I've recently decided I'm ready to start doing research into surgery, but my problem is I'm not really sure I want a vagina. I have no experience with them; I've never seen one in person, and I've only seen pictures or videos very briefly and rarely. The point being the organ is unfamiliar and alien to me (not space alien, just different and weird). My problem is that I don't want a part of my own body to be that unfamiliar. I have no strong desire to have a vagina, but I do have a strong desire to not have a penis. So I was wondering, is it possible to find a surgeon that would remove what I have, without necessarily replacing it with something new? All I want that section of my body to be doing is urinating.
It is possible to have the surgery and not make a vagina. The biggest item to think about is the best materials to make one from is lost if you don't have one created with the initial surgery. Do you want a clitoris? The answer is the same it is made from the penis gland - head - which will be thrown away if it is not used. It you think you would ever in your life time want a vagina you should probably get it now.
Quote from: mm on April 07, 2011, 07:09:44 PMthe best materials to make one from is lost
I'm well aware of how final such a decision would be. I'm definitely not rushing in to this, I've only been out of the closet and full time for a little over a year. If I have any surgery at all, it's still years away. For lots of reasons, this being one. Right now, I'm just gathering knowledge.
There is a cosmetic Vaginoplasty , but the cost is about the same. And no one says you have to get SRS. You can be non-op and be just true as a post-op.
You're not the only person who considers getting a "smoothie" rather than having a vagina. The issue as others have mentioned is what if you change your mind later? It's much more difficult because there is no longer any native tissue available, especially the penile nerves that are used to form a sensate clitoris. If you're absolutely certain you never ever want to obtain sexual pleasure ever again, having a smoothie is the right decision. But if you still have even a miniscule desire for sexual pleasure, you should probably discuss it with a gender/sexual therapist over several sessions. Therapy isn't to delay or deny your desires, but to seriously explore, identify, and most importantly confirm your desires.
to me the cosmetic surgery sounds a lot less painful, I'm a complete wuss and I have a LOT of scarring from years of protracted and deliberate attempts to cut the monster off and while I won't be able to have vaginal sex I'm a lesbian so sex with a guy is not on my list of things to do (so to speak) and I think that clitoral masturbation will be enough for me without using vaginal sex toys for that filling feeling and was stated previously I am a total wuss when it comes to pain
Quote from: Princess Rachel on May 01, 2011, 08:22:10 AM
to me the cosmetic surgery sounds a lot less painful, I'm a complete wuss and I have a LOT of scarring from years of protracted and deliberate attempts to cut the monster off and while I won't be able to have vaginal sex I'm a lesbian so sex with a guy is not on my list of things to do (so to speak) and I think that clitoral masturbation will be enough for me without using vaginal sex toys for that filling feeling and was stated previously I am a total wuss when it comes to pain
Pain tolerances are relative. I've posted in the past about be-bopping around almost immediately after being returned to my room and shaking the effects of anesthesia. I never even used most of the pain pills they gave me...there simply was not any pain or discomfort for me.
As to the issues of being lesbian and not intending to engage in sex with a guy, I guess this is where I remind people that lesbians do sexual things with a vagina as well, so it serves a purpose. It is NOT about needing what you describe as "that filling feeling." Not sure if I can give more detail than that without getting into discussions more appropriate for another area of the board...
I looked into this previously. There are alternative surguries for transwomen who do not want a vaginal channel enough to make it worth the trouble, or who would rather have better appearance and less functionality. It costs more.
Quote from: Ann Onymous on May 01, 2011, 09:48:19 AM
As to the issues of being lesbian and not intending to engage in sex with a guy, I guess this is where I remind people that lesbians do sexual things with a vagina as well, so it serves a purpose.
this
Quote from: Melissazm on April 07, 2011, 06:59:25 PM
The point being the organ is unfamiliar and alien to me (not space alien, just different and weird).
While most of us have had some experience with a woman's vagina none of us have had previous experience having one ourselves.
Also, if you have the SRS surgery minus the vagina and feel the need to have one later you can still get it done, I think, with skin grafts. Skin grafting isn't much fun but is normally done, at least by Dr Brassard, if the patient doesn't have enough material for a vagina of sufficient depth.
Teresa
It's true, before srs I wasn't used to have a vagina so, it was a strange bodypart.
I had to discover my body all over again.
But, when you are used to have one, I don't think you want to miss it.
Just think about it, it's your body and your desicion, but take enough time to think it over.
It's quite a major thing to think about, there is no rush, just take enough time to make the right desicion for you.
Hugs
Annette
Hey ladies, I hope you don't mind having a guy post on this topic :)
Melissazm: Maybe you should look at it from the other side of the question, and ask yourself "why wouldn't I want a vagina?" If you can figure out the reason(s) why you may not feel comfortable with having one, it'll probably be easier to decide which surgical option you want to go with, when the time comes for that step in your transition. So ask yourself if it's just fear of the unknown/unfamiliar, or if there are other reasons why it might not be something you want to get done.
Another thing, as some people have already mentioned, is you should consider your sex life. What you want now out of your sex life may not always be the same thing as what you would want in the future, so just keep that in mind.
Quote from: GinaDouglas on May 01, 2011, 11:32:25 AM
I looked into this previously. There are alternative surguries for transwomen who do not want a vaginal channel enough to make it worth the trouble, or who would rather have better appearance and less functionality. It costs more.
Figures.
FWIW, I don't see that forgoing the vagina has anything to do with whether get a clitoris and labia. You should be able to go the whole nine yards even without the hole.