Consumption Junction

[Traci Elizabeth]

I just read s thread where the OP stated she was consumed in her transition.

I thought about that and I must say that in the beginning of my journey I was too.

But what I find amazing as each year passes, is that being consumed in transitioning totally fades away. It has for me as I only see myself as a "woman" living my daily life like any other woman.

As some of you know, I will have my SRS in 2 months. To me, that is the last act to being "whole' complete, and congruent". And once again I find myself consumed thinking about my SRS 1,000 times a day.

But someone on here stated recently that "in two years, you won't even think about the fact that you have a vagina, and memories of having a penis will fade away." I think she is right.

Just thinking and typing, and putting my thoughts to keyboard.

[Persephone]

I think you are right, Traci, time heals wounds. After a while the ordinary becomes ordinary. Which, for most of us, is a wonderful thing!

Enjoy the moment!

Hugs,
Persephone.

[morgan51]

Thankyou Traci I can identify with this and I feel more hope b/c of it. I am getting more oridinary too the novelty seems to be wanning. Regular day to day living seems to displace it.

[kimdl93]

Humans are an adaptable species, and usually the ability to adjust to the new "normal" is a real asset. By this time next year, you'll have put the other life completely behind you and probably never give another thought to it.

[Jorja]

I think it is normal to be consumed with the important events in our lives. Those events take over and that is all we can see. After a while though those events become normal or routine. They seem to fade away as normalcy sets in. I am sure the timeline is different for each of us but yes, in two years you won't even think about having a vagina. It will become normal.

[CharleneT]

SRS is definitely "more than the sum of the new parts", you'll see. While I felt that Kate'sback was a bit strong about how she put things, she is very right: there's a lot of transition after surgery. Traci, you are going to be fine - great in fact - I can tell. Physically it takes longer than anyone really thinks to recover from SRS. The healing is both physical and mental. Lots will change, slowly, in that first year ! It's positive and fun and more powerful than a person can explain :) AND the "consumption" or urge to do so definitely slides away as you realize that you are there - somewhere you never thought you would be...

FYI, I should not be considered an expert on this, especially because it hasn't been a year yet for me ( 345 days as it happens ).

FYI #2, I want to go back to Thailand so badly right now. I think because a friend of mine lives there now and sends me pictures almost daily and I'm near the anniversary. Gawd I loved that place :daydreaming::love::thumbsup:

[Melody Moore]

As some of you know, I will have my SRS in 2 months. To me, that is the last act to being "whole' complete, and congruent". And once again I find myself consumed thinking about my SRS 1,000 times a day.
Traci, I feel EXACTLY the same way as you right now. I cannot stop thinking about what is going
to happen in 2 months time. Exactly 2 months from now I will be in my first night of recovery from
SRS. The time is going so slow and I am literally "climbing the walls" right now with anxiety where
the 7th of October cannot come quick enough to be on my way to Thailand. So how consumed is that?

Up until a month ago, life had settled down where I was just getting on with my life as a woman,
but right now you and I both are moving into a new phase of our journeys where a lot of things
are going to change for us. There are new experiences as well as trials & tribulations to deal with
so it is hard not to be consumed about this right now. Even though I have been strong during my
transition, this is something completely new to me. So I know it is going to be good to see you over
there and have someone else close by who I am already familiar with and who knows exactly what
this is all about. But in a few years time we will most likely be saying "What all the fuss was about?".
Looking forward to seeing you in Thailand sis :hugs: xx

[Traci Elizabeth]

I think everyone of you are right.

Melody, today was my last visit with my GYN before Bangkok. She is so excited for me and can't wait to see me post-op. She wants me to call her as soon as I arrive back home. Her and I are close and she has been so important to me in my transition. Today after going over all my blood work and the things she wants me to do over the next 2 months to prepare for my surgery, and giving me explicit instructions for the 25 hour flight, she hugged me so tight that I could not breath. I hugged her back the same. We both had tears in our eyes (tears of joy) and she was so happy for me as she knows this has been a long time coming.

We talked a lot about intimate things including intercourse post-op. She knows I am a lesbian, nevertheless, I reminded her of that today after we talked about intercourse. Her response surprised me. She said and I quote (in reference to intercourse), "Traci, I want you to keep all your options open. Having intercourse is is an important part of being a woman. and a lot is going to change for you after your surgery that you have no idea about today." Well, she gave me food for thought.

But Melody, the point of this is that I see you called me and left me a voice mail while I was in her office. Sorry I missed your call. We will hook up soon I am sure. If you think that I am going to let you roam Bangkok without me pre-op, you've lost your mind (lol). Well I will forgive you for abandoning me on the 10th. And just think when you are post-op +1, I will be stretched out on the operating table with my feet in stirrups most of the day. While we are recovering, we can communicate back & forth daily via our computers until such time before leaving country that we can meet again.

[CharleneT]

I think everyone of you are right.

. . .

We talked a lot about intimate things including intercourse post-op. She knows I am a lesbian, nevertheless, I reminded her of that today after we talked about intercourse. Her response surprised me. She said and I quote (in reference to intercourse), "Traci, I want you to keep all your options open. Having intercourse is is an important part of being a woman. and a lot is going to change for you after your surgery that you have no idea about today." Well, she gave me food for thought.



You've had GYN doc for a long time already ? Curious ! A small hint, if you mention being examined by a Gynecologist to Dr. Chettawut, he is likely going to tell you the same thing he said to me " .... do not let a Gynecologist examine you until at least 6 months after your surgery. Unless they are a trained SRS surgeon also..." Clearly a reference to seeing only Drs. Bowers or McGinn !! He is quite serious too. His worry is that in stretching the labia minora, or doing an internal exam, they will damage or tear the newly created structures. He'll tell you that if you have a primary doc and they want to examine you -- "DO NOT LET THEM stretch the labia!!". :doh:

OH, everyone is different, but I think you'll find that intercourse, should it come up (pun intended) is not going to be comfortable at all for 4-6 months. Many say 8 weeks, Dr. C in fact says that is the minimum. "mmminneemuummmm" not probably gonna be though ;)

I've yet to see (ever) a gynecologist, haven't had the need really. I am about to though, need now here !

Not trying to throw out any cold water here folks... jus' a few words from the recently re-adjusted :eek:

p.s. those words from your GYN are very true !!! Give yourself time to adjust, your concepts of what you want, what attracts you etc... may change.

[kellycan27]

About 99% of the changes that you will experience are going to mental. Your everyday life won't really change much other than maybe your outlook. ( which will be a good thing) Healing time will depend on your age, overall health and following Doctor's instructions. 8 weeks for intercourse is pretty optimistic, 4 to 6 months is probably more realistic. Enjoy the ride! ( I can make puns too):heehee:

[Traci Elizabeth]

You've had GYN doc for a long time already ? Curious ! A small hint, if you mention being examined by a Gynecologist to Dr. Chettawut, he is likely going to tell you the same thing he said to me " .... do not let a Gynecologist examine you until at least 6 months after your surgery. Unless they are a trained SRS surgeon also..." Clearly a reference to seeing only Drs. Bowers or McGinn !! He is quite serious too. His worry is that in stretching the labia minora, or doing an internal exam, they will damage or tear the newly created structures. He'll tell you that if you have a primary doc and they want to examine you -- "DO NOT LET THEM stretch the labia!!". :doh:

OH, everyone is different, but I think you'll find that intercourse, should it come up (pun intended) is not going to be comfortable at all for 4-6 months. Many say 8 weeks, Dr. C in fact says that is the minimum. "mmminneemuummmm" not probably gonna be though ;)

I've yet to see (ever) a gynecologist, haven't had the need really. I am about to though, need now here !

Not trying to throw out any cold water here folks... jus' a few words from the recently re-adjusted :eek:

p.s. those words from your GYN are very true !!! Give yourself time to adjust, your concepts of what you want, what attracts you etc... may change.



Great info Charlene - THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

I will have to keep that in the forefront of my mind as she wants to see me as soon as she has an opening after I arrive back home.

Having a GYN for the past several years does seem odd BUT it was just pure coincidence that I got her as my doctor. She had dealt with TS issues in the past and she came highly recommended. I knew I would be needing her in the future so I went that route. She has been instrumental in tweaking my hormones to maximize my reaction to them. I attribute my 36C's to her constant vigilance over my blood test and urine results. Plus we have become really close and I could not imagine going to any other doctor.

Oh yea, I did tell her today that Dr C. does not want my labia minor spread apart for the first 3 months. But as you stated, I am sure Dr. C. is going to lay the law down about what I can and can not do and lay down timelines engraved in stone.

BTW, Charlene, I left a voice mail on your phone about 2 weeks ago now. Your voice is certainly that of a woman - no question about it. It was very pleasant to listen too.

[Melody Moore]

If you think that I am going to let you roam Bangkok without me pre-op, you've lost your mind (lol).
LOL

Traci, I am going to put credit on my Skype account, so I can use my computer to make cheap calls back
home to Australia because this has been the best option others have also recommended for that aspect of
communications, but for local telephone communications, others have recommended getting a SIM Card in
Thailand to use while I am over there. So I will have my mobile phone with me and will advise you of the
new number via private message as soon as I get it. But hopefully you will have Skype up and running as
well before you go and we can get a bit of a chance to catch up and have a good chat before then. I will
try again to call you in the morning when you are most likely to read this anyway. In the meantime. Sleep well. Xx

[CharleneT]

Melody, you can get a SIM card at any 7-11 store, they're quite reasonable. I used one and a borrowed cell phone there. FYI: 7-11 stores are everywhere and often the best prices for whatever is in there ( which is a lot considering how small they are).

[Traci Elizabeth]

Melody, you can get a SIM card at any 7-11 store, they're quite reasonable. I used one and a borrowed cell phone there. FYI: 7-11 stores are everywhere and often the best prices for whatever is in there ( which is a lot considering how small they are).


So a standard non-G-Series phone (meaning I only have talk & unlimited texting & no internet) will not work in Bangkok? So can you rent a phone in Bangkok that works to communicate back state side? You are talking about 7-11 in Bangkok or the USA?

[Beverley Sims]

I would suggest buy a 3g phone there, unlocked of course. Buy a sim from just about anywhere and use it and when you get back to the States you can use it here as well. 7-11 is big in Asia as big as US or even bigger. The whole deal might cost you $40.00
When you get back home you buy a new sim. 3G seemed to work everywhere for me and a T Mobile data stick worked all around the Continental US.