How did you decide if you wanted bottom surgery?
NSFW
Hi, I'm almost 2 years on hrt now and while I never had much bottom dysphoria that started to change once the HRT changes reduced much of my other body dysphoria. For a while I was sure I wanted bottom surgery. I don't like my current "configuration", I don't like tucking and that limits my fashion choices quite a bit. I feel conscious about it a lot of times when going outside. I also can't even think about being intimate with someone like this. And I just don't like having this thing on me. Plus I've heard a lot about how you get some more hrt changes post surgery since you don't have any t left. But once I started thinking more about the surgery and researching a bit I wasn't sure if that was the right thing for me either. It's probably at least partially because the actual surgery and the healing process are really scary. But the idea of having a vagina also feels somehow weird. I'm not sure why. I know there are some types of surgeries that don't create "depth" but I don't quite think that's the right thing for me either. Tho while my libido was down before I started prog I sometimes thought that I wish I was just flat down there.
I'm absolutely lost about what to do.
Did you have similar thoughts? How did you come to a decision? Any helpful thoughts on this are much appreciated
My rule is simple: any surgery is a drastic and invasive medical procedure, if you aren't 100% sure you want it, don't get it. That also goes if you want surgery but aren't 100% sure which one. Every time they open you up there's a chance for infection or other complications. So if you get a surgery, get the right one for you and know you're not going to regret it.
That's why I'm 99% sure I'll never have it. But that's easy for me to say, I'm mostly taking E for the enormous mental health benefits I'm getting from it and never really had much in the way of physical dysphoria.
Definitely won't get surgery unless I'm sure. Its just that I thought I wanted it for quite some time now and now I'm not sure anymore. But I still have the dysphoria and for the first time since starting my transition I feel like I don't now what the right next step is for me.
I'd look at pictures of the results, read about procedures, etc. You can't ever know too much.
once i learned there's other configurations, i was far more onboard with the idea. for instance, i'm opting for a metoidioplasty without vaginectomy.
with the way you're feeling, you might want to look into genital nullification.
Thanks, I had already thought about that, but I think that's probably not it either.
Wish you all the best for your surgery
well, i do hope you figure out something.
and thanks, i still gotta start HRT first. hopefully before i'm 40.
I knew I wanted a pussy since age 9, even before i knew the word "trans", sooooo
Yeah when I discovered peritoneal pull through was an option so the neovagina would be moist and need less dilation I was like 100% sure I wanted that
Also I had horrible genital dysphoria pre hrt that only got worse on hrt, and it often ruins sex for me and stuff.
Thinking about it I realized that as far as I can remember I always felt jealous in that regard and I often simply imagined I already had a vagina. It certainly wasn't as clear a want as it was for you and I didn't have horrible dysphoria, but still. Maybe it just was never in reach and I still need to process that it is now.
Sorry that your genital dysphoria is so bad, wish you all the best
I had an orchi about 7 months ago. I got it because I wasn't 100% sure I wanted a vaginoplasty, but I knew for certain I didn't like my balls, so off they went. And if I later decide that I for sure want a vaginoplasty I can still go and get one. I definitely have less dysphoria since I got it. If you're certain you don't like your balls, you could just get those removed and get a vaginoplasty later if you so decide. Downside though is that you'd potentially have to pay for 2 surgeries if you decided to go that way.
I never had any problem with my natal genitalia or any of my feminine features really, they don't make me a woman. Since I'm happy with what I have I have no desire for surgery.
For me bottom dysphoria also greatly increased after about a year on HRT, I guess because other stuff was managed more so the dysphoria moved there. I always hated my penis even before transition but only then understood why and what to do about it. I don't really care about sex but just wearing what I want and not feeling my penis when laying down are 10/10 benefits I love from SRS. In my country you have to talk to a therapist in order to get SRS so I found a good one and actually talked about her about my (few) concerns like healing and cleared up some doubts. But I was pretty set on it and looking back recovery was really ok for me. 2-3 weeks of struggle aren't a lot for a lifetime of happiness. And it was really only the first week that was REALLY bad. After that, it got better and I managed ok. I'm now 6 months post-op and very happy with my decision. I don't really think about my genitals anymore which is wonderful. Check my post history for some more detail, I made some posts here throughout my journey.
I absolutely hated having a dick from day one, just.... who wants a fuckin' hot dog in your pants at all times, it's so awkward.
Plus I don't pass well, so not having a cock is one less thing people can use against me.
I have sex dysphoria => I want to get rid of it for my brain to not want to kms => Genitals are part of it => I'll get SRS when my situation in life allows for it