I noticed that Dr. Marci Bowers recommends genital hair removal (laser or electro) before SRS.

http://www.marcibowers.com/grs/prepare.html

Laser on my face is painful. But, she recommends getting it there? Holy crap and a half, I can only begin to imagine what that must feel like.

I believe there are some folks here at Susan's who had seen Dr. Bowers for SRS. Did you go through with the aforementioned torture hair removal process? If so, do you have any comments? Are there any who saw Dr. Bowers and skipped this part?

What about other SRS surgeons?

A number of surgeons recommend hair removal in that area and have at least since the 90's.  I did not have any work done prior to my surgery (an event that took place in the mid-90's).  I really cannot say that I have any regrets about not having had electrolysis down there...

It is only a recommendation, i know i did not want to take a chance of having hair grow in there, Dr. Mcginn also recommends genital hair removal, however there are people i know who did no hair removal prior to GCS, Electrolysis is best but you need to start about a year before surgery, i was unable to find someone to do electrolysis down there so i opted for the next best thing, i did 7 laser sessions prior to having surgery, i stopped several months prior to surgery so what ever hair follicles left might be visible for scraping during surgery,  before each session i sprayed the area with a numbing spray several times about 30 minutes prior to my session, this made things fairly tolerable, the key is not to have too high a setting on the laser, i was able to have a little higher setting for the scrotum, the shaft needs a little lower setting, my tech the first time used the higher setting for both and i had a couple burned areas on the shaft    .

Paula

Shades,
it sounds more painful then it actually is. I had about 6 session (full Bikini, Brazilian) and OK the perineum it a bit more touchy but so can be the bum-crack.

Electrolysis is more painful in general and A LOT more so on the upper lip area.

Laser is not such an issue, but in any case if similar to my hair roots, they will re-grow. Thankfully A LOT thinner.

There you are,
Axelle

a well deserved pain LOL

Thanks, all.

You should get EMLA! I put it on down there an hour before a session and cover with saran wrap and I don't feel a thing!

Sorry for the dumb question, but was the saran wrap before or after the session?

before

Well, it does seem that she recommends it, but doesn't require it.

Quote from: valeriedances on August 09, 2011, 12:59:06 PM
Thats one of the reasons I chose Montreal. He does not recommend it. I dont believe Suporn does either.

They used to include discussion about it in their materials (jointly between Menard and Brassard)...but it certainly was not a requirement.  They pretty much conceded though that it was an unnecessary expense...

  If you can do laser then go that way as it is usually less painful.  Emla doesn't work for everyone.   The only way I can do electrolysis is to be numbed up.  Otherwise the pain is waaaay toooo much.  good luck with which ever you do use.

LOL, Laser doesn't work on me!! Most of my dark hairs turn blond after the first go around and most of my hairs down there are rather light to begin with. Everything on the... ahem.. bag as you... um put it are a blondish color.  So it was electrolysis all the way. :/