The Cosmetic Vaginoplasty

[Guest KerryUK]

Why yes, I'm going to go to those meetings, the closest meeting hall to me though is just across a river in Egypt, you know the one. De Nile!

Oh Jody, I liked that and I have to confess, it was almost too subtle for me - but I got it.

Who knows, perhaps that meeting may happen one day? You just never know. I'm still agreed to meet up with a group of 3 other women here in the UK - we keep saying that we'll meet up but it's hard fitting in a visit with other commitments etc. It makes me really sad sometimes, that we meet such great people across some huge distances but the chances of meeting can be so slim. Sigh.

Kerry

[Guest KerryUK]

Just a quick update.

It's now 11 days since the revision surgery and I'm getting better each day. I've had to take an additional week off on sick leave since I'm only now almost able to sit on a normal seat. So, I'm now due back at work on the 3rd May - I should be ready by then.

The left labia (which had a 'dog ear' tag removed) has almost stopped seeping blood now as is the area around my clitoris (which was repositioned further down and buried more). So far, the aesthetic appearance looks much better and much more natural but the swelling (although much less) and bruising have still to disappear.

Each day that passes sees a little more improvement and today, we managed to go out for a short walk (about a mile) in the spring sunshine. It was quite slow and I was a little tired when we got back home but I feel that was the start of me getting back to normal again.

Kerry

[Jani]

Thanks for the update Kerry. Sounds like you're satisfied with the results and your progress. Good for you!

Cheers,

Jani

[Guest KerryUK]

Hi Jani,

Thank you for the kind wishes, yes, I really am pleased with the results and so is my partner - she says it's amazing.

As I said earlier, each day that passes sees more improvements. The seeping blood is getting much less now as is the painful sensitivity around my clitoris.

We went to my doctor's surgery yesterday to pick up my sick note for my employer. I'd only requested for up to the 3rd May but he's made it up to 6th. I'll still go back on the 3rd but it's nice to know I've got extra if I need it. Those that know me there were pleased to see me and wanted to know how I was getting on - awwww.

Then we went into town - this turned into a bit of a major 'marathon' walkabout but although I was really tired afterwards, it showed that I am well and truly on the mend and it started to give me my sense of confidence and normality back. Yayy.

Kerry

[Guest KerryUK]

Just a quick update,

It's now 7 weeks since the revision surgery and everything is pretty much settled down. The aesthetic results are even better than before and I am extremely pleased.

I did have a spot develop just above my clitoris which turned out to be an ingrown hair - it came to a head and burst which took a few days to settle down again. The hair came out too and so we'll have to see whether that causes problems in the future - time will tell. I have an appointment with the Surgeon on 13th June and will mention it to him when I see him.

Kerry

[Guest KerryUK]

So, I had my appointment with Mr Fenton on the 13th June. He was pleased with the results and explained that it will take some time yet for the area to settle down further. I explained about the slight restrictive feeling when I pee and he was surprised - to be honest, the fact that I can pee is good and even though it doesn't come out as fast as a cis female - it still does come out so I think it should now be left alone. He remarked that the clitoris had managed to come out a bit more again and asked if it was causing me any discomfort which to be honest - isn't. I'm happy with the results and think that there comes a point where one should say - that's enough, quit while the going's good.

I mentioned the ingrown hair but he didn't seem overly concerned - I'll be monitoring that.

He then asked to take some photo's - I guess for my medical records. So, being asked to hold open my labia was a little erm............. I felt like a porn star or something - a weird feeling.

He's asked to see me again in December just to make sure that everything has settled down

[tracy_j]

That sounds good Kerry

You're not starting on another career?

Although I obviously cannot see the results and don't know where you wish to be, I agree - there does come a time. It can often be seen with women who overdo amounts of cosmetic surgery - scar tissue on scar tissue

Tracy x

[Guest KerryUK]

Hi Tracy,

No, not a career I fancy - I don't know how they do it. Even though I like my body now, I still don't feel that I would want to flaunt it in that way .

​

Yes, I am thinking that I am happy with the results and that to go under the knife again is just taking unnecessary risks for little (if any) gain. He's done quite a nice job (Mr Fenton) and I'm happy.

Thanks very much for the reply Tracy.

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Still considering this since it seems like a lot less post-op maintenance than a neo-vagina.

(also may consider reverting back to lesbianism because online dating guys are jerks but I digress)

[Whitelaceblue]

On 10/7/2015 at 2:40 PM, KerryUK said:

Hi Jani,

Thanks very much for your reply to my blog (to be honest I'd hoped for a few more bearing in mind how little information there is out there around the Cosmetic Version but hey-ho).

I'll answer your questions because I do feel it's important for others who follow to know. Please bear in mind though, that I am relatively young, I don't smoke and I don't drink very much (anymore) plus I am not overweight - so my recovery was relatively quick and as the saying goes 'Your Mileage May Vary' (YMMV).

The surgery lasted for around 3 1/2 hours. On my way in to Theatre, I was administered an Epidural directly into my spine (actually, that wasn't as bad as I expected and was a bit of a non-event really). The Epidural was 'topped up' again as I left Theatre to give me an extra boost of pain relief and then removed but I don't remember that. I didn't get any feeling back in my legs for a good few hours but it slowly but surely came back and by evening I could move my legs and feet again.

I was on IV antibiotics for 2 days followed by a 5 day course of oral antibiotics and for pain relief I was on Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. I didn't find that I needed anything more though if I had needed it, I could have had stronger.

I was in recovery at hospital for 7 nights and could slowly start to sit up within several days but this was only where the bed back was raised a little and by about day 4, I could get out of bed and 'sit' in a special chair (albeit a little carefully and somewhat uncomfortably). It was on day 4 that (the most awful) compression knickers were also removed to allow me to have a careful bath. Those knickers have to be the worst part of the procedure for me as they were SOOOOOO tight. To reduce the risk of DVT, I had compression stockings which I needed to wear for around 2 weeks and for the first 4 days I was also connected to this special machine which kept 'squeezing' my legs every few seconds.

I had a catheter fitted during surgery and this remained in situ for 14 days. This meant that I needed to go back in to the hospital for a visit a week after discharge to have that removed. The surgeon felt that leaving the catheter in for longer (rather than taking it out prior to discharge from hospital), helps the new Urethral opening to heal better. Once the catheter was removed, I wasn't permitted to go home until I had emptied my bladder at least twice. If I couldn't do that, the nurses would have inserted another catheter and left it in for longer I guess but I went four times and so we were all happy with that.

There is no way I could have driven my car for around 7 weeks because everything was too tender and so my partner took over all driving duties.

Well, the feeling of still being 'tucked' is not a phantom feeling but rather the skin used is in very similar places. The penile skin is pulled down and stitched into place - kind of like 'tucking'. The labia are basically scrotal skin which is in a similar place still. The thing is that you soon realise (once the swelling goes down) that there is nothing there that gets in the way anymore. Even now, I sometimes forget when I'm in the shower or sit down on the toilet and go to move something out of the way - only to find there is nothing there anymore (that amuses me).

In my case, the 'phantom' limb feeling came from twinges. I would get a twinge (sometimes really painful for a second or two) which would come from something that was no longer there (for example, a part of the foreskin or penile skin which is now in a different place). So, I'd have to think about where that nerve is now and try to remember that it is in a different place now.

I was surprised by your remark about needing a vaginal canal to orgasm Jani but all the same - it was a good point to make. Many ciswomen can't orgasm on penetration alone - they need clitoral stimulation. Also, many ciswomen stimulate themselves by clitoral stimulation alone if they are in need of a 'quickie'. So yes, it is possible to orgasm without penetration and I have done that - but I've found now that I have to be in the right mood, relaxed AND not let my mind wander. It takes a very long time compared to before too. I am, to all intents and purposes a complete and utter beginner and so I'm having to learn all over again what works best. Of course, let's not forget - an awful lot of nerves etc are still numb at the moment and so I hope as time passes, things may become more fun down there and I can appreciate it much more.

My partner says that it looks incredible and on Monday, I showed my new vagina to a nurse at my local GP surgery (she has known about me since I started transition and has been absolutely wonderful). Well, I offered to show her and of course she was really keen to see (so long as I was comfortable in showing her - which I was). She was simply amazed and exclaimed that it looks better than hers.

So, I hope this has helped to answer some more questions around the procedure.

Kerry x.

I enjoyed very much reading your post, it was very consise! It gives me an idea of what to expect.  I am just curious did your surgeon require you to have Electrolysis in that area. Mine has.

My surgery is scheduled for May 3, 2017. I am so looking forward.

[KaitlynS]

How much does this cost? I assume it's less than the full vaginoplasty because it's a lot shorter operating time and less work.

Also do you know if this would be accepted in place of the full vaginoplasty for people trying to change their birth certificate gender? My state requires I have vaginoplasty first which is why I am asking.

[Jani]

It should be a little less since there is less time involved for the doctor, anesthesiologist and OR.  As I believe Kerry noted the healing time is less too.  

 

It would be considered a vaginoplasty for the purposes you describe.  You've had irreversible surgery.

 

Not that I needed one since I had already updated my documents, but my surgeon provided multiple copies of a letter stating I had "gender confirming surgery".  The details and specifics are no one business but yours.   

 

Jani 

[KaitlynS]

Thanks for responding and helping me Jani. This surgery sounds like a good alternative for me, but I want to look into it more before deciding so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

[Jani]

Obviously this is something you would speak to a surgeon about to understand pro's and con's from the medical POV.  You certainly need to understand where your own head is before making a decision on GRS, but this is certainly an option for some.  It would seem to solve any dysphoria concerns but without the regular maintenance from having the full alternative surgery.

Something for you to think about...

 

Jani

[Charlize]

NJ also still requires GCS for a new birth certificate.  My doctor(Same surgeon as Jani) also issued me a beautiful certificate of gender confirmation surgery after i had an orchiectomy.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[michel2543]

Hello,

I elected to undergo this procedure in contrast to the "full depth" procedure following an informational presentation and learning about my options. My personal reasons to decide on the "shallow depth" or "zero depth" procedure were: at my age (nearly 50), I did not want to be confronted with issues that can arise as I get older. Intrusions into the body invite the opportunity for eventual complications. During a counseling session, we discussed the realities of living with a full-depth operation. It is a lifetime commitment of time and dedication to keep it functional. I was told that it is common for people to stop their maintenance regimen when they reach their 50's. Eventually the vagina cavity will shrink or collapse. For my situation, it made sense not to take this route. I could see a different situation for someone who is younger and is looking for (or has) an active partner.

 

I underwent surgery about seven weeks ago (Fri. 05 Jan) and all went very well. My medical provider was across town. I just took the bus! It was somewhat surreal to be wheeled into the operating room. The doctor said, "Now pick a good dream". I detected something in the oxygen and instantly I was out! I awoke eight hours later. It was all over. The following day I stayed in bed. The nurse tried to have me stand up but I almost fainted. I was partially hallucinating. The light fixtures in the ceiling were shifting and the painting on the wall took on a life of its own. I hadn't eaten for at least four days. My blood pressure was somewhat low as a result. I stopped with pain medications by the second day. I recovered quickly and on Sunday I was up walking the hallways. I read a book and took notes. By Tuesday they came to pull out the catheter. They gave me 6 hours to pee once without the catheter. I did it 5 times, so I passed and was released that evening.

 

During my home stay, I was able to cook and tend for myself and my pets. The first two nights I took an aspirin, but afterwards, no medications. About three weeks later I went in for my first post-op follow up. The medical packet said to have a friend or caretaker drive. But I rode my motorcycle over without incident. They were shocked but the surgical results were very good. Here in the seventh week post-op, the swelling is mostly gone. It seems so long ago already!

 

I'm very happy about how it all worked out. I've gone on dates already and just want to enjoy life without unnecessary complications. My last date was on the back of a motorcycle. He and I rode down the coast. The wild mustard growing on the hillsides, the beaches, the deep blue sky--it was simply gorgeous! 

 

[Jani]

Congratulations on your surgery Michel.  I had GRS over eight months ago and I'm satisfied.  I am somewhat older than you but I was quite surprised you mentioned riding a motorcycle within four weeks.  I wouldn't have considered that feasible.  I'm glad you're doing well and you are happy with the choice you made. 

 

Jani  

[Luna L]

I had the zero depth procedure as well.  Might have a revision -- but for me it would be moving the clitoris higher, away from the urethral opening.  The whole structure is exposed when I spread open, not just the "button" part.

[Jani]

It sounds like a good reason for revision.  

 

Jani

[jody]

its what i want.i dont have a need for the more intrusive version and my age i want the safer option.as far as sex well i did ok before..annoys the heck out of me the time and hoops u have to go through for what is a simple op these days.ive not gone indepth with the whole procedure but im assuming the clitoris is a functioning version?.. 

[Jani]

Everything I've read indicates all the parts are there and functioning except the vaginal canal.

Jani

[Luna L]

Fully functioning from day 2

[claire1000]

I have debated with myself as to whether I would seek GCS or not mainly because of medical  reasons that could make full GCS risky because of a heart condition.I cannot for see ever having ,or wanting a relationship with a man. At age 57 though and over 2 years living as a female I am really beginning to hate what is dangling down below and all though HRT has caused a lot of shrinkage I would like to be rid of it as my partner who transitioned years ago says women don't have that. I have been told that the cosmetic procedure may be an alternative, my question to any of the ladies who have had the cosmetic vaginalplasty is it satisfying mentally and physically for you.

[claire1000]

Sorry but I meant to say age 67 not 57, one of those senior moments

[Jani]

36 minutes ago, claire1000 said:

I have debated with myself as to whether I would seek GCS or not mainly because of medical  reasons that could make full GCS risky because of a heart condition.

 

If you read anything about it, the surgery time is only a little shorter.   You would need to consult with your doctor about the risks to your heart.  

 

I have two friends (older) who have had that procedure and they are happy.  I recall another former member who was about your age that had this done and was satisfied.  I would think, aside from daily/weekly maintenance needs, the lack of desire for PIV encounter should guide your choice.  

 

Jani