Hey. I'm a longtime lurker, and I won't give my "male" name because it's actually my real name (I was lucky to be given a traditionally-male name). Call me Bane.

Anyway, I've come out of the shadows because I've been thinking about bottom surgery. From what I've seen on the web, most T-men wouldn't even consider getting "bottom surgery" (non-hysterectomy), particularly phalloplasty. When asked why not, a lot of them say that they're waiting for medical science to develop a better surgery, or to "perfect" the existing ones. What they don't say is how long they plan on waiting.

I do want to have bottom surgery someday - one which will give me a decent-sized, functioning penis (so metoidioplasty is out). Since most phalloplasties fall short of what I'm looking for, I too plan on waiting (as if a lack of money wouldn't take the "choice" part out of it for me already). I'm hopeful that if the medical research industry is given enough funding (which isn't as out of the question as it has been for the last 8 years), stem-cell research will progress enough to the point where in 10 or 12 years, they'll be growing (or be very, very close to growing) body parts in the lab. From what's currently known about stem cells and their functions, I know that it's a realistic possibility, and I'm hoping that the government will allow it to legally become a reality.

But supposing that the medical industry discovers something about stem cells that makes this impossible, or the government continues to impede the research, I don't plan on waiting forever. If I turn 30 and a better surgery is nowhere in sight, I might just settle for phalloplasty (which presumably will have improved at least slightly by then). My question is, how long do you guys (those of you who are considering bottom surgery) think you'll wait before you either give up on the idea of bottom surgery at all or settle for one of the "imperfect" methods? Do you think you'll be 40 or 50 and still waiting for the surgical industry to turn in our favor? Would you get a metoidioplasty/phalloplasty (presuming you had the money by then), or would you keep holding off so that you wouldn't risk messing up any necessary tissue for some fantastic new surgery in the future?


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In the last year, stem cell has only jumped in potential, especially since they've been able to go about it with adult cells and bringing it back to an embryo-like states. I'm not too worried about that.

As for bottom surgery, I'm not even going to touch it unless I know they can make something that'll work like it should. I'd rather have a clit that works than a penis that only goes halfway.

I'm in my mid 20s.  My healing won't be impacted for another 15 or 20 years.  I view that as my window.

Things depend on money partially.  If Bill Gates give me a trillion dollars, I'll go ahead and get a metoidioplasty, as I don't think that would interfere with anything in the future.  In reality, I'll wait for about 10 years, or maybe a bit more.  I don't want to immediately blow thousands of dollars on crummy genitals, especially if I'm low on cash or if it looks like there is better surgery just around the corner.  I won't get a phalloplasty ever (I prefer my erections without a pump, thank you!  although not having a penis big enough for intercourse with me on top is not so great either).  I have hope though; if they regrow rabbit penises, someday they'll get to us (although it will probably be harder for transsexuals than biomen).

if they havnt come out with anything better by the time ive had top surgery, hysterectomy, and saved enough for a metoidioplasty/clitoral release, then im just going to get one of those.  thats probably about 10 years.

Unless it looked decent and worked decent I wouldn't bother at all. So in effect I'm willing to wait forever A fake 'un will have to do. I don't feel like having a flap of skin that sorta almost looks like a penis would ease my dysphoria any more than a packer would; and a packer is a hell of a lot cheaper.

I'm not even sure I want bottom surgery, even if it was "perfect." I don't mind downstairs, all that money could be better used elsewhere.

I think I'll try and reconcile with my body and settle with having female parts after hysto.
I'm a little picky I guess. tbh for me, if I can't have a real penis and all the associated functioning organs, inside and out, then there's no point in getting something that just looks like a penis.
yeah, I'd love to wake up and go lift the seat and take a whiz in the morning, and i'd love to penetrate and feel it, and I'd love to have something there, and I'd love to pass in a men's locker room, but not with some 'hunk of meat'.

Quote from: Josh on February 18, 2009, 03:51:19 PM
if they havnt come out with anything better by the time ive had top surgery, hysterectomy, and saved enough for a metoidioplasty/clitoral release, then im just going to get one of those.  thats probably about 10 years.

Same here.  I would go with a meta (release, testicular implants, vaginectomy) after top surgery & a hysterectomy as soon as I could afford it.  However, if my clitoral growth turns out to be so little that my meta would be no more than a head on top of a pair of balls with no shaft to speak of, I would reconsider that decision and would bide my time, while keeping a close eye on stem cell research.  (I do not foresee myself considering a phallo; I do not want an organ that is not made of erectile tissue.)

the only thing that would work is if i woke up the next day and magically everything was right.  i don't see how they could perfect the surgery without serious ethical issues popping up (stem cells etc.).  So how long will i wait?  It won't happen in my lifetime.  I'm not waiting.

I'm not going to bother to wait. Unless they manage to make a penis grow out of my existing parts, with no surgery involved, count me out. I want as little surgery as possible. Anyway, I'm fine with what I've got. Yeah, it's not what I should have, but I've learned to live with it. I'll save the money and pain for something more important.

SD

Quote from: J.T. on February 18, 2009, 07:34:42 PM
the only thing that would work is if i woke up the next day and magically everything was right.  i don't see how they could perfect the surgery without serious ethical issues popping up (stem cells etc.).  So how long will i wait?  It won't happen in my lifetime.  I'm not waiting.

Stem cells are no longer an ethical issues because they can use adult cells now without potentially taking away a life that didn't have a chance to start.

Quote from: Mr. Fox on February 18, 2009, 02:56:33 PM
(I prefer my erections without a pump, thank you!  although not having a penis big enough for intercourse with me on top is not so great either).

They use a PUMP!?

I'm sorry for being so insensitive, but that's halarious.

Gee, I hope they invent better things for you guys!

I really want borrom surgery - and I agree how long do you wait?

I mean medical science gets better every day, but I dont want to be 50 before I get something done! Its like waiting for the a new PC model to come out, you'll just keep waiting! I'm doing the rest of the surgerys (starting with Top Surgery this year), so once they are done and I have saved enough cash I'll look into bottom surgery and choose the best option avaliable then. I want to have all this done within the next ten years.

However long it takes till I can't stand to go without it anymore.

Yes, apparently pumps and rods are as far as we've come:

"Usually, a flexible rod must be inserted into the penis or an implanted pump device used in order to achieve an erection."  http://www.ftmguide.org/grs.html

Ain't it a beautiful world?

SD

I personally hope to have a meta in the next 5 years.  I know with meta I am safe if I want the "new" surgery as it won't or shouldn't conflict with other things that may come available.  I have too much bottom dysphoria to do nothing.

Check out thetransgendercenter.com site, they've had some really good results, and they're working on something even better. The penises actually look almost normal as far as appearance and size are concerned. Someone else on this site posted a link to that site, but I don't remember who it was.

cool  that's in same state am in too

I have to. The current surgeries they have would not relieve my dysphoria.

I'm waiting for the transplant option. Yes, a transplant will have complications and it will shorten my lifespan, but I can't stand the idea of a fake penis.