This may be a difficult subject for some, but I'm beginning to plan my surgery for next November or December, and during group yesterday one of the girls gave some advice to start electrolysis very soon.  She's been doing two hour sessions once or twice a week, and she suggested I begin a similar schedule as soon as my therapist submits a memo to the main health care office. 

Anyway, I already have a couple real painful health problems and hate to add more pain to the list  So the question is, HOW BAD IS THE PAIN?  I have a fairly high pain threshold so maybe it won't be too bad.  But I also can't use any more medication than already taken (not even topical stuff) so the pain level and tolerance is kind of important.

This portion of my electrolysis is covered by insurance, but I have to commute to SF to visit the approved electrologist.  I figure I can fit six or eight visits into my time here in California and I may even delay returning to Michigan to do more electrolysis if necessary. 

So again.  HOW BAD IS THE PAIN?

K

I simply went to a doctor that does not require electro down there.

Quote from: Katie on November 13, 2013, 12:39:44 PM
I simply went to a doctor that does not require electro down there.

This... Hair removal from my face has been very painful in many ways. I'm not going through that again elsewhere.

Quote from: SammyRose on November 13, 2013, 01:25:12 PM
This... Hair removal from my face has been very painful in many ways. I'm not going through that again elsewhere.

Quote from: Katie on November 13, 2013, 12:39:44 PM
I simply went to a doctor that does not require electro down there.

I had hoped not to go through this also, but it's required by the surgeon doing the SRS.  And since the SRS is close to free if the insurance requirements are followed, I'm going to do the electro also. 

I tried this with benzo/lido/tetracaine cream to see if I could stand it.  Nope.  I'm going to need something stronger, as the cream didn't make me enough of a "numbnuts".   

Well, I know nothing about any of this yet, but if the SRS is close to free... how much is pain worth in terms of money to you? As for the numbers I've seen so far for SRS... I don't care for pain much either, but I think I'd endure the pain for a free surgery at that price.

Quote from: Jill F on November 13, 2013, 02:35:37 PM
I tried this with benzo/lido/tetracaine cream to see if I could stand it.  Nope.  I'm going to need something stronger, as the cream didn't make me enough of a "numbnuts".   

"Numbnuts", is what's bothering me.  I may have a high tollerance for pain but who knows if it applies to the twig and berries.

Quote from: ChelseaAnn on November 13, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
....I think I'd endure the pain for a free surgery at that price.

I'm already spent out on stuff not related to my ts life, so there's really no choice.  Kinda like having no choice at being transgender in the first place

I've heard some horror stories from girl friends that had electro down there before SRS. Surely there are physicians that do not require this?

We've had enough pain don't you think.

Quote from: FrancisAnn on November 13, 2013, 07:11:52 PM
I've heard some horror stories from girl friends that had electro down there before SRS. Surely there are physicians that do not require this?

We've had enough pain don't you think.

Unfortunately for me, I can't/won't fly and the only surgeons within driving distance to me require significant deforestation.   Besides, I don't want hair in there!  It does make you wonder if it's just another hoop they make you jump through to prove you mean business.

Francis Ann : Brassard actually recommends AGAINST electrolysis down there. Which of course means I have nothing to contribute to the larger thread. It's even one reason I chose him; I really didn't want to do that!

(But I probably would have if it meant surgery would be otherwise free...)

OK so I have had SRS. The doctor I went to suggested hair removal but when pressed said it was not necessary.
He went on to say that he as well as many doctors that do the surgery will scrape the hair follicles from the back side of the skin while all is apart and then use the skin as he otherwise would do.

With that said I have no hair that I am aware of that I would not want. So if you want to zap hairs down there before surgery be my guest but god we are talking about adding a huge amount of money to an already costly process.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on November 13, 2013, 08:31:30 PM
Francis Ann : Brassard actually recommends AGAINST electrolysis down there. Which of course means I have nothing to contribute to the larger thread. It's even one reason I chose him; I really didn't want to do that!

(But I probably would have if it meant surgery would be otherwise free...)

Jenna Marie, That is certainly some good news & a relief. Thank you for posting. Dr. Brassard for me in due time.

Quote from: kathyk on November 13, 2013, 11:35:21 AM
So again.  HOW BAD IS THE PAIN?

All I can say is I'm glad the place I went to was licensed to use lidocaine injections because without it I'm not sure I could have had it done at all (but then again a lot of places the time to let the topical stuff kick in is taken from the total visit time so the 15-25 min is that much less spent on clearing it).

Quote from: Flan on November 14, 2013, 03:44:36 AM
All I can say is I'm glad the place I went to was licensed to use lidocaine injections because without it I'm not sure I could have had it done at all (but then again a lot of places the time to let the topical stuff kick in is taken from the total visit time so the 15-25 min is that much less spent on clearing it).

Guess I've got a messed up system because another Cocaine derivative gave me a serious respiratory reaction after a tonsillectomy about 15 years ago.  So a lot of good injectable and topical stuff is out the window.  For facial work I have no problem with pain and routinely fall asleep listening to music as my electrologist does her stuff.  I currently use Ibuprofen before facial work, and I was told last night that a higher dose of Ibuprofen with lots of water about an hour before an appointment may work well for genital stuff.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on November 13, 2013, 08:31:30 PM
Francis Ann : Brassard actually recommends AGAINST electrolysis down there. Which of course means I have nothing to contribute to the larger thread. It's even one reason I chose him; I really didn't want to do that!

(But I probably would have if it meant surgery would be otherwise free...)

I could have got srs free on the NHS years ago. But it would have meant electrolysis and a less experienced surgeon. Unfortunately, I don't care for free surgery when it's the most important surgery of one's lifetime. It's quality over price and the choice of who does it that trumps all. 

Nicolette : OK, that's a *very* good point.   I was guessing that Kathy is going to a reputable US surgeon known for good results, but if not... well, I know of two British friends who went to Thailand rather than risk the NHS in just the past year alone.

Some people have all the luck and get one of the top 5 'free'. I met some Canadian girls that were getting it free with Brassard, at the same time wistfully singing Suporn praises. Pah! Well, you know, it always seems greener on the other side. And free means it's much harder to appreciate.