Percentage of girls undergoing transition will have SRS?

[linda.wai]

I heard that in Thailand, amongst the tgirls living 24/7, only a third will end up having SRS, a third will in fact revert back to living as males or in androgynous state in their late thirties and a third will remain non-op.

I wonder what is the figures for the Western trans-community?
How many of us undergoing transition will end up post-op?
I know there ain't good studies yet but your views are what I'm after.

[Zenith]

Informal poll...on the forum myself, and six others have had SRS in recent memory. Four more are in the planning stages. Keep in mind financial is often a huge hurdle...

[Melody Moore]

We are all different, but personally I cant understand why someone would start to transition and not complete the journey.

SRS is a small component in my transitioning, but no matter how small it might be, it is still vital to me I have SRS one day.

[Katesback]

For 1000 reasons VERY few ts girls ever have SRS.

[pamela_a]

I agree to a certain point with you Melody. I might be able to understand it for those few who manage to remain in a pre-existing relationship. I also understand the financial consideration for it since that's what I'm dealing with now.

Earlier in my transition I thought SRS wouldn't be necessary but I've gotten to where it's now no longer an option for me and I plan on having it this July.

[Aprilrain]

In my local support group I'd say that the 1/3 number is probably about right but then again a lot of girls stop coming to meetings after they have "completed" their journey. There is only one post op who comes on a regular basis. I know several who seem perfectly happy without SRS. I originally thought that I would not want SRS not because I didn't want it but because I've just heard some horror stories. there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about it though. It's not a pressing issue for me right now but if I get to that point I probably will want the surgery.

I've had two dreams in the last couple of months where I woke up from surgery and looked down to see that it was done. I was OK with it though in the dreams the timing was not right. Which just tells me that it's not something I need to worry about now.

[Stephanie Anne]

Well with a mortgage, car loan, and student loan, $20,000 is not something I have lying around. I am not going to flush my life away for a surgery so until I can afford it without the threat of bankruptcy, it is not high on my priority. Even if I had the money given to me tomorrow, I would not have SRS now. I want to wait 2-4 years first.

I will have SRS and I will do it on my schedule. It's not something I feel is a requirement for transition but it is a necessity for me for personal and non sexual reasons.

[Faith_G]

I think the financial issue is what keeps the surgery numbers down. I personally know several women who would love to have surgery if they could afford it. I can "afford" it, meaning I can pay for it, but it took me a while to save nearly a year's pay. That was going to be the down payment on a house and almost was, but I just couldn't do it. I wasn't willing to wait 5 more years or rack up crushing levels of debt. In the end I decided I'd rather be happy in an apartment than miserable and desperate in a house.

Oh, I'm scheduled to be penniless (and penisless) in June.

[Steph.TS]

I need to talk to a therapist first b4 I do anything permanent, but once I get the green light for hormones, I'll start electrolysis/laser hair removal for my beard. then while continuing to save I'll either do FFS or SRS then save some more and do the other.

2 things I need to get over first is my fear of what might happen, and I need to stop looking toward others for acceptance. I know that this is something I'm not likely to find from my family, and I doubt my friends but that's something for another day.

[luvSophia]

It all depends on what you mean by the word transition. Many take it to mean living as a woman all of the time. Others transition in order to be female.

[noeleena]

Hi.

[email protected]

Phuket Plastic Surgery center

Thailand

If you go to thier site youll see my write up in the guest book, as im a Sanguan girl.

If you send them a email im sure they will tell you how many s r s surgerys have been done over the last 10 years .

Phuket , Bangkok ,& chiang Mai . that will give you an idear.

As to the Thais are you talking about the lady boys as most dont have s r s, & iv talked with a good few.

As to world wide if you look at over 100.000 trans people you need to be on say 20 fourms & youll get an idear i know theres more than that. just the ones im on & i still dont know & i dought any one will know .

...noeleena...

[linda.wai]

It all boils down to whether the feeling is persistent.
Transgender feeling is never something one could rationalize.
I guess only a portion has the genuine feeling for long enough to get them to have the SRS.

That's why I want to wait and see if it will ever ebb in my case before committing to SRS ( even though I'll never regret it as I love men and I love the female role ).

[Angel.Marie76]

As someone who's actively transitioning there life from M2F, Even though I've only been part time till now, with starting my 'RLE' for all intensive purposes today, I would LIKE to be able to have SRS someday, but I DO KNOW that cost will be my only deciding factor as to whenever that change will ever occur.

[Rianna Humble]

It all boils down to whether the feeling is persistent.
Transgender feeling is never something one could rationalize.
I guess only a portion has the genuine feeling for long enough to get them to have the SRS.

I don't think it's very much about "transgender feeling", or about such a feeling lasting long enough.

One of the reasons that WPATH includes an RLE is to enable people to discover whether they can live the life 24/7/365. I have no doubt that those who go back to living more or less as their birth gender were truly suffering from Gender Dysphoria and I am sure that the decision to revert cannot have been easy.

For some people, the dysphoria is sufficiently attenuated by a non-op lifestyle, for others it is not. I am not far enough along the path to know whether I could live without surgery and (at least for now) finance should not be a consideration for me in deciding about GRS because of where I live.

Unfortunately on that score some people have to face up to not being able to afford the operation. My heart goes out to those people, we need to be supporting them to the best of our ability, not judging them in any way shape or form.

:2c:

[DeeDee1974]

Personally, I have a fear of surgery. Any type not just SRS. Right now I am happy as I am with breasts and my male parts. I think I could feel complete even without srs, but I reserve the right to change my mind.

[NiCo]

We are all different, but personally I cant understand why someone would start to transition and not complete the journey.

I quoted this as an example, not just to target you. I am not targeting anyone; I am speaking generalised. Please don't think this is aimed at anyone in particular.

Why might some not finish the transition they begun?
1) Money.
2) Possible health problems and risks.
3) The fact that FtM lower surgery is no-where near the general standards as MtF and therefore not worth the 30K minimum price tag [note: this is my opinion, I know some guys have it done…I just wouldn’t waste money I don’t have].
Or if from a MtF point of view, the same reasons…as different surgeons produce different results. Not all produce the top-notch results. They may not be able to access the surgeons who CAN.
I know that since I don’t live in a bubble.
4) Family situations.
5) Personal reasons. I.e. they may be comfortable without it.

In fact, I really thought like this before. I used to think, “well MtFs have better results, so why do some remain non-op, they don’t know how lucky they are”. [+vice versa to when they tell me “why would you destroy something I would kill for?” in regards to the feminine body before I killed it with a scalpel] but then I grew up and actually spoke to transwomen and it became clear. There are many reasons, most of which are completely personal to the individual. My main reason is the crap results. If it had a better chance of success and looked a bit better [and wouldn’t involve me mutilating my arm or other irrelevant bodily areas in the process] I would not have to think twice.

However, I do know people who are comfortable with just having one surgery, or no surgery and just hormones or one surgery and no hormones. It is not my place to question their actions. I used to think WTF but as I said, I matured and realised the world DOESN’T revolve around me or my opinions/ thoughts/ etc.

Some people just aren’t fortunate enough to have nothing standing in their way, and the ones who aren’t so lucky just have to live with it. The end.

(As for percentages for the Western World, I can’t see it being too different to the one from Thailand…I know more transpeople who don’t complete transition or have all the surgeries for some of the reasons listed above).

[Melody Moore]

I quoted this as an example, not just to target you. I am not targeting anyone; I am speaking generalised. Please don't think this is aimed at anyone in particular.

Why might some not finish the transition they begun?
1) Money.
2) Possible health problems and risks.
3) The fact that FtM lower surgery is no-where near the general standards as MtF and therefore not worth the 30K minimum price tag [note: this is my opinion, I know some guys have it done…I just wouldn’t waste money I don’t have].
Or if from a MtF point of view, the same reasons…as different surgeons produce different results. Not all produce the top-notch results. They may not be able to access the surgeons who CAN.
I know that since I don’t live in a bubble.
4) Family situations.
5) Personal reasons. I.e. they may be comfortable without it.

Hi NiCo

It's OK you took my comment, but I will still stand by my statement because I believe if you want something bad enough you will
overcome the hurdles. Like right now I don't have the funds for SRS, but I am determined to overcome that issue as soon as I can
find work. I have lived long enough on the poverty line to know without any doubt that the minute I start working I will save the
money very quickly like there is no tomorrow. If I faced health risks due to surgery, I would still try my best to do whatever it took
to become fit for surgery. Family doesn't really matter to me, I live my life for me & for noone else - I know that I need to be happy.

My comments are only my personal opinion about how I feel about remaining pre-op, because I have not started this journey to only
go half way & I am sure there are many more like me that have had hurdles standing in their way but found a way to over come them.
I hope that I give someone enough motivation to actually complete their journey rather than settling somewhere well short of their
ideal goal. I guess I am a bit more positive & confident than most I will reach my goals, so please don't ever try & crucify me for that.

[thechic]

For me its lack of money for SRS and the kids,im still sort of there father and the wife does not wont to live in a lesbian relationship.

[Felicity71]

Hi NiCo

It's OK you took my comment, but I will still stand by my statement because I believe if you want something bad enough you will
overcome the hurdles. Like right now I don't have the funds for SRS, but I am determined to overcome that issue as soon as I can
find work. I have lived long enough on the poverty line to know without any doubt that the minute I start working I will save the
money very quickly like there is no tomorrow. If I faced health risks due to surgery, I would still try my best to do whatever it took
to become fit for surgery. Family doesn't really matter to me, I live my life for me & for noone else - I know that I need to be happy.

My comments are only my personal opinion about how I feel about remaining pre-op, because I have not started this journey to only
go half way & I am sure there are many more like me that have had hurdles standing in their way but found a way to over come them.
I hope that I give someone enough motivation to actually complete their journey rather than settling somewhere well short of their
ideal goal. I guess I am a bit more positive & confident than most I will reach my goals, so please don't ever try & crucify me for that.


It was something I contemplated as i was starting HRT, but ive come to feel SRS isnt an end goal for me. I can afford it easily, I have the time, I have the support, but I dont need it.
If that makes me a man in your eyes, so be it.

[Melody Moore]

Well good for you Allana, each to their own I say. Maybe SRS is not important to you but it might be one day to
me. I want SRS for a number of reasons, mostly because what I have down there doesn't feel like it belongs there.

And Allana, I see you as female so its not me you have to worry about, it's the government departments such as
Medicare, Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink & the Birth Deaths & Marriages office that won't recognise you as
female unless you have had SRS. So according to our government we are both still males. I am afraid to say that
just doesn't sit right with me, so this is something else that will be sorted out when I get the right plumbing fitted.

[Teri Jean]

I'm with Pam on this one and when I first came out it wasn't really something I had on the radar. As time went on the joice to have GRS was important to me and now have my date for 5-5-11 with Marci Bowers.

[NiCo]

My comments are only my personal opinion about how I feel about remaining pre-op, because I have not started this journey to only
go half way & I am sure there are many more like me that have had hurdles standing in their way but found a way to over come them.
I hope that I give someone enough motivation to actually complete their journey rather than settling somewhere well short of their
ideal goal. I guess I am a bit more positive & confident than most I will reach my goals, so please don't ever try & crucify me for that.

I didn’t try and “crucify you”, trust me. You’d know if I was victimising you.

I actually feel the exact same way about being pre-op. I’ve had chest surgery and a hysto, all my documents including birth certificate state my gender correctly etc, but that is as far as I can go due to the FACT lower surgery for FtMs really isn’t that great one bit and it would probably result in extra hatred and self-loathing. Not everyone has the fortune of getting anything anywhere near decent. Money is no problem. Family is no problem . The only thing that stands in front of me and being post-op is the surgery. I PERSOANLLY didn’t set out at 16 thinking I was going to be in limbo forever but as the way things stand right now there just is NO choice. It is not like I LIKE what I have. Same as you, I hate what I have. So, I could have worded things a lot worse, but I didn’t so don’t accuse me of trying to “crucify you”.

However, your opinion is appreciated.

And in regards to “[I]I guess I am a bit more positive & confident than most I will reach my goals” - Lol. Right.


Well good for you Allana, each to their own I say. Maybe SRS is not important to you but it might be one day to
me. I want SRS for a number of reasons, mostly because what I have down there doesn't feel like it belongs there.

It is important to me, but reference to above.

---

What I was trying to say is there are many reasons; I was defending those who really have no other option. I don’t live in a sterile bubble where everything is possible, I’m not a scientist [yet]…but for the reason that I am sick of having no more options left I am studying biochemistry to TRY and help myself and others. (You know, stem cell research and all that shizzle?)

I’m not sitting on my arse doing nothing about it. Like you, I am trying.

[Melody Moore]

So, I could have worded things a lot worse, but I didn’t so don’t accuse me of trying to “crucify you”.
NiCo, the 'tongue-in-cheek' smiley here really sucks, but maybe I better
use it more so people don't always take everything I say so seriously. :p


And in regards to “I guess I am a bit more positive & confident than most I will reach my goals” - Lol. Right.
Well it's fact of life for me, so don't laugh & be so cynical about it - I am extremely positive & confident. Mainly because I have come through some very difficult stages in my life to get to where I am now & now its a huge relief for me to be landing on my feet at long last. The only thing I am missing right now is not working, but soon I hope. It's just not a good time of year for looking for work here. Everything slows down during our cyclone & tropical wet season. So I see this is just a minor hurdle I have to overcome, things will sort them selves out soon because I have so much more faith & belief in myself than ever before. ;)


I am sick of having no more options left I am studying biochemistry to TRY and help myself and others. (You know, stem cell research and all that shizzle?)
That is good to hear, because hopefully one day you can fix all our biological mistakes. Maybe that
day where we can say "Here, you can have mine and I'll take yours" is just around the corner. :heehee:

Anyway on the issue about studying, I am also thinking about studying again this year to give me some qualifications to help me in the direction I want to go with transgender support. This is something I am currently making enquiries about with the view of starting a course this year if I can get in by the enrolment due date. I am already doing voluntary work in community/public education into supporting transgender clients with an organisation here, so I really want to take this to the next level now.


I’m not sitting on my arse doing nothing about it. Like you, I am trying.
And neither am I, and on that note I better get to bed because I have an appointment with
my employment services tomorrow which I am hoping can help me with my course funding.

[NiCo]

Well it's fact of life for me, so don't laugh & be so cynical about it - I am extremely positive & confident. Mainly because I have come through some very difficult stages in my life to get to where I am now & now its a huge relief for me to be landing on my feet at long last. The only thing I am missing right now is not working, but soon I hope. It's just not a good time of year for looking for work here. Everything slows down during our cyclone & tropical wet season. So I see this is just a minor hurdle I have to overcome, things will sort them selves out soon because I have so much more faith & belief in myself than ever before. ;)

I was not positive about life until I had my second operation and received my birth certificate, there didn’t seem like much point in being positive until that point. After 7 years of transition, losing friends and family, jobs etc, I am glad to say it is done. Even if that means waiting out another 10-20 years before they improve surgery wise or think of something else. After all, I am still young, as people like to throw down my throat at every opportunity expecting me just to smile and agree when deep down I feel like I’m 70.

The whole working situation is really bad right now, I have been doing some voluntary work as well as college. I also donation a couple of hundred £s here and there for other transguys who are struggling with funding. It makes me feel better knowing it may just save them from what I went through, all the struggles and depressing stuffs. All that keeps my conscience clear and in the meantime we just have to struggle along like everyone else. The economy is smashed. People keep saying there is no point looking for work while it is like this, but that is no excuse.

I have faith in myself now, until chest surgery I was a bitter horrible cynical c*** who hated life, wanted to die, wanted others to die etc etc…now I am just at peace and glad the worst is out the way, and there is reason to live. Now my doctors actually listen to me rather than sweep all the sh** under the carpet, and it’s about time too.

I got the last laugh.


That is good to hear, because hopefully one day you can fix all our biological mistakes. Maybe that
day where we can say "Here, you can have mine and I'll take yours" is just around the corner. :heehee:

I wish. I still have faith that I will get surgery, that one day someone will come up with the miracle I can only dream of right now. It is a waiting game and if/ when it finally comes to light, I’ll be one of the first on the list :heehee:


Anyway on the issue about studying, I am also thinking about studying again this year to give me some qualifications to help me in the direction I want to go with transgender support. This is something I am currently making enquiries about with the view of starting a course this year if I can get in by the enrolment due date. I am already doing voluntary work in community/public education into supporting transgender clients with an organisation here, so I really want to take this to the next level now.

Good luck with that, I am sure with the life experience you have will go to good use. It feels like such a lonely road. I have considered this also, but I don’t think I could handle it. Coming on to forums is the most I could do, emotionally wise…I’m living with my partner who has only just begun his transition…and I am not enjoying my own life replaying before my eyes in his. It really is a brave thing to take on! :)