Susan's Place Transgender Resources

For those who have had/plan to have genital reconstructive surgery (or GRS/SRS), which factor was the MOST important in your decision?

If you've had or plan to have genital surgery, you might have considered all these things, but I'm interested in which you considered the most important factor in your decision.
Votes are anonymous, but elaboration encouraged.
Thanks.  :)

Note: I apologize for using the word 'normal'. It's really hard to word things in so small a space.

For me, it is a hatred of my genitalia.  If it wasn't for the blood loss and pain, I would have cut them off years ago.

The hatred of them has lead directly to my past suicide attempts.  And still has a basis in my current dysphoria go round.

No, I am not suicidal.


Janet

No all of the above?

Well I put down "need for the genitals of your gender", but really all the reasons listed are important to me.

I voted "social (ability to use changing rooms, swim, hang out, be seen as normal etc)" because from day one my goal has been to blend into society as a normal girl. Well, as a girl...I'd settle for weird or goofy or whatever as long as it's "girl".

The initial compulsion to act was out of severe dysphoria yes, but as time has gone by and hrt has shrunk the nasty parts and made the good parts grow, I've become more and more obsessed with blending.

I went with option 2 because I feel that all the other options fall into a part of it  :icon_chick:

I wasn't sure any of those options fit my main motivation for wanting GRS, so I didn't vote. I really don't like them (genitalia) at all, but I guess it's not so much "hate" as it is just that they are the wrong ones. My main reason for getting GRS is because I want to be complete. Women have vaginas, and I am a woman. Simple as that. In order for me to ever feel complete then, surgery is necessary and mandatory. I'm pretty sure I'd rather be dead than live life incomplete. :-\

Strangely enough I put social, even though sexual is pretty frickin' important as well.

... but more than anything I want to be able to wear more form fitting clothing and feel less akward around other girls in intimate / non-sexual situations.

Of course there used to be hatred, and of course there is a desire to have "normal" genetalia... but I'm a practical / sexual creature more than I am self-loathing / introspective being these daze.  :D

Seeing how I just set a date for GRS I can say that the #1 factor for me is need/desire to have the appropriate genitals for my gender.  I have had pretty darn good growth down there and I really want it to be free lol!!

Followed closely by the changing room/social issue.  Primarily because I want to move to a more conservative area, and don't want to have to explain myself if I don't want to.

Not sure the results will be good enough for proper sex, and I'm okay with that.  As it is I can't have proper sex either. 


Jay

Semantics aside.  My motivation for GRS was hatred of birth genitals (due to the fact that I'm a woman & women don't have penises but that's too obvious to mention right?)

only able to choose 1 complicates by oversimplifing. I will be confidant in assuming that most of us have numerous motivators.
I find the question very personal and verging into the inaprpriate. But because it is Nero's post I will say.
For me I have 2 very strong motivators.
1. I am sick of 'feeling' body parts that are simply not there. When I get the parts I am suposed to have I won't have 2 sets of signals coming from 'downstairs'. That will be nice.
2. I have a stong desire to have proper sex.  Sure there are 'ways' to simulate but simulation leaves my heart aching for reality. It leaves a feeling of incompleteness that frankly sucks the big one.

All are very important to me although I chose # 2 because females have a vagina and I am a female. Once you are physically a female, the rest of the items fall into place more easily. If I get a body search at the airport the appropriate parts are there and if you are ever questioned you have absolute proof of your gender. You legal documentation changes fall into place once you are complete.

Pam

I don't remember #2 being there before when I posted but I chose it now. We want the correct genitals for who we are. It seems to be the consensus.

Wanted to choose both  #1 & #2 but #2 seems a more clearer explanation of why I did it.  In the end it's "all of the above" though we may not be able to know that until surgery is complete.

I had grown and developed as far as I could without being complete and free - that's all.

I put hate, 'cause I did. I tried cutting them off when I was 12 or so.

I'm much happier with having the correct genitalia now.

Quote from: gothique11 on December 30, 2009, 12:20:54 AM
I put hate, 'cause I did. I tried cutting them off when I was 12 or so.

I'm much happier with having the correct genitalia now.

Ditto.

Hatred of birth genitals & the need to have the correct ones.

I had GRS because I needed it to be complete as female.

Quote from: Nero on December 28, 2009, 07:40:37 PM
which factor was the MOST important in your decision?

Easy. I'm a woman & women have got vaginas not dicks & testicles.

I'm with Leslie.  That's why I had GRS too.

Quote from: Leslie on December 30, 2009, 09:55:30 PM
Hatred of birth genitals & the need to have the correct ones.

I had GRS because I needed it to be complete as female.

If there are more realistic and affordable options, I would do it, simply for social reasons. I'm not a huge fan of always having to hide. When you've got nothing to hide about your body, that's a lot of stress let go that we don't realize we're carrying. I want to be able to take off my clothes spontaneously whenever I want. I want to be able to hook up with someone for the night without explaining all the crap.

But otherwise, got no prob with my parts. I prefer them actually. I'm a minimalist when it comes to body parts. Less that sticks out, the better.

I voted for #2, although they all apply.  I am a woman.  I want my pants to fit properly.  It would be really nice to have sex as a woman.  I don't want to see that extra stuff.  I've tried very hard not to hate something I was stuck with, but I will be really happy when these things that are mine but not mine are gone and I am finally configured properly.  I'm counting the days. :)

- Kate

Quotesexual (ability to have sex as your birth gender in the normal way, less issues with partners, etc)

It was more than one issue. But I just felt at this moment it was the most important!  >:-)

Jay

Just a wee bump for those who wanted to see the results now that poll closed.