My ex is a urologist.
We got married in '77 and moved to Charlottesville VA where he did his general surgery residency for two years at UVA.
Back then, UVA was one of the few places in the US that did transgender surgery. All surgical residents have to do urology and plastic surgery rotations, and these were the subspecialties that did these surgeries.
While male to female was most common, they also did female to male.
I was a volunteer at the hospital (yes..the only Pink Lady without gray hair
) and we were never allowed to go into the rooms of these patients.
At UVA, the patient had to live totally as the sex they were changing to, for a minimum of two years prior to the surgery. They also had to undergo extensive psychological testing, prior to surgery and also they had to have a specific amount of time in counselling - usually in excess of a couple of years.
With a man, the last thing to be done was removal of the penis. They take hormones, then have the breast implants.....many men stop at that point. (gives new meaning to bi-sexual)
With women...the making of the penis, and altering the urinary tract is the last thing done.
Just in case inquiring minds want to know...the penis is made from muscle and skin taken from the woman's thigh, and a penile implant is used . It used to be the kind that has the two tubes on either side, that are "pumped up" with saline solution. I don't know if that still how it's done. To make a vagina....a vaginal "vault" is created and stuffed with tampax until it heals in the correct shape.(changed quite frequently(by a doctor) while soaking in a hot bath). Sensitivity, "feeling", etc are not guarantees....
There was a resident that was in the same year of training as my ex, that while on plastics rotation, he refused to care for these patients because he said it was a crime against nature and against his religion. He was excused.
It was ungodly expensive back then. The "final" surgery for a man, had a $10,000 minimum fee...which had to be paid up front (so to speak) prior to any surgery. I remember that a woman's surgery was more....but I don't remember how much. I would think it's even more now.....
I have read, and seen programs on TV, that many men will now go to places in the Far East....the Philippines I think....where it is a fraction of the cost that it is here in the states. Also, there is no requirement for the psych counselling or testing, dressing as a woman for two years, or any other requirement. Wonder how many have regrets after the fact? Not exactly something that's reversible.
