So I've been out as a trans woman for over two years now, and I'm very excited to be scheduling appointments to plan for bottom surgery! I can afford it, and I know this is what I want, but there is one problem. I have a very strong aversion to blood.

I have a good tolerance to pain, but whenever I see my own blood, others', see it on TV, or even think about it too much, I can have strong physical reactions. These can include cold flashes, shaking, having trouble breathing, nausea, dizziness, and general lack of muscular control. To give you some perspective, I'm feeling lightheaded just from writing this.

Even if this does turn out to be a problem, I'm still going to get surgery, I just want to know what I'm in for. So, how much blood should I expect when getting standard inversion SRS?

Hello Paige

I had a lot of blood after my surgery but to be honest I had to have a second operation a week later when things went south.

That being said, they are there to help you recover.

When you are back home and you are dilating you might get a little blood as you heal. One of the aftercare products you will get are maxi pads. This will collect any light bleeding.

I'm not trying to scare you but maybe you can talk to someone before hand so you can have support. You are strong and I know you can do this.


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Hi Paige, welcome to Susan's Place! I have similar reactions, there's a note on my medical records regarding it. When the IV was inserted for my surgery, my vital signs went haywire, which was a matter of great concern to the ptep nurse. Just tell all your providers about your issues, and they'll take good care of you.

Hugs, Devlyn

Hi, Paige!

Welcome to Susan's Place.


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Hi Paige,
   I ended up losing a lot of blood during the surgery. I don't think that is typical though. I did not see it as I was asleep. When they take the packing out, there is some but you don't have to watch. My question to you would be, does switching and bruising bother you? When they uncover the surgery site, it does look pretty Frankensteinish. I was badly bruised and it looked decidedly ugly down there. The doctor may be able to minimize your exposure if you let them know. Wish you luck.
Moni

HI Paige,

I have had bottom surgery Stage one and stage two Dr. Meltzer and Dr. Ley do a two stage procedure. I had minimal bleeding, however, it was enough to need a pad. The nurses were helpful at the hospital. I don't hate the sight of blood, the woman in the next room did and the nurses were very helpful with her. She was all but a few spots here and there at the end of 9 days. Let the staff know how you feel and see if there are any work arounds. Best wishes to you

-M

After my GCS, I wore a pad all the time for about 6 months. I really did not have that much real blood, but I did have a red colored fluid coming out for those 6 months. At first I changed my pad every 4 to 6 hours. Later on with less fluid, I did not need to change so often.

This maybe a bizarre thought, but I wonder if it is the color (red) that sparks this reaction. I wonder if any one ever did any research on wearing dark glasses to try eliminate the visual trigger. Just a shot in the dark here. (Oh, pun not intended.)

Quote from: HappyMoni on December 22, 2018, 08:57:36 PM
This maybe a bizarre thought, but I wonder if it is the color (red) that sparks this reaction. I wonder if any one ever did any research on wearing dark glasses to try eliminate the visual trigger. Just a shot in the dark here. (Oh, pun not intended.)

Actually red glasses would prevent you from seeing blood. I had a red lens (long story) and when I looked at a red and white milk carton, all the printing would vanish.

Hi Paige!

Being 8 days post op I have been dealing with blood.   Based on my experience, I just don't see any way around it.  The first day when my dressing were changed, there was a lot of blood, but I did not really have to look at it.   Since my catheter was removed a few days ago I have to by myself remove my pads before I can urinate.   They always have blood on them, but somewhat less day by day.   I had my wife look at them and she said it was like menstrual blood.   So one way to look at it is that you have joined womanhood, and that you have to deal with blood like they do for most of their lives!   I believe you will get used to it.

Hi, Paige,

I'm a nurse. Be sure you communicate the extent of this phobia to your medical team. Don't be embarrassed to do so. It's quite common. They can help you avoid seeing it or thinking about it. Also, some people have success with hypnosis.

Happy surgery!

Quote from: Beverly Anne on December 22, 2018, 09:56:37 PM
. . . Also, some people have success with hypnosis . . .

Beverly Anne took the words right out of my mouth.  I've never had this problem, but I understand that hypnosis is often used to reduce the power of irrational aversions or fears, as well as for help in controlling destructive habits or behaviors like smoking.

There's another approach you might think about, too.  In treatment of folks with issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), therapists often use an approach called exposure and response prevention (ERP).

ERP entails taking yourself through a gradually escalating series (over a number of days or weeks or months) of "exposures" to whatever it is that bothers you.  You start with very remote or mild exposures to what troubles you (perhaps like you mentioned - just THINKING about it).  Then you very gradually increase the intensity of the exposures (perhaps discussing the subject with someone, reading or studying about it, viewing pictures of it, etc.), all the while examining and keeping track of the feelings you are experiencing.  The gradual increase of the level of exposure allows you to adjust your feelings and train yourself out of the fear a little bit at a time - much easier than trying to deal with it all at once.

Folks are right in telling you to communicate this issue about blood to medical personnel you will be dealing with.  It's not unusual, and there will be ways they can make the process easier on you.

But you might also want to talk now with a therapist about this specific fear while you are starting the process of making plans for surgery.  A therapist will probably know hypnotic techniques or be able to refer you and might be able to guide you through a process of ERP or something similar.  Anything you can do in advance to make the process easier to get through will be very valuable.

Franklin Roosevelt was famous for saying "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  Maybe that was too optimistic, but you get his drift.  If you can get your head into a place where you can rationally deal with the challenges of surgery without having an additional layer of anxiety about whether you can handle the blood issue, then that's a big plus.

Most of all, "Keep your eyes on the prize!"  If you have sorted everything through and concluded this is the direction you want to go, don't let anything stand in your way!

Generally it's almost impossible not to see any traces of blood relating to the surgery. Well as surgery goes, there are blood meant to be shed. (Ok a bit exaggerated thou). There will be discharge, and in some instances you will need to check yourself down there to see any brusing or if any bleeding occurs from within. I reckon if this phobia is hard to overcome, perhaps you might want to get a close friend or relative to do the necessary post op care or a private nurse to look after you.