Figuring out SRS

[VickiSDL]

Hi there,

Looking at arranging for bottom (MTF) surgery.  I have several questions that I would love notes on.  Thank you in advance

1.  I will likely go out of country to have the surgery because I do not have health insurance and will be paying cash.  Does anyone have specific recommendations for countries/hospitals/surgeons outside the USA?

2.  What is lived experience related to the difference between inversion method and peritoneum?

3.  As a person over 50, I have some concerns about my recovery and whether or not the whole process is really worth the risk/hassle.  My wife accepts me the way I am.  She would prolly prefer me to be congruent but is not pushy about it.  I hesitate to put my body thru such a violation of its tissue and organization.

Again thank you for any heartfelt commentary.

[Stottie Girl]

Hi Vicki,

I have not had GRS but I know I want it.

1) I have no experience of this but Thailand is the obvious mecca for this sort of stuff. I'm pretty sure there are several girls on here who would be able to help you there.

2) From what I hear there are a lot of myths regarding PPT. There is a top British surgeon called Tina Rashid and she only seems to use it when there is insufficient material for other methods. It is way more expensive. People say it is self lubricating and it is but it is not the right type of fluid to allow for penetrative sex without lube apparently. The material is more delicate too with a higher risk of tears. I also hear that dilation is more stringent. I ruled it out unless I do not have enough donor material. Maybe someone else could offer a first hand account. I would be interested to know if what I have read is true or not.

3) I'm 50 and I'm quite a way off having enough funds to do it myself but age will not stop me. My reasons for wanting it is that my sexuality has switched and I want to be able to experience sex as a woman but if I'm honest, the main reason I want it is to be free of tucking, to be able to pull on my yoga pants or my swimwear and not worry, to be confident to go into female only spaces and know that nothing will give me away.

Just my two cents worth.

[Lori Dee ✅]

@VickiSDL

Check out this forum:
https://www.susans.org/index.php?board=50.0

[KathyLauren]

3.  As a person over 50, I have some concerns about my recovery and whether or not the whole process is really worth the risk/hassle.  My wife accepts me the way I am.  She would prolly prefer me to be congruent but is not pushy about it.  I hesitate to put my body thru such a violation of its tissue and organization.

(I have no information to answer your first two questions.)  I came out at age 62, and had my GRS at age 65.  If you are in good health, you should have no trouble recovering.  Peritoneal surgery is more major than inversion, so if you are looking to minimize potential complications, inversion would be the safer bet.  However, any GRS is major surgery, and there can always be complications.

I opted for zero-depth penile inversion, because I didn't want to hassle of dilation.  I did have a bit of a complication in the form of scar tissue that caused pain that lasted many months.  I forget how many months, but it was around two years.  It did eventually go away by itself.  And, while I have talked to others who have had the same problem, we are very much in the minority.

My point is not to try to talk you out of it.  Given a re-do, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  I am very happy with the result.  I am just pointing out that even the most low-risk version of the surgery can have complications.  So you have to balance your risk tolerance with your desires.

Good luck, whatever and wherever you decide!

[VictoriasSecret]

Hi Vicki,

Welcome to Susan's.

I'm heading off to Thailand on 1st August 2026 (7 weeks and counting!!!) with my dearest friend to have GRS with Dr Sutin @ Preecha Aesthetic Institute.

After many months of research and planning and countless emails back and forth to the surgeon consult team, I pretty much have everything in order.

Flights have been booked, paid for and accommodation has been organised by the consult team in Bangkok, having emailed our itinerary to them already.

I still have many things to finalise before I go including having blood work, Hep A injection and because I am over 50, a required ECG and chest X Ray to ensure all is well and that I can cope with the procedure.

Once these are complete, it is a case of emailing the consult team with the results.

Of course, there is much more to be done once we arrive, having consult appointments, psychiatric assessments and more blood work to ensure all is in order.

Since sending the itinerary to the consult team, they have emailed me a clear and concise schedule of processes and procedures from day one till the day we fly back home 23 days later.

The most reassuring thing regarding this schedule is that the team have organised a driver to and from the airport, to and from consult appointments, to the hospital for surgery and to the accommodation after surgery. There is less chance of getting lost and being late for crucial appointments and surgery day.

Of course there is many more things to be done, sorting luggage, clothing ( won't be much of that as it is the hot / wet season in August) filling final travel documents and a local ESim for phone connectivity.

This is unchartered territory for me and I like to ensure I have everything thought through to ensure I have covered all bases.

I've been advised not to over think it but this is literally "life changing!!". how can you not?!

Anyway, at the end of the day, we are all unique individuals and do things differently, deal with things and recover differently.

Knowledge is power. Do your research. Document your questions and answers. Ask lots of questions and reach out to those in the know, especially any surgical consult teams you are dealing with. You will be glad that you did.

I am happy to answer any questions you or any anyone else reading this may have.

As my journey progresses I will be adding more posts regarding my surgical procedure and techniques that I have been offered and other interesting and important information.

Best of luck on your journey!!!🙏