So aside from a week or two on HRT back in December, and not even consistently, I'm now on for 11 days and am pretty sure I'm taking it as far as possible.  Anyway, I've become obsessive about squeezing the best results from what I have.  I eventually want to get FFS, scalp advancement and a little body work, but I'm sure it would benefit me if I had solid results from HRT beforehand.  I guess it would enhance the enhancement surgeries.  I'm sort of considering having an orchiectomy in the next few months.  I know that would likely aid with hormones since the E would be working unimpeded and since I'm still early into HRT.  I'd have a long time to develop without that hindrance. 

I guess my concern and question is, can you have an orchie and still have GRS a couple years later?  I mean, is it one or the other, or would having an orchie make GRS harder or less successful?

Thanks everyone...

Huh... from what I just read, there is a bit of risk in shrinkage and loss of donor material for SRS.  I'm not sure if I'd be willing to risk it.

Well the least risky way to transition is to do it gradually, starting with reversible steps.  Like real life experience, changing your name and coming out, sperm/egg storage, then HRT (where effects are reversible up to around 3 months?).

At least in the UK you're not really eligible for surgery like an orchie until you've been on HRT ~ 2 years.  Of course some people decide to fly to another country one day and just do it. The scars from an orchie could make it harder to do GRS though.

The recommendation is not to get Orchiectomy if you want GRS; however, i'm sure results may vary depending upon the physiology.  It can definitely be done, but the result may not be as good because they will have less tissue to work with.  As far as getting an Orchi, at least where I live, most may require some RLE time if you havn't already done so.

I too thought of a orchi prior to GRS. I have heard about the shrinkage issue and I was thinking about contacting Dr. McGinn's office and asking the question. I had a consultation and did not ask that question at the time.

I can definitely confirm that everything shrinks after an orchi and by quite a lot too.  As I've pretty much made the decision not to have SRS this is all fine by me, but if I did want SRS the surgeon would have a seriously difficult job trying to find enough to work with.

Scars would an issue too, I've got a great collection as I had corrective surgery as a very young teenager and then with the orch it looks like I've been in an accident down there.

I totally went there.   

I just stretch everything out in the shower every day.  My orchi was done by a surgeon who also does SRS and he was not concerned about shrinkage as long as I kept up my stretching routine.

No more antiandrogens, I get by with a moderate dose of E now, and OMG did I feel better right away after the T was gone forever.  No more bulge = more clothing options and now I can have SRS whenever I want without fear of antiandrogens' loing term wear and tear on my innards.

For me it was a win win win...

I have to agree about the feeling better right away Jill, the relief was near instantaneous.  I didn't know about skin stretching, but then on the other hand I'd already made up my mind so SRS wasn't in my future.

I am now considering this, especially since I am ambivalent about SRS.