I was thinking about MTF SRS and was wondering if you get phantom Penis Syndrome after the surgery? You know like when a person  looses an arm in an accident and then their brain thinks the arm is still there. I know the doctors don't cut off the Penis and they reform it into lady parts, but how does the brain react?

Really strange you should ask that because I have been researching my surgery and it explains what I have been feeling over the years. It seems in my surgery head of the penis was relocated as the clitoris and the foreskin gave me a cervix so yes i still feel it because it's still there. I don't know if the more modern surgery do that, but I regret not learning more about my surgery at the time I had it. I am attempting to obtaining my surgical report as what I know comes from as surgery that happened 2 1/2 years after mine.

PPS is essentially where the brain has failed to remap the new location of the nerve bundle saved from gland penis.

As these body sensations are controlled through neural synapses, you can help the remapping process by touching the new location combined with the visual or verbal reinforcement of what it is now. Doing this on a regular basis will strengthen that specific synapse while atrophying the older version of it.

Hope this helps.

Speak to you as soon as I sweep the verandah.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on November 21, 2015, 11:53:44 AM
...you can help the remapping process by touching the new location combined with the visual or verbal reinforcement of what it is now.

That's really interesting, so your literally teaching your body to associate those sensations with a particular part of your body by looking at it as you're touching?
I do find the way the brain and body works so fascinating. I assumed it would realign itself over time just by natural movement/touching and relating those sensations to the existing nearby nerves.

It's really weird. Not quite two months now.  Some parts feel like they are where they are now,  some parts are there but feel like they are still where they were, some parts I am not sure I can feel at all and some parts that are gone I can still feel.

It's like a broken mirror or rearranged jigsaw.

GPs were a bit surprised when they asked where the pain was and I struggled to give any useful answer. I couldn't  point to pain, or describe where other than a general area. 

Hi Paige,

Quote from: Paige_tara on November 21, 2015, 12:02:18 PM
That's really interesting, so your literally teaching your body to associate those sensations with a particular part of your body by looking at it as you're touching?

Absolutely. Originally, gland penis would have been external to the body by 1.5-5" the brain learnt that over time by visual reference supported by touching sensations. Brain now has a synapse called gland penis, so when an object hits it, the brain looks at the nerves that respond to the hit and relay that message as a hit to the penis. Your entire body is mapped for that purpose. Left arm, right leg, thumb, little toe etc. Post op things change. The brain hasn't got an eye, it depends on the eyes for visual affirmation. Testes are now gone, nothing to connect to, they atrophy as does the electrical impulses (synapses) to the brain. Gland penis still intact but relocated. Nerve endings still connected, they need to be remapped to an internal location. Thus if you look and say your new parts, the brain has the affirmation to let you know what and where its all happening. Clever brain.

Quote from: Paige_tara on November 21, 2015, 12:02:18 PM
I do find the way the brain and body works so fascinating. I assumed it would realign itself over time just by natural movement/touching and relating those sensations to the existing nearby nerves.

The brain maps the body by information from the optic nerve and sensations derived from sensory touch with the appropriate name given to it. Left thumb, right big toe, right knee, left elbow etc. Nerves on the other hand are very body specific. Hence an amputee looking for prosthesis replacement has to go through training to (a) find the right nerves associated with thumb, little finger, wrist etc and (b) re strengthen the associated atrophied synapse.
So the old saying of use it or lose it, to some degree is true.

Can you move your toes independently of one another? Titch titch. Shame on you. It's because you have never tried, because there has never really been a need to. Well then, look at the dexterity of those artist who paint with their feet. Quite refreshing to see what you can get your body to do, isn't it. 

Speak to you as soon I put the milk bottles out and bring the cat in.

Huggs
Catherine

Hi Kira,

Quote from: kira21 ♡♡♡ on November 21, 2015, 12:19:56 PM
It's really weird. Not quite two months now.  Some parts feel like they are where they are now,  some parts are there but feel like they are still where they were, some parts I am not sure I can feel at all and some parts that are gone I can still feel. 

After such major invasive surgery it can take up to 12 months or more for severed nerves to find their mate. They just don't plug in anywhere. They are like landline phone cables, they have to connect to right number otherwise they'll be dialling the wrong body part. 

Speak to you as soon as I mop the floor.

Huggs
Catherine

Amazing information Catherine thank you! Xx

Quote from: rachel.i. on November 21, 2015, 10:20:36 AM
I was thinking about MTF SRS and was wondering if you get phantom Penis Syndrome after the surgery?

It feels like it's all still down there, but that it's tucked really well. Not sure if that's PPS or just where all the nerves end up.

It doesn't bother me. For some reason my brain needs to map the new body configuration to the old one.

Hi Suzi,

Quote from: suzifrommd on November 21, 2015, 02:27:56 PM
It feels like it's all still down there, but that it's tucked really well. Not sure if that's PPS or just where all the nerves end up.

Certainly not PPS (which is a derivative of PLS - phantom limb syndrome) it's recognised where the nerve bundle has been relocated to. And it's new hemmed in environment. So, all's good.

Quote from: suzifrommd on November 21, 2015, 02:27:56 PM
It doesn't bother me. For some reason my brain needs to map the new body configuration to the old one.

WOW. That's interesting. Be interesting to see how that one develops over time.

Speak to you as soon as I paint my nails.

Huggs
Catherine 

I'm getting tired by all the work you're doing today, Catherine!

Great topic. Something I'll have to prepare for one day.

Hi Wynternight,

Depending on what floats your boat, Inna Segal wrote an interesting book called The Secret a Language of the Body. The parts of the book she talks about focusing on your various organs does have similar roots in neuroscience. Neurologist working in the pain management spectrum are using an adaptation of this understanding in order to bring control to long term pain sufferers.

I discussed this matter with both my Psych and therapist pre-op, followed a recommended strategy for the anticipated pian of surgery and achieved amazing results. Throughout my procedure and recovery, no pain management drugs like morphine, tylinol or any of the codine derivatives were used. And I would have a medium pain threshold, and felt no pain or discomfort whatsoever.

The only sensation I found interesting was the zap of nerve tissue reconnecting. The rest was zero rated on a pain scale reading (well you know what they say; No brains no feelings  )

Could be worth looking into.

Speak to you as soon as I stop    (I'm just a busy, busy woman like the rest of us) 

Huggs
Catherine

Not to make light of this but I really hope I am not haunted by my penis after surgery...

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on November 21, 2015, 01:13:46 PM
Speak to you as soon as I mop the floor.

How about you clean out your car next... it could really use it!!

Hi Grace,

Quote from: Ms Grace on November 21, 2015, 11:40:38 PM
Not to make light of this but I really hope I am not haunted by my penis after surgery...

It's all to do with your preparation. You'll be fine.

Speak to you as soon as I, err .......................  (by special request) clean the car.

Huggs
Catherine

A lot of good info in this thread.  Thnks Catherine!

I'll be going through this in a cpl. of months.  I've heard that some of the surgeons are negligent in the preservation of all of the major nerves affected by the procedure.  This doesn't sound encouraging.  It's something that needs to be discussed long before you're on the operating table and should be a part of the decision making process when choosing your surgeon.  I know that mine preserves all if the major nerves and re-positions them.  This doesn't negate though the need for the eye/brain/body validation that you spoke of.

Hugz,
Joi

Wow, this was a very interesting thread. M only 9.5 months into hrt, but have already been approved fer srs. M far from ready from surgery as I have both emotional work an mor developing to do. This is def a subject I had considered but had not yet asked anione. Thanks for yer thoughts.

Ask away FluffyPunk,

This is MAJOR INVASIVE surgery you're headed for.
It needs a lot of emotional energy and complete, total knowledge of what's going to be done, both during and after the procedure. Surprises are not permitted.

Anything less, and you've missed an AMAZING part of the journey.

Your attitude has to be; My body, my responsibility. Don't touch it until you fully explain to the point I fully understand. (So surgeon may have to get off his high horse and swallow his ego)

Hi Joi,

Quote from: Joi on November 22, 2015, 11:37:01 AM
I've heard that some of the surgeons are negligent in the preservation of all of the major nerves affected by the procedure.  This doesn't sound encouraging.  It's something that needs to be discussed long before you're on the operating table and should be a part of the decision making process when choosing your surgeon.

AB - SO bloody LUTELY !!!!!

That's an ABSOLUTE imperative, for any operation.

Quote from: Joi on November 22, 2015, 11:37:01 AM
This doesn't negate though the need for the eye/brain/body validation that you spoke of.

It definitely goes a long way to making the whole experience so much more enjoyable. I've supported at least 2 women who have been to hell and back, simply through the lack of preparation. "Don't tell me, I don't want to know," simply doesn't work.

Speak to you as soon as I've finished mustering the cows.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Ms Grace on November 21, 2015, 11:40:38 PM
Not to make light of this but I really hope I am not haunted by my penis after surgery...

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on November 21, 2015, 01:13:46 PM
Speak to you as soon as I mop the floor.

How about you clean out your car next... it could really use it!!

It's the Ghost of Penis Past!!! Talk about a Christmas nightmare. 

Can you clean my house next, Catherine? Since you're busy and all that/