Getting it scheduled
Most US surgeons will need the two letters from therapists who have treated you for dysphoria. They also typically require a year on HRT before scheduling, including a decent amount (~6-8 sessions of laser from my experience) of hair removal therapy (laser, electrolysis, etc..) You will also need to fill out an in-take form, each surgeon’s form is different as well as their restrictions for surgery. I recommend getting a PDF copy of your letters with no name specified if you want to contact several surgeons at once. Some surgeons require deposits and have consultation fees.
Some important questions to ask on consult
1. How many do you perform regularly? For how long have you performed these surgeries? (Good to gauge for their familiarity)
2. How long will the actual surgery be? (This affects recovery and scarring.)
3. How will the neo-vagina function?
6. What is the recovery time line? When will I be mobile? When should I be able to work? When can I exercise?
7. What is your approach to surgery, or rather what do you focus on? Appearance, functionality, other? (Important to gauge their focus for surgery and expected results.)
8. What is your methodology? (If not detailed elsewhere, good to know how they work and what they will or won’t do.)
A demonstration video of the surgery
Use this as a gauge for your expectations and comfort level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFCCD8_4Ldw
A general time line of vaginoplasty…
Approximately one year prior
-Start HRT (which will require a therapist’s note to get)
-Start or plan to start permanent hair removal
-Start prepping to get letters to the surgeon (find a way to get a secondary)
-Start contacting surgeons, some do not require all of the above
Within the year prior
-Consultation with surgeon
~3 months
-Start submitting FMLA application for work
30 days prior
-Check up with surgeon
-Typically the pay date for the surgeon
-Some documents and tests need to be submitted around this time
Less than 30 days prior
-Surgeons differ on rules, but most will require going off HRT ~2-3 weeks before
-If you do not have insurance there may be different pay dates for different hospital services
-Limiting medicine intake (e.g. aspirin)
The week of surgery
-Prepping with limited food/liquid intake
-You will need to use some different types of medicines (laxatives, Hibiciens showers, oh my!)
-Pre-op checkup
2 weeks after
-in-bed recovery
2-6 weeks after
-Rest and recovery, no exercise
-Recommend taking off work for at least 4 weeks following surgery date
3 months after
-Follow up with surgeon
6 months
-Follow up with surgeon
12 months
-Follow up with surgeon