I think you are welcome on the site as is anyone else who comes to ask questions. If you want to know something related to trans people, I can tell you. Trans people don't have many places where they can go and feel safe, especially those who are just coming to terms with being trans. People don't like what moderators do sometimes, but they have a tough job and that is to protect this safe spot. To make it work, we must be respectful of each other. If you come back, I think you will find people very open to giving information. I might suggest that it would be respectful for you to offer something about yourself. The whole correcting the grammatical error set of posts makes you appear to be mocking. If I knew something about you, that thought would probably not occur.
Monica

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 05, 2017, 05:00:10 PM
I think you are welcome on the site as is anyone else who comes to ask questions. If you want to know something related to trans people, I can tell you. Trans people don't have many places where they can go and feel safe, especially those who are just coming to terms with being trans. People don't like what moderators do sometimes, but they have a tough job and that is to protect this safe spot. To make it work, we must be respectful of each other. If you come back, I think you will find people very open to giving information. I might suggest that it would be respectful for you to offer something about yourself. The whole correcting the grammatical error set of posts makes you appear to be mocking. If I knew something about you, that thought would probably not occur.
Monica

The grammar I attempted to correct was my own. I'm not sure why you took that as mocking. (If I'm attempting to correct my own grammar, it'd be better to suggest that it seems like I'm mocking myself, yes?) Thank you for enlightening me and for your heartfelt welcome, though.  I don't feel comfortable sharing info about myself, however.

Quote from: byukubkyvjyvujibn on May 05, 2017, 05:05:50 PM
... I don't feel comfortable sharing info about myself, however.

So hopefully you can see the irony in that.

Quote from: AutumnLeaves on May 05, 2017, 04:54:30 PM
You are asking people to basically explain a lot of stuff from the ground up, including sensitive and personal information, and that is something based on trust and a respectful attitude . . ."

Most of what you said I have no issue with, but this piece and another are what I did have an issue with. I was respectful (to my eyes at least, but to my eyes I'm not seeing where I could have been labeled a disrespectful person over my first batch of responses [unless you want to factor in people's personal beliefs on what is "respectful" and "disrespectful"]). But, to my knowledge, I did nothing that would make me guilty of having been inherently disrespectful. I even responded civilly to everyone who responded to me.

I think that's all on my mind for this piece.

That is your choice not to share. The reason I wondered if you were mocking was because it seemed like you were saying, "Look at me, I'm following all the rules now." This was after the exchange with one of our moderators. If that was not your intention, my apologies. I believe it is in trans people's interest to have cis people understand all they can about the true reality of being trans. We catch a lot of hatred for things that are untrue about us. Then again, I don't know that you aren't trans, now do I?
Monica

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 05:17:46 PM
So hopefully you can see the irony in that.

Since, for some reason, you are trying to dissect my words, then I'll now say "more personal info about myself" or "info I do not want to share that is also info I have not shared thus far." There now should not be a misunderstanding about which info about myself I want to share, I don't think.

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 05, 2017, 05:19:07 PM
That is your choice not to share. The reason I wondered if you were mocking was because it seemed like you were saying, "Look at me, I'm following all the rules now." This was after the exchange with one of our moderators. If that was not your intention, my apologies. I believe it is in trans people's interest to have cis people understand all they can about the true reality of being trans. We catch a lot of hatred for things that are untrue about us. Then again, I don't know that you aren't trans, now do I?
Monica

I understand. Again, I can't blame you for being on guard. I don't think there's anything left to say being that I DO understand why you are on guard. And the part about hatred broke me down a bit. 

Quote from: AutumnLeaves on May 05, 2017, 04:54:30 PM
My advice to you is to ask your questions and to step back and listen to the help and advice being offered to you, instead of looking for things to pick apart and find fault with.

This is the other part I have an issue with, because "looking for things to pick apart and find fault with" is exactly what happened to me. I was labeled "guilty until proven innocent" because of people picking apart what is known about me and them thinking they found faults with the things I said.

To be honest, this might be a silly debate we are having because we are essentially telling each other the same things. o_o

QuoteIn America, anybody with a medical degree (that is to say an MD or DO) can call themselves any kind of surgeon they want to. There is no board certification for SRS surgery, which is why it behooves one to research your surgeon and their training ahead of time.

While some elements of this statement may be factual, they certainly do not reflect how surgery is practiced in my (extensive) experience. The ACS certifies surgens in 10 main specialties and 15 sub specialties of surgery. Additionally you can't practice surgery in any us hospital I've ever heard of without that hospital's approval.

Quote from: monamtb on May 05, 2017, 03:51:56 AM

Only devoted individuals that understand the situation we are in, that understand the suffering we go through, and that know about the social issues we may face throughout our lives will devote their skills and talent to create great results that leave us with a genital that is as close as possible to the original.

That is one of the main reasons why Dr. Preecha focuses very much on the life circumstances and on the personal and social issues we face when teaching and training his GCS/SRS surgeons at university to create the understanding that this is not simply a surgery, but a life altering medical step that can make the difference between life and death for many or all of us - and that these surgeons are deeply aware of the responsibility they take on when performing an GCS/SRS.

I absolutely chose my surgeon factoring in that she was someone I had confidence was fully dedicated to the transgender experience, however at the end of the day, her skill as a cutter was the first thing in my mind. I spoke to and rejected a doc with first rate qualifications because I simply wasn't comfortable with him interpersonally (nothing in our conversation had lead me to feel he had any special empathy toward trans women). However my actual choice was a clear winner on both counts, she far and away impressed me with her specific training and skills.

OP I would disagree on quite a few points above.

All of the surgeons in the US I know of training for and performing GCS are absolutely top practitioners, I'm talking highest skilled <0.1% in a field that's already extraordinarily skill oriented. I have absolutely never heard of a procedure being undertaken without extensive training unless you go all the way back to the '50s when the surgeons doing it were breaking completely new ground.

Usually the lead is either a urology surgeon or plastic and often there's one of each working in the surgical suite. Lately an influx of new people into this arena has resulted in some new ideas and methods being developed, but this never happens without the new people first learning the ropes from their mentors.

Thank you, SadieBlake (again) even though you were responding to someone else.  The more info the better.  ^_^

So, person with name impossible to pronounce, if we dispense with the back and forth about trust for a second, are there other nuggets of knowledge you are seeking? You aren't a GCS surgery groupie are you? You don't have a secret stash of scalpels used by famous trans surgeons, do you? Oh sorry, the no share thing, I forgot! Well, let us know if you seek our wisdom or need to be bailed out of jail for stealing those scalpels. Ta ta!
Monica

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 05, 2017, 06:25:13 PM
So, person with name impossible to pronounce, if we dispense with the back and forth about trust for a second, are there other nuggets of knowledge you are seeking?

At first, all I wanted was answers to the SRS questions I was asking, but now, since I think I have a pretty good understanding of how the process of becoming an SRS surgeon plays out, I'm just keep coming back to 1) read any other info people have to share regarding this subject, and 2) defend myself.

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 05, 2017, 06:25:13 PM
You aren't a GCS surgery groupie are you? You don't have a secret stash of scalpels used by famous trans surgeons, do you? Oh sorry, the no share thing, I forgot! Well, let us know if you seek our wisdom or need to be bailed out of jail for stealing those scalpels. Ta ta!
Monica

  :/ I have no idea what you're on about, but I really don't appreciate your bullying of me and making wild implied accusations about me.

I was trying to lighten the mood with humor actually. I see it is not your cup of tea, so I will leave you be. Good luck with your quest.

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 05, 2017, 06:56:34 PM
I was trying to lighten the mood with humor actually. I see it is not your cup of tea, so I will leave you be. Good luck with your quest.

Oh, okay. So sorry then. "Humor not being my cup of tea" is not true, however. I just could not tell that you were being humorous. Please remember that it's hard to tell you are being humorous when what you write sounds just like what people say when they are trying to be mean (it seems we ALL have something to learn here o_o  ).

Your humor is a bit like mine, though, haha. I like you!  ^_^ **dabs (that is, fistbumbs) you**

Revision was made in my last message as it sounded too combative at one part.

byukubkyvjyvujibn, perhaps you can explain a little as to why you are asking these questions?  Nobody would create an account and ask a very specific question out of pure random curiosity.  Are you writing a school paper?  Are you a news reporter preparing a story?  A little anonymous information could help us be more comfortable with the situation.  I would hope you can respect the defense mechanism that is put up when a random person comes into our safe place and starts asking specific questions, and expects answers, without being more forthcoming about them or their position in life/society.  We aren't attacking you, we are being cautious.  We are here to share highly personal information in an environment that we feel is supportive, understanding and protected.  Some here have endured tremendous life changing hardships and trust doesn't come easy.   We have zero idea if you share or even support our lifestyle, are here for malicious reasons or just here to write a school report.  Don't take offense, just understand our position.  Thanks.

Quote from: SadieBlake on May 05, 2017, 05:50:29 PM
While some elements of this statement may be factual, they certainly do not reflect how surgery is practiced in my (extensive) experience. The ACS certifies surgens in 10 main specialties and 15 sub specialties of surgery. Additionally you can't practice surgery in any us hospital I've ever heard of without that hospital's approval.

I absolutely chose my surgeon factoring in that she was someone I had confidence was fully dedicated to the transgender experience, however at the end of the day, her skill as a cutter was the first thing in my mind. I spoke to and rejected a doc with first rate qualifications because I simply wasn't comfortable with him interpersonally (nothing in our conversation had lead me to feel he had any special empathy toward trans women). However my actual choice was a clear winner on both counts, she far and away impressed me with her specific training and skills.

OP I would disagree on quite a few points above.

All of the surgeons in the US I know of training for and performing GCS are absolutely top practitioners, I'm talking highest skilled <0.1% in a field that's already extraordinarily skill oriented. I have absolutely never heard of a procedure being undertaken without extensive training unless you go all the way back to the '50s when the surgeons doing it were breaking completely new ground.

Usually the lead is either a urology surgeon or plastic and often there's one of each working in the surgical suite. Lately an influx of new people into this arena has resulted in some new ideas and methods being developed, but this never happens without the new people first learning the ropes from their mentors.

It's true that there are board certifications and such, but they aren't required to be allowed to legally operate and it's perfect possible to do procedures you have little training in. For example, there have been several high profile cases where psychiatrists, oral surgeons, internists, etc. got tired of dealing with insurance, re-labeled themselves "cosmetic surgeons," and started doing breast implants, liposuction, etc. with sometimes devastating results. Anybody with an MD can call themselves a "cosmetic surgeon," and it's perfectly legal, if unethical. It's also true that one must have hospital privileges to perform surgery in a given hospital, but this is easily bypassed by doing stuff in-office in "surgery centers." Sometimes these are well equipped and safe, other times less so. In some stated there were so many deaths from cosmetic surgery performed by non-plastic surgeons in poorly equipped surgery centers that regulators had to step in. Now, NONE of the SRS surgeons I know of operate in such a manner, and as far as I am aware they are all from surgical specialties that are pertinent to the matter at hand. However, this state of affairs does act as a reminder to thoroughly check the credentials of anybody you are going to for surgical procedures just to be sure they have the background and certification needed to hopefully guarantee a good result.

Quote from: byukubkyvjyvujibn on May 05, 2017, 07:09:53 PM
Oh, okay. So sorry then. "Humor not being my cup of tea" is not true, however. I just could not tell that you were being humorous. Please remember that it's hard to tell you are being humorous when what you write sounds just like what people say when they are trying to be mean (it seems we ALL have something to learn here o_o  ).

Your humor is a bit like mine, though, haha. I like you!  ^_^ **dabs (that is, fistbumbs) you**

No problem Hon, humor doesn't get translated through text sometimes. I was trying to make you feel more comfortable here. I have no intention to offend you or anyone. I can count you as a "no" on the scalpel thing then, right? lol
Monica

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 07:22:35 PM
byukubkyvjyvujibn, perhaps you can explain a little as to why you are asking these questions?  Nobody would create an account and ask a very specific question out of pure random curiosity.

Note: None of the responses I'm going to give are mean-spirited, so please don't worry about proceeding.  ^_^

I don't feel comfortable saying why I asked, but I CAN say that it is certainly not because I have ill intentions or because I want people to do homework I don't even have, haha. Not at all, whatsoever. (It's actually hurting me to have to explain that I'm not here to be hateful or troll or do anything of the sort.) 

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 07:22:35 PM
I would hope you can respect the defense mechanism that is put up when a random person comes into our safe place and starts asking specific questions, and expects answers, without being more forthcoming about them or their position in life/society.

Trust me, I fully get it.

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 07:22:35 PM
We aren't attacking you, we are being cautious.

Well, I WAS treated snottily multiple times, but I don't care anymore. It's fine. And I mean that with no sarcasm or hidden feelings. 

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 07:22:35 PM
We are here to share highly personal information in an environment that we feel is supportive, understanding and protected.  Some here have endured tremendous life changing hardships and trust doesn't come easy.

You're making me feel bad, you know? Haha. I don't like reading anything dark because it puts me in an awful place. (Not trying to police what you type, however! Haha.)

Quote from: staciM on May 05, 2017, 07:22:35 PM
We have zero idea if you share or even support our lifestyle, are here for malicious reasons or just here to write a school report.

Well . . . maybe this will help. . . . I FULLY SUPPORT THIS LIFESTYLE 100%!! ^_^ 'Cause like, exsqueeze me, but #transisbeautiful. Derr, haha. **cracks own self up, haha** (You'll have to excuse me; I get excited from online chats, haha!)

I really hope you are having a wonderful life. ^_^ And I'm sorry for anything you might have gone through.