What Questions should I ask at my first consult for MTF GCS bottom surgery?

[Heather Shay]

I've met WPATH requirements, have my referral letters from therapists and HRT NP, found a highly recommended surgeon in state who accepts Medicare and completed required hair removal. I have my first consult in October and wanted to reach out to ask what questions you veterans of the process recommend I find out.

Thanks,

Heather Shay

[VickySGV]

Follow-up care if you turn out to need it.   Why the doctor may have different ideas than you will hear on the internet.   How does the doctor rate the hospital food where you will be going.  What the most common issues are as far as post surgical infections go for the doctor's patients. (Yeast infections, Urinary Tract Infections, etc.) 

 

I would also provide the doctor with a permission for disclosure to your regular medical help, especially if you know who your follow-up or ER care for wound help, include them in the permission to share, in both directions.   

 

Those can get things started at least.

[Heather Shay]

@VickySGV I knew you'd come through - thank you Vicky I just know I won't know enough to ask. 

Dr. Z interviewed Dee Wingarden and about 1 jour in she talks about how little pre- ops and post-ops know about care and she would love to be able to teach and care for each post-op being a nurse and post-op  in the 80's. and she really made me think that I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be when my consult happens.

 

 

 

 

[Jamie68]

4 hours ago, VickySGV said:

I would also provide the doctor with a permission for disclosure to your regular medical help, especially if you know who your follow-up or ER care for wound help, include them in the permission to share, in both directions

Thanks for the info. I've already had my first meeting. I have already given hospital and primary doctor permission, but forgot to give surgeon permission to share with my hospital and primary. If I remember correctly,There was a permission to share in my patient packet, but good idea to give specific people. I got my MD letter. Getting my first Therapist letter tomorrow and hopefully second one soon after. 

 

Congrats Shay.

[Jani]

Does the doctor have you stay in bed for the first few days or do they get you up and moving as soon as possible?  

[Kylie]

I would find out the post-operative pain management, infection prevention strategies during the first 48 hours (such as prophylactic antibiotic use) blood clot prevention, when you can start your hormone therapy back, bowel function induction after anesthesia.

 

As far as surgical questions - I asked what is the surgeons focus - aesthetics of functionality (given your going for a full depth versus zero-depth) type canal. Success rate with nerve regeneration and satisfaction with patients and their sensation. 
 

All of those were my questions. 

[Heather Shay]

@Kylie Thank you - I know you are a nurse and very knowledgeable from experience and that helps.

 

I have researched my proposed surgeon and have read only superb reviews and my HRT NP at Equitas Health Care mentioned her independently when we discussed surgery.

 

Here is a video of podcast she was on...........

 

https://youtu.be/l4B7sp66jq4

 

[Kylie]

Very interesting! Have not heard about her. 
 

hope all goes well.