Okay, so let me start by saying that I am sure I need a change of equipment. That being said, I am not sure how I should go about this. By that I mean I can't decide if it is worth it to wait for a better procedure, which may or may not happen in my lifetime, or get a current technique.  I feel torn between what I should actually do logistically at this point regarding that, because this thing has got to go.

After talking with my therapist I have come to terms with some things with the current surgeries as it stands now, like the fact I will never carry a child and dilation. The fact that no amount of surgery could live up to my hopes, they just get as close as physically possible at this point. The thing is as much as that hurts me to think about, I understand and have accepted those things. The hard part is, as I said earlier, that I am scared that I will get a current technique and find out things could have worked out better by using a new technique (that isn't accessible to the public now) and it will be too late to choose that instead.

Regarding current techniques, I have also been thinking about going to Dr. Bowers for my surgery if I choose not to wait since it is pretty close to me location wise and she seemed to have great looking results. Any feedback about Dr. Bowers based on first hand experience would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! I too spent a lot of time researching the various procedures, and the surgeons that perform them. And there are advantages and disadvantages for each technique, be it sigmoid Colon or penile inversion or a modified technique. But us girls have it pretty good as far as surgery options.
Now it's come down to me getting my surgery scheduled and the first criteria for me is that I use a surgeon that accepts my insurance. there's not a lot out there that don't require payment up front and then reimbursedment my insurance afterward, but I found a few that will take my insurance.
I think with most North American surgeons you can expect satisfactory aesthetics and functionality. I do understand what you say, about wanting the whole thing.
I did read recently where they actually grew a vagina, using stem cells placed on a scaffolding. the result was structurally identical, with the mucosal vaginal lining on the inside of the scaffold and the underlying muscle on the outside.  They were them implanted in two cis women who where born without a vagina. I believe they got the donor cells from the women themselves. Who knows, maybe one day this would be available for the trans woman also.  But that would be a long way in the future, I think.

Quote from: BrenB on November 29, 2014, 05:36:29 PM
I did read recently where they actually grew a vagina, using stem cells placed on a scaffolding. the result was structurally identical, with the mucosal vaginal lining on the inside of the scaffold and the underlying muscle on the outside.  They were them implanted in two cis women who where born without a vagina. I believe they got the donor cells from the women themselves. Who knows, maybe one day this would be available for the trans woman also.  But that would be a long way in the future, I think.

This was also done on a Transwoman in a European country ( I want to say Sweden or Switzerland ) but there was a unique medical condition involved. Let me see if I cannot find it, but it may actually possible for us to one day get factory replacements, or it is looking like it will be. Between vaginas from stem cells and term carried birth from implanted wombs, we are getting there.

Kami

Quote from: Kamiki on December 01, 2014, 11:04:44 AM
This was also done on a Transwoman in a European country ( I want to say Sweden or Switzerland ) but there was a unique medical condition involved.

I love that this is happening, but at this point it seems unrealistic to hope for this to available at a price I can afford within my lifetime. I hope that this becomes available though, since I'm sure it will save countless women's lives in the future.

Quote from: Hanazono on December 01, 2014, 09:23:25 PM
Taiwanese doctors have made a neovagina for ciswomen having vagina agenesis, from oral mucosa cells (buccal mucosa graft). Patients held in a packing for a few days and after that there was not much dilation required

This is awesome to know. How much dilation is required with the current methods available?

Quote from: BrenB on November 29, 2014, 05:36:29 PM
Hi! I too spent a lot of time researching the various procedures, and the surgeons that perform them. And there are advantages and disadvantages for each technique, be it sigmoid Colon or penile inversion or a modified technique. But us girls have it pretty good as far as surgery options.
Now it's come down to me getting my surgery scheduled and the first criteria for me is that I use a surgeon that accepts my insurance. there's not a lot out there that don't require payment up front and then reimbursedment my insurance afterward, but I found a few that will take my insurance.
I think with most North American surgeons you can expect satisfactory aesthetics and functionality. I do understand what you say, about wanting the whole thing.
I did read recently where they actually grew a vagina, using stem cells placed on a scaffolding. the result was structurally identical, with the mucosal vaginal lining on the inside of the scaffold and the underlying muscle on the outside.  They were them implanted in two cis women who where born without a vagina. I believe they got the donor cells from the women themselves. Who knows, maybe one day this would be available for the trans woman also.  But that would be a long way in the future, I think.

Thanks for your take on it, always useful to see opinions of people going through similar things. Also good luck on finding the best surgeon available to you! I think I have one picked, based on geographic location and the results they have posted on their website. I plan on calling the office tomorrow and get much needed details. I will respond back and let you all know what I find.

Quote from: Hanazono on December 01, 2014, 10:27:55 PM
You can check the postop threads in Post Operative Life.
I think it's somewhere between "a lot" and "too much"

I found this in the forums as you suggested. Seems dilation may not be needed everyday after your body has had time to heal and what not, at least according to that very helpful link. I think that I could deal with dilating as long as is isn't everyday.

Quote from: mrs izzy on November 30, 2014, 04:29:28 PM
http://library.transgenderzone.com/?page_id=611

All the science behind dilutions.