MtF SRS at University of Colorado Health?

[Shelley L.]

First post! I hope this is the place to ask...

 

Very briefly, as a little backgound, my situation is somewhat unique. As my intro says, I'm a 70 y/o transwoman who transitioned 25 years ago. Never having been able to afford SRS I had to settle for HRT and an orchiectomy. An out social activist/advocate in public, I was also active in the transgender community at local and national levels. To give you an idea, I appeared in a 30 minute documentary on the nightly news programming at the nearby by big city television station, I did and in-depth interview with the regional alternative news magazine,I founded and hosted a TG book club a the local queer bookstore, and I was a presenter at several gender conferences.

 

Then my life fell apart. In rapid succession, I was fired from my 6-figure job, my children were acting out and being disrespectful and I was insulted when a conference program listed my former male name in the credits. I was fed up and decided to up and move back to a rural part of olorado, the state of my youth, education, and the early years of my career. Settling in a small redneck town I felt it prudent to go "stealth" in a sort of androgynous role to avoid attracting what would likely be unwanted "Brandon Tina-style" attention. not really realizing it t the time this effectively put my transition on hold, leaving myself in a state of a sort of gender dysphoric limbo.  I thus entered into my 20-year ''Shelley Van Winkle" period  of gender hibernation, dropping out of all involvements in gender-related organizations.

 

Then the tape fast forwards to about 6 months ago when I had a run of health problems that qualified me for Medicaid. In a stroke of luck,  Colorado Medicaid covers a spectrum of treatments for gender dysphoria. My doctor has referred me to the University of Colorado's UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program in Aurora for vulvoplasty or zero-depth vaginoplasty (in a 20-year committed lesbian partnership, I have little use for a neovagina and all the potential complications and maintenance issues that go with it). I have my surgical consultation with the surgeon, Dr. Christodoulos Kaoutzanis there on November 6th.

 

This rapid, unexpected turn of events has awakened Ms. Van Winkle and set me on a rollercoaster of long-suppressed emotions and memories that date back to my childhood. My gender dysphoric life is literally flashing before me. For the first few days after having this appointment scheduled I sobbed uncontrollably with each painful memory and with tears of joy that this core problem that has dogged me since my earliest memories may actually be relieved before I perish. my fervent hope is that I hold on to a thread o sanity so as to avoid slipping into stark raving madness with anticipation before November 6.

 

Now I am trying to regain enough composure to prepare for this consultation with, among other efforts, a little due diligence. Two of the major unknowns to me at this point are how the UCHealth program stacks up and what Dr. Kaoutzanis' reputation as an MtF bottom surgeon is like. So I ask if anyone here has any experience with the UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program in general and with Dr. Kaoutzanis in particular?

 

Thank You All for Your Kind Attention,

Shelley

 

[KayC]

Hi Shelley!  Welcome and Thank You so much for joining the Community here. 
I read your full story and I am inspired by your entire journey and your courage to not give up! 

 

The Forum members will be able to benefit greatly from your experiences and there is a ton of support also from so many at different stages of our own unique journey. 

40 minutes ago, Shelley L. said:

I sobbed uncontrollably with each painful memory and with tears of joy that this core problem that has dogged me since my earliest memories may actually be relieved

Many of us feel similar pain and trepidation, myself included at the very beginning my journey, even though being "mature" myself.  If you never give up, then its never too late.
I wish you all the strength and good fortune needed for the next steps .. You can lean on all of us here to help you with that.

Deep breaths ... one step at a time❣️

[Jani]

Shelley you will do fine!  It seems like your doctor is on your side and you will get great care.  As to the reputation of the surgeon, there are many talented surgeons that we never hear of.  There are a few MtF doctors that get all the limelight but many, many more quietly ply their trade.  I am sure you will be in good hands.  I hope your partner is fully supporting of your path forward.  

[Shelley L.]

Thank You So Much for the kind words of encouragement and support, KayC and Jani! Means a lot right about now. ?