I'm looking for opinions on when to get a BO. Is before GRS or at the time of GRS recommended by those of you who have had GRS or BO. As i've mentioned to another member I would like to get one as soon as possible to get rid of some of the nasty male parts.
Steph
Myself, I can't think of a single good reason to do it before SRS assuming you have no medical necessity of doing so. Hell, they don't even give ya a discount for it when you have SRS.
As long as the spiro does the job of cutting the testosterone down to acceptable levels in a healthy body, I can't think of a single good reason to do it that is worth the time and money.
If there is a health issue, thats one thing, thats the only reason mine was done. If you had asked me prior to the need for it, I'd have told you hell no! not enough bang for the buck in it to justify doing it.
makes tucking a simplistic affair, makes you easier around pets and kids that are prone to lap jumping and allows a heck of a tight leg cross are all the good things I can think of for a healthy individual.
Terri
If you have a surgeon in mind, go with his recommendation. An orchi done wrong can make his job more difficult and also leave the results less pleasing.
3 different surgeons recommended doing the BO as soon as possible, regardless of the SRS date. so my spouse went ahead and did it 2 years ago.
we used toby meltzer in arizona. his staff is really wonderful.
the surgeons said that the sooner you stop that source of testosterone, the better the facial reconstruction work would go. my spouse is 32, and the surgeons wanted to avoid "hardening" of the male facial features. also, it helps to reduce hair loss, and allows you to take lower dosages of hormones, which was safer for the liver.
Yours would be covered by OHIP, wouldn't it Steph? So the financial side of it isn't an issue for you?
Dennis
Quote from: Stephanie Craxford on July 31, 2005, 10:15:25 PM
I'm looking for opinions on when to get a BO. Is before GRS or at the time of GRS recommended by those of you who have had GRS or BO. As i've mentioned to another member I would like to get one as soon as possible to get rid of some of the nasty male parts.
Steph
I did that over two years ago.
Dr. Barham in Portland, Oregon does a very nice job at a reasonable price. He uses a single incision and it's all over in less than 45 minutes. I had a pre-srs consult with Marcie Bowers recently and she liked his method as it doesn't result in unnecessary scrotal tissue shrinkage. She said that I had plenty there for nice labia construction when I'm ready. Meanwhile, it was nice to get off the massive doses of spironolactone, and feminizing developement has been enhanced as a result. The little thingy atrophies quite a bit but I look very flat in the pubic area and theres no disgusting bulge from behind when I bend over in my hot shorts. PM me if you're interested and I'll dig up his address and all the particulars.
Hey there everyone,
Thanks for the advice,I will take it all in. Unfortunately Dennis BO, is not covered by OHIP anymore, the same with GRS. The Conservatives de-listed it the last year they were in power. However, there is a case before the supreme courts right now where a transsexual is suing the provincial government, using the provicial human rights code, if it's successful then the re-listing of the surguries will follow shortly afterwards. I have my fingers, and toes crossed. :)
Steph
Stephanie, I really don't think it would be worth the time and money let alone the pain that you will go through if you plan on have GRS soon, with in the next few years. I had one done, but thought I was not going to have GRS so I didn't want to take spiro for the rest of my life. After a about a year and half wanted GRS so the BO was wasted.
Sheila
r
Yes Sheila, this is also my view. a "BO" would be more appropriate for one who was not considering full surgery, or is fairly certain surgery would not occure for many years into the future.
If surgery is to be accomplished within a couple or few years, it saves little if anything in the way of cosmetic deteriation and can cause more problems then it can address. Actually if spiro or other blockers are doing their job, it improves development and retardation of masculine effects so little as to be negligable in my opinion. Also consider that for the true GID, it accomplishes little or nothing in the gender sense of resolving any issues, at least that was the case for me, I had thought it may improve my feelings about this or that, but I was wrong for it did not, for all the difference it made in my gender conflicts, it would have been wasted effort in my case to do it as a choice as it in no way addressed what is still there. It should NOT be considered as a "Step" toward the gender goal unless one is prevented from taking estrogens and T blockers and will not have surgery.
I can just see all those who would run to get one thinking it would somehow make them more of a woman ...... CowPatties!
Terri
<Yes Sheila, this is also my view. a "BO" would be more appropriate for one who was not considering full surgery, or is fairly certain surgery would not occure for many years into the future.>
You are joking, no? I cannot think of one woman, that if she was deformed by external genitalia, that would not jump at the chance for a surgical correction, regardless of whether it corrected all of the problem presently, or not? In other words, it's better than doing nothing. Many corrective surgeries are multi-stage? This situation would be no different.
You make it sound like cosmetic surgery.
QuoteYou are joking, no? I cannot think of one woman, that if she was deformed by external genitalia, that would not jump at the chance for a surgical correction, regardless of whether it corrected all of the problem presently, or not?
No Thundra, not joking even a little. Just my view and everyone on earth can think it stinks and It don't change that view a twit. I do not view this as any kind of stages. I'm not until I am and nothing in between has any meaning or difference to me, other then how much it will cost and how long that delays the final event.
I know for a fact now that even though I didn't have to pay for it, it didn't make any difference at all in how I view myself or my body. For all the difference it made in my self image, it may as well have not been done, that is the cold hard fact of the matter in my own mind set, if your milage varies, slam it down full throttle and have at, after all, it might provide a few bragging points if nothing else.
The stages thing just doesn't compute with me, and I'm sorry about how anyone else feels about that, but there it is, it just didn't do anything worthwhile for me as far as changing any conceptions, all I see when I look down is the main problem, it kind of covers over anything else.
Joking? the joke is still hanging. OK, now you can say you know ONE woman.
Terri
The website for Dr. Barham is>> www.orclinic.com/docs/rbarham.html
If time to the table is short why spend the $$$$$ when it could be used for SRS?
On the other hand I can understand getting rid of offensive material in the quickest manner possible.
Leigh
edited to add update in red
Effective Jan 1, 2006 Dr. Barham is retired
i just want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread with their advice, information, and help. This just shows how great this site is, and what it's all about.
Base on your inputs, and my own reasearch, I've decided to keep the evil twins hanging around until my GRS, which will hopefully be scheduled in late fall 2006. You all made logical arguments, and after weighing the pro's and con's it was easy to make up my mind.
My spiro is doing it's job as my testosterone levels are almost 0. I've not experienced any side effects from my HRT regeme, so as many of you advised, why mess with it. I'm hoping that GRS is 1 1/2 years away at most, so as Leigh's last post, supported by others, "why spend the $$$$ when it could be used for GRS.
Thanks again everyone,
Steph
<<I know for a fact now that even though I didn't have to pay for it, it didn't make any difference at all in how I view myself or my body.>>
Nor should it? It is simply a surgical correction of an obvious problem, no? It would be no different than having a tooth pulled that was crowding the back of your mouth. No one will ever see it. Removing it makes no difference aesthetically, but having it removed removes a physical problem?
This is JMNSHO, but from my POV, if you are waiting for any kind of surgery to change your self-esteem, you will waiting a very long time. Your surgery should be viewed as a necessity, to correct a problem, not to make you into anything you are not at present.
After all, SRS will not make you a natal female. Nothing can, and nothing ever will. You will never give birth or experience menstruation, two of the defining characteristics of being female.
In this regard, you are no different from many other women. You are experiencing the same regrets and angst as these other women. Corrective surgery will not change that fact. In this way, surgery is seperate from the process of transition, even as sex is different than gender.
I leave you with this thought: females are born, women are made.
If you want to be a woman, it is never too late then? If you are willing to discard your ego and be accepted into that social role by other women.
So Speaketh Thundra.
"Has anyone seen my hammer? I'm feeling are warm and fuzzy now."
Hey there Thundra
QuoteNor should it? It is simply a surgical correction of an obvious problem, no? It would be no different than having a tooth pulled that was crowding the back of your mouth. No one will ever see it. Removing it makes no difference aesthetically, but having it removed removes a physical problem?
You make a very valid point, I know that I'm a woman and I don't need the surgery to prove it. Sometimes it seems that it's everyone else who needs me to have the surgery to prove it. For example, the ministry of transport and the Ontario Medical Health Insurance Plan will not change the gender marker on any of my forms until I can produce a letter from a surgeon that my gender has been changed, they have no problems changing my name, but not the gender.
Having said that, getting rid of those offending growths not only removes a physical problem but it would be done for my sanity, for my well being, for my heath, for my peace of mind, for me. :)
Take care
Steph
Your awfully proud of that little tap hammer Thundra, but if it manages to hit a nail on the head, let me know, I want to take a picture. As it happens, I pretty much know what to expect surgery to accomplish for me and what it will not. My problem is simple. Having male sexual organs, functional or not, messes with my day, my nights also, but thats another matter. SRS will cure that little problem quite nicely though I don't expect it to make me any more then I am in any other respect.
Point being, I am only functionally sane having to live with what I was born with in this regard and steadily losing ground in this battle, and it affects every thing in my life as well as my relationships. There are whole range of these problems that will be solved to my own satisfaction by SRS, though I may still have a long way to go to solve them to other peoples. and no, there are many other problems it won't even touch, but I will be able to address those other problems from the standpoint of being a much mentally and emotionally healthier person.
It's not about being a woman at all in many respects, it's about being comfortable with what I am, and if that resembles woman, rightly or wrongly, then so be it, but it happens that I solely identify with women and as one of them, which isn't possible to do in the complete sense without SRS, not my opinion, but the way the world I live in works. Thats why orchie made no difference in my personal outlook, the problem was still there and absolutely no goal or feeling of gain was accomplished, other then to be medically able to continue to use estrogens at all, and my problems in this regard won't be solved short of the real deal. When that is done, the other problems will be much more managable.
And as far as being only a surgical correction of a problem. I beg to differ, it is wrapped up in my total sense of who I am, so I would say it corrects a whole lot more then just genitals. It will allow me the mental health and self perspective to be the person of my potential rather then the often confused, bitter and emotionally shattered person I generally am at present because of the genital conflict and the other problems that have developed as a result of this..
And answer me this Thundra? ...... if something doesn't cure a problem (don't know where you come up with asthetics, for which I don't give a damn) then why do anything about anything at all?
About females being born and women being made, I believe I myself made that point a lot more then 30 years ago and continue to do so into the present day, so whats new other then little tappy hammers? I'm not looking for any all in one quick (poof) fix, I'm trying to put money together faster then others can slip it away from me and finish what was actually started more then half my lifetime ago, and as long as I keep being able to get up each day and walk, it's getting there, a lot of fine people are doing all they can for me in that regard.
Try telling me something useful and leave the tappy little toy hammer in the kiddy box where it belongs, we'll get along better. me, I'm not the warm and fuzzy type, I been on point in the mine fields to long. It takes very special people to find that side of me anymore.
Terri
<< Having said that, getting rid of those offending growths not only removes a physical problem but it would be done for my sanity, for my well being, for my heath, for my peace of mind, for me. >>
Right On.
Quote from: hectic on August 01, 2005, 05:24:29 AM
3 different surgeons recommended doing the BO as soon as possible, regardless of the SRS date. so my spouse went ahead and did it 2 years ago.
we used toby meltzer in arizona. his staff is really wonderful.
the surgeons said that the sooner you stop that source of testosterone, the better the facial reconstruction work would go. my spouse is 32, and the surgeons wanted to avoid "hardening" of the male facial features. also, it helps to reduce hair loss, and allows you to take lower dosages of hormones, which was safer for the liver.
All i can say is DITTO..
QuoteI'll bet the procedure is painful afterwards.
I'd have to think that would depend on the individual and what their concept of pain is. Personally, I found it to be more on the uncomfortable side rather then painful. I was out of bed and dressed in my normal street cloths within minutes of waking up from the anethesia and being checked by a nurse and when my woman arrived to take me home I walked out to the car. There was no indication anything had occurred other then I left heavy lifting alone for about a week before returning to work in my normal duties.
Since it was done through incisions in the lower abdomen rather then trough the scrotum sack, there was pulling of the sutures through the lower abdomen muscles and some movements such as bending over to tie shoe laces, or rising up after laying down, or getting up from low chairs could cause a little stress, but all in all, I have been worse off with stubbed toes. No pain killers of any kind other then the daily dose of asprin I normally take regardless were ever wanted or necessary, and I am not into pain for any emotional relief or release, quite the contrary. I enconter more then I want without looking for it.
If there is a medical need for it or if you think it will make an important mental difference, don't let thoughts of incapacitation or of pain even enter into it. The pain is very minor to what one would likely go through in the real deal, or in the normal daily living of blue collar life.
As far as any mental relief in it, I can only say this from my own particular mind set. Before it was done, I imagined it may benifit my outlook, but I had reservations about what the extent would be, afterwards, I imagined that since the heart had been cut from the "bad boy" I would be able to leave a lot of past actions behind me, thinking a lot of the guilt would go with the marbles. It didn't take to long though to discover none of that actually took place though and after I got over the initial expectations. LIfe simply returned to the same old grind.
Family and friends tell me I do seem to be less volital then before, but the potentual is still there, simply less predetermined. realistically, now that it's past history, I see it as having accomplished nothing other then to reduce the medical risk of hormones to me, and for that reason alone it was worth it to me, but in a sense of making me more at ease with my own body, or in any way easing the gender conflict, it accomplished NOTHING.
Terri
<< Try telling me something useful and leave the tappy little toy hammer in the kiddy box where it belongs, we'll get along better. me, I'm not the warm and fuzzy type, I been on point in the mine fields to long. It takes very special people to find that side of me anymore. >>
Well, actually, it is a four foot long stainles steel mallet, that weighs a little less than a hundred pounds. But, you have attitude, so why split hairs?
My point in this whole discussion has been, simply, that SRS or GCS, or whatever ain't a cure all for what ails you. But, like many medical treatments, it probably ain't gonna hurt either? Now, as I recall, the thread started going to where peeps were wondering whether BO was a necessary treatment or not?
My point was, that it is a treatment, just as SRS is a treatment, and it has it's place in the treatment regimen. It ain't gonna cure you for what ails you, and neither will SRS. There is no viable cure for what you were born with. So, what is wrong with taking what treatment you can at that moment, and then moving on?
After all, regardless of what treatment you seek, no one is gonna know except you, unless you broadcast it from every mountain top. You still gotta live, pay the bills, and feed the cat. Life goes on. Getting SRS doesn't mean that you are suddenly going to get a better job, find a partner, or even have sex? It just means that you had surgery. No more, no less. It may open up options that were not available before, but options are just that, possibilities.
As for why you should seek treatment that does not cure you?
Well, you have to ask yourself, am I better off now than I was before? Not, am I happy now. Nothing in life is that $%^&*&%$ easy?!
I think that most peeps would say that they would not want to walk a mile in your shoes, cause life is hard. But, then, they would not want to walk in the shoes of someone without legs, or blind, or whatever. Life is just really hard. For most everyone.
And, especially for women, but you knew that, right?
Everything is relative. Someday you will look back at this and go, whatever. Today is not that day. Today you take whatever rage you can muster and use it carry on.
You want something to inspire you? How about this?
"Keep your eyes on the prize." That was told to me by a member of the clergy many moons ago. I remember it whenever the going gets tough. "Keep your eyes on the prize." Don't let yourself get distracted. Don't let people get to you. Carry on.
QuoteYou want something to inspire you? How about this?
"Keep your eyes on the prize." That was told to me by a member of the clergy many moons ago. I remember it whenever the going gets tough. "Keep your eyes on the prize." Don't let yourself get distracted. Don't let people get to you. Carry on
.
Now that I can thank you for. Is good advice and at present, very applicable to myself and my situation. I have to many things at once going on that sometimes make me think its not humanly possible to make it through it all, or have anything left to do with if I do, but I know that if I don't, there is no point to anything, so I somehow have to. Thank you, that is advice I can appreciate and understand.
I am at the weakest point I have ever been in my life presently and I appreciate such words of wisdom and common sense. They help rally what strength I have left to face what will fall over the next few months in my private matters that will affect any ability I have to address any concerns of my own at all.
I am facing a civil matter over an auto accident a couple of months ago involving a pedestrian which could take everything I have and treaten everything I will make for the rest of my life, the timing is so very wrong, coming at a time when I must also address the issue of my marrage with finality and deal with doctors and their concerns all at once while worring about where the next dollar for surgery will come from even in the best of times. I am not in focus and having to deal with emotions that have been in hiding for so long I had forgotten how to deal with them. Just a normal day in the life of an average human being.
As to the rest, to close to my own thoughts to be used on me. My own thoughts about B.O. is simply that there are to many that would seek it not out of real need, but in the perception that it can and would accomplish something that in most cases simply can't and won't do for them, and is therefore a waste of time, money and effort, especially for those who have no problems with spiro and can expect surgery in the near future. Thus I would discourage it as a "Step" in the transition process as was suggested to me by someone in a private conversation about it.
I can only relate what it ment and did for myself as far as gender issues are concerned, which was of course Nothing at all, though I did not seek it, rather it was offered to me as an alternative over health issues and for that purpose it met a need.
I would not fault anyone for doing it for thier own gender issues if they truely believed it would help anything, as I can not know the exact nature of other peoples issues, only my own, but I would discourage any who sought to do so with unrealistic expectations. I only wish to make others think about such issues and if the money could better be used on other things that would be of more value to them. Same with issues like FFS. I personally would never consider such a thing until more pressing priorities had been addressed before even giving such things a second thought.
With any such issues I believe that if they truely fulfill a need within ones self, then they will be better able to deal with other problems as they will have a healthier outlook on life and so be better able to deal with such, but if real needs are not met it is like you said yourself in another thread, surgeries can become an addiction while solving nothing in the way of real issues.
My point in such threads is simple. Think about it, what priorites are number 1 ?
Sorry for the attitude you alluded to, I get that way when afraid of my own goals being threatend by things beyond my control. Just leave hammers out of it when relating to me, its all I can do not to pull out a bigger one at times, I was trained that way by life.
Terri
i wasn't really thinking about this much before now, but now i think maybe it might be a good idea. i don't tuck well. i'm thinking that something's small or something's large - either way, same result. i used to ignore the discomfort because i mistook that i had to "output a good impression to other people so they couldn't spoil my life"... but i stopped caring what bigots think, since. and i don't see the harm, assuming i can save up for it before such a time as i have the final one done anyway (which might not happen).
as much as can be as much as, i suppose. the genital area really bothers me.
Quote from: Thundra on August 07, 2005, 11:34:38 PM..."Keep your eyes on the prize." ...
So your life can rot out from under you?
This, to me, does not seem like a good idea.
In my opinion, blinders are bad.
Quote..."Keep your eyes on the prize." ...
So your life can rot out from under you?
This, to me, does not seem like a good idea.
In my opinion, blinders are bad.
Kimberly, I would say that there is a vast difference in ignoring whats going on and keeping mindful of prioriies, which is the way I took it.
Terri
Quotei wasn't really thinking about this much before now, but now i think maybe it might be a good idea. i don't tuck well.
:eusa_wall: :icon_anger: :icon_chainsaw: :icon_censored:
... interesting... response...
???
anyway, my thinking is: going to be done anyway at some point... as part of the procedure... so if it does make things more comfortable and if i do have the money at the time... then why not? that was my thinking. obviously, it's not the sole reason i would have it done... just the deciding reason.
If it improves your life and your outlook, do it as quickly as possible, but if it helps you tuck better and why the heck not? I'll just shut up.
Terri
Quote from: Terri-Gene on August 08, 2005, 03:54:45 AM
Kimberly, I would say that there is a vast difference in ignoring whats going on and keeping mindful of prioriies, which is the way I took it. ...
Valid point. I've found those two points tend to hold hands however, but perhaps that is just me ;)
sorry i don't know if you were agreeing or disagreeing with what i said, but either way, i wouldn't tell you to "just shut up" or anything like that. say what you want to say by all means, no problem here. :)
<< My own thoughts about B.O. is simply that there are to many that would seek it not out of real need, but in the perception that it can and would accomplish something that in most cases simply can't and won't do for them, and is therefore a waste of time, money and effort, especially for those who have no problems with spiro and can expect surgery in the near future. >>
Understood. I was alluding to the fact, that life throws curve balls more often than not. "The best laid plans of mice and men are laid to waste" comes to mind. I'm bad with quotes, but the point is, that you can never count on anything. You may plan on something to happen at this or that time, but all too often, if you do not take opportunities when you have the chance, you may end up missing the boat because it does not show up. If a BO is economical, why the hell not?
"Keep you eyes on the priize" was a gift to the congregation from a visiting minister that had an incredibly arduous journey in finding her way into her place in the clergy. Her journey was full of false starts, pitfalls, and many, many sidetracks. And the thing that always drew her back to where she needed to be, was that little phrase she repeated to herself. It maintained her poise under fire, and her focus on her her long term goals, and the motivation to deal with the many annoying little things that happened along the way...because she knew she had to take care of business to reach her goals.
Like I said, you still gotta pay the rent and feed the cat.
Quotesay what you want to say by all means, no problem here.
that's the point lana, I very well do say what I want and in this case, I choose to just keep it to myself, it has nothing to do with what you would want or not want me to say, only what *I* feel I should or should not say in a general public environment.
QuoteUnderstood. I was alluding to the fact, that life throws curve balls more often than not. "The best laid plans of mice and men are laid to waste" comes to mind. I'm bad with quotes, but the point is, that you can never count on anything
boy has that one ever come home over the last couple of years. When I first started HRT I wasn't worried about anything, In my pride and arrogance I thought I was prepared for anything and knew myself completely and intimately, making me able to cope with anything life could throw.
One of the things I have learned about that was that what I thought I knew of myself was based on the experience and the environment of the past, not of the present. It turns out that the difference in the me of now and the me of the past are so vastly different as for the present to completely nullify anything I thought I knew of myself before. Not only the environment has changed, but the way I cope with things, meaning I must learn who I am all over again and what I knew before has little bearing on the matter at this time other then basic core beliefs I must rediscover and place in proper context for the now.
It's a time of much self examination and learning what it all means in a new world I often do not understand as I had thought I did. Wake up calls, ya know?
As to things like B.O. I'd rather just not discuss it anymore, I see it as giving to many people to many ideas they haven't a clue about or even begin to realize what they really want in life.
Terri
I had an orchiectomy (or castration as I often call it) almost 2 months ago, and I am so glad I did that first and don't have to worry about any more T :)
A big part of why I did it is because for me SRS could be 5 years away. My priority is FFS, and unless hormones do much more than I expect, that's something I'm going to want before I go full time.
I am concerned about how it could affect SRS, but in the end I'm just happy I got it done. I haven't had a spontaneous erection in several weeks, and those pesky morning erections are almost gone too :)
If I were planning on SRS next year, I may not have done it. Then again, maybe I would have. I think it doesn't make much sense for T and E to be battling each other. Even with anti-androgens there is still battling. I'd rather have estrogen feminize me unopposed.
I've been thinking about having an orchiectomy done more to save money when I start taking hormones so as to cut back on the spiro, cause I won't have to worry about the testosterone. :)
As I've jsut recently found out, I have to have one or two letters from a qualified therapist dealing with transseaxuals in order to have SRS done, and right now that possibility is looking very bleak. :(
Where could I find a doctor that could perform the surgery for me and I guess I'd have to check and see if he's covered in my medical plan. That would be a real plus for me. :)
Does anybody have any websites for the Florida area that i could check out?
Gina
What are you going to tell the Dr. about wanting an orchi?
You need a letter from a therapist for that also.
Thanks Leigh. I didn't realize that there was so much RED TAPE involved. :( Guess I'll have to start seeing my therapist again and see where I can go from there.
Gina
Hi all, I am definately going to have BO. I cannot afford SRS anytime soon butafter I see my Therapist I bet that he will more than recomend that I have this done. I do worry about scrotal and penile shrinkage for the purpose of donor stuff for SRS but hey if I can get rid of that aweful T and let me be calm and have estrogen rule the perch then "you go girl" I say.
I hate them "the things between my legs" they are the reason I am in this mess.
Has anyone found out what levels of T would be left in your body after BO, you still have your adrenal glands or something that produces a bit but how much???
Sara.
QuoteHas anyone found out what levels of T would be left in your body after BO
Never really checked on that for specifics. I can tell you that it is not redily measurable in standard blood tests.
Consider that there are several glands of the body that produce T, even in females, so what is cheapest and easiest to do is measure free estrogen levels. That might not mean much to those not in transition, but it doesn't take the normal large dosages any more to produce a estrogen level the same or more then the average female. I know that my own blood levels are Testosterone less then 20, which means not measurable and Estrogen over 180 which is high for female normal average. Without operating testicles producing normal testosterone there is not enough testosterone in the body to be of any significant effect.
Penis shrikage happens basically because of non use. For those who retain sex drive and are comfortable with having sex, shrinkage will not amount to enough to worry about. The scrotum skin will of course shrink some after a bilateral, but you can reduce this by streatching the skin in a regular routine. It only shrinks because there is nothing inside holding it out.
Some shrinkage of the scrotum tissue is desirable though after an orchie, as at first when the skin is simply loose and hanging, it gets caught up in wrinkles/folds of skin or in clothing and this can hurt like hell when the skin in pinched. As it shrinks up some and holds up more smoothly it doesn't get caught as much or at all and it feels more comfortable. you win a little you lose a little.
Terri Gene, Thanks for that bit of information. When I was on my hormone medication complete, the Endo said I had the hormones of a 30 year old woman. My testosterone went down to 0.02 or something like that which is very low and I did get tired but was able to keep afloat. The Endo said that I shouldnt worry about the level of T too much and that it is working so I agreed with him and pressed ahead. He is wonderful my Endo.
I just hated being on high volumes of Spiro and Androcur as I thought it may damae my liver or kidneys but he said that all the tests were good. I get worried that over time things could happen that is why and because of what has happened in the past with my health and of course the money side of things that I will be asking for a BO. One thing my Endo did say is that I may feel crappy after the BO. Is this true????
Sara.
Bumping this because I'd like to know the answer too. :)
A quick calculation shows that it may be another 3 years before I can afford SRS, and that's if my job lasts long enough and no other major expenses come up. (That depends on conditions not related to my TSism.) I have clothes I'm reluctant to wear because for me no tuck is ever completely invisible nor completely painless. I haven't been tested since starting spiro so I don't know what my T level is now (before spiro it was a whopping 623 :o yuck!). And I am concerned about possible carcinogenic effects of spiro since at least 2 of my ancestors have had cancer.
OTOH, having an orchi would delay my being able to afford SRS by about 3 months.
I see some really good points on both sides in this thread, I really do. :) For myself though, I am going to have to talk to the doc about this.
QuoteFor myself though, I am going to have to talk to the doc about this.
Probably the best advise anyone could give.
Steph
Hi Steph:
I don't know the medical point of view, but I've heard from one friend who's had a BO that it's only appropriate if you don't plan to have SRS ever as a BO reduces the patient's estrogen prescription dosage and thus reduces the medical complications related to long term estrogen effects as well.
tinkerbell :icon_chick:
You better ck with the Dr. that is going to do the SRS. Some will not if an orchi has been done.
Leigh
Quote from: tinkerbell on July 02, 2006, 02:05:26 AM
Hi Steph:
I don't know the medical point of view, but I've heard from one friend who's had a BO that it's only appropriate if you don't plan to have SRS ever as a BO reduces the patient's estrogen prescription dosage and thus reduces the medical complications related to long term estrogen effects as well.
tinkerbell :icon_chick:
Yes that's very true, as Leigh pointed out check with the dr who will do the surgery as once they out they're out.
Steph
Ive been considering this for a while... Due to my financial situation and health it actualy seems a good idea.
Due to all the drugs and alchahol that were in my life I may have damaged my liver (have to retest cuz last check was right after the breakup and yeah...) My Dr perscribed injectons as they dont effect the liver nearly as much as the oral medications would, and I cant afford the patch. She brought it up to me as a "reasonable" option so I skip the years of anti androgens that would be ahead.
I have no ilusions of being able to afford SRS before I turn thirty, and honestly FFS is my main priority anyways *shrugs*
I had an orchiectomy back in the day, and yes there were advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages:
1. I was able to decrease the dosages of Estrogen I was taking.
2. The masculinizing effects of Testosterone were halted, nipped in the bud as it were There was also a resultant feminizing effect, in the skin, hips, etc.
3. Tucking became so, so, much easier.
4. No more involuntary or early morning erections thus no "sword fights" with my boyfriends.
5. The ability to "have orgasms" multiple times, in a short period of time. How, physiologically, I still don't know. I did not ejaculate though.
6. A sense of accomplishment that I was getting to my goal.
The disadvantages:
1. When I did have my GRS a few years later, my scrotal and penile tissue, had atrophied somewhat, they had shrunk. I was faced with either the sigmoid colon, or penile inversion with grafting techniques for GRS.
For a variety of reasons I went with the penile inversion with grafting. As a result I have quite adequate depth. Now, I dont boink "Long John Holmes , but if I position myself correctly, everybody is happy, not that there are a lot of "everybodys".
What would I have done differently: I would have had the GRS sooner. And I would have played with myself more to keep the tissue from shrinking.
What a euphoric sensation, I should explain. Two weeks ago Monday my BF surprised me with a mini vacation Northern California we had a very romantic time tried all kinds of wine and had just a great time, what was supposed to be the last day of the mini vacation my BF asked me about how I felt about an orchi if I was still interested. I told him I was but the money, he smiled and told me we were going to _____ hospital and that my orchi was already paid for I just needed to show up in the morning and that I could not eat anything after midnight. The next morning I checked in, meet the surgeon, he looked over my request supported by my therapist, (my BF had been planning this for some time) a nurse started my IV. when I woke I was in a little pain not bad kinda groggy but aware I moved the sheets to see a cath and bandages, my BF was sleeping in a chair, he woke up smiling and said well miss just one thing left. Well that was a week ago the bandages are off and the sensation of having an almost empty area is amazingly euphoric. :) I'm just gonna sit her on these clouds for awhile.......
I've commented on this thread back two years ago, and now things are different and I'm seriously thinking about getting a BO done. A few months ago I was talking with Dr. Harold Reed from Miami, Florida and he told me that doing it should be no problem. Just a matter of scheduling the surgery.
Thanks Peggygee. I really enjoyed reading the advantages and disadvantages of having the surgry done. But honestly, I think that the advantages does overweigh the disadvantages.
Hey Sindy! I'm really excitted for you and getting yours done. I'm sure that you were really surprised when your BF announced it to you. Really nice guy! :icon_clap:
Gina :icon_biggrin:
I had a unilateral inguinal orchiectomy (bear with me, I'll explain) last August to cure testicular cancer, and it got me thinking. My understanding of a standard bilateral orchiectomy is that they cut open the scrotum, and that's why it can cause problems if you plan on having SRS later. But for cancer, the procedure is called "inguinal" because instead of cutting open the scrotum, they make an incision in your bikini line and push the offending testicle up through the inguinal canal (that's the place you hide it when you tuck). Then they extract the testicle through the incision. Scarring is minimal if they use glue instead of stitches--I just have a faint white line, and it's in a crease in my skin--and there's no effect on the scrotum at all. It got me wondering why orchiectomies for trans patients aren't done this way.
(Sidebar: My urologist asked me if I wanted to attend any counseling or group sessions to deal with the emotional impact of losing a testicle. I told her, "Counseling? Honey, I'm having a going-away party!")
I was just talking with Dr. Reed, and one thing that I had feared was that I would have to be on hormones before I could have the operation. He told me that it won't be necessary, so I told him that I was seeing my psychiatrist next month which I should be able to get a letter from him and I can get a letter from my social worker and then we'll plan the surgery time. :eusa_clap:
Gina :):
For anyone who is considering a BO, please contact your surgeon via email or telephone to get familiar with the procedure and the requirements established by the SOC (if any). Since BO is an irreversible procedure, I'd imagine you have to have one or two letters stating you have been on therapy for an X period of time. Actually I took the liberty to do some research and found this link (http://www.srsmiami.com/index.html) on Dr. Reed. And yes, I was right, two letters of therapy clearance are required.
tinkerbell :icon_chick:
Quote from: RachelW on February 03, 2007, 04:28:41 PM(Sidebar: My urologist asked me if I wanted to attend any counseling or group sessions to deal with the emotional impact of losing a testicle. I told her, "Counseling? Honey, I'm having a going-away party!")
"A" testicle? I would have asked 'em, "Gee, while you're at it . . ." :D
I hope the tumor is completely gone and you won't have to do radiation or chemotherapy.
hugs & smiles
helen
Thanks Tinkerbell for posting your thoughts.
I've been really thinking a lot about getting this operation done and the consequences involved. My BF complains a lot about not having an erection and so he's been talking a lot about getting some Viagra. I'd really hate to disappoint him.
But yes, I had done my research previously as well, and I knew that two letters were required for the surgery by Dr. Reed. But since I have decided against it, I won't need to discuss it with my therapists. So many decisions???
Gina
I have been thinking about this procedure myself since I know that I will never come up with the money required to pay for full SRS, plus the more I think about it the more it freaks me out (the recovery time and all that stuff). Are there any surgeons in the midwestern US that do this procedure? I tried Google but I can not seem to find anything.