[Blog/Commentary] [Canada] SRS: Complications, and Why Transgender Rights Are So Important

[Stephanie Stevens]

Montreal Gazette, Canada


TRANS TALK

SRS: Complications, and Why Transgender Rights Are So Important

June 16, 2012. 9:37 am • Section: Trans Talk

Posted by: Jillian Page


A reader often writes to remind me that gender transitioning is not
without its dangers. She has a sibling whose health, she says, was
devastated as a result of taking estrogen — she suffered a stroke and
is incapacitated now.

There is no doubt that there can be side effects when taking estrogen,
even more so if you smoke or drink alcohol.

But — I’m no expert on the subject — I suspect the risks associated
with sexual reassignment surgery are far greater than those associated
with taking estrogen. In fact, every person I know who has had SRS has
experienced some complications afterward, including me — though mine
is relatively small (I think) compared with what can happen, and does
happen to some people.

The two worst-case scenarios I know of are the dreaded rectal-vaginal
fistula (read this for a first-person report
<http://www.bilerico.com/2010/06/sex_reassignment_surgery_when_things_go_wrong.php>
), and vaginal prolapse. I know of at least two cases. I’m not going
to get into the gory details here, except to say that both can pretty
much ruin your life.

Then there are the granulation problems. Almost everybody I know who
has had this surgery experiences this problem afterward. It can be
extremely stubborn.

There are other complications, to lesser and greater degrees. There
are a lot of resources on the Internet that examine the issues,
including some that discuss the psychological effectiveness of SRS.

So, why do I mention this today? Well, in part, because the recurring
problem I am having is a sobering reminder that SRS is not without
complications and risks. And I confess I am somewhat concerned by the
growing numbers of people having this surgery.

On one hand, I believe everyone has a right to do what they want with
their bodies. On the other hand, after seeing one friend have a brutal
vaginal prolapse that may never be repaired, and hearing of people who
have had rectal-vaginal fistulas, I worry that maybe some people are
leaping into this surgery without fully understanding the risks, and
that there will most likely be some sort of complications afterward..

Ask yourself this: If you are a MtF person and lived in a society
where you could freely, without facing any prejudice, crossdress and
present yourself as you wish — i.e. en total femme — would you think
twice about having SRS? Would it still be a huge need for you?

So you may be wondering? Do I have any regrets about having SRS?
Answer: No. I would have died without it. And I was prepared to die if
the surgery went badly. For me, personally, it really was and still is
about staying alive, and each day is a bonus now. And, yes, I had
excellent therapists.

But, if you feel you can live en femme without having the surgery . . .

Which also makes a point about transgender rights, and why they are so
important: giving MtF people the right to present themselves as they
wish — as butch women currently have — might very well reduce the
numbers of people having SRS and the complications that come with it.

Readers who have had sexual reassignment surgery — or can speak on
behalf of someone else (for you, G.H.) — are invited to talk about the
complications they have experienced. I’ll post them in a separate
entry.

Jillian

Send comments to jp...@montrealgazette.com


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