Thank you 🙏🏽

I love to hear this! I am so excited to watch the evolution through these first three months.

Why tho

My drag coefficient answer is Carmen Carrera , Kylie Sonique Love , Peppermint )

:)

I did the peritoneal pull through (PPT) vaginoplasty!

I am 28 and just getting through it!

You’re amazing. That’s so very kind. Thank you I’m gonna try!

Thank you! 🙏🏽

I have never been happier!!!!

My days of Srs or GRS , I was so happy all the nurses loved coming in to see me because all the other patients were very nasty . I even had the chief of plastic surgery of yele hospital laughing . 😅

I was 27 when I began HRT (16 mos ago). I’ve had no FFS or surgeries on my face. I’ve taken advantage dysport injections and lip filler.

Thank you! I appreciate you!

Thank you

Thanks

I get lash extensions. I had a full set filled the week before my operation and I didn’t know they tape your eyes closed in the operation. As a result, their taps pulled about half off.

Thank you! It’s been incredible.

Thank you thank you 🙏🏽

Thank you! I got general anesthesia.

I can answer a few of these.

Insurance

Mine was covered by insurance (Aetna), however I had to submit an appeal to get it covered as it was out of network for Dr. Wittenberg. That process is pretty simple and straight forward (call the number on your insurance card and they will walk you through it. Dr. Wittenberg will get you the codes that you need to provide).

Consultation

I reached out to Dr. Wittenberg on the 28th of Sept 2020 and received a consultation with Dr. Bonnington on the 14th of October. From there I was given a choice of surgeons, Dr. Bonnington said he had availability in April or May and Dr. Wittenberg had availability in November of 2021. I opted for Dr. Wittenberg and had mine on 9 Nov 21.

Surgical Recovery

This process is largely independent from person to person. Some people recover quicker, others take longer, its hard to know what camp you fall into before the surgery; complications can extend your recovery out farther. The general rule of thumb is three months to ride a bike, however I would probably assume around five to eight months (from my experience its better to overestimate recover time and be surprised than underestimate it and become frustrated).

PPT Decision

I opted for PPT due to a multitude of factors, however it is extremely important to note that this is a newer procedure and less is known about the long term effects (for better or worse). The studies that are out there, I will link a couple below, are not great (low sample size, no RCTs, and no meta-analyses) and focus primarily on MRHK patients. My reasons for PPT is that the short term evidence shows that the tissue behaves or appear more like natal vaginal tissue than the other options. This behavior includes lubrication, although it is static lubrication and is not influenced by arousal. Additionally, the tissue has a bit more elasticity than traditional penile inversion, may require less douching, and less dilations in theory (Dr. Wittenberg still recommends following the same douching/dilation schedule for both PPT and PI patients to be on the safe side). Also, this method allows shaft skin to be used as the labia minora which is the biological equivalent tissue to natal labia minora. It is important to note that it is a riskier decision to pursue PPT as a first option. You can get PI first, then PPT later, once more is known.

Post Surgery Feeling

PPT does not "extract" the tissue. The method involves dissecting pieces of the peritoneal and creating a vaginal vault out of it. Dissection allows for the peritoneal to maintain proper blood supply. Post-surgery, your abdomen will be bloated as air will enter your cavity. Depending on your recovery time, the air in your abdominal cavity can take a month or more to exit. Its not the best feeling ever. Overall, though, I am extremely glad I chose Wittenberg and I feel more complete. I hope that answers some of your questions.

Studies:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296824/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7879834/

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Sorry for the hijacking OP <3

While Emma responded, it never hurts to have another’s experience.

My procedure was covered by insurance and Dr. Wittenberg was in my network. I have Platinum PPO coverage with Blue Shield of CA. I was responsible for my deductible and out of pocket max essentially. Dr. Wittenberg’s office required a deposit as did the hospital. Because Dr. Wittenberg’s practice is independent of the hospital, you incur provider costs from her office and facility costs from the hospital. I’ve yet to see my final bills, but will only be liable for my out of pocket max.

If I recall correctly, scheduling for the consultation the lead time was about one month. I didn’t have all my needed documentation in place to schedule surgery. Once I did have them, in late September, they got me scheduled for surgery for December 13th. Approx. 2 month lead time.

Full recovery time as prescribed by Dr Wittenberg is 3 months. But everyone is different and that may go a little faster for some or slower. I’d really say for cycling a minimum of 3 months, could be longer.

I was drawn to PPT because it’s a newer method for Reassignment surgery but the methodology of using peritoneal tissue on a vagina is not new. It’s been used on cis women’s vaginas. The main difference is that in our case it’s being used to make the entire vagina. I found great value in using internal tissue for what was going to be inside me and then allow for external tissue to be used for external parts. It allows for, like Emma mentions, lubrication, elasticity, somewhat more self cleaning. It all just made more sense to me and no cons outweighed the pros.

I’m writing you this one week post op, and i feel the majority of my abdominal bloating has already subsided. I’d say more than 50%. But there is still some bloating. I had soreness the first 3/4 days but it’s pretty well gone at this point. The most notable thing about my abdomen at this point is the small incisions becoming itchy as they are already fully healing. I have a pretty strong core from routine exercise I engaged in pre-op and I think it’s helped my recovery times so far.

I hope my personal insights help.

Pain level 2 hours after waking up was 2 out of 10. 10 being the most painful.

Pain level right now is 4/5 out of 10.

Overall seriously not as bad as I thought it’d be but still the worst pain I’ve felt

I’m coming back at the official one week mark to report new pain level.

Currently at a 3 as I’m on a pain killer and have been resting. But basically the last 4 days I’ve experienced pain I’d say was 9 and 10. Some of the worst pains of my life. Despite the pain, worth it. But there has been a lot of cussing. Haha

Thank you

Thank you thank you 🙏🏽 I appreciate you

Thank you

Thank you. You’re very kind. I appreciate you

She really is. And her whole team. Obsessed

Thank you for such kindness!

Honestly very lucky to have been born with them in this shape. I just use a derma-plane tool and tweezers to clean them up a bit

Thank you! I hope so too. I appreciate you.

Thank you! So thrilled with my choice and the experience so far. You’re a beautiful human too!

It’ll always be my most favorite day ever. Its held me back for long enough and now I’m going to be able to interact with life in the way I always should have been. 10,000% no regrets

😝 thank you! I blame it on all the sweet and helpful nurses who took care of me over my hospital stay.

Thank you! 💕

Lollllll not staged I promise. I’ve got the stitches to prove it! 😂 Thank you though

It’s too soon for me to evaluate what sensations I have

Thank you!