Reader community
A small, gently moderated space for readers: the waiting, the surgery when it finally arrives, and the slow settling-in afterwards. Post kindly and read generously; everyone here is somewhere on the same road. Threads close on their own two months after the last reply.
The waiting and the pathway Referrals, assessments, and staying whole while the list moves. | Thread | Replies | Last post |
| Surgeon asked me to decide between full depth and zero depth by December and I froze. How did you choose? started by annika84, Oct 20, 2026 | 5 | annika84 Nov 1, 2026 |
| Binding every day while I wait for top surgery. How much is too much, and will it mess up the surgery? started by callum_b, Sep 21, 2026 | 5 | callum_b Oct 14, 2026 |
| Fifty-eight and just referred to a gender clinic. Am I too old for surgery by the time I get seen? started by Maureen G., Oct 4, 2026 | 5 | Kerry-Anne Oct 10, 2026 |
| Surgeon gave me a BMI target before they'll put me on the list. Is this a real safety thing or just another hoop? started by Elliot R, Aug 10, 2026 | 5 | Elliot R Sep 8, 2026 |
| My team said stop oestrogen before surgery, my friend's team said carry on. Why do the instructions differ so much? started by Kerry-Anne, Jun 28, 2026 | 6 | Kerry-Anne Jul 14, 2026 |
| About to start testosterone and panicking about fertility. Is it too late to freeze anything? started by Elliot R, Jul 3, 2026 | 5 | knittingmara Jul 8, 2026 |
| Third year on the list and I've gone quiet about it. How do you keep going? started by annika84, Apr 8, 2026 | 4 | annika84 Jun 14, 2026 |
| What do surgeons actually require before they'll approve you? Trying to separate the real list from the folklore started by Elliot R, Jun 2, 2026 | 5 | Elliot R Jun 9, 2026 |
| Do I really need electrolysis before vaginoplasty? Confused about how early to start and whether laser counts started by annika84, Feb 11, 2026 | 5 | annika84 Mar 30, 2026 |
| If I move to a different area, do I go back to the bottom of the gender clinic waiting list? started by Elliot R, Jan 9, 2026 | 6 | Elliot R Feb 24, 2026 |
Recovery and settling in The first weeks at home, the practical logistics, and the slower emotional arrival. | Thread | Replies | Last post |
| Two weeks after top surgery and the nipple grafts look dark and scabby. Is this normal or are they failing? started by ollie.k, Oct 12, 2026 | 5 | ollie.k Oct 30, 2026 |
| Five months after vaginoplasty and dilation still feels like hitting a wall. Is pelvic floor physio worth asking for? started by Rosa T, Sep 27, 2026 | 5 | Rosa T Oct 22, 2026 |
| Catheter came out and now I pee in a spray that goes everywhere. Is this normal after vaginoplasty or is something wrong? started by Kerry-Anne, Sep 5, 2026 | 5 | Kerry-Anne Sep 18, 2026 |
| How do you fit dilation around a full working day and nights away from home? started by annika84, Aug 3, 2026 | 7 | annika84 Sep 1, 2026 |
| Who looks after you at home if you have surgery abroad? Trying to work out the aftercare gap before I commit started by Elliot R, Jul 19, 2026 | 6 | Elliot R Aug 30, 2026 |
| Three weeks post op and I feel flat instead of happy. Please tell me the post-surgery blues are a real thing started by Rosa T, Jun 10, 2026 | 5 | Rosa T Jul 8, 2026 |
| Four months after facial feminisation my face still looks swollen and slightly wrong. When does it actually settle? started by knittingmara, May 4, 2026 | 7 | knittingmara Jun 30, 2026 |
| Five days post op and I still haven't been to the loo. Is this normal or should I be worried? started by Rosa T, May 21, 2026 | 5 | Kerry-Anne May 25, 2026 |
| What did you actually need at home for the first two weeks? started by Kerry-Anne, May 3, 2026 | 5 | Kerry-Anne May 8, 2026 |
