Atlanta Surgeon

[Caith721 (imported)]

This web page at TS Roadmap (http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/orchi ... geons.html) includes information regarding urologist Dr. Jenelle Foote in Atlanta. In May 2009, this person described their experience (http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/orchi ... foote.html) having orchiectomy surgery performed by Dr. Foote.

[sduyck_2000 (imported)]

dr foote requires the 2 papers we all hate unfortunately

[Caith721 (imported)]

dr foote requires the 2 papers we all hate unfortunately

Well, I'm just happy to say I received both my letters after only about three-to-four months of visiting my therapist. I visited with my psychiatrist twice before requesting her letter. I really wish I knew about Dr. Foote sooner, as I'd much rather have driven to Atlanta. On the other hand, flying to Miami to see Dr. Reed isn't all bad, either.

[SplitDik (imported)]

Well, I'm just happy to say I received both my letters after only about three-to-four months of visiting my therapist. I visited with my psychiatrist twice before requesting her letter. I really wish I knew about Dr. Foote sooner, as I'd much rather have driven to Atlanta. On the other hand, flying to Miami to see Dr. Reed isn't all bad, either.

I think the issue is that not all of us are transgendered, so many can't get any letters. For transgendered, the speed of getting the letters depends on finding the right psychiatrists and also on how apparent it is that you are comfortable living as a woman. For some that can take years.

[Caith721 (imported)]

Actually, my therapist has had more inquiries from non-transgender males for orchiectomy in the last year than in her entire career. I'd guess there are lots more people lurking here and reading than we might guess, sometimes. She's a WPATH member and became more interested in the Male-to-Eunuch phenomenon due to these increased inquiries.

[Wellesley (imported)]

Actually, my therapist has had more inquiries from non-transgender males for orchiectomy in the last year than in her entire career. I'd guess there are lots more people lurking here and reading than we might guess, sometimes. She's a WPATH member and became more interested in the Male-to-Eunuch phenomenon due to these increased inquiries.

I can understand that, people need to stay married more for economic reasons now? The sex issue out of the way marriages are a lot more stable?

Even if not economic reasons maybe people are realizing that without sex marriage can still be about love, friendship etc?

My marriage is a lot happier without the sexual frustration issue.

[nutme248 (imported)]

Wellesley, so I take it you are a eunuch now? I read your profile but it seemed unclear to me.

Thanks, Dave

I can understand that, people need to stay married more for economic reasons now? The sex issue out of the way marriages are a lot more stable?

Even if not economic reasons maybe people are realizing that without sex marriage can still be about love, friendship etc?

My marriage is a lot happier without the sexual frustration issue.

[CuriousDUD (imported)]

Caith,

I have felt the need for castration for a number of years now. I feel that talking to a therapist may be a good thing, but where does one find a therapist that is friendly to the idea of men being castrated? Is your therapist female? I don't think I could be comportable talking about such things with a man.

[Caith721 (imported)]

Yes, my therapist is a gay female Ph.D. who specializes in gender identity. She is one of only two truly-qualified gender therapists in town, and I am extremely fortunate to be counseled by her. She's honestly interested in the best interests and future happiness of her patients, and that's a very rare thing to find in therapists.

Just because a therapist's listing in the Yellow Pages or online includes the word "gender", don't believe that makes them qualified. If they also include far too many other terms, it's likely they included gender simply to draw more clients. I suggest you directly inquire how much experience they have in these matters, how many years they've been handling gender cases, how many clients they've actively counseled, and what general types of cases they were. None of these questions violate anyone's privacy and they're fair to ask anyone who purports to be an "experienced and qualified professional" and requests $100+ for an hour of their time.

The reason I mention gender specifically is because the Male-to-Eunuch phenomenon isn't widely known or extremely well-documented. There have been a few excellent studies including members here at the Eunuch Archive that have been published. If a therapist is well-versed and experienced in classic Male-to-Female and Female-to-Male gender cases, they should be able to effectively evaluate and counsel Male-to-Eunuch cases also. Sometimes the patients have to educate the professionals. Helping them gain more experience is one of the best ways to do this.

The other thing to watch for is a "gatekeeper" mentality. This is where the therapist asserts their authority over you, exposing their need to control or limit your individual desires. MtF and FtM people have encountered these people far too often, and they are NOT what you are seeking. Obviously no therapist should ever simply rubber-stamp their approval to your desires after one session. But neither should they drag out your therapy at your expense for many, many months simply for their own benefit.

You are their reason for working, and you should be their first priority, since you are paying for their time and expertise. If they don't realize this, or if they treat you as inferior to them, or if you feel they're wasting too much of your time and money without providing guidance and benefit, then you should seek another therapist.

Good luck to you. It may require time, effort, and enormous amounts of patience to find the right therapist, but it's always worth it.

[SplitDik (imported)]

You are their reason for working, and you should be their first priority, since you are paying for their time and expertise. If they don't realize this, or if they treat you as inferior to them, or if you feel they're wasting too much of your time and money without providing guidance and benefit, then you should seek another therapist.

Actually, I'd suggest the same for most doctors -- you need to manage your doctors to get what you want. Especially now with the internet where you can educate yourself on your own afflictions. And remember that each doctor can only spend a few minutes with you per visit and only a few visits per year, so if you don't fit into a standard category they really don't have the time or interest to dig into your special situation.

I know a lot of people living with back pain that don't direct their doctors enough. The doctors make them suffer for so long with suggestions like "improve your stomach core strength" and such, even when the problem later turns out to be a disc problem -- which no amount of chiropracty, muscle relaxants, accupuncture, etc. can resolve.

Doctor's can't feel your pain, can't get into your mind, etc., so it is up to you to convey what you can in a way that gets them to react.

Doctor's work for you and it really is important to get over the issue where a lot of people look up to the doctor and are afraid to question them.