I can assure you that I was in agony. You have to remember that any surgery causes swelling and if you think being kicked in the groin was hard imagine having your genitals crushed from swelling and it isn't too hard to imagine the pain.
However pain shouldn't be a sole reason for not continuing SRS. I have acute intermittent porphyria which causes nerve pain among other things. The pain from that is the worse pain I have felt because my nerves are saying it is the worst pain ever. The worst pain I have felt post op was no worse then the nerve pain. It has been entirely controlled by injections of fentynal, hydromorphone, codeine, dexamethasone and naproxen suppositories post operatively. Without complications I am off the fentynal in 5 days, off hydromorphone after another 7 days and codeine with 7 more days. All in all I only needed longer dosing cycles with complications and multiple opioid classes limit the danger of addiction (quite real for me).
Best of luck and all surgeries are painful. When the pain of staying this way overcomes your fear of post operative pain and complications then it will be time for surgery.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Posted on: October 26, 2008, 02:37:02 pm
Incidentally spinal blocks post op (before being awoken) are great, talk to your surgeon but make sure they know what they are doing or have the anesthesiologist do it. PCA or patient controlled analgesic is by far the most effective pain control route after blocking the nerves. It is very useful, allows for smaller more physiologically appropriate dosing and is available on demand. Make sure to use one post op. Combine both and you will have highly effective pain control. It is pretty hard to die from narcotics the way they are delivered today. You should be aware how much medication you need before you run out. A decent doctor will prescribe what you need for as long as you need it. Just make sure to ask yourself with each dose do I need or want this? Also patient who refuse or aren't given proper pain management take longer to recover and are subjectively in pain longer then if proper pain management is in place. Pain takes a huge toll on the body when you can least afford it.
->-bleeped-<-boy
The pain is not as much of what I'm worried about anymore... Its being able to feel and make out your insides carved up. Does it just hurt a ton? Or is there actually feeling of specific pains that you might be sickened by?
Im more worried about wanting to throw up after surgery, not swearing my head off and being high on opiates.
Ok, in fairness because of AIP and overly sensitive nerves I experience pain differently then many. How you react to the pain may be different but at the end of the day it is livable and short term. In terms of feeling where they cut, I can tell you this much. I do know the incisions generally but my hysto was hard to pinpoint pain while my top surgery was easy. Most people can't see through their pain to identify correctly where it came from. Vomiting must be avoided post op or you may tear your incisions. If this is an issue there are many medications that can be given prior to reviving you that will control post op pain. In addition many cause sleepiness and that will help keep you still post op. Speak to your surgeons about your concerns. In speaking to mine I was switched to better pain management methods (continuous caudal block) and a last resort antinausea drug called ondansetron which is by far the best I have had with no side effects. If you tell your concerns to your surgeon they will custom drug you according to what works for you.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Hi Deviousxen, from my own experience is minimal in most cases and the possibilety of being nauseated is anticipated and precautions are taken.
You won't feel much of anything inside while under sedation and pain killers. There may be some pain and certainly much discomfort, *inside* after you are taken off the sedatives and pain killers, but then much of the pain and discomfort should be controllable with just over the counter pain killers.
But then it appears that the pain may vary much with the pain threshold and or tolerance of each individual undergoing the same procedure.
Cindy
I agree cindy. I would say my pain levels have been higher then most but I don't have a reference point to say that for sure. I do know that I use much larger doses then other people need without toxcity so that says something but until these procedures are done in the larger community it is hard to say for sure that I am overly sensitive as opposed to it being a more painful procedure. The person most likely to benefit from my advice is the original poster who mentioned neurological pain. I still list my most painful surgery as my tonsillectomy so that gives you a reference.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Hi ->-bleeped-<-boy, both are very complex surgeries not to mention it is major surgery and can possibly have serious complications. Although with the expert care we have now, implications are pretty well to a minimum, and many a times it can be accounted to something a patient has neglected in their post-op at home care. I know that both F-M and M-F SRS are extensive surgeries and that any type of phallus implants is a fairly new procedure, so I would have no idea or reference just how much pain would be involved in such a procedure and how long the recovery. Anything you could inform us with would most probably be new and useful to many of us.
Cindy
i wonder if anyone told goingdown they use anasthesia?
I know that. However the pains after has been describe very painful. But that seems not a big issue. I will not know would I need FFS afterwards.
if you think you need ffs, get it, but if the pain of recovery is worse than the pain of needing to transition, dont bother, its better for you in the long run hon.
I am sure that I need SRS. However I am not sure will I need FFS. When I started my RLT I passed enough good for myself. Then I lost some weight and now I have been outed because of my face once. Should I be a little bir overweight all time?
Right now I am in the clitoral relocation phase and have thus far dissected all connective tissue down to the crura; the next step is the crura and external modding. I have had major swelling which accounted for almost all my pain after about a week. During the first surgery the deep clitoral vein was lacerated and I nearly bled out. This resulted in a large hematoma and a second op to stop the bleeding. The next one was successful but my body couldn't handle the trauma and started swelling. The combination of that and my overly sensitive nerves meant this last surgery has been much harder then the first. It has been nearly 5 weeks and I am starting to feel better but I still have 1.5" by 2" seroma which is about a 1/3 of the size it was. This was what I referring to when I said "crushing genitals". Because of the previous damage to the deep vein I developed necrosis where there wasn't enough blood flow. That is healing slowly but it has almost completed it's healing by secondary intention and the labia barely fused to shaft (yeah) because of constant care.
I would like to say that I have had three open wounds with necrosis that have healed or are almost healed without infection or antibiotics in the hospital or out; just proper aftercare. I have discovered undiagnosed hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue from the stress of surgery. I am now being treated and can take the medication to prevent future problems. Each step we are learning new things about how the clitoris can be changed. Currently I am about 3" long but I have lost length with retraction which will be fixed with the next surgery. My next surgery will leave me with an anatomically correct upside down penis but that will slowly change. I am about a week or two from another surgery. If we go sooner it will be to remove the mass putting pressure on the deep clitoral vein otherwise I should be up to another surgery in 2 weeks.
->-bleeped-<-boy
Quote from: deviousxen on October 27, 2008, 01:17:40 AM
The pain is not as much of what I'm worried about anymore... Its being able to feel and make out your insides carved up. Does it just hurt a ton? Or is there actually feeling of specific pains that you might be sickened by?
It's not like that at all. At least not for me.
I had very little pain, more like just soreness... and even that was from the sutures pulling and catheter, not from the "insides" or feeling "carved up." Yea I know, considering how they create a cavity and all for the new genitals, you'd think you'd feel pain from that trauma. But nope, I didn't feel anything of the sort. I refused pain pills the day after surgery, as I hated feeling so drugged all the time and simply didn't need them. I was walking around the block and through the park next door within a few days (which apparently I wasn't really supposed to do, lol).
I was actually more sore as the postop week progressed versus right after surgery, as the suture sites started getting annoyed. And once home a week later, the whole area was pretty sore for a few weeks. Nothing bad, nothing even approaching "hideous," but it was uncomfortable... especially since it was a 24/7 soreness. And I felt occasional twinges of pain for a few weeks, sorta like electric shocks while things healed.
But overall no, the pain wasn't an issue.
What IS an issue is all the "stuff" surrounding the process. Peeing through a catheter ain't no fun, lol. And it's uncomfy. And when they pull it out.... eeee owwww. I do NOT want that experience again.
And when they remove the stent... omg... OK, THAT hurt like heck... but for all of about 5 seconds. I have an inkling what it's like to give birth now, lol.
And you'll bleed. You'll only have one period in your life, but it makes up for the ones you've missed.
And your life reorients itself around dialating. How long you can stay out, what time is dinner, when to do things... revolve around finding time to dialate for awhile.
~Kate~
How much do you have to dilate after surgery? Is it like... For a year?
my surgeon recommeded that i just get used to it. since i wasn't going to be sexually active i should just plan on doing it forever. it varies though. i know some girls who just quit and have had no problems.
i still do, probably will do it 'till i forget how.......
Quote from: deviousxen on October 27, 2008, 04:59:23 PM
How much do you have to dilate after surgery? Is it like... For a year?
Each surgeon has their own recommendations, but you can expect something like four or five times a day at first, tapering over the months to once a week after a year postop... which you continue for the rest of your life. Most surgeons count sex as a dialation, for what it's worth.
~Kate~
Well... Assuming anyone would date me, thats not the worst thing...
I've been worried a bit more about it all recently. More squeamish and stuff.. Its like my brain stopped bracing for this brick wall and my brain is now going, "What? Hahahah. I don't see a wall"
I should start popping the Wellbutrin again...
i think that squeamishness is pretty common. when the nurse brought my first set of stents into my room my eyes almost popped out of my head....once i was considerably calmed down i became squeamish. but, like eveything else, once you do it enough it just becomes second nature....
funny story.....when my wife walked in and saw the stents on the table she said...."hey, they got little black polka dots...how cute!" the end.
SRS - no pain ... honestly... tiny bit of discomfort and soreness, that's all ...
Brassard kept you on morphine drip for two days, and then three shoulder injections per day for your next two days hospitalisation. In the clinic / residence you get 60 Demarol tabs to keep you happy (yes they get you high especially if you save a few for your return hotel & flight and take with alcohol !).
Sure some women rejected the narcotic pills and sleeping tabs, and stuck to Tynenol ... more fool them as they obviously had a much harder time.
I believe that a lot of the Thai docs are far less generous with painkillers and that the experience there can be really agonizing, hence the "SRS is painfull" myth ... but its not the case with N American / European surgeons who don't skimp with meds.
For me SRS was a breeze, hardly like even getting a tooth pulled, worst of it was migrane headaches I got on 2 / 3 nights possibly as a result of all the drugs !
Laura
Uncomfortable, sure. Pain, I didn't think so.
I'd much rather have the discomfort of SRS again than another root canal, any day.
hi kara...i guess it's probably got a lot to do with what's apt to cause nausia in you personally. pain doesn't usually lead me there, drugs do. coming off the anisthesia and then the pain meds kept my tummy a little upset for a few days. i got over it though....frankly, the pain was worse then the nausia for me. i know some girls have relatively no pain, i envy them that....it was very painful for me...but again....i'd do it again in a heartbeat. God bless.
I can answer from first hand experience now. Mine wasn't as hideous painful as I thought it'd be. I had little discomfort or no pain at all. Started walking on the third day & I'm healing quickly. Marci & the nurses say it's different for everybody. No Grs is the same. I feel lucky that everything resulted the way it did for me. I was worried I'd be incapacitated for weeks but it's nothing like that.
The most uncomfortable thing I experienced was that darn stent thing, do you know how big those things are? Anyway the most uncomfortable part of the whole thing was the last two days before they removed the stent yea like giving birth to a French Poodle, *without the claws* Gads I hated that dang thing, like Kate I'm an active person and like to move about a lot, I was walking about the day after the surgery. The big problem was was trying to sit for any length of time, forget it. The favored positions were either vertical or horizontal.
This time when I went to Montreal with Wing Walker I was sicker then she was with the stomach flue. I came down with the flue at the recovery house. Well I am certainly glad that was all I had and I did have fun with the girls there. They all got to meet my pet Critter, a stuffed animal of a fury seal. I saw your name in the Fairy book Kate. :D
Cindy
As they say, your mileage may vary. (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi92.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl2%2Fmagi43%2Fshrug.gif&hash=428a306ef2dc9fd1b3d4b38c436df6d19891fe76)
As I recall, mine was fairly painful at points, but not unbearably so.
Two things that I do recall that gave me pause for cause were;
The sutures in my vagina. At times it felt like I had barb wire in
there.
The other thing that made me apprehensive, was when I first
started to dilate. I was afraid that I pop a stitch, or in some
other way do harm to my neo-vagina.
Other than that, with some OTC pain pills, and it was palatable.
I Like that description, barb wire. The first couple weeks back at home at least I could sit for short intervals, but not for to long a stretch at a time, it gets awful uncomfortable down there after while. I walked around a lot in the house and outside some, then came back in and sat again for a while to do some typing, then get up and move about again then come back and sometimes did the typing standing up.
I was restless as a lion pacing it's cage. I can't be idle for long I get bored. But thank goodness for the Internet. I was a member on a popular sci-fi forums in the UK back then so I spent a lot of time there and did a lot of online research but I was never so happy then to go back to work again when I was able to. My job as a social worker was mostly on my feet, very little of the day required sitting.
Gee if I'm gonna kill a thread I may as well stay on the job. ;)
Cindy
Srs is pretty painful. I had breast implants done at the same time and I thought the implants hurt much more than vaginoplasty.
QuoteI did not have FFS. I suspect that FFS would be much more painful
For me SRS was ten times worse than FFS. I was walking miles 3 days after FFS I could not do that for over three months with SRS.
someone said you either stay vertical or horizontal.for how long
will i be able to fly back home after srs???:)
Quote from: deniz on January 21, 2009, 09:55:03 AM
someone said you either stay vertical or horizontal.for how long
will i be able to fly back home after srs???:)
It mostly depends on how long you will be in flight. Though usually most doctors will sequester you long enough that you can take a flight of several hours without too much discomfort. Though your dilations will have to be caught up.
(The mental image of dilating on an airplane is just too funny!)
-Sandy
"Hee, hee, hee." on the dilating on the plane, funny, had that same image, but then I have lots of silly images going through my head most times. Well I don't know about any other Dr's but when I went to, Dr Brassed, the duration from the time of surgery to the time you get on the plane was 12days. Two day stay at the healing house before surgery, three days at the hospital and seven at the healing house.
Everyone experiences a different rate of healing. I was up and about walking around the day after the surgery and I was walking about up and down a set of stairs three times a day for meals and once in the evening for socialising or just messing with my lap top.
So they encourage you to move about at least four times a day then there is your 4 dilation's and 4 baths per day, so you don't have mush time to get bored.
They also give you these pills to take when you get on the plane and believe me you will feel quite comfortable and they also suggest you get up and walk back and forth in the isle of the plane at least every half hour.
Cindy
I hear that Samuel L. Jackson is going to do a sequel to "Snakes on a Plane":
"More terrifying than any snake!
"More debilitating to the male ego than any accidental gay encounter!"
"Comes in more colors, sizes, and shapes than any reptile!"
"NOW, Samuel L. Jackson is back to do battle with terrifying plastic and latex!"
Universal Pictures presents "DILDOS ON A PLANE!"
Coming soon to a theater near you!!!
-Sandy(Ebert would give it 12,387,651,524,376 thumbs down!)
"I am sick and tired of these mother^%$@&^%$# dildos on this mother@&^%#*& plane!!"
OK, I know this is an old thread but I'm reading stuff about transition from way back and just had to respond to this one.
;D
Quote from: Sandy on January 21, 2009, 02:29:30 PM
I hear that Samuel L. Jackson is going to do a sequel to "Snakes on a Plane":
"More terrifying than any snake!
"More debilitating to the male ego than any accidental gay encounter!"
"Comes in more colors, sizes, and shapes than any reptile!"
"NOW, Samuel L. Jackson is back to do battle with terrifying plastic and latex!"
Universal Pictures presents "DILDOS ON A PLANE!"
Coming soon to a theater near you!!!
-Sandy(Ebert would give it 12,387,651,524,376 thumbs down!)
mother@&^%#*& plane!!" I can agree with that but the clowns are only few but when they are all we see on the media performing it can sure make it apear like the world is being run by the inmates in an insane asylumn ::)
Or like toddlers hitting each other over the head with their Popsicle sticks.
It's old thread but interesting.
I'm also really scared of pain from srs and recovery (dilatation), I can't do pain to myself, even when my ears are tightened someone must push my earrings trough (ok today it was with drop of blood)
Well, my 2 cents... it is more "uncomfortable" (painful) then having an appendectomy.
I had both, so I can tell.
But, if one is enough motivated as I was... you're going through with it.
It's maybe a bit like wanting a child of your own..., so... you have to give birth... :P
Axélle
At the hospital I was walking around the place with my IV rack visiting with the girls. I had no complications it was sore for the first few days, the week after the recovery house when I got home I threw the donut cushion in the garbage because even if it was sore it was one heck of a lot more comfortable then that donuts cushion. I was out driving the car the day after I got home. The donut cushion was my biggest gripe. The second biggest gripe was all those boring dilatation in the beginning . Two weeks was still some bruised but all sensation was back and only a little dull pain with certain movements. But then everyone's pain threshold and healing is different
I don't know, I got through the whole thing taking aspirin and I have a super low pain tolerance. I didn't think it was painful at all. There were times it was a little uncomfortable, and of course everyone differs, but I felt no pain. It was just uncomfortable.
Same with me, it hurt a little when dilating. You'll learn all about how to do the dilating as you go so it is with the least discomfort
Quote from: Sandy on January 21, 2009, 02:29:30 PM
I hear that Samuel L. Jackson is going to do a sequel to "Snakes on a Plane":
"More terrifying than any snake!
"More debilitating to the male ego than any accidental gay encounter!"
"Comes in more colors, sizes, and shapes than any reptile!"
"NOW, Samuel L. Jackson is back to do battle with terrifying plastic and latex!"
Universal Pictures presents "DILDOS ON A PLANE!"
Coming soon to a theater near you!!!
-Sandy(Ebert would give it 12,387,651,524,376 thumbs down!)
I looked at the date that I posted that. Wow! Has it really been that long?
At the time I was just 7 months post-op and down to dilating "only" twice a day. Now I do it about once a week (if I remember).
I have a pretty high pain threshold and didn't find dilating itself to uncomfortable, but moving up to the next size dilator did pinch a bit.
The worst pain I had postoperatively was being forced to lay flat on my back for the first week following the operation. I had a panic attack in recovery and almost tore some of my stitches. Dr. Christine had me immobilized to prevent the possibility of further complications. I couldn't sit up or even turn over. As a result of lying in one position for five days, my back was in sheer agony.
In comparison, the SRS was about 4 on the pain scale, but my back was a 9.
-Sandy
Odd, I was allowed to walk each day, a little. The most awkward thing about walking after SRS was that dang diaper packed with ice. And that darn surgical stent, glad that was only five days. The last time I was here I guess according to my last posting above was January 21, 2009, How time do fly
Hi Cindy, great to see you posting again, what really struck me reading through this old thread was the number of ''guests'' Kate, Rachael, Tinkerbell etc etc all gone, Rachael if its the girl Im thinking about could be so funny, my reply is in there somewhere.
What I could never understand, some girls saying SRS is a breeze, for me it was hideous painfull, for heavens sake, getting a penis and my nuts (testicles) removed wasn't pain free, then getting the packing removed I was in agony, then 2nd procedure, it was over a year before my new vagina was fully healed and finally looking and feeling normal, I was just so glad it was all over and finally being a complete woman.
I had my op in 1994 techniques and medication have changed since then, it was uncomfortable and unpleasant but not painful.Electrolysis now that was pain dialled up to 12
Hi Pauline, nice to see you again. I am quite aware that different people's pain threshold differed in intensity. I guess I was just one of the lucky ones where I have a low pain threshold and a fast healer. Must be the Native American blood huh :laugh: I was out driving about with the car two weeks after the op.
I don't come here much, actually after these old posts died out it kind of slipped from memory. Susan's didn't really enter my mind until I started getting emails from these old posts. ;) But I will always be grateful for Susan's being here at the time I need others like myself to relate and share with.
Did you ever check out my site? "Not the Empath" it's been a while now, the fairy one? Well I morphed it into The Transformation now. Do you have skype? I just got it a couple days ago. Didn't know what marvelous of a little piece software was. ;D Ore we could chat here, I would realty be interested in knowing how your doing hun.
I didn't have much main until the week after surgery when I was unpacked, then the Oxycotin came in handy for a while. For the most part I had little pain and it certainly was worth it to me. However, I just spoke to a woman who had her surgery 7 years ago with a prominent U.S. doctor and she has had nothing but pain since along with 3 corrective surgeries. BTW, that is not a knock against U.S. doctors, because I had mine done in the Philadelphia area but hey, any surgery of any kind can go wrong, I thank G_d mine went well. :)
Quote from: goingdown on October 04, 2008, 08:42:55 AM
Among many other things I can say that I am a little bit neurasthenic and very sensitive to pain. Is the SRS very hideous painfull? (I have never been in any kind of bigger surgery)
I had SRS 12 weeks ago and a second surgery (labiaplasty, meatoplasty) 2 weeks ago. After the first procedure pain was controlled quite well with epidural anaesthetic (Fentanyl). On the 4th day the epidural catheter was removed and I received Metamizole or Oxycodone whenever I needed it. Pain was worse during the night but worst I found having a suprapubic urinary catheter inserted for 3 weeks. I couldn't pee at the time of discharge so I had to wear the urinary catheter for longer. Shortly before my second (mandatory) surgery I had developed a meatal stricture due to scar tissue. I couldn't urinaty anymore, so I went to the ER where I a new suprapubic catheter was reinserted. This was the most painful thing I ever had in my life. I cried and my whole body shook while the nurse tried to calm me while holding my hand. Now, two weeks from the second surgery, I don't have pain anymore but I developed a hematoma in the right labia. I feel much better now and I think I can go back to my former activites in a few weeks.
Dilation once a day at the moment due to the hematoma. It doesn't hurt but I have to be extra careful because of the sutures which partially reopened already. I use the dilation set from Amielle ("Amielle Comfort"). Depth approx. 5 inch, penile inversion.
SRS is a very tough procedure. I think many people do not want to talk about the bad sides of this procedures, not to mention the minor or major complications. Everybody is different. There are people who are lucky to recover from it just fine. Although I was prepared for such things to happen the recovery really took it out of me...
i also had to have the catheter put back in. so not fun. and the pain was on and off for the first 5 day. oh yeah the first month i slept do much
SRS was the most painful experience in my life. The first few days after surgery I couldn't eat or drink. My pee has gotten so yellow all the nurses were very concerned. The only time I drank something was when I had to take medication. The morphine drip didn't help much either and my visiting doctor told me the next step up would be to put me on anesthesia. It gets better on the 4th day or so. And then the dreaded dilation after the packing was removed was just as bad. No wonder all the doctors and nurses had that serious look on their face when they talked about dilation. The pain, however didn't last longer than 2 hours though. After the first terror, it became easier.
Really? I kinda like the dilate time. Haha I know I'm gross