I remember seeing something about a surgeon in Bangkok, Thailand that did not require hair removal. He had a way of removing the follicles during the SRS surgery. I read this during the early 2000’s
My hair removal process was extremely emotional for me. Every time I felt embarrassed , humiliated & degraded. I almost quit going. I cried , had panic attacks and all. My gender dysphoria wouldn’t allow me to relax during thoes sesions . I finally had my vaginoplasty 1month ago. Healing nicely. I did both electrolysisI and Laser . the laser pretty much cleared all my hair quickly. Very smooth still bald and clean. I don’t like hair down there. But because I’m an older woman I have a few greys on the outside of my outer labia. when I’m all healed up I’m going back to electrolysis to get rid of the few greys outside
My surgeons at Boston Medical Centre required me to have years of that type electrolysis was used as example to deter others from having this surgery but I jumped through their hoops at great cost financially. My surgery was 2/27/18 after 53 years fighting to get it done
That's really interesting! My surgeon did not require hair removal either but I did not know this until my consultation. By that point, I had already done over a year of laser hair removal (thankfully never electrolysis, at least in the genital area). I certainly don't regret my having the hair removal since my bikini area has very little hair now but it would have been nice to have saved the money!
Simply finding someone who is willing to do electrolysis or lazer hair removal for pre-op Transwomen is a nightmare. Then...it really freaking hurts and it's just gut wrenchingly demeaning so it's great that doctors are figuring this out finally...... everywhere else than Thailand where they've been doing it for years.
This was 6 years ago and the decision was based on one vague study and anecdotal evidence. Since then we have seen numerous trans women struggling with hair growing inside their bodies causing endless pain and infections.
Thank you Dr. I finished laser and electrolysis a few months ago for my upcoming vaginoplasty. Please pass this info on to OHSU Urology Dept. Not sure if I can mention my Doctor's name.
I’m glad I started watching ur videos, they’ve been most informative. I’m considering bottom surgery and that was one of the things that caused delay. I’ll be sure to ask Dr.s is that a requirement, I’ve had laser treatment down there and it’s truly unpleasant.
Thank you for sharing this info... good news for the future. I highly appreciate your diligence and scientific approach. You have a very "hands on" and "active learning" approach that makes me thankful you are my surgeon! =) See you in 7 days. =)
You mentioned that some biopsies "down the road" showed no signs of hair follicles in the vagina. What exactly would cause them to disappear? That puzzles me somewhat and beings I'm currently going through the hair removal process (electrolysis...ugh!), I would love to bypass any further sessions! Also, do you have a link to that study? Thank you. I love your informative videos and I have no doubt I'll be taking a road trip to Indianapolis very soon.
The body is great at making the replacement similar to what the body thinks it should be. Don't know what the process is called you can fix a chunk of cheek with something similar and over time you will get something that feels just like your cheek again.
Hello Dr. Gallagher, I would be interested in finding out the literature that you are basing your finding on. Is there any way I can have access to that paper from Dr. Lawrence? Is it the Anne Lawrence the sexologist and former anesthesiologist? I agree with you that electrolysis can be uncomfortable at times, but with the new technologies, proper education and amazing visual equipment such as using a surgical microscope can help decrease the pain and "bad" hair removal practices. I think that having permanent hair removal is the best approach...I think those 7% of patients with post op infection and irritation due to hair getting into the vaginal apex (hair balls) would argue that its not necessary...
Sadly there really is not a substitution for Electrolysis, Laser doesn’t cut it. A good electrologist is going to do what they need to to help you get ready for surgery, I disagree that it is not necessary before surgery, and complications and risk of infection from hair in the neovaginal canal is not something I’m willing to risk and I’ve been through this process and know the discomfort, it is well worth the effort and time to get the hair removed, I believe there are no shortcuts
Since techniques vary so greatly between individual electrologists and since many going into surgery do not allow sufficient time to determine if hair has been effectively removed, I have my doubts about the usefulness of the Lawrence survey. Dr, do you use techniques to remove follicles during surgery? Thanks!
Terry Blade yes we sure do - we use cautery to remove hair follicles from the underside of the scrotal graft. It always amazes me how many are often there even despite extensive hair removal pre-Surgery.
@@DrSidhbhGallagher the problem is many doctors recommend hair removal 6 months prior to surgery. That is totally impossible! Hair cycle alone has a 2 to 4 months anagen cycle in the pubic area. So it's impossible to do 1 clearance of hair and then have surgery, we electrologist recommend at least 1 1/2 years to 2 years prior to surgery to make sure that the patients will not have hair growing in their vagina.
Is there a number I can call you at to discuss this? I’m in Ohio and you’re right... electrolysis hurts a lot and is starting to discouraging me. -Luxx
I believe I was conned into having IPL2 hair removal treatment on my face until I found an excellent electrolosist. After 8 very expensive and painful sessions of IPL2 I finally dragged myself away and embarked on having electrolysis. I haven't shaved in 6 years.
Was the Electro really because of technique that hadn't evolved yet, or was it really a GATEKEEPING system to keep people that really didn't want to go through all that from getting the surgery? (ie. only the REAL trans patients would see it through ) . I see that this video is dated 6 years ago. Hopefully the VA will adopt this technique and make it viable for trans veterans
I'm approaching 2 years of near weekly electrolysis and have had my surgery date come and go 3 times, enough to effectively have my date cancelled. I'm still going near weekly for electro and growing more and more dismayed. Sadly, I don't have any choice in the matter.
Sadly, I can relate. I've given up on the surgeon I've been dealing with since February because I'm no further along or closer to surgery now than when I had my consultation. I'm hoping the good doctor in Indianapolis can help me out. Otherwise, I really don't know what my next move would be and I really don't want to think about it.
Okay, this is totally bizarre. "Lower" hair removal should take THREE clearances with a total time of about 5 - 6 hours. Total duration should be no more than a year (leaving 3 - 4 months between clearances. PLEASE tell me your "2-years of weekly electrolysis" is not accurate. If so, I'm appalled by what you have experienced. (a 45-year veteran electrologist.)
@@ElectrologyNow I wish I could tell you it isn't accurate, but alas, I started in February of 2017 with a surgery date scheduled for July of 2018. I have been in for 1.5 hour sessions weekly and my date came and went, a new date was scheduled for October 20th, 2018. That date, as was the first, was cancelled because of too much remaining hair. I'm expecting to reschedule for sometime in July of 2019 and hopefully by then, I will have had enough cleared to not get rescheduled yet again. It has been emotionally, physically, and monetarily draining.
Luxx Heatherington * Numerous SRS surgeons cauterise the follicles during surgery. This is a well-refined practise that dates to the 1970s (at least). I know because I began my Transition in 1974. Hormones do their own job. I began about as hairy as Sasquatch, I was nearly hair-free of body hair by 10 years on Estrogen. You can see my Facebook page or web-site for information. No matter. Always follow your own surgeon’s requirements. *
Cisgender women have different skin or follicle anatomy compared to transgendered women, so the follicle survival will be different, unless you will say there’s a procedure during the surgery that we are scraping off the follicles then that makes sense. Lots of proofs and comPlains from post oP transwomen about the hair growth inside their vaginas, would appreciate if you have more explanation supported by actual patients testimonials that they did not do electrolysis, remember the surgery is one time shot only 🥺
I had TWO gender reassignment surgeries because the first " surgeon " really messed it up. So, yeah, it's not a one timeshot only. The second time it came out perfect though.
@@aurora3655 What I meant was, the layer of skin containing the hair follicles needs to be removed to prevent the issue of possible hair growth and it would also allow the under laying cell structures to adjust to the new environment of the vaginal canal and create better functionality. Some surgeons do this no question asked, others think you'll still need to shock your pubic hair with electricity (laser or electrolysis) and some go off of request.
@@Briebabcock8052 I've never heard of that being done before. I've heard of surgeons scraping out the follicle. I've never heard of a layer of th being removed....I really want the surgery...I can't have hair growing out of there afterwards.
@@aurora3655 That's why I said it needs to be a standard practice. Electrolysis and laser are the most common practices that I hear are utterly painful. The other point I stated about the underlying cells adapting and even (if to a point) reforming themselves to vaginal cells, has a high chance of happening. The problem with the current methods is the surgeons leave the external layer pretty much intact and literally flip like a turned in sock so external skin (very low chance of having best results) is what you end up feeling in the lining and is mainly why so many are dissatisfied with functionality of their vaginal canal.
I don't think the conclusion this doctor came to is accurate. The study did not look at how many treatments, over what length of time the electrolysis treatments took place. She also mixes up electrolysis with laser when they are about as similar as shaving is to waxing. Laser falls somewhere between waxing and electrolysis. Many doctors tell their patients that they need 3-5 treatments of electrolysis. Electrologists often say we need 1 to 1.5 years of regular treatments to MAKE SURE we have destroyed all of the follicles. The electrologists are the experts when it comes to permanent hair removal. The conclusion that having electrolysis is no better than not having it is flat out WRONG. This doctor speaks of electrolysis and laser as though they are the same - they are not. Laser is a treatment of delay and reduction where electrolysis is permanent. Laser can bring about permanent hair removal, but it is hit or miss same as waxing. The study and conclusion of the study would benefit from broader input from professionals who work with this population. Read more REPLY
WOWOWOW!!! I wonder how long that news will take to get round the medical community. Not an evidence based question andbthe ciswomen had NO follicles, that is amazing.
I always wanted her to do my gender reassignment surgery in Florida unfortunately I never was able to get a appointment with her so I had to chose someone else I heard though that often hair grows out of the vagina I'm not sure of this isn't a issue
I remember seeing something about a surgeon in Bangkok, Thailand that did not require hair removal. He had a way of removing the follicles during the SRS surgery. I read this during the early 2000’s
My hair removal process was extremely emotional for me. Every time I felt embarrassed , humiliated & degraded. I almost quit going. I cried , had panic attacks and all. My gender dysphoria wouldn’t allow me to relax during thoes sesions . I finally had my vaginoplasty 1month ago. Healing nicely. I did both electrolysisI and Laser . the laser pretty much cleared all my hair quickly. Very smooth still bald and clean. I don’t like hair down there. But because I’m an older woman I have a few greys on the outside of my outer labia. when I’m all healed up I’m going back to electrolysis to get rid of the few greys outside
My surgeons at Boston Medical Centre required me to have years of that type electrolysis was used as example to deter others from having this surgery but I jumped through their hoops at great cost financially. My surgery was 2/27/18 after 53 years fighting to get it done
That's really interesting! My surgeon did not require hair removal either but I did not know this until my consultation. By that point, I had already done over a year of laser hair removal (thankfully never electrolysis, at least in the genital area). I certainly don't regret my having the hair removal since my bikini area has very little hair now but it would have been nice to have saved the money!
Simply finding someone who is willing to do electrolysis or lazer hair removal for pre-op Transwomen is a nightmare. Then...it really freaking hurts and it's just gut wrenchingly demeaning so it's great that doctors are figuring this out finally...... everywhere else than Thailand where they've been doing it for years.
Dr. Gallagher, your voice is so soothing to listen to! This channel is also very informative.
Dr. Gallagher is the best surgeon out there for gender affirmation surgery
This was 6 years ago and the decision was based on one vague study and anecdotal evidence. Since then we have seen numerous trans women struggling with hair growing inside their bodies causing endless pain and infections.
I'm so glad things have changed. It would take an insane amount of time to permanently remove all of that hair.
Thank you Dr. I finished laser and electrolysis a few months ago for my upcoming vaginoplasty. Please pass this info on to OHSU Urology Dept. Not sure if I can mention my Doctor's name.
I’m glad I started watching ur videos, they’ve been most informative. I’m considering bottom surgery and that was one of the things that caused delay. I’ll be sure to ask Dr.s is that a requirement, I’ve had laser treatment down there and it’s truly unpleasant.
Well thats cool, one less thing to worry about.
*
Please!
Boost your audio level.
My volume controls are full blast and you are still inaudible.
*
It must be on you end because I don’t have any issues.
Thank you for sharing this info... good news for the future. I highly appreciate your diligence and scientific approach. You have a very "hands on" and "active learning" approach that makes me thankful you are my surgeon! =) See you in 7 days. =)
You mentioned that some biopsies "down the road" showed no signs of hair follicles in the vagina. What exactly would cause them to disappear? That puzzles me somewhat and beings I'm currently going through the hair removal process (electrolysis...ugh!), I would love to bypass any further sessions! Also, do you have a link to that study?
Thank you. I love your informative videos and I have no doubt I'll be taking a road trip to Indianapolis very soon.
The body is great at making the replacement similar to what the body thinks it should be. Don't know what the process is called you can fix a chunk of cheek with something similar and over time you will get something that feels just like your cheek again.
@@allycard Good point! Sounds like you're referencing regeneration which is pretty common in the animal kingdom.
But... How would it be regeneration of a vagina that was never there 🤔
Hello Dr. Gallagher, I would be interested in finding out the literature that you are basing your finding on. Is there any way I can have access to that paper from Dr. Lawrence? Is it the Anne Lawrence the sexologist and former anesthesiologist? I agree with you that electrolysis can be uncomfortable at times, but with the new technologies, proper education and amazing visual equipment such as using a surgical microscope can help decrease the pain and "bad" hair removal practices. I think that having permanent hair removal is the best approach...I think those 7% of patients with post op infection and irritation due to hair getting into the vaginal apex (hair balls) would argue that its not necessary...
and, of course, you dont have financial interest in this conversation....... ( cough, cough )
Sadly there really is not a substitution for Electrolysis, Laser doesn’t cut it. A good electrologist is going to do what they need to to help you get ready for surgery, I disagree that it is not necessary before surgery, and complications and risk of infection from hair in the neovaginal canal is not something I’m willing to risk and I’ve been through this process and know the discomfort, it is well worth the effort and time to get the hair removed, I believe there are no shortcuts
Since techniques vary so greatly between individual electrologists and since many going into surgery do not allow sufficient time to determine if hair has been effectively removed, I have my doubts about the usefulness of the Lawrence survey.
Dr, do you use techniques to remove follicles during surgery? Thanks!
Terry Blade yes we sure do - we use cautery to remove hair follicles from the underside of the scrotal graft. It always amazes me how many are often there even despite extensive hair removal pre-Surgery.
@@DrSidhbhGallagher the problem is many doctors recommend hair removal 6 months prior to surgery. That is totally impossible! Hair cycle alone has a 2 to 4 months anagen cycle in the pubic area. So it's impossible to do 1 clearance of hair and then have surgery, we electrologist recommend at least 1 1/2 years to 2 years prior to surgery to make sure that the patients will not have hair growing in their vagina.
Is there a number I can call you at to discuss this? I’m in Ohio and you’re right... electrolysis hurts a lot and is starting to discouraging me. -Luxx
Luxx Heatherington hi!
We have more info on the website and that’s the best way to get in touch 😊 www.universitygenderconfirmationsurgery.com
I believe I was conned into having IPL2 hair removal treatment on my face until I found an excellent electrolosist. After 8 very expensive and painful sessions of IPL2 I finally dragged myself away and embarked on having electrolysis. I haven't shaved in 6 years.
Was the Electro really because of technique that hadn't evolved yet, or was it really a GATEKEEPING system to keep people that really didn't want to go through all that from getting the surgery? (ie. only the REAL trans patients would see it through ) . I see that this video is dated 6 years ago. Hopefully the VA will adopt this technique and make it viable for trans veterans
Thank God!
why wouldnt you just remove the bulk of it DURING surgery like many other surgeons?
Doc Gallagher what will happen then if hair grows inside? will it be itchy down there? or wont feel anything odd? thanks
I'm approaching 2 years of near weekly electrolysis and have had my surgery date come and go 3 times, enough to effectively have my date cancelled. I'm still going near weekly for electro and growing more and more dismayed. Sadly, I don't have any choice in the matter.
Sadly, I can relate. I've given up on the surgeon I've been dealing with since February because I'm no further along or closer to surgery now than when I had my consultation. I'm hoping the good doctor in Indianapolis can help me out. Otherwise, I really don't know what my next move would be and I really don't want to think about it.
Okay, this is totally bizarre. "Lower" hair removal should take THREE clearances with a total time of about 5 - 6 hours. Total duration should be no more than a year (leaving 3 - 4 months between clearances. PLEASE tell me your "2-years of weekly electrolysis" is not accurate. If so, I'm appalled by what you have experienced. (a 45-year veteran electrologist.)
@@ElectrologyNow I wish I could tell you it isn't accurate, but alas, I started in February of 2017 with a surgery date scheduled for July of 2018. I have been in for 1.5 hour sessions weekly and my date came and went, a new date was scheduled for October 20th, 2018. That date, as was the first, was cancelled because of too much remaining hair. I'm expecting to reschedule for sometime in July of 2019 and hopefully by then, I will have had enough cleared to not get rescheduled yet again. It has been emotionally, physically, and monetarily draining.
Has anyone gone through this particular practice without hair removal? Was wonder the ratio of how many people still have hair in their new vagina
Luxx Heatherington
*
Numerous SRS surgeons cauterise the follicles during surgery. This is a well-refined practise that dates to the 1970s (at least). I know because I began my Transition in 1974.
Hormones do their own job. I began about as hairy as Sasquatch, I was nearly hair-free of body hair by 10 years on Estrogen.
You can see my Facebook page or web-site for information.
No matter. Always follow your own surgeon’s requirements.
*
Cisgender women have different skin or follicle anatomy compared to transgendered women, so the follicle survival will be different, unless you will say there’s a procedure during the surgery that we are scraping off the follicles then that makes sense. Lots of proofs and comPlains from post oP transwomen about the hair growth inside their vaginas, would appreciate if you have more explanation supported by actual patients testimonials that they did not do electrolysis, remember the surgery is one time shot only 🥺
I had TWO gender reassignment surgeries because the first " surgeon " really messed it up. So, yeah, it's not a one timeshot only. The second time it came out perfect though.
Been on waiting list for months.Its so horrible waiting to even get your first appointment.
So, what happens to the hair growth? Like, do you need to maintain hair removal afterwards? What about the fear of infected folicals ?
During the surgery, the layer of skin containing the folicals is removed therefore you don't have any hair growing in there.
@@Briebabcock8052 I've never heard of that before. I hear of ppl saying that they have hair growing in there though.
@@aurora3655 What I meant was, the layer of skin containing the hair follicles needs to be removed to prevent the issue of possible hair growth and it would also allow the under laying cell structures to adjust to the new environment of the vaginal canal and create better functionality. Some surgeons do this no question asked, others think you'll still need to shock your pubic hair with electricity (laser or electrolysis) and some go off of request.
@@Briebabcock8052 I've never heard of that being done before. I've heard of surgeons scraping out the follicle. I've never heard of a layer of th being removed....I really want the surgery...I can't have hair growing out of there afterwards.
@@aurora3655 That's why I said it needs to be a standard practice. Electrolysis and laser are the most common practices that I hear are utterly painful. The other point I stated about the underlying cells adapting and even (if to a point) reforming themselves to vaginal cells, has a high chance of happening. The problem with the current methods is the surgeons leave the external layer pretty much intact and literally flip like a turned in sock so external skin (very low chance of having best results) is what you end up feeling in the lining and is mainly why so many are dissatisfied with functionality of their vaginal canal.
Iam a male an I want the surgery to a female . What is first thing I have to do . Can I do the bottom surgery first ?? Before anything
Can't hear you.
I don't think the conclusion this doctor came to is accurate. The study did not look at how many treatments, over what length of time the electrolysis treatments took place. She also mixes up electrolysis with laser when they are about as similar as shaving is to waxing. Laser falls somewhere between waxing and electrolysis. Many doctors tell their patients that they need 3-5 treatments of electrolysis. Electrologists often say we need 1 to 1.5 years of regular treatments to MAKE SURE we have destroyed all of the follicles. The electrologists are the experts when it comes to permanent hair removal. The conclusion that having electrolysis is no better than not having it is flat out WRONG. This doctor speaks of electrolysis and laser as though they are the same - they are not. Laser is a treatment of delay and reduction where electrolysis is permanent. Laser can bring about permanent hair removal, but it is hit or miss same as waxing. The study and conclusion of the study would benefit from broader input from professionals who work with this population.
Read more
REPLY
Very well said. I am an electrologist by the way in New York 💜
I second that, well said
She's a modern day Dr. Mengele.
Videos sound really low
I removed 100% I did laser hair removal and than. It took 2 years for complete hair removal
too late for me I have already removed everything
WOWOWOW!!! I wonder how long that news will take to get round the medical community. Not an evidence based question andbthe ciswomen had NO follicles, that is amazing.
I am a transgenedr
Volume is too low.
Can you imagine falling for this?
I always wanted her to do my gender reassignment surgery in Florida unfortunately I never was able to get a appointment with her so I had to chose someone else I heard though that often hair grows out of the vagina I'm not sure of this isn't a issue