February, 2011
I transitioned at work on May 5th, and had my FFS on August 10th. I am now preparing for my next step – GRS. On November 15th I met with Dr Sherman Leis (who did my facial surgery) for a followup and discussed GRS with him then. The next day, I flew to Montreal for a consultation with Dr. Pierre Brassard. Finally, on January 4th I met with Dr. Christine McGinn. After talking with all of them, I have decided to go with Dr. McGinn. The date is August 8th, 2011.
It is a little strange…surgery seems almost anti-climactic. I have already survived the biggest challenge – workplace transition. I am in sales and was very worried that the company would not want me representing them. The opposite has been true. Since transitioning I have not only retained my job, but I have been selected to represent the company at various industry conferences.
By comparison, reassignment surgery seems simultaneously momentous and almost trivial. Momentous because there is no denying it is a big step. It is major surgery, and it will “complete” me is a way nothing else can. But it essentially a private change. Walking down the street, no one will be able to tell that I have had the surgery. In this respect, facial surgery was far more impactful.
But I would not wish to postpone surgery. While I don’t expect to ever really have cause to use my new genitals, being fully female, physically, is important to me. Everything else I have done so far in my transition has been to get other to see me as I wish to be seen. This step is one I take for myself – to be who I am, as fully and completely as possible.
So, the next countdown begins…