A conversation with Dr. Kimmel

[mrt (imported)]

Based on the 1954 start date, I would assume Dr. K is 82.

He does castrations on demand. He says he does not ask questions. Isn't that what we want? But, we do need a replacement soon.

Do to the housing glut, the Condo replacement of the Best Western seems to be on indefinite hold. Sales office is closed.

Humm... Well! I for one think that he does not help people to practice meds this way. Why not talk to a "mainstream" doctor and a therapist for example? I imagine a lot of men who do this regret it and then what?

I guess I'm saying having a few hoops to jump through is not a bad thing.

[LiveFreeOfT (imported)]

Humm... Well! I for one think that he does not help people to practice meds this way. Why not talk to a "mainstream" doctor and a therapist for example? I imagine a lot of men who do this regret it and then what?

I guess I'm saying having a few hoops to jump through is not a bad thing.

If the hoops can in fact be jumped through, I suppose you're right about it not being a bad thing. I'm trying to go a more "mainstream" route. Since my desires are connected to gender identity, I'm seeing a gender therapist who seems willing to help me following the HBIGDA/WPATH Standards of Care to the extent that they apply to a person who doesn't identify as male or female. I'm hoping for anti-androgens, low dose estrogen HRT, and eventually orchiectomy. I'm worried, though, that it won't work out, and that something will happen so that I can't go to Kimmel, and then where would I be?

I'm glad he's there. He seems to do what he does responsibly, and he probably prevents a lot of worse things from happening.

[Eddie (imported)]

When Dr. Spector castrated me in 1998 and he was around 80 then. I had no problems with him but I started to hear things about him later.

Philly is known for their bed and breakfasts and I bet Mary would be glad to help you to find a place to stay when that time comes.

[Kangan (imported)]

I'm out of time and my stitches are hurting a bit. I'm an eunuch for 5 full days now. I'll post more later (a few days) all about my journey to Kimmelville and the operation. Standby.

[mrt (imported)]

I think most doctors simply want to insure they are not doing more harm then good. And of course they want to avoid being sued by someone who has mental illness and claims later that it was mistake. One that of course can't be undone.

If your willing to work with a therapist I would suggest you contact a couple of the following.

Dr Bowers in Colorado

Dr Alter in LA & NYC

Dr Reed in Florida

Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania

And humm.. can't think of the lady in SC? Or was it NC??? But spell out what you want an orchiectomy. And be aware that some TS people don't go beyond that step (surgery wise) These are pretty mainstream folks (I think) and have done many many orchiectomies.

Its my opinion that talking to a therapist (even for Orchialgia which was my bag) is a good thing. You can go over the logic of what you plan to do. Talk to someone who is outside the loop and can advice you or if nothing else simple agree that your reasoning is sound. If your reasoning is not they can help you figure that out as well which I think is good since having been there with low Testosterone its maybe not so great and wonderful as some might think. But I do understand your results will vary.

If the hoops can in fact be jumped through, I suppose you're right about it not being a bad thing. I'm trying to go a more "mainstream" route. Since my desires are connected to gender identity, I'm seeing a gender therapist who seems willing to help me following the HBIGDA/WPATH Standards of Care to the extent that they apply to a person who doesn't identify as male or female. I'm hoping for anti-androgens, low dose estrogen HRT, and eventually orchiectomy. I'm worried, though, that it won't work out, and that something will happen so that I can't go to Kimmel, and then where would I be?

I'm glad he's there. He seems to do what he does responsibly, and he probably prevents a lot of worse things from happening.

[Kangan (imported)]

Right now, I don't know what to think about Dr. Kimmel. Pre-operation, and during the operation, I had a good opinion of him. Now, 7-days later, I am finding that his stitches are rather uneven and apparently poorly done (I've got several loops hanging out about 1/8th inch!). When I talked to him by telephone yesterday regarding post operative wound care, he rambled all over the place with many repetitious and uneccessary comments and never did answer my questions. Now I am beginning to think that he has "lost it" or is just another "quack" doctor. [big sigh]

So here I sit, changing my dressing frequently, and waiting for the oozing to stop (just pale pink - not blood or pus). The stitches also hurt at times - either they are too tight or there is an infection, but no other signs of infection. Some stitches seem too tight - others are hanging loose in loops! Weird. I cannot look at the stitches without using a hand mirror.

I want to get back on my feet ASAP and cannot - very frustrating. I need a second opinion and don't know where to get it without a lot of questions being asked.

I am elated that I have no testicles, but the recovery process is really difficult. My intuition is to sit tight and wait a few more days to see if things calm down. [gritting teeth]

[mrt (imported)]

Without a lot of questions asked??

Look, doctors are pretty immune to... everything. My cousin worked in an ER and pulled various items out of people rear ends and the doctors didn't blink.

If your screwed up by having a lousy job done on you GET HELP! "F" what someone thinks about what you had done to yourself.

[Blaise (imported)]

Right now, I don't know what to think about Dr. Kimmel. Pre-operation, and during the operation, I had a good opinion of him. Now, 7-days later, I am finding that his stitches are rather uneven and apparently poorly done (I've got several loops hanging out about 1/8th inch!). When I talked to him by telephone yesterday regarding post operative wound care, he rambled all over the place with many repetitious and uneccessary comments and never did answer my questions. Now I am beginning to think that he has "lost it" or is just another "quack" doctor. [big sigh]

So here I sit, changing my dressing frequently, and waiting for the oozing to stop (just pale pink - not blood or pus). The stitches also hurt at times - either they are too tight or there is an infection, but no other signs of infection. Some stitches seem too tight - others are hanging loose in loops! Weird. I cannot look at the stitches without using a hand mirror.

I want to get back on my feet ASAP and cannot - very frustrating. I need a second opinion and don't know where to get it without a lot of questions being asked.

I am elated that I have no testicles, but the recovery process is really difficult. My intuition is to sit tight and wait a few more days to see if things calm down. [gritting teeth]

Please take care of yourself. Go to a doctor.

[Kangan (imported)]

I just got an email from another member who had used Dr. Kimmel. According to him, Dr. K. left the stitches a bit loose on purpose. I just wish that the pain would subside a bit - makes it hard to function. I do pop a few Tylenol from time to time which helps.

In some ways, the orchiectomy was easier than my vasectomy, but the recovery differs considerably from what I was expecting. For one thing the incision is much longer.

Thanks for all the input.

[kennath7 (imported)]

He did it that way for me as well

So it would be easy for me to take my own stitches out