One year anniversary

[Kelly_2 (imported)]

It was October of 2001 when I had my sex reassignment by Dr. Suporn in Thailand. I have not had one second of regret.

The castration by Spector previous to that allowed me to realize that such a surgery as SRS is obtainable and something that would not be regretted. Indeed, the freedom of being without those dreaded organs between my legs is such a great feeling.

I no longer become ill when I disrobe for the shower and could see my male body--I have a body that I am finally proud of--one that fits.

After so many decades of wanting to cut the things off with a knife, a skilled surgeon gave me much more.

This has been the best year of my life. And thanks to the E.A.--I joined before I went to spector, and met quite a few friends here.

Love,

Kelly

P.S. I love Antonia's new picture.

[Andrew (imported)]

This has been the best year of my life. And thanks to the E.A.--I joined before I went to spector, and met quite a few friends here.

Love,

Kelly

P.S. I love Antonia's new picture.

Best wishes for many more happy years in your new life!

[Christina (imported)]

Hello Kelly,

This is great news! I too seem to be following the same path that you have taken. Right now, I am considering castration as my next step towards my final goal of GRS. A couple of things concern me though, and maybe you could answer them for me. One concern is that I have heard some GRS surgeons frown upon castration prior to GRS. Another is that I do not forsee my GRS happening in the next year or two because of finances. Would I be foolish to spend the money on castration now, or just bide my time, save my money and wait for GRS? I have managed to save enough to visit Dr. Kimmel in Philly now. Up to this point, my progress on hormones seem to be slow, and I know that getting castration would help in this area, but my doctor is still adjusting the hormones to get the right balance for me. Your insight and opinion would be most helpful to me at this time.

Congratulations again! It's good to hear you have no regrets. One day I too may be able to say the same!

Huggs,

[Riverwind (imported)]

Kelly

Congratulations again, I am so happy for you and glad its everything you wanted. I also finally got rid of those things between my legs about 6 weeks ago but that is as far a I care to go. Kelly you are one of the true success stories from our group.

Please don’t stay away you have so much to offer.

River

[Kelly_2 (imported)]

Hello Kelly,

This is great news! I too seem to be following the same path that you have taken. Right now, I am considering castration as my next step towards my final goal of GRS. A couple of things concern me though, and maybe you could answer them for me. One concern is that I have heard some GRS surgeons frown upon castration prior to GRS.

That is correct. The scrotal tissue is often used for a graft for vaginal lining as well as the outer labia. Excessive scarring on the scrotal skin interferes with these, if the castration is done through the scrotum. Another, rarer option that is used for testicular cancer, is the inguinal approach--the incisions are made in the belly, and the testes and cords are pulled up through the canal and removed through the belly. This leaves the scrotum un-scarred. Kimmel and Barham do not use that technique, however.

I was castrated by Spector, who made his cut directly in the middle of my scrotum. This was acceptable to my GRS surgeon, Dr. Suporn, because he cuts the scrotum in the middle also. However, he does warn us about poorly done orchiectomies on his surgery page:

http://srs-thailand.com/Surgery.html

Type A SRS = primary case of SRS.

Type B SRS = secondary case with prior unilateral or bilateral orchiectomy elsewhere before SRS. An examination of photographs is required before scheduling of SRS. If there has been major damage (excessive scar tissue) to the scrotal sac or it has been removed - no SRS.

Another is that I do not fore

see my GRS happening in the next year or two because of finances. Would I be foolish to spend the money on castration now, or just bide my time, save my money and wait for GRS? I have managed to save enough to visit Dr. Kimmel in Philly now. Up to this point, my progress on hormones seem to be slow,

Slow?! Your photo shows you to look unmistakably like a natal woman. I wish that I looked as good.

...

and I know that getting castration would help in this area, but my doctor is still adjusting the hormones to get the right balance for me. Your insight and opinion would be most helpful to me at this time.

I feel that castration is a personal decision, and do not attempt to influence peoples' decisions on this. However, I will discuss the procedure, the pros and cons, and my own experiences.

Besides the increased feminization, advantages include:

1) It greatly reduces the amount of testosterone that the body produces without the need to take anti-androgens.

2) It can help the TS woman psychologically--the hated testes are gone, there is a sense of progress in the transgender surgeries done to the body, panties fit a whole lot better, and the crotch no longer has as much tell-tale bulge that prevents one from wearing certain clothes

3) Some people may be able to change documentation from being "male" to "female." Since some jurisdictions determine sex by "males have testes, females don't," an orchiectomy may allow them to be legally recognized as a female.

Some risks include:

1) The genitals may shrink after some time, causing the eventual SRS to be less satisfactory or would require a skin graft or other procedure.

2) It is irreversible, in case the person changed their mind.

3) The loss of libido and male ability is bothersome to certain people.

4) You will no longer be able to have children.

Some sites that describe the pros and cons of orchiectomy include Annie Richards' beautifully laid out and illustrated "Birth of Venus" site:

http://www.annierichards.net/orchidectomy.htm

in which, she quotes a study of satisfaction on 14 people who had the orchiectomy, with the results being a 100% satisfaction rate.

And:

http://www.road-less-traveled.com/orchi.html

which mirrors the comments of Ms. Richards, and includes a first-hand account of the surgery done by Dr. Barham, a popular orchiectomy doctor for M2F women

My experience is below, but do bear in mind that this was my first transgender surgery, so the tone may be different from my later writings (and, unfortunately, the photo of the woman on this page is not me--except in my wildest dreams):

http://www.tguk.net/ts/orchi.htm

Congratulations again! It's good to hear you have no regrets. One day I too may be able to say the same!

Huggs,

I wish you the best and brightest future.

Much love,

Kelly

[Sherry (imported)]

It was October of 2001 when I had my sex reassignment by Dr. Suporn in Thailand. I have not had one second of regret.

The castration by Spector previous to that allowed me to realize that such a surgery as SRS is obtainable and something that would not be regretted. Indeed, the freedom of being without those dreaded organs between my legs is such a great feeling.

Hi Kelly,

Happy anniversary on your SRS. I've seen you in the Yahoo Groups, but hadn't seen you here in the EA for a while.

My orchiectomy was the very first thing I ever did about my gender issues, and I too realized my possibilities when I saw Spector. Prior to that, transition was only something I had heard about. During my stay in Philadelphia, I met three women in the middle of their transition. All three were taking estrogen, one had already had her orch, and two were full time. Just seeing these women convinced me that I too could transform. So now I am actually doing it too, and loving it.

Love and hugs,

[Andrew (imported)]

This has been the best year of my life. And thanks to the E.A.--I joined before I went to spector, and met quite a few friends here.

Love,

Kelly

By the way, didn't you post frequently with the motto of "Estrogen, breakfast of champions!"? I happen to beon a low dose of estrogen, but not for feminization. More to control the hot flashes (which it has).

[Kelly_2 (imported)]

Hi Kelly,

Hello, Sherry, and everyone else here. Thanks for the welcome back, I've been gone for a while.

Happy anniversary on your SRS. I've seen you in the Yahoo Groups, but hadn't seen you here in the EA for a while.

Thanks. It is great to live in a time when transsexuality can be surgically addressed.

My orchiectomy was the very first thing I ever did about my gender issues, and I too realized my possibilities when I saw Spector. Prior to that, transition was only something I had heard about. During my stay in Philadelphia, I met three women in the middle of their transition. All three were taking estrogen, one had already had her orch, and two were full time. Just seeing these women convinced me that I too could transform. So now I am actually doing it too, and loving it.

Love and hugs,

That is inspiring. TS women know from their earliest years that something is wrong, and the dreams and hopes that things will correct themselves fades once puberty arrives.

From then on, the actual change from one gender to the other, right gender seems like such a fantasy--a dream that just might be possible, but how? Eventually, we come to the conclusion that yes, it can be done, and we gather the stamina to begin.

It is rewarding to hear that the women that you met in Philadelphia convinced you to transform.

For me, when I was 21, my gender identity disorder was driving me insane, so I called a suicide hotline. They gave me a number to call. I did so, and soon found myself in group therapy with several TS women in several stages of transition. I then saw that it can be done, and became determined that that was for me in my future.

Much love,

Kelly

[Kelly_2 (imported)]

By the way, didn't you post frequently with the motto of "Estrogen, breakfast of champions!"? I happen to beon a low dose of estrogen, but not for feminization. More to control the hot flashes (which it has).

Giggles. Yes. I seem to think that estrogen = good ;

testosterone = bad

I do know some real he-men that would disagree. But there is so much good in estrogen and so much insidious evil in testosterone, that I do like the motto.

Love,

Kelly

Estrogen, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

[Riverwind (imported)]

I am not sure about estrogen, good or bad but I sure am glad I don’t have Testosterone running my life anymore. It took an extra year before I finally made it to Philly but I want to thank you again for suggesting Androcur, I used it for the year and found the results wonderful.

Thanks again Kelly and congratulations on your birthday.