Post-op Inquiry

[Guest RachaelAnn]

I haven't fully decided if I want to go op yet or not, and I got curious. For thos of you that have gone Op, do you have any regrets? Is there anything you would do over or change, or that you wish was different, now that you have gone all the way? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Sally]

The to op or not to op question is one that will make the answer obvious as you go along some have to and others do not - you will have to find out for yourself do not let anyone else influence you.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest AshleyRF]

I don't think I could survive very long without going op. I just don't feel complete.

[Guest Michele H]

Sally is right - if/when you are ready for the surgery, you will know. That said, you also want to become as informed as possible so that you do not have unrealistic expectations. You need to know the Dr's performing the surgery and the technique they use, understand the risks, what to expect post surgery and what you need to do long term among other things

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Hi Rach

I am not post-op so I cannot speak to post-op as something in my past, but I can say this.....

There are so many steps that you have to take long before SRS is even in the discussions for you.

Remember, you have to be diagnosed with GID by your therpaist before you can begin HRT. After that you need two years of RLE/RLT before you can have SRS/GRS (for all of those mnemonics hon see your intro post, I placed their meanings there )

For now, don't even worry about SRS... OK?

HUGS

Brenda

[Guest RachaelAnn]

At the moment I knew it was way too early in mt transition to think about SRS. I was just curious about others experiences. I know I still have a LONG way to go before I will be ready for that, assuming I ever am.

[Guest Penelope]

Dear Rachael Ann,

There is a Canadian Journalist, Jullian Page, who writes a blog in the Montreal Gazette. Over numerous posts she has described her experiences and feelings before and after GRS. The relevant link is:

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgaze...ng/default.aspx

Hugs,

Penelope

[Guest Donna Jean]

I have my surgery letter and I have every expection of going Post-op...It's in my stars...it's in the cards...

But, it's not for everyone...

I'm 60 and there are still things that could prevent me from completing my journey...health, money, plague...

But, even in the event that it don't happen for me, it does not make me any less the woman!

LOVE & HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

I don't think I could survive very long without going op. I just don't feel complete.

same here and now with airline travel restrictions.... its best to have all of the documents right

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I am pre-op of course but I have my letter. I dont have the $$$ and am working on that. My therapist had to almost duct-tape me to the chair when she gave me permission to go this next step! I was ready to rush out and find a plane! GOSH its that important to me! I think that is the signs they look for, your really genuine reasons for the SRS are also important, but any hesitancy on your part causes them to hesitate also.

BUT

SRS is not for everyone. And I think if you don't have reservations after a year on HRT, when everything changes mentally, then that is a significant sign you are ready to be complete!

Just some thoughts

Elizabeth

[Guest N. Jane]

... do you have any regrets?

Not a single one, except maybe that I wish I could have done it a lot sooner or that I had been born 20 years later! Things started getting intense for me about age 14 but nobody knew anything about all this at that time (the 1960's) so I had to wait until 18 to get on HRT legally and I was 24 when SRS became available.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Not a single one, except maybe that I wish I could have done it a lot sooner or that I had been born 20 years later! Things started getting intense for me about age 14 but nobody knew anything about all this at that time (the 1960's) so I had to wait until 18 to get on HRT legally and I was 24 when SRS became available.

'

Jane...

Honey, that's wonderful to hear...no regrets....

Statistics show that most are happy after SRS with no regrets and suicide rates plummet for those folks...

I'm happy that it's worked for you...

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Guest N. Jane]

I'm happy that it's worked for you...

So am I! I was hanging by a thread before SRS.

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

Im getting my one of my letters just as soon as the shrink who runs the clinic gets back from vacation... thats one agonizing month from now

[Guest Leah1026]

For those of you that are post-op, do you have any regrets?

No regrets about the surgery whatsoever. However, after visiting the recovery facility in Montreal a couple times to see friends, I almost wish I had gone there instead. The recovery facility in Montreal is superb.

[Guest kelise]

For me, not a one. I still get giddy everytime I step out of the shower and see it. It's so wonderful to finally see....me!

[Guest Aleah]

[, do you have any regrets? Is there anything you would do over or change, or that you wish was different, now that you have gone all the way?

My main regret is not having it done sooner. To think i could have been a complete woman years before I did and realizing all the time I wasted is painful.

I also waited until after I was over a year post op to Marry the Love of my life. I wanted to be fair to her and not "trap" her in a relationship when even I wasn't sure what our love life would be like after the op. Well, things turned out better than I could have dreamed possible. And we were married a few months ago. I "regret" not having married her sooner.

Hugs

Aleah

[Guest sarah f]

Dear Rachael Ann,

There is a Canadian Journalist, Jullian Page, who writes a blog in the Montreal Gazette. Over numerous posts she has described her experiences and feelings before and after GRS. The relevant link is:

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgaze...ng/default.aspx

Hugs,

Penelope

Thanks for the link Penelope.

I myself know for sure I will have it done it is just a matter of time. I fear the unknown but I must complete myself.

[Guest DésiréeG]

there is no to op or not to op question. If you need it, you know.

It's not a fashion accessory like a new necklace or deciding on which scarf to wear.

Me, I needed it. I never debated whether to get it or not. The question way back at the beginning was simply if I was going to come out at all. Once I did that, the rest was inevitable.

[Guest kelise]

there is no to op or not to op question. If you need it, you know.

It's not a fashion accessory like a new necklace or deciding on which scarf to wear.

Me, I needed it. I never debated whether to get it or not. The question way back at the beginning was simply if I was going to come out at all. Once I did that, the rest was inevitable.

I agree with this. From the minute i discovered this was medically possible, I knew I would have it. The only question was...how? How do I get a surgeon to do this for me? How will I afford it? How will I make my parents understand?

It took 17 years to answer all three of those questions (not necessarily in that order), but once answered, there was no stopping me.

[Guest valeriedances]

I haven't fully decided if I want to go op yet or not, and I got curious. For thos of you that have gone Op, do you have any regrets? Is there anything you would do over or change, or that you wish was different, now that you have gone all the way? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jennifer.

I have been post-op for 1 year (Brassard girl). It was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I have no regrets at all. It cured my dysphoria and I'm very happy with my body now. The surgery has given me confidence to move on and enjoy life.

kindly,

-Valerie

[Guest Sarah B]

Hi Jennifer.

You asked, "do you have any regrets?".

For me I always wanted to be a female since the age of 4 years. As the years went by my feelings grew stronger and stronger until the age of 29. When I finally realised that I was a female, the information around in those days was virtually non existent. Three years later I had my surgery. I never hesitated in what I did and for the last 20 years since my surgery. I have never ever had any regrets.

In terms of would I have done anything differently, I suppose two things stand out, I would have changed a lot early but the information was not readily available and secondly. If I was not so naive, I would have pushed for my surgery a lot sooner by about one year.

One last thing, I only had surgery so that I could function as any other female in society.

Warm regards

Sarah B

[Guest Svenna]

there is no to op or not to op question. If you need it, you know.

It's not a fashion accessory like a new necklace or deciding on which scarf to wear.

Me, I needed it. I never debated whether to get it or not. The question way back at the beginning was simply if I was going to come out at all. Once I did that, the rest was inevitable.

Yes, yes, yes...this is exactly what I am coming to realize. How could it be any other way?

The choice to come out is the cork in the bottle. My 'genie' will never consent to being stuffed back in once she is FREE!!!!! Yep, that's right 'pretend self', she must be freed!!!

You gals are makin' me jealous!! lol...

Much appreciation to you all for sharing your feelings and experiences. Again, I used to think I was the only person that felt this way...

Blessings, love, and prosperity to one and all, Svenna