Which SRS Surgeon ??????

[JoAnne Wheeler]

Sisters, which SRS Surgeon would you recommend and why ? For those

who have already had SRS, who did yours ? Are you satisfied with the

results ? How were you treated by the doctor and staff and by the

hospital ? Did you experience any complications following surgery ? Were

you adequately treated for pain following your surgery ? If you had it to do

over, would you go back to your surgeon ? What medical problems did you

have 3 - 6 months following surgery ?

I welcome each and every opinion - I am trying to decide who to go to.

Your Sister in Progress,

JoAnne Wheeler

[VeronicaMoonlit]

To be honest, I think you need to slow down. I think you're rushing headfirst without thinking things through or discussing them with your wife. It's not a race. I won't even be thinking about surgeons until I'm in the RLE, if even then because of financial issues.

Veronica Rogers

[pamela_a]

JoAnne, currently I'm leaning very heavily toward going to Dr. Saran in Thailand for mine. I've spoken with several girls who have had him do their surgery and they have all had glowing reports. One girl, after meeting with Dr. Saran, canceled her surgery with a different doctor and had Saran do hers. I will admit that most girls would probably recommend their surgeon though.

Good luck, and I'll be watching this one closely too

[crystalann]

Hello, I had SRS in Thailand with Dr Kamol my reason I had friend that used him and was very happy! His staff is wonderful anything I asked for they where willing to help with. It's been 6 months now and I haven't had any complications. The pain level was high but I got the right meds to help with that. He also did some FFS and would recommend him. Best of luck :)

[GypsyKaren]

I went to Chettawut in Thailand, I highly recommend him to anyone.

KS

[noeleena]

Hi .

As you know a good few of us are ((thailand people )) meaning some of us had to go over there & yes they the surgeons are very very good . im a sanguan girl phuket . june 07 . now i can say a lot about them, the best way is for you to ring them or do emails , for me it was by email through a friend .

have a look up my name on thier guest book & see what we said .
Phuket-Plastic Surgery Clinc
371/81 Yaowaraj road, Muang, Phuket, 83000, Thailand.
[email protected]

web
http//www.phuket-plasticsurgery.com

Dr Sanguan .

Hes one neat guy .
iv not seen any Dr, since that time & had no problems & there was no pain .
now thats just me ,
Its not the case for some who i know, so remember its different for every one ,like any op s, Allso i keep contact with them ,
Have a look at the ops that have been done .
The before & after.
What i would stress is any thing can go wrong so be very prepeared for that & pain & even up to a year after make no mistake on that its very real for some trans .
the other detail is how you are mentally & emotionally . that alone has a very big impact on you as well so its not just the op s its the all of it to gether .

...noeleena...

[JoAnne Wheeler]

Sisters - as far as going too fast, I am 65 years old - I have thought about this very, very, very seriously. I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt about my decision for SRS. My therapists (all 3 of them) are completely in agreement. They do not think that I am going too fast at all. All three of them suggested researching an SRS surgeon after 3 appointments with each of them - and they did this independently of one another. They told me after only one visit from each that I was ready for hormones !!!! They each said that I was the most CLASSIC Gender Dysphoric Transsexual that they had ever seen - all 3 said that.

As far as my spouse is concerned, she is divorcing me - she tells me that she realizes that I truly am a woman and she says that she is not a Lesbian and that she needs a man. I am sad, but I completely understand her position.

I am amazed at how far I have come in 8 weeks. 30 hours of gender counseling - been on hormones (Estrogen) and Testosterone blockers and prostate shrinkers for almost 3 weeks - had all my body and genital hair removed by laser - have come out to all of my family - have come out to all of my co-workers - have been living my real life as JoAnne every possible moment - have been accepted completely as a woman (or as a woman in progress as I like to tell others) by everyone I have come in contact with including waitreses, restaurant managers (who called me mam and held doors open for me), store clerks, store managers, receptionists in doctors' offices, nursess, lab technicians, laser technicians, and numerous others. Everyone has accepted me except for my spouse and my business partner.

When I am out in public, which is becoming more and more the norm, I try to dress appropriately for my age, my status (a professional by occupation), the occasion and the weather. I am becoming more and more at ease with myself.

I am NOT ashamed of being a "woman in progress". The one thing that I need to work on is my voice. Got to find my female voice. As I said, no one has said one negative word about my presentation. Most everyone is blown away by how well I present. The receptionist in my endocrinologists office had me fill out all kinds of new patient forms and DID NOT know that I was trans. She actually got up from behind the receptionist counter and came out to where I was and "inspected me from head to toe" and then told me that she had absolutely no idea that I was transgender. I told her that she "made my day". And that is typical for the last 8 weeks.

Yes, I am going fast, but for me, it is not fast enough.

JoAnne Wheeler

[Karen564]

Good for you Joanne, I say at 65, Go for it, full steam ahead!!!!

Just a tidbit of info for you, many surgeons in Thailand will waive the SRS letter after you reach a later age, so all you need to do is be healthy enough for the surgery and be of sound mind and of course have the cash...:D

[divamissz]

Something to be aware of is that not having your surgery done by a doctor certified to practice in the US can affect your ability to get your birth certificate changed. I read about someone trying to get theirs changed in Illinois but the state refused because the surgery was performed in Thailand. Check with the state your birth certificate was issued in before you start transitioning to find out what exactly you'll need to do to have it changed.

http://transgenderism.suite101.com/article.cfm/trans_women_seeking_altered_birth_certificates

[crystalann]

When I had Srs in Thailand I went to the U.S. Embassy and had all my Srs doctors letters stamped and documented. Doing this when still in Thailand made changing all paper work from M to F very easy. I have heard of some that did not do this and did have trouble changing the papers when they returned home. :doh:

[GypsyKaren]

Something to be aware of is that not having your surgery done by a doctor certified to practice in the US can affect your ability to get your birth certificate changed. I read about someone trying to get theirs changed in Illinois but the state refused because the surgery was performed in Thailand. Check with the state your birth certificate was issued in before you start transitioning to find out what exactly you'll need to do to have it changed.

http://transgenderism.suite101.com/article.cfm/trans_women_seeking_altered_birth_certificates

Illinois has changed their policy after the ACLU took them to court, my new birth certificate is now in the pipeline. There are some states that won't change it under any circumstances, you have to check.


When I had Srs in Thailand I went to the U.S. Embassy and had all my Srs doctors letters stamped and documented. Doing this when still in Thailand made changing all paper work from M to F very easy. I have heard of some that did not do this and did have trouble changing the papers when they returned home. :doh:

This is something you definitely need to do, Thailand doesn't have a notary system and you'll need to have your letter certified at the embassy for it to be accepted here.

Karen :g1:

[Suzy Harrison]

I'm going with Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon in Thailand.

He has a good reputation and even my psychiatrist recommend him. I've been in contact with the institute quite a few times now to ask questions and I always receive a full and prompt reply.

Is there anyone here who went to him in the past ?

[Katesback]

As long as ya avoid vetrinarians I imagine your doing good. Ok so seriously so if you pick one of the doctors that are well known I am sure you will get a decent taco.

[MJ]

Sisters, which SRS Surgeon would you recommend and why ?

Dr brassard in montreal canada he is one of the best surgeons we have

For those who have already had SRS, who did yours ?

mine was done by dr brassard

Are you satisfied with the results ?

yes i am very happy with my new look so is my family doctor

How were you treated by the doctor and staff and by the hospital

dr brassard was very nice he came to see me everyday i was there, the staff were amazing wonderful people

Did you experience any complications following surgery

no everything went according to plan

Were you adequately treated for pain following your surgery

yes my pain was not bad i would have to say 4 out of 10

If you had it to do over, would you go back to your surgeon

yes i would

What medical problems did you have 3 - 6 months following surgery

yes the area around my newly formed clit did not heal and leaks bad enough to wear feminine hygiene products for the last 8 months day and night.. it is slowly getting better and I'm still happy

[Katesback]

By the way the whole doctor thing is about the same as the age old debate for car motor oil!

I do have to ask you a question though. At the age of 66 do you think ya really need to get srs? I mean the return on investment seems questioable.

Oh and by the way I think you and I met once. I used to live in Nashville and I think I met ya at a Vals meeting.

Katie

[Lorileah]

As long as ya avoid vetrinarians I imagine your doing good.

I happen to be an excellent surgeon thank you very much...;)

Seriously, doesn't anyone buy American?

[CharleneT]

I happen to be an excellent surgeon thank you very much...;)

Seriously, doesn't anyone buy American?

I have two friends on here who are both going to Drs in the USA this year. It is just that those in other countries are a fair bit cheaper. Although, I'm not sure about what Dr. Brassard charges these days.

Personally, I think vet's are GREAT surgeon's !! Vet school is harder to get into than med school by a lot ... and their patients can't tell 'em what is up and where it hurts etc... no, vets are definitely skilled beyond what most realize.

[Katesback]

You know something. I said the vet statment as a joke but now I was reminded of my actual going to a vet. When I got home from SRS I was riding the motorcycle, mowing grass, and doing all sorts of stuff WAY too early!!!!

I ended up with some of the stitches tearing appart a bit. So I went to my vet friend and she looked at it and said it would hell back toghether in a day. She was RIGHT!!!!!!!! LOL

Katie

[Lorileah]

Somehow the words cheaper and surgical procedure kind of scares me. But that's just coming from a person who does surgery and knows that good medicine costs money. I also know that in the US litigation has lead to increased costs

[Katesback]

I paid more money for my face than my entire trip to Thailand. That includes airplane, BA, SRS, LiPO, hotel. That was in 08. I myself feel that the real money and doctor shopping should go for FFS if that is in your story. The world sees your face and last time I checked facial surgery is more complicated than making a hole in your croutch. LOL.

Katie

[MJ]

I do have to ask you a question though. At the age of 66 do you think ya really need to get srs? I mean the return on investment seems questioable.
Katie

why would you say srs is an investment ???

i cut mine off because it does not belong there. i doubt i'll become a hooker AND no man will boldly go where no man as gone before :straightface:, so it was done for myself only..

[Frances]

Being bankrupt because of my transition, I do not have the luxury of choosing my surgeon at this point. I have to go with Dr. Brassard, as my governement will pay for the surgery.

[Katesback]

why would you say srs is an investment ???

i cut mine off because it does not belong there. i doubt i'll become a hooker AND no man will boldly go where no man as gone before :straightface:, so it was done for myself only..

Return on investment was used as a figure of speach. I am simply posing a question to the author. You said you had SRS and I understand what you are saying, but both of us are not 66. We do not face some of the realities that someone at the age of 66 faces when pondering SRS.

[CharleneT]

Somehow the words cheaper and surgical procedure kind of scares me. But that's just coming from a person who does surgery and knows that good medicine costs money. I also know that in the US litigation has lead to increased costs

Gives me the willies too ! I think that part of the difference is the excess costs of medical care here vs. Thailand. As well, Thailand has become a surgical mecca of a sort. The realized that more money could be made with higher turn over and lower prices. There is a reality to doc shopping, even here. For example, just on my hormones, I have found a 10 fold difference in cost from one pharmacy (in my town) vs one in another state. Yikes !!

[Katesback]

Sure there is doc shopping. When I had FFS/LIPO last year the quoted price from a VERY well known doctor in the community was 25,000 dollars. I had a little chat with him and said that at this moment the economy is not exactly that great and that I thought it was a buyers market. I made him an offer for 16000 dollars and he countered. We settled at 18750 dollars. I also had the take it or leave it attitude since at the time I was not feeling a dire need to get FFS. I did it more as icing on the cake. In hindsight it was the best money I ever spent!

[GypsyKaren]

People shouldn't make the mistake of equating quality healthcare with cost or "American only", the doctor's work on me is first rate and the hospital would put most here to shame.

KS

[Penelope Marie]

that was all very interesting and informative. Thnaks.

[Zenith]

OK I'll spill it...Dr. Marci Bowers...I have a date reserved for this year...she is a very good surgeon with a history of gynecological surgeries on GGs as Mark Bowers, has an OBGYN practice, made the journey herself, has an eye for the aesthetics, etc...

While I think that yes, there are fine surgeons and hospitals in Thailand and you get more bang for the buck there, (I'm spending all I own and then some for just SRS...would love some FFS and BA but not in the cards for me), my personal feelings are that I would prefer to be in the US/home should major complications set in...

[Lorileah]

I am sure you got great care Karen and I know you are very happy with the results but Julie makes a point, what if something happened that was untoward? Cost of flying back? Cost of finding someone here to fix it? How did you figure that in to possible costs?

And now let's put this on a more common level...outsourcing jobs and the economy. Just saying you know? (says the hypocrite). But truly was the savings that great (considering airfare and all)?

[GypsyKaren]

I saved $10,000 that I didn't have, there's no way that I could have had the surgery here, it simply never would have happened. I would have had any complications treated here, and I haven't lost any sleep from not paying someone's country club dues by going overseas.

One thing I'm not going to do is get into a pissing contest over surgeons, you're all adults so make your own decisions.


KS

[Karen564]

Lori,

If I had the money to go to Bowers I would, but I don't & never will, so I figure it this way, lets just say theres a savings of anywhere from $7K to 14K on the SRS surgery alone by going to Thailand vs USA..and then add the cost of $1100. for a Round trip flight..

And even if I had a complication that was serious enough to warrant a flight back at an extra cost of another 1100., I will still see a significant savings regardless....but usually what turns some off is that very long flight & being in a very distant country so far from home..

But I have not yet heard of one girl that ever had to go back because of a serious complication...all I ever hear about is a few going back to do a minor correction because of a bothersome urination direction problem, which is corrected at no charge.. and most that do go back for that also have another procedure done while their there such as FSS..so theres no real loss anyway..
They just don't rush girls back home on the plane until they are evaluated on their healing 1st..

In the end, I could care less who's pockets I fill with my hard earned money regarding my surgeries as long as the end result is satisfactory & at a fair price...but as far as manufactured products go, I am more than happy to buy American, except that I have a hard time finding anything still made in this Country anymore...

Wherever or whoever anyone goes with, it's both a huge personal & financial decision they have to live with...so I say, Just wish ya all the best..:hugs:

[Katesback]

HA HA I knew you girls would get into this age old discussion. The fact is that SRS is not a dramatically difficult surgery. I have known countless girls who have had SRS (remember I work full time for transgender people) and it does not matter WHAT doctor they go to they are almost ALWAYS happy. This assumes you go to a doctor that is doing the surgery on a regular basis and has a good reputation. Dr. Bowers, as well as many more ALL have good reputations!

I have likewise known VERY VERY few girls that have had any significant complications! Yes they do occur with any doctor. Every surgery is different and the results are always going to be different. There are just a ton of variables that come into play.

I do not specifically endorse one doctor but I will say that for most TS girls money is a factor in thier decision. I paid $7500.00 for SRS in June 08. My friends paid around $18,000 for SRS in February 08 for Dr. Bowers.

Did my friend get a better job? Hell I really don't know. Perhaps Dr. Bowers tattoos her name on the inside of the vagina. I can say my girlfriend has no issues with the functionality or astetics of my parts. I have also had sex with a few guys and they likewise had no issues with the taco.

You decide. I really could care less.

[Lorileah]

Thanks Karen and Karen. All that was asked was was the savings that significant. (also note the hypocrite tag I added as like Karen564 I would buy American but that is increasingly hard to do). The TS women I know were done in the US (not Dr Bowers) and they have nothing but praise for the work done. I haven't priced the surgery or anything associated with it (counseling, treatments etc) but I know that there are ways to bypass the red tape here in the US by going over seas which can be an advantage. I also know there are far more surgeons over seas who may be a little shall we say shady so getting a referral from someone here is a great idea.

There are many reasons that medical care is higher in the US and it isn't just the surgeon's fee. So factor out those costs, the cost of the surgery would probably be close to the same price. I know some rich doctors but most are just being paid a comfortable wage. :)

[GypsyKaren]

Listen, flying halfway around the world for my surgery wasn't exactly on the top of my wish list, but seeing as I had only so much money to work with, I did what was best for me at the time. I don't promote any one surgeon over another and I don't make suggestions because it's not my place, I'm just pointing out an alternative that worked out well for me and quite a few others that I know. There are risks and concerns involved wherever you get it done, people just have to do their research and make their own decisions.

KS

[JoAnne Wheeler]

Sisters, I have read with great interest the replys that you have posted.

HOWEVER -------- why should I not have GRS/SRS at 65 (66 when I am elgible). I may never use or need my new vagina, but at least I know that I have it. It is extremely important to ME that I have this surgery. For ME, I have this compelling need to feel complete - for ME, that will never happen until I get rid of this little appendage that hangs between my legs right now.

For ME, that appendage only brings up all the unhappiness and Gender Dysphoria that I have experienced all of my 65 years. I may never need or I may need it, if you are only thinking about sexual activities. I do not know at this moment. Sometimes, I think that I would prefer to only have Lesbian experiences and then recently, I have begun to dream about what it would be like to have a penis in my new vagina. I may never want any sex.

But what I do know is that for ME to feel like the way that I should have been born, I need the surgery. I want MY vagina. And I really don't care if I am 65 years old at the present. If I did not need MY vagina for ME to feel complete, then I would not be on this Transition Journey.

This Journey has cost me my spouse; my Golden Retreivers (my spouse wants custody of the dogs); my home; my possessions; my business partnership; my career and the loss of my friends.

The point is that GRS/SRS to ME, to this woman, is worth all the loss and the cost and the pain. If it weren't, I would be back in the "Crossdressers" section - and I do not mean that to be a put down on crosdressers - I was one for many years until I finally realized that for ME, the only time that I was crossdressing was when I was wearing male clothing. Wearing "female" clothing is no longer crossdressing for me.

So yes, I am willing to pay whatever the Surgeon charges. For ME, this is the only way that I can continue to live out the rest of my life. If I were to die on the operating table, it will have been worth it, at least for ME.

I am not upset with any of you - I just want you all to know how important that this is to ME.

JoAnne

[Zenith]

I was answering the OP, and mentioned it was my own personal feeling. I don't have the strongest constitution and I am more worried about some thing happening during surgery or shortly after.

[Zenith]

Joanne you are completely entitled to be whole. And you are far from the oldest SRS patient...

[GypsyKaren]

JoAnne, you don't have to answer or explain yourself to anyone, it's your life and your right.

In the meantime, will everyone please chill?

KS

[Katesback]

Actually there sis that was the answer I was hoping you would say! Bravo. I think ya got the right mental perspective. IT IS FOR YOU!

Now as far as doctors go. As stated before there are a number of good doctors out there. Some charge more than others. It is your call!

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

Dr Christine McGinn of the Papillon Center is highly recommended by people I know, She charges a relatively low $17,500 which covers her charge and the actual hospital cost. Her work is comparable to others, she herself is a preop transwoman and she makes a good point to go US and have the surgery close to home, follow-up care and possible complications. You go to Thailand, their doctors are good, but some complications happen, do you fly back to Thailand for the fix's or find another doctor close to home. By staying close to home the aftercare and follow-up can be easier.. Just a thought.

She's my doctor of choice and I have met her, she also supervises my hormone's. She is top notch in my opinion. :battingeyelashes:

[luvSophia]

I don't think that Dr. McGinn is a preop transwoman. She transitioned back in 2000 and it was documented on MSNBC Investigates (an outstanding episode if you get a chance to see it). But regardless, she comes highly recommended by a lot of the women I know also.

I do not think that the possibility of complications is the foremost thing in most women's minds when they choose to go to Thailand. It is cost. It is all very well that Dr. McGinn has a very reasonable cost compared to most other surgeons stateside. But if you don't have that kind of money you go to Thailand and hope that you are among the great majority that do not have complications. I personally only know one transwoman who has had complications related to their surgery and she went to Dr. McGinn. But this woman would have had complications no matter who she saw, she had issues due to prior prostate surgery.

[CharleneT]

I'm pre-op and no expert at all... but there is one point to remember about the potential bad outcomes. Most patients who go to Thailand stay for a while, until things have healed up a fair bit (around 25 days post surgery). At that point the majority of potential major complications are not things you need a GRS surgeon to fix. A regular internist or surgeon can deal with them (such as a surprise infection).

Now, if the surgery has a structural problem, yes you'll need a GRS surgeon. 2 of the 3 in Thailand that I am investigating will do any repairs for free. Yes, you do have to plan a trip there and pay the travel - but that is all. I do not know the policies of the US/Canadian docs about that. Even if the same, you'll still have to fly to them ( unless you live close of course ). Most tickets to somewhere here seem to run at least $300, so there are plans and travel costs too. Just smaller.

IF I lived in a perfect world, the teaching hospital in my town would do GRS - with perfect technique - for reasonable money and I'd go there and take a taxi home ....

.... oh, and Manolo Blahnik heels would only be $19.95 down at Target ....

[Frances]

IF I lived in a perfect world, the teaching hospital in my town would do GRS - with perfect technique - for reasonable money and I'd go there and take a taxi home

That is another reason why I am going to Dr. Brassard. I want the little family I have left to be with me, and I will take a taxi to get there and back.

[Staciej]

Reason im going to Dr Christine McGinn close and very resonable price and even my Doctor suggested her over others. Not Ti that was number one sugg. I have Ms so need close to home incase complications tho. Good luck with ur choice and look at big picture. Do some math and see if it's a little more do you wave the extras. Me I say do cheapper and better SRS then get new closthes or a few outfits with money you save.

[Hope]

.... oh, and Manolo Blahnik heels would only be $19.95 down at Target ....

AND come in 14Ws... As long as we are wishing...

[CharleneT]

AND come in 14Ws... As long as we are wishing...

YES YES !! you're right !!

[Cindi Johnson]

and I haven't lost any sleep from not paying someone's country club dues by going overseas.


I'm not currently in the market for surgery, but was reading the thread and just wanted to point out that Dr. Bowers did a trachael shave on me a couple years back. She and her staff were great, the price was very reasonable, and her office definitely was not ostentatious. If there is a country club in the backwater town of Trinidad, it's probably not five star.

The above statement casts a wide net and I feel unjustly implies Dr. Bowers and other US surgeons are just after the money. Putting down American doctors does not enhance the stature of Thai doctors. Face it, it is more expensive to do any business in the developed countries, and thus medical costs here tend to be higher then those in the 3rd world.

Cindi

[Zenith]

Good point Cindi...

I am friends with one of her patients...and she told me Marci kept the practice in Trinidad to try to keep costs down...and the malpractice insurance is a factor in the costs...this area of medicine is one of the hardest hit...

[pamela_a]

and the malpractice insurance is a factor in the costs...this area of medicine is one of the hardest hit...
Very true Julie, that is a huge part of it. When I was a medic I carried malpractice insurance just to cover my back side. And don't blame the insurance companies either. The fault lies directly at the feet of the lawyers.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

god forbid somebody trying to make money off a vital surgery with a very low number of potential customers..its the way it is ...stinks for us though..

If thai doctors could charge more and keep all their customers i wonder if they would do it..and btw...MOST of the girls i know had their surgery in thailand...and they are ALL very happy with the results...

and none of them bitched about being in thailand...in fact, they were treated like royalty in most cases...

[GypsyKaren]

Everyone is more than welcome to go through my 12 zillion posts and find one bad word I've ever said about any SRS surgeon in this country, or my questioning why anyone would get it done here, or make them defend their decision like I get to do more than a few times.

Like I said, I'm not getting into a pissing contest,, so y'all can carry on without me.

KS

[Karen564]

The above statement casts a wide net and I feel unjustly implies Dr. Bowers and other US surgeons are just after the money. Putting down American doctors does not enhance the stature of Thai doctors. Face it, it is more expensive to do any business in the developed countries, and thus medical costs here tend to be higher then those in the 3rd world.

Cindi

Our Karen did Not put any American doctors down, nor did she tell anyone where to go.

She only gives many here another choice in order to fulfill their lifelong wishes that can never afford their surgery here in the States..

If one feels it's some sort of loyal patriotic duty to only have done here, then so be it...

Most of us are fully aware of the reasons why surgery cost so much here, but those reasons are totally pointless when it becomes the barrier between someone getting their surgery or not..
Many have a hard time as it is affording to go overseas, never mind paying twice as much here..


And as Karen said, this is not a pissing contest..

[Empress Lainie]

Sisters, I have read with great interest the replys that you have posted.

HOWEVER -------- why should I not have GRS/SRS at 65 (66 when I am elgible). I may never use or need my new vagina, but at least I know that I have it. It is extremely important to ME that I have this surgery. For ME, I have this compelling need to feel complete - for ME, that will never happen until I get rid of this little appendage that hangs between my legs right now.

For ME, that appendage only brings up all the unhappiness and Gender Dysphoria that I have experienced all of my 65 years. I may never need or I may need it, if you are only thinking about sexual activities. I do not know at this moment. Sometimes, I think that I would prefer to only have Lesbian experiences and then recently, I have begun to dream about what it would be like to have a penis in my new vagina. I may never want any sex.

But what I do know is that for ME to feel like the way that I should have been born, I need the surgery. I want MY vagina. And I really don't care if I am 65 years old at the present. If I did not need MY vagina for ME to feel complete, then I would not be on this Transition Journey.

This Journey has cost me my spouse; my Golden Retreivers (my spouse wants custody of the dogs); my home; my possessions; my business partnership; my career and the loss of my friends.

The point is that GRS/SRS to ME, to this woman, is worth all the loss and the cost and the pain. If it weren't, I would be back in the "Crossdressers" section - and I do not mean that to be a put down on crosdressers - I was one for many years until I finally realized that for ME, the only time that I was crossdressing was when I was wearing male clothing. Wearing "female" clothing is no longer crossdressing for me.

So yes, I am willing to pay whatever the Surgeon charges. For ME, this is the only way that I can continue to live out the rest of my life. If I were to die on the operating table, it will have been worth it, at least for ME.

I am not upset with any of you - I just want you all to know how important that this is to ME.

JoAnne

I feel the same and I am 75. But due to finances likely can not even have an orchi, and most likely will lose my F on my ID when its renewed due to the Gestapo (Homeland Security).