On a more positive note, I have all the forms I need to get my pre-op tests completed. I will over the next 2 days get these done. In fact I am only missing one further piece of paperwork(as discussed above) and I can submit the results. Once this is completed I will just have to wait for Mr Ives team to ensure they have everything and all the bloods etc required for the surgery to go ahead. I would like to think that by the end of this week all these things are in place and completed.


Liz

Crossing my fingers and toes all goes as desired this week Liz.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Quote from: LizK on September 23, 2018, 02:26:40 AM
At this stage I have 5 Main priorities
1) 2nd Psych  letter...If no response by COB tomorrow then will follow up directly with phone call

2) Blood Tests...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

3) Blood Transfusion Typing (Melbourne) To be arranged with Mr Ives rooms

4) Referral for Mr Ives from GP...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

5) Pump information to Mr Ives...Dr who looks after this is over seas till next week but he has been sent a message

Its been about a week since my last update and many things have happened since then. Above is the list of priorities for last week.  So I got my Second psych letter on Tuesday, Wednesday I had various tests, including Blood Urinalysis , chest x-ray and ECG. I arranged my blood typing blood test to be handled at Masada Private upon my arrival in Melbourne on the 27th, this along with my referral from my GP was all sent to Mr Ives rooms on Thursday morning. I received an email back saying it all looks fine and if there are any issues with the letters they will contact the writers directly should there be any additional information required. This leaves only one outstanding item and that is the details on my Medication Pump. I have contacted my Pain Management Dr and he has been aware for 12 months that this report would be needed but as Murphy's Law would have it he has been out of the country for a month and returned only a few days ago. I have had another request for the report from Mr Ives rooms but they understand I can do no more.

I also had to log onto Masada hospitals web site and complete their admission forms which was very clear and simple enough to do.

The Surgery paperwork itself consisted of all the legal paperwork, scripts for Flagyl(antibiotic) and stuff to make you empty your bowel (whether you want to or not LOL). Included were of course the surgical consent forms.

Nearly the whole of the front page of the consent form deals with the possibility of complications(all of which I had read about). It did make me pause before I signed it...just for a second...things got very real very quickly as I read through the list of complications and potential poor outcomes...and signed it anyway  and with a great deal of satisfaction.


Had my second round of Genital Electrolysis which also surprisingly involved Laser. The tech was using Electrolysis to zap the grey hairs and the laser to vaporise the dark hairs....I don't know what this laser is called but it is far different from any I have seen previously. I have noticed that when I am having laser there is an increase in pain as hairs are zapped and this I am guessing is caused by the heat generated during the zapping. With the laser she was using on me I understand why some would use Emla...it was very strong and destroyed the majority of the hairs ...I was astounded to see that the laser had fried many of the hairs completely. I will get one more treatment in before surgery and it will be a final tidy up of any stragglers.

The electrolysis itself was substantially less painful for me than having either my top or bottom lip zapped. The machine itself was only a couple of years old which I think went a long way to making the whole procedure much more pleasant. The other thing that helped was her technique. Every other time I have had Emla cream in prep for the facial stuff the Techs have removed the entire dressing wiped away the Emla and begun to work...this woman would peel a small section back wipe away the Emla and zap the hairs she could see, she would then repeat the same procedure for the entire first session which made the Emla about "70%" more effective as each area she worked on was "freshly" numb. I am pretty sure I will be going back  for my facial stuff after November.


The only outstanding paperwork item at this stage is the report about my medication pump report. All other items have been completed including prep for the blood tests for Melbourne. This pump report could turn into a bit of a hassle as the Dr who will write it is not known for caring too much about other Dr's timelines. He is a really busy guy in great demand and would rather spend time with patients than paperwork...I may have an alternative if things are not resolved quickly. Its not ideal but it will work.

I still have yet to purchase the items on my shopping list, lube. pads, cotton undies, piece of foam etc etc which I will do a few weeks out.

I am currently sitting at about 91.8 KGs which gives me a BMI of 30.03...its needs to be 30 or lower. I need to be at 90.9kgs (BMI of 30)to be eligible for surgery...so under 1 kg to go to meet my first goal of qualifying for surgery. My goal for Fridays weigh in is to be at a BMI of 30 or below. My first full Friday to Friday result was good and averaged over the period of changing from Monday to Friday weigh ins to about an average of 850grams a week which is about the average since I started. My ultimate goal is 85kg so at most I have 6.8 to lose by 27/11.


Signing the consent form and sending back the paperwork made this seem very real to me. Over the last few months many people have asked me if I am looking forward to the surgery or if I am excited to have it. My answer has been fairly non-committal saying things like "I'll be happy when its finished" or " I would like to skip through that first 3 weeks"...excited? not really ...apprehensive...you betcha...but that has changed now, I am excited, I really want to get on with this and I want it to happen. The first three weeks will be what it will be and I will endure, just like every one of you girls who have already.




Whilst GCS has been on my mind for a long time now having it so close seems a bit surreal....I have these moments of absolute terror imagining the worst case scenario's. These are occasionally interupted with the absolute knowledge that I am off my rocker and this GCS is crazy...there was a point in time where this kind of thinking could throw me completely...nowdays I kind of think of it as something akin to a brain fart...within a few seconds of this thought it is crushed with logic of who I really am.


Take care
Liz

@LizK
My Dear Liz:
Thank you for sharing your very comprehensive and detailedupdate. 
Wow, this is all very exciting.  You do have a few things to take care of before surgery so I am wishing you success in getting everything ship-shape so you will be accepted for surgery and get a firm date on the calendar.

I just can't tell you how very happy I am for you....
Please continue keeping your followers tuned in.

I will be eagerly looking for more of your updates.... as always!!!
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Hi;
Appreciate your issues with Laser & Electrolysis. If you are Victorian based you could try Depilation & Skin Care in Templestowe (Macedon Plaza). they are Trans friendly and do all my Laser and Electrolysis treatments (and other beauty treatments).  Ask for Sarah or Monica.

See www.depskin.com

In terms of Pain Management, I have a Pain Management issue due to prior surgery and am prescribed Panadeine Forte. This is a very strong pain killer, but not to be taken lightly. If I know I have a big Electrolysis session coming up, I take two tablets 30 minutes beforehand, but its then important not to drive there or back (as it take a couple of hours to work its effects ofg. So I take public transport to the salon, rather than driving myself.

Actually its so effective that sometime I fall asleep on the treatment table.
Hope this helps

Judith Lynn

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on September 29, 2018, 10:47:38 PM
@LizK
My Dear Liz:
Thank you for sharing your very comprehensive and detailedupdate. 
Wow, this is all very exciting.  You do have a few things to take care of before surgery so I am wishing you success in getting everything ship-shape so you will be accepted for surgery and get a firm date on the calendar.

I just can't tell you how very happy I am for you....
Please continue keeping your followers tuned in.

I will be eagerly looking for more of your updates.... as always!!!
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Hi Danielle you comment and well wishes are always welcome. I am sure the things I have left to do will soo  sort themselves out. My GP is great and really on top of things so will no doubt be able to help fill in many of the details for Mr Ives if the there is anything missing. Considering how long ago I started this countdown if feels great to be under 60 days now. I would think the next up date will be the end of this week unless I am advised of issues surrounding the paperwork.

Quote from: judithlynn on September 29, 2018, 10:48:18 PM
Hi;
Appreciate your issues with Laser & Electrolysis. If you are Victorian based you could try Depilation & Skin Care in Templestowe (Macedon Plaza). they are Trans friendly and do all my Laser and Electrolysis treatments (and other beauty treatments).  Ask for Sarah or Monica.

See www.depskin.com

In terms of Pain Management, I have a Pain Management issue due to prior surgery and am prescribed Panadeine Forte. This is a very strong pain killer, but not to be taken lightly. If I know I have a big Electrolysis session coming up, I take two tablets 30 minutes beforehand, but its then important not to drive there or back (as it take a couple of hours to work its effects ofg. So I take public transport to the salon, rather than driving myself.

Actually its so effective that sometime I fall asleep on the treatment table.
Hope this helps

Judith Lynn

Thanks Judith Lynn I feel for you with the super sensitive face stuff from surgery...I can relate. I was at a support group on Saturday and one of the girls had found someone to do their genital stuff at $130 per 1/2 hour so I really did well to get mine for 133 per full hour. I am prescribed Valium and use an anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen, about 30 minutes prior. If I can stay relaxed I can manage the pain so staying relaxed is usually my main goal. Thankyou for your advice I appreciate all the help I can get, 

Take care

Liz

Liz, I am so excited for you!  All your efforts have been successful and I know you're ready for the big day.  Thank you so much for documenting all this in your new thread.  I love how you've done it.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Today is exactly 8 weeks until surgery which is 55 Days 19Hrs 07Mins till surgery BWCA? 

I now begin to follow the preparation timetable as set out by Mr Ives Rooms.  Each week has a set of tasks to be completed within them or others where documents are due back.

I am well ahead of where I should be with the next task due to start on the 24th of October and that is where I get to pay....it doesn't hold any great significance for me as I have already made a substantial financial commitment but is significant simply because I am one step closer to where I want to be. The next event on the timetable that involves a direct impact on me is stopping my HRT in 4 weeks...I am not going to enjoy that

Many, many, of us have done things that could have or should have killed us and I am one of the lucky ones, I survived my experience. It did leave me a constant reminder of the very real damage untreated GD can do. Dealing with my GD is the single most important thing I have ever done for myself.
Hopefully I can knock over my BMI target for surgery this week and will post the result of my weigh in on Friday...walked 18ks this week so far and should be 30ks my Fridays weigh in.


Take care

Liz

Tick tock tick tock...

Wow! 8 weeks to go! I am very excited for you... Congratulations on getting to this point! This will most likely be the single most exhaustive and exciting milestone in your transition.

Being well ahead of the schedule? I have my first consult in 4 weeks and I am already done with all the paperwork. I think this is just natural that we are excited about such a step and we want to move forward as fast as we can.

I keep my fingers crossed for your weigh in! You can do it! (Ugh and a reminder for myself to lose a few more lbs).

Looking forward to reading more about your preparation... Oh... and don't forget to name you dilators! 

Hugs,

Sarah

@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is so very exciting for all of us to hear... and certainly as you count down to your special day, all the while completing the doctor's preparation tasks, you must be absolutely ecstatic to get going on this next milestone event in being able to reach your transition goal.

As @Devlyn commented....  Tick tock tick tock...
 
.....and please know Liz, that we are all counting down with you.
Please continue to keep us all tuned in.
Hugs and hugs and and as always, best wishes,
Danielle

The countdown is getting shorter!  Great!

That's good that you are ahead of the plan.  Stopping HRT will hopefully be OK.  It didn't affect me too much until I re-started.  That was harder with hot flashes and all.  I hope it goes well.   All my best on your BMI goal.  You got it!
Judi

Quote from: Jessica on September 30, 2018, 07:49:22 AM
Liz, I am so excited for you!  All your efforts have been successful and I know you're ready for the big day.  Thank you so much for documenting all this in your new thread.  I love how you've done it.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica

Yes its all slowly coming together and I hope this is going to be of some value to another Gal going through this here is Aus. As I complete each step my excitement seems to be building slowly...each day I look forward to being a little closer to my ultimate goal.

Quote from: Devlyn on October 03, 2018, 04:24:57 AM
Tick tock tick tock...

Hi Devlyn...yup...time is slowly moving forward...some days it feels like a snails pace but then it seems to just treak by on other occasions it just zips by...thanks for stopping by 

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 03, 2018, 08:34:20 AM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is so very exciting for all of us to hear... and certainly as you count down to your special day, all the while completing the doctor's preparation tasks, you must be absolutely ecstatic to get going on this next milestone event in being able to reach your transition goal.

As @Devlyn commented....  Tick tock tick tock...
 
.....and please know Liz, that we are all counting down with you.
Please continue to keep us all tuned in.
Hugs and hugs and and as always, best wishes,
Danielle

Hi Danielle

thanks for all the great encouragement...the last part of this weight loss has been a bit of a battle with me appearing to yo yo a bit in weight....this weeks Friday weigh in will be a more accurate gauge of how I am doing. Thanks for being along side counting with me its much appreciated

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on October 03, 2018, 08:58:24 AM
The countdown is getting shorter!  Great!

That's good that you are ahead of the plan.  Stopping HRT will hopefully be OK.  It didn't affect me too much until I re-started.  That was harder with hot flashes and all.  I hope it goes well.   All my best on your BMI goal.  You got it!
Judi

Thanks Judi

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement...it really does help keep me on track and motivated. The stopping HRT is not going to be great fun but then I knew this when I decided to have surgery...its a bit like the pain from electrolysis...a necessary evil LOL

Once again thanks to all of you for you great support.

take care

Liz

I have my eyes on you Liz ... always watching and watching and watching ............

Hey there Liz. The big day is getting so close now. It's only next month! How exciting!!!

I'm curious, what is the reason for stopping HRT before surgery? What happens if you have an implant, it's not like you can remove it or tell it to stop working?

Keep up the good work with your weight loss. It gets harder to lose that last bit of weight as you get closer to your goal but I know you can do it.

Hugs,
Jayne

Hi Jayne

This is a left over from the days when HRT was pills and not much else available. I have Oestrogen as a gel so my risk(According to My HRT Dr) is just about non-existent...however because I will be immobilised for 3 days they are concerned about blood clots and oral Oestrogen increases this risk. It is a frustratingly pointless part of the prep and one I am not looking forward too. It is what it is...Mr Ives wants me to stop...so I will stop. Frustrating but what do you do?

The weight loss is a bit annoying at the moment I have 700 grams to hit my BMI of sub 30 I am sure I will get there Sigh!! but not this week!!

Take care

Liz

Hi Liz, while it was a few years ago I could not find much information about Andrew Ives so I made this thread. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,196033.0.html

He has changed a few things, I'll be interviewing him in November to make sure there is updated information available online. Wish you all the best with your surgery.

Quote from: Jayne01 on October 04, 2018, 01:08:39 AM
I'm curious, what is the reason for stopping HRT before surgery? What happens if you have an implant, it's not like you can remove it or tell it to stop working?

Technically you can remove it, but you don't need to. You just arrange for the surgery to be around the time where it needs replacing, so its relatively low, and get a new one after surgery.

Snipped: 

Quote from: LizK on October 05, 2018, 03:41:07 AM
- - - - - - -
   - - - - - -
The weight loss is a bit annoying at the moment I have 700 grams to hit my BMI of sub 30 I am sure I will get there Sigh!! but not this week!!

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is such good news... almost at your goal.

Weight comes off so very slowly but if one is not careful it can go back on so very quickly.
You are getting so close to your goal....  your motivation to reach your goal is probably very high now... continue on using all the willpower and determination that you can muster.

Thank you for keeping us all updated.

Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: Serenation on October 05, 2018, 05:01:43 AM
Hi Liz, while it was a few years ago I could not find much information about Andrew Ives so I made this thread. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,196033.0.html

He has changed a few things, I'll be interviewing him in November to make sure there is updated information available online. Wish you all the best with your surgery.

Thank you for the link I will be having a look at that is a few minutes. I saw on another place about this interview so will look forward to hearing what he has to say.

Take care

Edit: Serenation thank you for the link I read the thread from start to finish and had seen the vids before. The information is not too dissimilar to what I have ben given recently from Mr Ives rooms. One of the obvious exceptions is now you have to purchase your own foam, condoms, underwear and lube but apart from that it has been pretty much as you describe. Thanks I wish I could zip from here through to completely healed without stopping in between. I am preparing myself psychologically as well as physically. Kendra's recovery seemed to go much so smoother and with less complications due in part to being really fit. Once again thanks for sharing