Canal or no Canal that is the questiion

[Lexi C]

Hey 

So finally meet with my Vaginal Plasma surgeon. I had to wait two year but it was a goal come true.

To tell the truth i had a hard  time concertation as he started to explain the different types of procedures cause i was so exited to be there.

He want into great detail about the recovery and the dilate period of each one. He it made clear that he was suggestion a Non Canal surgery. Although, he has done both. \

His best point was the recovery and dilate time . For Canal 3 to 6 months for Non Canal 6 to 9 weeks. He pitch the idea that with a  Non Canal  i would  not need to dilate for live.( 6weeks to 9), not to mention a 3 to 4 surgery compare to 7hr surgery, He also stated that the recovery time was almost double with a Canal pro then not. 

My question is has anyone had either and was there a big diff in the sex with a Canal or without

To be honest i am self employed. Six months of recovery  time would properly destroy me finically and send me back on to the street or a shelter which i am trying to avoid. So i could use a little advice if you have every found your self in a similar situation and if you regret  picking the wrong procedure  

Ty for the support

Lexi

[Jackie C.]

Well, I've got full depth and while I wasn't done HEALING for three to six months, I was fully active after six weeks and able to stand for long periods faster than that. Something like two or three weeks. I weathered a twenty-hour train ride a week afterwards (I hated it, but I got through it). Really sitting was the big hurdle. Dilation was a bigger pain because four times a day for the first month. That really eats into your time.

 

Surgical time depends on your doctor. Mine can do full depth in three to four hours usually (according to her anyway, I was out for the whole thing).

 

As for sex, well it depend on whether or not you want vaginal penetration. Your clitoris will work fine either way, but you need a canal if you're going to be using someone's penis from the front.

 

For me it was a non-issue. While I am very, very gay my dysphoria wouldn't settle for zero-depth despite the relative safety, ease, etc... Honestly, if I could have swung it, I would have gone for the abdominal pull-through method, but it's harder to find surgeons that will do it and I have additional medical concerns.

 

Even with the upcoming revision (and attendant scheduling nightmare), I'm solidly behind my choice.

 

Hugs!

[Elizabeth Star]

I've been contemplating the same choices but have been leaning toward zero-depth. I just don't see myself dating a guy again. If I find myself in need of being penetrated I still have that other option.

But I'm there yet so I can't say that's my final decision.

 

 

[KathyLauren]

I had zero-depth vaginoplasty, a.k.a. vulvoplasty.  I am a lesbian, with asexual tendencies (or vice-versa), so I knew I would never want penetration by a penis.  I didn't want all that dilation hassle.

 

I thought the recovery would be faster.  But here I am, six months later, and still somewhat disabled.  Sitting is dificult,  I can't walk any significant distance, and I have constant pain or discomfort.  I console myself that it would probably be much worse if I had the full-depth version, but I don't actually know that.  I am probably looking at a revision, but that will be at least a year away.

 

I don't think my case is typical, so I'd suggest waiting for more responses before making a decision.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Kylie]

I had full-depth vaginoplasty, but I am a straight female who will have penetrative sex. I will agree with Jackie that dilation absolutely does eat at your time as it requires a strict schedule and is just tiresome, but I do not regret it. Each option has its ups and downs of course. I am going on 8 weeks since surgery and I’m just now getting to where I can handle moving around easier, but no where near my normal self. I went in to my surgery at the best physical condition I had ever been in. 
With my full-depth vaginoplasty, my surgeon completed the surgery in about 4 hours. Good luck on your decision!

[Jackie C.]

Oh and that's an excellent point. No matter what option you choose, be in the best shape of your life (or as close as you can get) before you have your surgery. You will not regret the reduced recovery time.

 

Hugs!

[HollyElizabeth]

When My time comes, I plan on going full canal. Whether I plan on dating a guy or not, I still want the option. And if I don't date a guy, there are things that two women can do that are just as much fun. lol. The thing is I want the option so that if I want, I can decide which I want at the drop of a hat. I know that makes me sound like a lose girl, but I've done my time alone on a Saturday night. I want to have some fun now. lol.

[Lexi C]

oh Thank you ladies so much. I just spoke to his nurse today. They require two letters so i am running around like mad to get then even do my appt is not until April 22. I am not sure if i am planning on have sex. I keep catch my self being attracted to women. So confused.

THANK YOU FOR THE HELP.

 

[Berni]

This thread is so interesting to read ... even though I feel like this kind of decision is a really long way off for me. So great to hear everyone's stories and thoughts. Such a valuable resource.

 

I think you are all so brave! I'm sitting here feeling sore and sorry from a really minor operation. The amount of .... determination? (Is that the right word?) ... to undertake what you have gone through is very inspiring.

 

Man, we trans girls are tough!

[Confused1]

I am 65, pre-op, married to my soul mate and have no interest in penetration or dilation. So I guess that makes me lesbian. I also had my prostate removed with salvage radiation 2 years later (this year). That will make the surgery to install a canal more difficult and hazardous. If I was 30, I might go in another direction. The only thing that makes any sense for me is the Non Canal version. I have my GCS consult next month.

 

I don't have estrogen yet, but also don't have testosterone either, other than from the adrenals due to Lupron shots. My therapist told me she has never seen someone as happy as I am without any hormones. I can't wait to try estrogen. I don't ever want that poison called testosterone in my veins ever again! 

[Heather Nicole]

5 hours ago, HollyNoel said:

When My time comes, I plan on going full canal. Whether I plan on dating a guy or not, I still want the option. And if I don't date a guy, there are things that two women can do that are just as much fun. lol. The thing is I want the option so that if I want, I can decide which I want at the drop of a hat. I know that makes me sound like a lose girl, but I've done my time alone on a Saturday night. I want to have some fun now. lol.

 

Holly, girl, sometimes you remind me of myself! I love a pink headband, I'm completely in your boat on weight, I also have a winter/christmas-theme in my name (which I cherish), and although I'm nowhere near any point of choosing a vagiplasty procedure, I know without a doubt if I do ever decide to both transition and also opt for bottom surgery, for me personally, the ability to experience vaginal penetration, be it a guy (even though I'm not romantically attracted to them), or a trans-woman with or without SRS, or a...prop (with or without batteries )...or...any other more universal anatomy...[sly grin]...For me personally, that's where my heart is, and huge part of what I've always envied from the female side.

 

Personally, I don't even care if it makes me look loose, or even downright slutty. For me, sexuality, along with its partner sensuality, rank among to absolute best top reasons for being alive!!! And I say to heck with any restrained haters!

[Lexi C]

? Thank  ladies. We are all brave regardless of the internal and external procedures  we are face with as Transgender humans. 

[HollyElizabeth]

@Heathick Thank you. I love the pink headband too, I just wish it stayed up. It's forever falling down. lol. Yeah, I want the option when it comes my way. Right now I like girls but if given the chance I think I would jump on a big ***** just to see what it was like. Who knows, I might like it better. lol. Like my therapist told me, I've never had sex like a woman, I may like it. But I won't know until I try it at least once.

[Kris-Boston]

More a question for those with  vulvoplasty   how is the post operative care like .   I assume the recovery period is much sooner .   

 

Thank You 

 

[Jackie C.]

Supposedly the recovery period for zero-depth is quicker. For example, I'm going back for a cosmetic revision of the outside bits and my recovery window is about half what they predicted for when they installed the canal. There's a lot of variability there though depending on your health, diet and age at the time of surgery and how well you follow the post-operative care instructions. I had full depth. I'm 50 and I was in decent, but not phenomenal, shape when I went in. I bounced back entirely within four months and was ready to go back to the gym after two. I watch what I eat, exercise frequently and followed the post-op instructions like they were delivered, in person, by an angelic chorus. For contrast, there are people on this site who had zero depth and had considerably more problems. So yeah, in general you'll have more recovery time with the canal but there are a lot of variables.

 

Hugs!

[KathyLauren]

4 hours ago, Kris-Boston said:

More a question for those with  vulvoplasty   how is the post operative care like .   I assume the recovery period is much sooner .   

 

Thank You 

 

 

So they say.  It is killing me that folks who had the full depth procedure have recovered in less time than I am.  I am at seven+ months, and I am not recovered yet.  I am probably looking at a revision.

 

In general, yes, the limited depth surgery will have a faster recovery than the full depth version.  But everyone is different.  As the surgeon's office is fond of reminding me, it can take up to a year to recover.

 

 

[Kris-Boston]

Thank you - its just good to consider all the factors .   Glad last year I got to see the Fundy Shore its well worth seeing .