I continued to have problems dilating and had to get the assistance of a local OB/GYN, Dr. Fagnant. He was a little surprised as he had been involved in the delivery of some of our children and was now doing post-op vaginal exams on the same childrens father. Dr. Fagnant, though inexperienced with transsexual surgery and issues, called Dr. Menard for information on my GRS and engaged independent study. Dr. Fagnant was able to help me through my dilating problems and any other concerns while monitoring my healing process.
My dilating problems, it seems, were caused by entering at the wrong angle which was causing the tissues to become irritated and inflamed. The situation was compounded and made worse by each successive dilation. After I began entering at the correct angle, the problems and pain subsided. Dr. Fagnant endeavored to continue study of transsexual medical issues to take care of my post-op needs.
Dilations became easy and reduced in frequency over time. I was very satisfied as everything worked as it should.
In the two years following my GRS I have been pleased with the results and have had no complications. I have excellent depth and no problems with urinary tract functions and direction. My one complaint is the labia are not as well defined as I would like but not lacking so much that I would consider a subsequent labiaplasty. Examinations by three physicians have informed me the surgical result is very good and looks like any woman my age who has had a hysterectomy.
Though my GRS is something only seen by my spouse and myself, it was a necessity for me. I find it helped me feel "whole" and "complete" and I no longer felt as if I had a defect. As a result, I gained greater confidence in myself and feel more at ease in all situations. With that, my level of happiness has increased and I find I live a more productive life in so very many ways. No longer do I bear the burden of a closeted secret, or live a life I was not meant to live, or play out a role that is so foreign to my inner soul.
My family and I are learning the splendor of being an alternative family and are finding beauty in the differences among people. With a new outlook on life and vision from a perspective seen by few, our explorations go far beyond just the limits of gender. All things are fresh and new and hold new promise in our lives.
While GRS was an important event in my life I felt two others were even more monumental during my gender journey. The first being when I started hormones and the second when I began living full time. GRS was simply the icing on the cake. |
