Kinda. Pellets are used to deliver a consistent rate of Estradiol over a 7 month period. The physician makes a small incision using a local anesthetic to insert a kinda syringe that "injects" small tic-tac sized pellets into the subcutaneous tissue of the butt. Then the incision is closed with a few small bandages, leaving you good to go for 7 months. No pills, shots, etc. It's, IMHO, the safest way to administer these life-affirming hormones. No significant risk of DVT, clots, etc. I have two. The doctor upped the dose to the max after seeing how well I felt on the first implant.

One thing, be sure the transition is for you should you elect to use the implant. It's difficult to remove the implanted pellets, requiring a CT scan to map the locations of the pellets so they can be surgically removed. Difficult, expensive, and a royal pain in the butt. But, if your sure, like me, I urge you to do it. I have never been happier. My face and body are already starting to change. I've had several friends ask me why my eyes are so big? My girlfriend from high school bought me a couple of bras at a dept store because my breasts are so sensitive that I was jumping out of my skin   Everything changes, and in my case all for the good. 

Quote from: DrBobbi on June 07, 2013, 05:00:29 PM
Kinda. Pellets are used to deliver a consistent rate of Estradiol over a 7 month period. The physician makes a small incision using a local anesthetic to insert a kinda syringe that "injects" small tic-tac sized pellets into the subcutaneous tissue of the butt. Then the incision is closed with a few small bandages, leaving you good to go for 7 months. No pills, shots, etc. It's, IMHO, the safest way to administer these life-affirming hormones. No significant risk of DVT, clots, etc. I have two. The doctor upped the dose to the max after seeing how well I felt on the first implant.

One thing, be sure the transition is for you should you elect to use the implant. It's difficult to remove the implanted pellets, requiring a CT scan to map the locations of the pellets so they can be surgically removed. Difficult, expensive, and a royal pain in the butt. But, if your sure, like me, I urge you to do it. I have never been happier. My face and body are already starting to change. I've had several friends ask me why my eyes are so big? My girlfriend from high school bought me a couple of bras at a dept store because my breasts are so sensitive that I was jumping out of my skin   Everything changes, and in my case all for the good.

I'm curious, are the pellets left in, and do they dissolve or get absorbed by the body somehow?

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 07, 2013, 05:18:52 PM
I'm curious, are the pellets left in, and do they dissolve or get absorbed by the body somehow?

They get absorbed and eventually disappear. My E is monitored after about 3-4 months after an implant and we decide if to replace it at 5-6 months depending on the levels of E that my medics and I are happy with.

The stitch is removed about 48 hours after the implant and to be honest I'm not too sure which one it the latest one as there is nothing to see externally. I just try to have them in alternate sides of my tummy, which is in my records!

Quote from: Cindy. on June 07, 2013, 07:12:35 PM
They get absorbed and eventually disappear. My E is monitored after about 3-4 months after an implant and we decide if to replace it at 5-6 months depending on the levels of E that my medics and I are happy with.

The stitch is removed about 48 hours after the implant and to be honest I'm not too sure which one it the latest one as there is nothing to see externally. I just try to have them in alternate sides of my tummy, which is in my records!

Thanks, Cindy!

Mine are in my left and right side butt cheeks. No scar. Easy.

to Randi, because I cannot send a reply, for some reason: THANK YOU!

Quote from: DrBobbi on June 07, 2013, 05:00:29 PM
Kinda. Pellets are used to deliver a consistent rate of Estradiol over a 7 month period. The physician makes a small incision using a local anesthetic to insert a kinda syringe that "injects" small tic-tac sized pellets into the subcutaneous tissue of the butt. Then the incision is closed with a few small bandages, leaving you good to go for 7 months. No pills, shots, etc. It's, IMHO, the safest way to administer these life-affirming hormones. No significant risk of DVT, clots, etc. I have two. The doctor upped the dose to the max after seeing how well I felt on the first implant.

One thing, be sure the transition is for you should you elect to use the implant. It's difficult to remove the implanted pellets, requiring a CT scan to map the locations of the pellets so they can be surgically removed. Difficult, expensive, and a royal pain in the butt. But, if your sure, like me, I urge you to do it. I have never been happier. My face and body are already starting to change. I've had several friends ask me why my eyes are so big? My girlfriend from high school bought me a couple of bras at a dept store because my breasts are so sensitive that I was jumping out of my skin   Everything changes, and in my case all for the good.

Just wondering can they be used with T blockers? I tried doing some looking online and basically got a 50/50 response between yes, and no only after orchi or SRS.

It was very interesting to read this thread. Thanks to everyone!

There seems to be a general commitment to the WPATH course. However, not only do I not want to go out in public as a woman, I don't want HRT. That is not because I wouldn't enjoy the benefits of estrogen, but that I am too old (mid-60s) to start that now. In fact, I am currently injecting testosterone twice a month and it helps to keep me healthy, stable and happy. I assume that I will be injecting even more testosterone if I have SRS, and that would be okay. The point is that after many years I have achieved acceptance of and comfort with my gender, even though it does not match my body.

Why would I want SRS? For the same reason that anyone does, so my body more matches my mind. It is disheartening to see that unsightly bulge every time I pull on undies or pants, and that makes it harder to feel like the woman I know I am. Furthermore, I have never felt particularly fond of my male genitalia, and at this stage of my life they are useless for sex and not so good for peeing, either. Begone and good riddance, IMO.

I'm sure that WPATH helps a lot of people, especially young people. A requirement to consult a psychologist is good. But to require people to adopt a lifestyle before SRS that they don't want to live after SRS is crazy. And once a psychologist says that a person is not in emotional crisis and is capable of making a reasoned decision, further interference by the medical profession is a violation of an individual's sovereignty over their own body and nothing less than immoral.

BTW, according to "True Selves -- Understanding Transsexualism" by Mildred L. Brown and Chloe Ann Rounsley, less than 1.5% of MtF SRS patients regret having had surgery.

Jessica, I don't want to hear this "too old" malarky!  We have one gal starting HRT in her 70s.

Don't let age hold you back from realizing your inner self.

P.S. - you need 15 posts before you can use personal messaging here.

Quote from: victoria n on June 05, 2013, 12:55:44 PM

Why would anyone want to get SRS in the first place.
I don't think SRS  is the best treatment for transgenders. 

I think you're proyecting your bad experience with your SRS into others.

At 50, any surgery is going to be a higher risk than doing it younger. Also being fit is another plus.

I'm sorry that your surgery gone bad, but that doesn't mean it's not the right thing for other people.

You are right in one thing, SRS is not a treatment for transgenders. SRS is for transsexual women.

Im in that geezerhood age range and had a trans gender therapist for two yuearsand  who I still chat with every two weeks. Ive finally started HRT some 3 months ago. Before HRT the physical aspect was overwhelming now I have a new understanding and the change must take place mentally. I may choose to have FFS, SRS and BA but now I'm quite realexed as I have changed so much for the better. I not one to ordain what is the right way and I know at our age  we think we know whats its all about. Its in many ways its more difficult and in others much easier at our enlightened age - political hogwash I know.

I'm lucky as I am physicall an easy chage MTF. I live in Asia and the rules are not so tight here . For exampleI dont care for the RLE and its also a contraversial subject. I know my way around to get what I want- age is an advantage - so it my burden and decision - but with this responsibility you owe it to yourself to seek professional guidance.

Good luck

One little fact...

Psychotherapy during transiton nets a much higher
Level of satisfaction.....

I want to be one satisfied girl...knowing I sit to pee for the
Rest of my life...my mate's will view themselves  as more superior
As a man....me knowing I'm weak ad a 120 lb girl....knowing that the
Hrt is making me easier to be dominated ...

Do transiton with out psychotherapy and you might be a statistic..
The ones we read about that made a mistake

Quote from: JessicaLM on June 17, 2013, 02:42:59 PM
It was very interesting to read this thread. Thanks to everyone!

There seems to be a general commitment to the WPATH course. However, not only do I not want to go out in public as a woman, I don't want HRT. That is not because I wouldn't enjoy the benefits of estrogen, but that I am too old (mid-60s) to start that now. In fact, I am currently injecting testosterone twice a month and it helps to keep me healthy, stable and happy. I assume that I will be injecting even more testosterone if I have SRS, and that would be okay. The point is that after many years I have achieved acceptance of and comfort with my gender, even though it does not match my body.

Why would I want SRS? For the same reason that anyone does, so my body more matches my mind. It is disheartening to see that unsightly bulge every time I pull on undies or pants, and that makes it harder to feel like the woman I know I am. Furthermore, I have never felt particularly fond of my male genitalia, and at this stage of my life they are useless for sex and not so good for peeing, either. Begone and good riddance, IMO.

I'm sure that WPATH helps a lot of people, especially young people. A requirement to consult a psychologist is good. But to require people to adopt a lifestyle before SRS that they don't want to live after SRS is crazy. And once a psychologist says that a person is not in emotional crisis and is capable of making a reasoned decision, further interference by the medical profession is a violation of an individual's sovereignty over their own body and nothing less than immoral.

BTW, according to "True Selves -- Understanding Transsexualism" by Mildred L. Brown and Chloe Ann Rounsley, less than 1.5% of MtF SRS patients regret having had surgery.

Well Jessica I was 59 when I went FT and I'm now totally hormonally reassigned. It has been a blessing in every way. WPATH standards are changing and it is great to see involvement more and more from the community into WPATH, and ANZPATH (for example) by 'lay' people. In some cases there are restrictions on membership but that is changing. In my case I am now running a website for lay and professionals members of ANZPATH to facilitate discussion and to change or influence treatment options.

There are problems but many treatment specialists do want to move to informed consent. But we have to, as a community, work to make those changes. Where I am in South Australia we have to get an Act of Parliament changed to allow informed consent, Hell we have to get it changed so we can treat children and adolescents so they can be rescued from puberty changes and make an informed decision when they reach legal majority.

And for 'fringe' people like trans*people to influence politicians who pander to main stream support is difficult. In my experience so far it is like putting a firework in a crocodile's bum; damn difficult to put it into place, but great fun when you light it.

[Please no crocodiles were injured or meant to be insulted by the previous remark]