Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

The next step, surgery.


Jani

Recommended Posts

On 4/20/2017 at 0:32 PM, Jani423 said:

Kathryn Julia, thank you for your wonderful post.  I was speaking with my therapist about the upcoming event and mentioned that I was mostly anxious about the actual surgery.  I've had major surgery before where I was under anesthesia for several hours.  I find this to be difficult to think about.  The end result not so much as I've been waiting so long for it.  I wasn't sure how much more I was going to write as it was hard to gauge interest in it.  I'll try to do my best. 

Jani

Just FYI, I certainly want to hear your process. :) 

Plucking my eyebrows is much easier for me than threading. But haven't tried was. However, I can remember my wife coming home with burns from the wax.

Yesterday, I was trying to imagine electrolysis on my eye brows :o And the southern area for possible future SRS :o:o  LOL

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I met with a counselor two weeks ago for my second letter recommending me for surgery.  I received a copy in the mail today as the original was faxed to the doctor.  I recommend starting this discussion as soon as you decide this is a procedure you wish to pursue.  Things came together for me quickly and I didn't have them when I met the doctor.   I've heard some doctors won't schedule an appointment without them in hand.  

I am inside five weeks now and it's becoming real that soon I'll be "on the other side".  Pollen season here is in full swing and I need to be careful as it does negatively affect me.  I'm afraid of getting congestion and a runny nose as I'm sure that would be an issue that might hold things up.  I really want to get out and do a lot of walking to build up my lungs after a long winter but as I'm in the middle of a heavily wooded area there is no escape from the "yellow dust".  We have an old treadmill that I will try again.  I never enjoyed it but as a last resort...

Once I'm inside four weeks I'll have the last blood and urine labs done.  Payment to the doctor will be due then as well.  

Thanks for your support.

Jani 

 

Link to comment
4 minutes ago, Jani423 said:

I met with a counselor two weeks ago for my second letter recommending me for surgery.  I received a copy in the mail today as the original was faxed to the doctor.  I recommend starting this discussion as soon as you decide this is a procedure you wish to pursue.  Things came together for me quickly and I didn't have them when I met the doctor.   I've heard some doctors won't schedule an appointment without them in hand.  

I am inside five weeks now and it's becoming real that soon I'll be "on the other side".  Pollen season here is in full swing and I need to be careful as it does negatively affect me.  I'm afraid of getting congestion and a runny nose as I'm sure that would be an issue that might hold things up.  I really want to get out and do a lot of walking to build up my lungs after a long winter but as I'm in the middle of a heavily wooded area there is no escape from the "yellow dust".  We have an old treadmill that I will try again.  I never enjoyed it but as a last resort...

Once I'm inside four weeks I'll have the last blood and urine labs done.  Payment to the doctor will be due then as well.  

Thanks for your support.

Jani 

 

It's something that is really weighing me down, thinking about SRS vs.........

I know what I want, but I also have to think of my wife, so we're working through..........

Link to comment

I got a nasty head cold 10 days before my septo/rhinoplasty and my surgeons response was, "we'll reduce the swelling with antihistamine once we get in there".  Uggg!  That was fine for him but it made my recovery awful!  If a cold wont stop nose surgery, I'd be surprised if seasonal congestion or allergies would stop your surgery - at least I hope not for your sake.  Your date with destiny is set.  Let's hope that all goes as planned.  I wish you peace and calm in the coming weeks. 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
2 hours ago, DenimAndLace said:

If a cold wont stop nose surgery, I'd be surprised if seasonal congestion or allergies would stop your surgery - at least I hope not for your sake.  Your date with destiny is set.  Let's hope that all goes as planned. 

I surely hope so.  I don't even want to think about the possibility.

5 hours ago, Fiona said:

I know what I want, but I also have to think of my wife, so we're working through.........

This is so true if you are committed to each other.  

Jani

Link to comment
31 minutes ago, Jani423 said:

This is so true if you are committed to each other.  

Jani

Indeed. I once thought the biggest/hardest decision was where to go from me epiphany. Until this. Indeed....

Link to comment

Well, I've talked with my significant other and they don't really care what's down there. Of course I had this conversation with my girlfriend (also MTF), very early in the relationship. Just so she knows where I am headed. She is going to help me recover after the surgery.

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Forum Moderator

I'm going to get my lab work done tomorrow.  I've stalled on it a bit.

Also on Monday I received a call to say I'm being moved out one day to the 15th.  Something about the hospital overbooking operating rooms.  I didn't ask more.  In the big scheme of things, not a big deal.  I was talking with a friend yesterday and said before E this would have driven me crazy.   What a change in life perspective...

I send my check to the Anesthesia doctor next week.  Getting closer.

Jani

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
  • Forum Moderator

My journey to the other side is almost complete.  All my pre-surgery requirements are met.  I'm preparing for the flight on Tuesday to Philadelphia.  We'll be there a day early since we didn't change flights due to expense.  Time is speeding up as I expected as I add to my list of things to pack and what I'll need in the recovery facility.  I'm going grocery shopping again on Sunday to stock up on dry goods.  I have a list of perishables I need for when I return home.  

I planted a couple flats of Marigolds along my front walkway today.  It's brightens up the walk and will cheer me up upon arriving home!  I need to go visit my son to drop off my granddaughter's birthday gift since I'll be away on the day.  I even have a small consolation present for her sister, so everyone wins!  I have a few other personal loose ends too.  My mother called today to see how I was and if I was nervous.  When asked if she's sad about my change she told me she's happy that I'm happy.  I also received a nice email from an aunt wishing me her best and that she'll be thinking of me.  

When I stopped my estrogen I expected a reaction.  I was fine for four days when it hit hard.  I couldn't sleep and felt a mild nausea for a day.  I was encouraged that it seemed to go away after 24 hours or so.  I'm not focusing on it though as I look at it as temporary and the patches will be back on soon enough.  I can stay on Spiro until the day before surgery which is helping. 

Today I had my last electrolysis appointment for a while.  I am having chin work so I know it will be off limits for some time.  I'm not happy as I'm making great progress but it's a moment in the continuum.    

I may not have much more to write until I am in recovery so this may be it for a while.  Thank you all who have offered kind words of support.  It means so much to me.  Laura's is an enjoyable place because of you.  I will certainly log back in when I'm able to let you know how I faired.  Keep me in your thoughts.  

Jani 

Link to comment

I'm so happy for you Jani! I'm still a few years away from the milestone that you're about to experience, but it warms my heart to see anyone living their dream.

Best of luck!
 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

You are in my neighborhood by now.  Best of luck with the surgery.  if there is anything i can do please PM me and i'll do my best to help out. 

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I don't know how far you are from Bala Cynwyd but if you have some free time I'll be without any company throughout the week.  I'd love the time to chat.

Jani

Link to comment

Hi Jani, best of luck.  You're gonna do great.  Just don't stay in bed.  "Bed rest" is not your friend.  As soon as you can get up and move about, do it.  :-)

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
  • Forum Moderator

Yesterday I flew into Philadelphia and got an Uber car for the ride to Dr. Leis's office for my first post-op check up.  Everything looks good and sensation is fine.  I received instructions for further care.  Unfortunately the plane rides to and from were terrible due to long delays, once we were on the plane.  Argh.  Overall I am a happy girl!

Jani

Link to comment

Awesome!  And yes, plane delays can be the worst, especially if you're already seated on the plan.  I have little patience for that and it drives me crazy.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Unfortunately our transportation system on the east coast is falling apart.  The roads aren't good and rails have been ignored by the government for years.  I was amazed at the quality of the roads in much of the country and they had no tolls!  I doubt that privatizing the air comptrollers is going to help that form of transportation either.  At least the rich in this area have their helicopters to commute with.  I can't complain i just work the farm but seeing the outside does make a girl get up on her high horse sometimes.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Glad to hear your recovery is doing well Jani, keep it up, it just keeps getting better :)

Hugs

Cynthia -

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Thank you all for your support in getting me through this very personal milestone.  

Jani

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
  • Forum Moderator

I flew to Philadelphia again this morning for my second post-op check up with Dr. Leis.  It's been 16 weeks since my surgery.  All is well and function is good.  Any issues I had resolved themselves with no sign of distress as the doctor noted the area looked natural, which is what I wanted to hear since that is how it looks to me.  I will go back one more time next May or June for a one year check up.  I'll most likely travel with my wife and we'll stay a few days to visit the area since she has never been to see the historic sites in Philadelphia.

 

I want to say that my experience with Dr. Leis has been exceptional.  I keep hearing and reading that there are only a handful of good doctors that do this surgery and that wait times are long.  That is incorrect.  I know Dr. Leis has trained many other doctors, including some of the most popular ones.  There are many good surgeons in this country, with reasonable schedules and costs.  They don't all aggressively "advertise" their services but if you talk to them and/or their patients you may find a good fit for you.  

 

Jani  

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

When you came back down come visit our area where Washington crossed the Delaware just a bit not of Philly.

Glad things are going well for you.  I like Dr. Leis and considered surgery with him.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
  • Forum Moderator

I was at an appointment with my Endocrinologist yesterday when I realized it was 5 months to the day since my surgery date.  My life has become normal and I'm happy about that!  

 

Jani

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 106 Guests (See full list)

    • MaybeRob
    • MaryEllen
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      767.2k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,941
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Miss Cormac
    Newest Member
    Miss Cormac
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. **Angela Charlotte **
      **Angela Charlotte **
    2. Carlie
      Carlie
      (63 years old)
    3. Cbxshawn
      Cbxshawn
      (49 years old)
    4. HannahO
      HannahO
      (31 years old)
    5. JustKatie
      JustKatie
      (40 years old)
  • Posts

    • Sally Stone
      Go Cleveland Guardians!  I love baseball and I loved playing it when I was younger.  
    • Sally Stone
      My view is we are "dependent" on government, because as a society, we are too lazy to stay actively involved. So, we let politicians do our bidding for us.  I think we'd be in a better place government wise if we policed the actions of our politicians.  We elected them; they work for us.  Sadly, we are allowing them to run amok.  We are where we are because we have chosen to let politicians make all decisions without us.  Remember "by the people, for the people?" That was the intent of our democracy.  Today, however, it is "by the politicians, for the politicians," the people be damned. 
    • Mmindy
      "Play Ball! Batter Up!" is the closing line of the National Anthem as far as I'm concerned. It's the call of the Home Plate Umpire and signals the start of the game. I grew up in the TV and Radio broadcast of the St. Louis Cardinals. Harry Caray, Jack Buck, Tim McCarver, and Mike Shannon, were the voices on my transistor radio. KMOX 1120 AM pushing 50,000 watts of Class A clear-channel non-directional signal. It could be picked up all across MO, IL, IN to the East. KS, OK, CO to the West. IA, MN to the North, and KY, TN, AR to the South. There has always been a rivalry against the Chicago Cubs, in the National League. As for the American League, I have to pull for the Kansas City Royals. I've also been a Little League Umpire, and fan of everything the Little League stands for. Going to Williamsport, PA and seeing the Little League World Series is in my top 10 things to do on my bucket list.   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mmindy
      Good evening everyone,   I don't think my mother ever cooked a meal that I didn't like. We also had a kitchen where mom fixed the food, dad filled your plate, and you eat it. It wasn't until our baby brother was born that we could have Pop-Tarts for snacks. Before that all snacks had to meet mom's approval, and in her opinion wouldn't prevent you from eating supper.   Well my day started off on a good note, but has become frustrating because my IT person didn't transfer my saved videos I use for teaching. Then I found out that they didn't save any of my book marks for websites I use frequently.   Best wishes, stay motivated,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • MaeBe
      The number is relative to method of deliver, the time of the dose, and when the blood is drawn. However, I do want to keep away from DVT and other potential issues. I assume I may be getting backed down from my current dose, but my doc told me to stick with the higher dose, so? I also wonder if this has anything to do the my breast growth and mental changes that have been happening over the past few years, like I have some estrogen sensitivity so a little goes a long way or something? I don't have enough data to postulate, but who knows!   With weekly, subcutaneous, shots you expect to see big swings of serum level estradiol from shot to peak to trough. My doctor is interested in mid-week testing (for E and T levels only), which would be post-peak blood serum levels but they will be higher than trough. Most, if not all, resources I've seen online is to measure at trough (which I might do just to do it next time) along with a SHBG, LH, and other metrics.   This is from transfemscience.org for Estradiol valerate in oil, which is very spiky compared to some other estradiol combinations. It's also for intramuscular, which will have a slower uptake and is usually dosed in higher volume due to the slower absorption rate from muscles. They don't have subcutaneous numbers, which I would expect to see similar spikes but higher levels at similar doses due to the relatively higher absorption rate direct from fat.   Are you doing pills, shots, or patches? And when you do get your levels checked are you getting that done when your levels are lowest or some other time?
    • Willow
      Both of my parents were from the “North Shore” of Boston.  My mother Lynn and my father Swampscot.  They had an early 1900s Scots-Irish New England diet.  My sister and I were born in the 40s in Ohio well away from New England seafood and in an area where food was more German and Polish.  My first experience with liver and onions was during basic training.  They ate salt cod but never forced us to eat it same with oysters.  My dad ate oysters but my mother wouldn’t.  Anyone who ever ate an oyster can figure that one out.  I grew up eating lamb.  My wife won’t touch it. I love brazed ox tail, again no way. And the list goes on.  
    • KathyLauren
      My mother was German, so yes, I think it was a cultural thing.  If I'd known you when we were cleaning out my mother's place, I could have sent you her "threat jar". 
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Been taking it real easy.Another good neighbor of mine and his 15 year old son came over and cut down a couple dead trees on my property.Knew not to do it taking it easy.I had them put the wood near my fire pit in the back yard.Did it and happy where they put it.They knew I had stents put in and needed to take it easy
    • Ashley0616
      Wow that is a high number for Estradiol good grief! Testosterone levels are better than mine. I don't remember my Estradiol level but testosterone was 80. To me that is really high but it was in the two hundreds the check in before last one. 
    • Ivy
      I don't understand why this would make a difference being a "dad" I mean, as far as how they would grow.
    • Ashley0616
      I don't see why not. I have worn forms since I came out. 
    • MaeBe
      I have never worn breastforms, but I assume as long as they don't aggravate your nipples you could.
    • MaeBe
      Every week I've been excited to take my shot, so it's never been an issue. Yesterday, however, I woke up and started my usual "slow roll" and then suddenly realized I had breakfast plans that I had to rush out the door for. After, it was straight into work calls, and then I got the notification from the doctor about things being too high and all the while my mind had completely slipped that I needed take my shot.   Given that I am not asking for medical advice, but sharing my journey, I will note my results: Estradiol at 447 pg/mL and Testosterone was 23 ng/dL, up and down from 26 pg/mL and 526 ng/dL respectively before treatment. Almost flipped the bit! The doc would like my Estradiol closer to 300 pg/mL, so we'll see what Monday's tests state.   Oh, and I teased the dinner with old soccer teammates and never updated the thread! It went well. There were a couple funny moments. One guy, who I was worried about their response, greeted me with "Hey, you've lost some weight!" 😎 And a friend who lives near me picked me up on the way to dinner exclaimed, after we learned one of the invitees might show up with a date, "Wait! We could have brought women?!" To which I instantly responded, "You kind of did, bringing me!" Everyone got a good laugh out of that. 😁
    • Ashley0616
      To me there isn't that much difference other the measurement, which side the zipper is on and men's pants have bigger pockets. 
    • missyjo
      I hope this is not stupid question..I have yet to start n not sure if doc will approve..but once you start growing buds n such, can you still wear forms to get to the size you were?   I'm a dad, so when I start blossoms they will be smaller for a long time n probably need surgical augmented..that's fine. I don't want to go ddd to aa to ddd..   any ideas?   thank you
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...