TS Notes
Here are the full details about my condition. You probably have some misunderstandings
on the subject which I hope this will clarify. You needn't get too involved but I
would like to to know what's what. You see the condition is very rare and
the information about it in the media is invariably wrong.
Welcome to Marie
I am a pre-operative transsexual on hormonal treatment for 6 months and still living in the male role.
WHAT IS TRANSSEXUALISM?
Moby's Medical Dictionary describes the condition as:-
A person who's gender identity is opposite to his or her bioglogical sex.
The incorrect cliche of which is 'a woman trapped in a man's body.'
Many prefer the term Gender Dysphoria.
ARE YOU A TRANSVESTITE?
Definitely Not,
Moby's Medical Dictionary describes the condition as:-
A tendency to aceive psychic and sexual relief by dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex.
Please do not confuse me with Transvestites. These are men who wear women's
clothes, usually the most tacky of clothes, and usually for some cheap thrill.
They give us TSs a bad name as people treat us together.
You see I percieve, maybe wrongly, that the world sees us as perverts.
This is so wrong.
This is entirely a matter of gender not sex. I am not even gay.
Although I am not attracted to women at all now.
HOW RARE IS IT?
It is rare, 1 in 15,000. Naturally people do not know much about it.
WHY NOW?
I am taking the path with the least damage.
The soul search has caused a lot of guilt and anxiety in the past.
I have been asking the question 'do or don't' for years.
On balance I hope it is better to be happier with yourself at the
expense of your circumstances.
I don't like to live a lie.
(hence incidents in the past like trying to be one of the lads)
I am feeling better in myself now.
I really have to do this despite the possibly awful consequences.
I have tried to rid myself of this, every effort I have tried has failed.
I know the consequences, I know how other TSs have really suffered.
All these things weigh up on the 'don't do it' side.
It's a very difficult, painfull (both emotionally and physically) thing to do.
Every aspect of life is put at real jeopardy, family, friends, work, health, wealth and home.
And what of the 'do it' side?
Well I have friends that have made it through.
They have suffered but do not regret what they have lost and now live
normal lifes and forget about the past. These are people who do it at about
my age and through their efforts look and live as the women they are.
In simple terms, 'you wouldn't guess'. The 'before' photos are just
as bad as me too. Okay I will look odd, especially in the next year.
BTW I will not and do not particulary want to look like a super-model
that's not why I'm doing this.
The transistion phase is the hardest bit.
The pills have already helped remove some of the male emotions that
were alien and uncomfortable to me, they have also given me new emotions that
are welcome and natural.
WHY CAN'T YOU STAY AS A BLOKE?
Imagine if you woke up in the other gender's body tommorrow.
You might think it novel for a while, but you would soon abhore it.
Not feeling right with oneself is so overwelming that is overweights all
material things. I am trying to achieve a better and normal life at the end of this.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU FELT LIKE THIS?
This is not a whim, I have had feelings since I was 3 although I was only diagnosed last year.
I have denied it and fought against it. But I'm fighting against myself.
You do not wake up one day and think that you want to be a woman,
in fact I only really knew last year that this was what was wrong with me.
It is not the obvious conclusion to come to and naturally I tried to rationalise against this.
HAVE YOU HAD COUNSELLING?
I have been in couselling for 2 years at University.
At the end of which I thought that this was somthing that I could contain as a minor private part of my life.
I also thought that all would be well once I had a girlfriend.
I have seen NHS councellors since. ( They are very hard to obtain )
so I now see an expert privately this guarantees a fixed appointment and offers me a weekend appointment
meaning that I do not have to take time of work to attend.
I intend also to spend on private counsellor here in Ipswich to
get me through this sticky phase.
CAN YOU BE CURED?
No-one who is genuinely TS has been cured. I am sure I am genuine.
Some live safe but unfulfilled lives without taking action.
Others risk everything for the chance of leading a complete life.
HOW ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
I told my mom last summer and my dad only just over a month ago.
It is a very cruel thing to do being as I am an only child.
They have been marvelous and supportive but thet are extreemly worried about me.
It's going to be more than difficult for me. I will be hard on my family and
friends. I do not want to hurt them. I have tried to minimise that.
Many have said "don't do it". It a sign of compassion I don't mind this.
I would tell others not to do it. (Even though I have the condition)
I have done this with someone else as it wasn't right for them.
(They still lost their wife, though)
HOW CAN YOU FACE LOSING SO MUCH?
The againsts far outweigh the fors. But how can you weigh emotions?
Unfortuantely I am intelligent enough to know all the againsts and have
really studied the subject. I know what damage this is likely to cause.
I am trying hard to limit the damage and it needn't be all doom and gloom
as long as I have friends like youself.
I am already feeling more right in myself so am proceding.
HOW WILL YOU COPE?
I have to be courageous. I have already done things that have made people
gasp. It is not really bravery as it is something I have been forced to do.
I will get a heck of a lot of flack. :-(
I will try to minimise this, it may even make me have to move department.
I certainly hope that this will not be the case.
:-(
HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T AND THEN WISH THEY HAD?
They generally end up as a suicide statistic or do it when they are too old.
They also miss being a young woman.
Who wants to be an old woman ;-).
Seriously I have missed so many years. So many important years.
It is better to do this when you are young before you reach the age of 28.
The results are not too bad then.
It's not all doom and gloom. I get on well with the people here.
If people are rational and listen then there should be no problem.
My company has some sort of policy for us and my skills are very valuable in industry.
I have the backup of my parents now and my own home.
THE DECISION MUST HAVE BEEN HARD?
The decision took years.
Do I continue and risk hurting myself and the feelings of
people around me, that I respect, or do I suffer with the real
risk of returning to this when I am too old to do anything.
WHY, IF YOU HAVE FELT LIKE THIS FOR THE MAJORITY OF YOUR LIFE,
HAVE YOU NOT THOUGHT OF DOING SOMETHING BEFORE NOW??
I was only diagnosed last year.
I had feelings like this for a long time but I discounted them as I thought
that this couldn't possibly be happening to me. This was something people
did in newpapers etc.
WHAT IS YOUR BIOGRAPHY?
The summary is:-
Firts inclinings at 3.
Great distress at 13.
Student Counsellling at 19-22
Denial and 1 Girlfriend 23-24
Specialist Psychiatrist 24--
It was only diagonosed as being this problem last year.
I was previously unsure as to what was the matter with me.
AREN'T YOU TAKING A BIG RISK?
Yes, there is a risk of messing up my life totally and forever
But that should be, I am taking a risk of messing up my material life totally and forever
^^^^^^^^
But life isn't all about material things what is important is inner happiness
and this is my chance of achieving this.
HOW ABOUT TELLING PEOPLE?
I shall do the work of telling
close friends on an individual basis giving people the time they deserve.
The annoucement will not be for a few months yet.
The Project office girls were unexpectedly sharp in spotting what what happening.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MEDIA?
Some people are bigotted especially if they have heard or seen bad things
about us lot in the media.
(I haven't seen a good accurate article or documentary yet
Julie Grant on the BBC documentary is very unrepresentative and
personally, I dislike her.)
Her programme was on last autumn about this subject.
This was a very inaccurate and misrepresentative programme.
This type of information is what the general public including yourself
see and only see the realilty ia far different.
The media usually picks up the fring of the TS community.
This is because any sensible TS will avoid the media like the plague.
The media also has it's own agenda and does care too much about the facts.
If you saw the programme 'A Change of Sex' then please ignore 50% of it.
The person featured, Julia Grant, is nothing like me of any of the TS
friends of mine. As regards the Julia Grant Programmes.
I didn't get these ideas from telly especially THAT documentary.
I hope that noboby bases their views on that terrible documenatary.
Remember this is still a taboo subject.
This stems from fairy tales 'Little Red Riding Hood' right through to
Hitchcock's 'Psycho' and more recently 'The Silence of the Lambs'.
The fact is that TSs have a lower incident of violent crime than the
rest of society but have a much higher incident of being the victim of violent
crime. It has only been from this year that TSs could bring about the charge of rape.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
The law in this country is extreemly bad and predjucial against TSs.
If a TS commits a crime then they are sent to the prison of their original sex
regardless of the stage of treatment they are at. They can even by refused treatment for
this. (This happens to break the Geneva Convetion by the way)
TSs cannot get married in this country. In this respect we are behind the
rest of Europe and now New Zealand. We are even behind Turkey
(that country has a terrible record on human rights in other respects.)
(This Law might change this summer as the case is going to the European court)
The law on rape has only recently been changed - see above.
The original sex can also be used to determine appropriate toilets
in local council by-laws.
The Equal Opportunities Act and the Sex dicrimination act do not apply to TSs.
(This might change this summer as the case is going to the European court)
WHAT IS SO GOOD ABOUT BEING A WOMAN?
Being a woman isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I am not doing this to be glamourous or some imitation of a woman,
just to be me.
HOW DO THE HORMONES AFFECT YOU?
The progesterones took some getting used to progesterones too
The joys of taking puberty twice. ;-)
(Now imagine if someone asked you to do it again)
The anti-androgens make me tire easily.
I need an extra couple of hours in bed a day.
ARE YOU GAY?
No, not yet anyway although this may probably happen,
There is however the risk of the pills changing orientation to fit the new role.
At the moment I am an asexual TSs. (i.e. not interested in either gender)
Before taking pills 20% are gay, 20% hetro-sexual and the rest asexual.
Afterwards 60% of the asexual TSs become gay. The rest stay the same.
TSs are not really gay though. They do not fancy men in a manly way,
hence they tend not to mix with the gay community.
TSs have the biggest percentage of celibacy in any group including straights
and hence have a LOW AIDS risk. (Insurance companies are not convinced by this though)
Generally Gays are okay towards TSs.
Lesbians tend to be either hate or love TSs. They tend to be extreem in their
views. Usually Lesbians who do not know TSs think that we are purpetuating the
female myth and are being anti-feminist. (Germaine Greer has a nasty word to
say about us in her book 'The Female Eunouch')
Naturally I'm not anti-feminist as I agreed with most of the book.
I know TSs that mix totally in Lesbian circles.
At this point you critise me for mixing lesbianism and feminism.
I would say that you don't have to be Lesbian to be a feminist but the reverse
might be true.
UPDATE: I now have the full feeling of a hetrosexual woman and have already had
2 boyfriends. This is the overridingly biggest change in my personality.
The LEVI'S ADVERT
I assume you have seen the Levi's advert.
A beautiful young woman gets into Taxi and is leached at by the taxi driver.
She then gets out an electric razor and starts doing her chin.
I love this advert. ( A TS would never dare do this )
the star of the advert is a real TS called Zelda.
She had completely fooled my expert eyes.
IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION?
I have a video recording of the 'Vanessa' chat show about TSs.
You could watch it some time if you want.
What makes is doubly interesting is that I personally know 2 of the TSs
interviewed on the show.
The film Orando although fantasy is a very good description of the emotions and
issues raise by this. It is a very accurate film but you have to be in the know
to understand the metaphores.
The film 'The Crying Game' has a good TS character.
(Although we are not all drag queen's
and would tell a partner about out condition up front)
I have 2 auto-biographies that you can borrow.
The Julia Grant Autobiography - An excellent read
The Stepahanie Anne Lloyd Autobiography.
HOW DID YOU TELL PEOPLE?
My mom has known since last summer,
I only told dad 4 weeks ago. This was the hardest and possibly the cruelest
thing I have done. The week before I told him I had reached a very low ebb.
I was completely racked with guilt and helplessness.
Fortunately I have wonderful parents who support, understand and respect me.
Of course they are concerned and have tried to persuade me otherwise.
They would not be caring if they didn't.
I have had years to consider and re-consider this. and years of conselling.
I am risking a lot and will disappoint my friends and family.
I have pretended to be male but I don't want to go on pretending as
this was false and was very straining.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Over the next few months I intend to tell people that I am close to on
an individual basis so that I will hopefully have a network of understanding
people for when the story breaks.
Lion House?
I will take great pains to inform everyone on a
personal basis. This will be tough. I will take flack. I will lose friends.
Hopefully, I hope, I am already liked in the department. If people
are rational and listen to me then at least they will respect me even if
they disagree with what I am doing. I will try to look and act respectably.
I hope the others in my office are okay about it.
Most TSs find that although they have a few transsexual friends, they are only a
small part of their life, but when they start to change over try to make sure that
they do not leave normal society in any way.
WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE OF EVENTS?
I told my welfare officer back in June last year.
I told my boss and his boss and then his boss.
I told the girls in the office.
In the June I told the people that I am close to.
I then told people who would find it difficult to accept.
I then told evreryone in the department with a email message.
I gradually changed in appearance and my clothing changed gradually
to match, becoming slowly more androgynous. I will fixed a specific change-over date
I told people I would appreciate being called Marie, refered to as 'she/her' and use the ladies toilets.
I changed-over when I am sure that I look okay. This depended upon how the pills
affected me over the few months. The timetable of telling people had to
be re-assessed as the story got out.
The operation is a long way away, 1 years minimum but a maximum of 7 years.
Being on high dose hormones for so long contributes a health risk.
Either an Orchidectomy or the full operation has to be done at that stage.
I will still need electorolysis for at least 2 years I know known people who
have had to have it for 5 years.
In Summary
March - Tell the people who I perceive will not have difficultly with this.
April - Tell the people who I perceive will have difficultly with this.
May - Tell each team individually on some announcment day.
- Wait and slowly change. this may be a strange and confusoing time for you and me.
July - Become Marie.
97-99 - The Op?
WHAT DOES THE CHURCH HAVE TO SAY ON THIS?
I am not religious but would fight for people's rights to pursue their
religious beliefs as long as they do not interfere with non-believers.
Many TSs are religious and see the condition as a trial from God that
they have to overcome to become better people.
I think this condition makes me a better person than if I hadn't had it
as It helps me understand other people's problems more.
Christian religion in it's orthodox form sees this as going against nature.
This argument can be applied to anything, though.
The thing is that nature by freak circumstances gave me a female brain
and this is really incompatible with my physical self. I am tryng to
be normal.
Some interpret the bible to mean that it is against this.
The quote they refer to is in Genesis
'Man and Woman make them he.'
As you see any disagreement must be from the interpretation.
Other religions are more accepting of this condition.
Buddism is very favourable. In Red Indian Culture TSs are the holy people.
WHAT DO YOU THINK CAUSES THIS?
It could well transpire that the condition is caused by pollution and hence
again to man tampering with nature. The incidents of the condition shot up
strangely in the 60's. Suspicion has lain on the door of the pregnancy pill
DES.
I think that your religion is right being cautious when tampering with nature.
This is why I follow green politics.
I have always had the condition and have unsuccessfully tried to fight it.
I have not done this on a whim. As you know being a woman especially
a near approximation isn't the easy option.
There will always be the nice side of the old me there and there is a different
and nicer side of me for you to see too.
WHAT CLOTHES WILL YOU WEAR?
Clothes are NOT THE important thing for me I am not a transvestite.
Practical points I AM a 10/12.
It was not for many months before I could change over.
I took things gradually. I was itching to get rid of the tie.
I started off by getting a plain ladies shirt.
No one will notice that the buttons are different then I
gradually phased things in.
People noticed how past their sell by date my old office clothes were.
HOW DO YOU DO YOUR HAIR?
I have let it grow for about 8 months. The styling is be De Max.
I now have taken to Shampoo, seperate conditioner, hair thickener and curl booster.
I takes quite a bit of brushing too.
WHAT ABOUT TOILETS?
I used the gents, always sitting down until the change-over date.
Then, with the agreement of the women in the department I used a particular cubical
in one of the ladies toilets. The cooperation of the women in the department is necessary and
from my converastions with the girls in the project office they saw no objection at this stage.
I thanked them for their help and understanding. I can understand their concerns about this.
Howver with the move to Martlesham I have been relegated to to Disabled toilets.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
I have to made the decision to never have children.
This could cause me regret in the future but I am adamant that this is the right. thing to do
I don't think that society is advanced enough to accept a TS mother who is
detectable and will not be in the near future.
This would be unfair on the child for many reasons.
It would be unfair to expose a child to the social stigma
that currently surrounds the subject.
You need more than love to be a parent.
Maybe I should get a cat in the future like my friend Angela.
I happen to be very maternal which makes things more difficult for me.
Some women are not maternal at all, unfortunatley I am.
It still saddens me very much that I will be childless and is perhaps
a topic of conversation best avoided. It is my biggest loss with this condition.
COULD YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?
In other cases I know of someone who spent 4 years living as a woman but found
it too difficult. They now look like and live as a man now and have a normal
relationship with a woman. The relationship must be special in some respects
lesbian as they are still TS. It was a really tough decision for them to
turn back but they had no option. (Medical problems).
They think that they were right to try and have no regrets.
WHAT UPSETS YOU?
Being called a transvestite.
Being called 'it', 'thing', 'that'.
Called 'he' or my old name after change-over.
Getting knocks to the chest.
People raising their voices to me.
Lads tellling me obscene jokes.
References to 'gender-bender','sex-swop','sex-change' (the correct term is 'The op' or Gender Reassignment.)
Being ignored.
Being expected to be less intelligent.
Being shouted at.
Phrases such as 'your not a woman', 'you'll never be a woman', 'you'll ever understand the female mind'. 'You just haven't met the right woman', 'We'll have you married within the year.'
Not being told when I make mistakes or upset you.
My condition being mentioned to other people who do not know and that I am likely to come into contact with.
WHAT PLEASES YOU?
Honesty. e.g If you think I look every inch a man say so.
Positive jokes about the situation.
Being asked how I am.
Being treated the same as before.
Being bought flowers. :-)
Having doors opened for me.
WHAT IS ELECTROLYGY LIKE?
Torture.
Electolygy is the only way to remove beard hair permenantly.
I will require 2 hours a week for 2 years at a cost of #30 a week.
The process involves a hot needle placed into every hair and an electric current and
radio wave applied. It hurts like being burned and pricked at the same time.
The face is sore and red the next day.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Electrolysis 2hrs a week for 2 years minimum at ~ #3000
Gender Reassignment surgery ~ #6500
Nose job ~ #2500
Trachea shave ~ #500
Jaw Operation ~ #2500
Possible Lip implants ~ #1000
Total ~ #16000
The local NHS will not fund any of these operations other Health authorities do.
I will have to find this money myself.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE HORMONES?
Advantages
Relaxed Disposition.
Ceasation of male function.
Ceasation of male emotions.
Emergance of female emotions.
Softer skin.
Breast and hip development.
Less body hair.
More head hair and possible regrowth of receeded hair.
Less chance of heart attack.
More socialbility.
More patience.
Tolerance of wailing children.
I will look younger than my years by about 6 years.
Disadvantages
Risk of deep vein thombosis.
Strain on Liver function.
Reduced alcohol tolerance.
Reduced muscle tone.
Brittle nails.
Possible depression.
Many TSs not myself suffer from sickness.
I now have a lower drink tolerance.
Side effects of Ethnyl Estradiol
Contraindications Known or suspected breast cancer, unless that
is the target. Known or suspected estrogen
dependent tumor. Active or historical blood
clotting disorders.
Adverse effects.. Blood clotting disorders. Elevated blood
pressure. Breast and liver tumors. Gall
bladder disease. Yeast infections. Nausea.
Vomiting. Abdominal cramping. Bloating.
Jaundice. Blotchy skin pigmentation. Red skin
patches from capillary congestion. Blood
eruptions from the skin. Spasms of limb and
facial muscles. Easy bruising. Steepening of
corneal curvature. Intolerance to contact
lenses. Headache. Migraine. Dizziness.
Mental depression. Decreased carbohydrate and
glucose tolerance. Increased calcium level in
blood. Increased sensitivity to light. Fluid
retention. Increase of body and facial hair.
Loss of scalp hair.
Side effects of Progesterones
Contraindications Active or past blood clotting disorders. Liver
dysfunction or disease. Known or suspected
breast or gonadal tumors. Known sensitivity to
medroxyprogesterone acetate.
Adverse reactions Fluid retention. Mental depression. Decreased
glucose tolerance. Blood clotting disorders.
Skin discoloration, rash, itching, and other
allergic reactions. Cholestatic jaundice.
Fever. Insomnia. Sleepiness. Nausea.
Headache. Loss of coordination. Slurred
speech. Change of vision. Chest pain.
Weakness, numbness, or pain in extremeties.
Shortness of breath.
Side effects of Androcur
Contraindications Inadequate urine production. Kidney
disfunction. Elevated potassium levels.
Adverse reactions Pottasium retention. Sodium loss. Cramping.
Diarrhea. Drowsiness. Lethargy. Confusion.
Drug fever. Headache. Loss of precise motor
control. Acne. Iching. Gastric ulceration
and other stomach inflammation. Vomiting.
Increase of body and facial hair. Deepening of
the voice. Agranulocytosis. Red skin patches
from capillary congestion. Urticaria. Dizziness.
Dry mouth.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
I have choosen to stop pretending to be male and to let my voice drift up
and to wear more androgeonous clothes and hairstyle.
The hormones have had the following effects:-
1 months Enlaraged and Darkened nipples.
Tender breasts.
2 months Ceasation of male function
Soft skin underarms.
Improvement in hair condition.
Patienced and relaxed disposition.
2 months Relaxed disposition with the absence of male thoughts
Reduced alcohol tolerance.
3 months Noticable breast growth.
2 days for a shave.
Softness of skin on hands.
4 months Realisation that this was 'Right'
Loss of ability to have children.
Slightly higher voice.
Female mannerisms.
Wider hips.
Noticeable lightening of beard from electrolysis.
3 days for a shave.
Lack of general muscle strength.
Start of progesterones
5 months New female emotions including enhanced maternal feelings
Decrease in body hair.
Tendency to break nails.
Noticable cheek development.
Noticeable breast development.
Painful movement of breasts.
Noticable reduced muscle tone on upper arms and shoulders.
Softness of skin on face.
Mistaken as female as Tony.
Higher hairline a back of neck.
Softening of nose.
HAVE YOU CHANGED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LIKE WOMEN?
No, I have always liked women as friends
I was mildy attracted to women romantically but in a feminine way.
My girlfriend accused me of being gay and also compared me to a lesbian
she once knew. She must have known that something was different but I acted
towards her in every much a male way.
Now that I have been on the pills I am no longer attracted to women
romantically but want more women as friends.
HAVE YOU CHANGED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LIKE MEN?
No, I have always liked men as friends
I was never attracted to men romantically.
Now that I have been on the pills I may become attracted to men
romantically in a feminine way but still want men as friends.
HAVE YOU CHANGED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LIKE YOUR MALE BODY?
Yes, my body was perfectly satisfactory for a guy. It wasn't too ugly. :-)
But it never felt as though it was MY body. I do not envie other women's
bodies I just want my own returned to me. Say you were born without limbs,
you know you should have them but they just aren't there and would try to regain
them as closely as possible. I have missing bits and extra bits.
The old adage 'You cannot miss what you have never had.' does not apply here.
My mental body image is hard wired to think that my body should be different.
WHICH GENDER IS BETTER MALE OR FEMALE?
Women have a harder, more worthy and less recognised life than men.
(Flame on)
Women and Men have plus points and negative points.
I don't like or dislike either. Although I am biases towards thinking that women
are better people.(I reserve the right to change my opinion until after
my real life test)
I could waffle on for hours here and cause many an argument, so I will shut up.
WHAT PREFERENCE WOULD YOU END UP WITH?
Watch this space. But the odds are given elsewhere in the FAQ.
Well I ended up liking men exclusively.
WILL YOU GO ALL THE WAY?
You only start this process if you are prepared to go all the way.
On the other hand only a startling low 10% make it to the end.
WHAT PILLS DO YOU TAKE?
I started off on HRT treatment
50 mcg Ethynyl Estradiol (oestrogen)
I then went onto the pill.
50 mcg Ethynyl Estradiol (oestrogen) and
25 mcg progestrerone.
Now in addition to this I am about to start
Androcur (Anti-Androgen)
I also take Multivitamin,calcium,zinc and cod live oil tablets as supplements.
This is especially helpful to stop the nail brittleness side effect.
COULDN'T YOU TAKE PILLS TO MAKE YOU GO NORMAL?
COULDN't YOU HAVE BEEN CURED?
If I took testosterone instead then I would have become more unhappy
and also would have had the side effects of becomeing violent.
American doctors tried this technique in the 50's with dire effects.
They also tried electro-shock treatment.
Very nasty and very much in contravenance of human rights.
WHAT IS THE OPERATION LIKE?
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This section is pretty horrible and is not required reading.
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You need to gain weight and be relatively fit beforehand.
You need a second opinion and you need examination by the surgeon for surgery.
Only 3 places do it in Britain.
Depending upon how much material you have to start off with depends on the type of surgery.
If you do not have much material then a piece of bowel is used otherwise the operation is
an inversion.
You have to come off the hormones and endure a mini menopause. Hot flushes etc.
You require an enema and you are not allowed to eat for a week.
Therefore you lose lots of weight and become very weak.
You stay in bed for a week and are catherered for a while.
1/100 operations go badly wrong. This is normally in older less healthier people.
Occasionally there are urinary problems afterwards. Occasionaly these are permenant.
You may return to work in at least 8 weeks. 12 is not uncommon.
Complications with infection are common and delay matters even more.
