SRS in a week

[Karolyn]

I cannot believe this is happening! In a week, I am leaving for Montréal to get my SRS with Dr Brassard. :D

I always was looking for doing surgery as part of my transition. I went full-time and started HRT 20 months ago. 4 months ago, I applied to go with Dr Brassard, and after they told me the waiting line was 6 months, they gave me a date after 4 months, I got lucky. Time flies, and I have only one week left. Sunday November 20th is when I fly there, and get ready for the surgery 2 days later.

I am so pumped up! But so busy preparing too...

[AllieSF]

Congratulations and have a safe and quick trip back to us.

[PretzelGirl]

Congratulations! Do rest well after. It takes quite a bit of rest and more than we might suspect. But certainly worth it.

[Kris Avery]

Karolyn,

Time will go so quick and it will be here before you know it.
Be prepared for some interesting times.
I agree with Sue. Go slow and remember recovery is a slow and lengthy process.
I am sending you well wishes and happy thoughts on this next leg of your incredible journey.

[jentay1367]

Congrats kiddo I can only imagine how excited you must be. You look just beautiful in your new avatar by the way. You have come a long, long way.....and now you're almost done. Good for you!

[I Am Paula]

Biggest congrats!! It's a girl.
Are you going thru' OHIP, or paying cash? When I first spoke with them, they told me of huge wait times. When I said I was paying cash, the wait time got much shorter.
Hoping for the very best outcome <3

[WandaRae2009]

congrats and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Bria]

Hoping that you have no complications and a speedy recovery. I'll remember you in my prayers.

Hugs, Bria

[Starling]

That's great, Karolyn. Congratulations!

:) Lallie

[MarieTS]

You will be fine Karolyn. Just remember to pack for Canada, not south Florida (smile)

[barbaraclothes]

Smiles all around for you..

[Heidi Stevens]

Good luck, Karolyn. I hope all goes well and you recover quickly!

[Karolyn]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They mean a lot. The closer to the date, the more anxious, but also the more excited. Less than a week now to the trip there.

Paula, for your question, I paid cash. Originally they told me 6 months wait, and I got 4 months ultimately. That is nothing compared to the US, where Bowers has a 3 years wait and McGinn has 15 months wait.

[Suzanne F]

Congratulations! I know how excited that you are. Try to rest and relax. It is a great and difficult journey.
Suzanne

[Gerrijerry]

I used Dr. Brassard also. I wish you a perfect surgery and a short recovery. However I do recommend that you bring someone with you. It is MUCH easier that way. The recovery area for me after surgery, was on that little island he owns. Many rooms there so you will be able to talk to others assuming you stay at the same place.
Everyone is correct, time to relax as much as you can now. Follow all the steps you were told to do for your meds. before and after surgery.

[Karolyn]

I will fortunately have my boyfriend with me the entire time, I am so glad, it will help a lot. I will be in the recovery center after surgery. I follow precisely the steps pre-op, and I will do post-op too. I have a friend of mine who did the full process too, and she insisted a lot on following the instructions precisely.

[Eryn]

I'm so happy for you! Here's my wishes for a smooth surgery and a rapid recovery!

[Karolyn]

One day left before traveling for the surgery. I am so not ready yet, so many things to prepare... At least it distracts me from my worries.

[Nikki.]

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[nikkiwindsor]

Wishing you all the best and happiness!!

[Julie Denier]

Best of luck! ;)

[Michelle 78]

So so pleased for you and I hope everything goes great!:)

[Karolyn]

I am in the plane right now. It's happening! So excited!!

[nikkiwindsor]

We're behind you each step of the way girlfriend!

[Paulette]

Healing thoughts and prayers for your journey into womanhood.

[NancyLewis]

My heart and prayers are with you. Please keep us informed about your progress. :)

[Suzanne F]

Remember it is a marathon not a sprint. Savor the experience and good luck !
Suzanne

[jentay1367]

One day left before traveling for the surgery. I am so not ready yet, so many things to prepare... At least it distracts me from my worries.


How are you feeling, hon? Hope all went wonderfully. Let us know when you can!

[MarieTS]

Hoping the pain is subsiding and that you are adapting to your post op regimen. Hugs, :-)

[Lisalove1976]

Hi Karolyn... hope everything went well.

[Karolyn]

Thank you everyone for your messages. I made it! I am back. This was the most intense week of my life, both physically and emotionally. The hospital and the recovery center were the best medical experiences I ever had, I definitely recommend Dr Brassard for SRS. But the amount of pain to deal with can be overwhelming, fortunately they are behind you to keep it in control.

I am now back home, doing my post op care, this is a full time job!! Still have difficulties walking, very swollen, but I can see progress everyday, and the result appears step by step, I like where this is going :)

[Heidi Stevens]

Congratulations Karolyn! The side effects should pass soon, so enjoy your new life.

[Aunt Kelly]

I like where this is going :)
Reading through your update I was feeling bad about what you are suffering, and then I got to those last words. And now I am smiling. So happy for you.

Hugs

[Bria]

I'm glad to hear that you are making progress. I hope that your recovery continues to go smoothly!!

Hugs, Bria

[Michelle 78]

Super pleased for you Girl!:)

[AllieSF]

Welcome to the flip side. I wish you the best in your recovery and slow is better.

[PretzelGirl]

Karolyn, I am super happy for you! Keep resting all you can. The recovery is a long road and takes up to a year. Having good rest at the beginning will help down the road. Follow the instructions and don't miss dilating! It will be tough for a while and you may feel down after resting a while, but keep resting and keep talking here. There will be times that after a while you might think "WTF, shouldn't it be done now" but it isn't a 1-2 month recovery. At 4 months I am still feeling it and going to bed earlier than normal. It will get there. It will be great!

:bh:

[Lana Mae]

Karolyn, best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery! But take it slow and do what the doc told you to recover! So happy for you! Glad you can be you! Hugs Lana Mae

[Karolyn]

I am following the doctor's instructions precisely, including the many dilations a day, how to do them, the douches, the sitz baths, etc. This takes me about 8 hours a day with all the cleaning. I take it easy, I rest a lot, but I still need to move (they say walk 4 times 15 minutes a day).

So far the dilations were really painful since I traveled back, the body is fighting against it, but tonight I got the first one that was not as painful. I really cross the fingers for tomorrow.

I have not realized yet it has happened. I am not sad because I lost something, I am not happy because I gained something, I just feel normal, as if I had this body forever. I haven't really dressed yet, I am not back to my routine, not at work, no social life, so nothing attaches me to reality yet. This is when I will wear nice clothes outside, at one of my regular activities or work, that I will realize what happened. This feels so surreal currently.

[CostaRicaRachel]

Congratulations, I'm really happy for you, I hope the surgery turns out great, it seems like it did :)

[Julie Denier]

Congratulations, Karolyn! So glad you are so happy being you ;)