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A Life Less Ordinary There are three main types of bottom surgeries for FTMs, the first being Metoidioplasty. Metoidioplasty takes advantage of the fact that ongoing testosterone treatment causes the clitoris to grow longer. (About the length of a thumb is not uncommon). The procedure involves cutting the ligament that holds the clitoris in place under the pubic bone, as well as some of the surrounding tissue, to create a small penis from the elongated clitoris. Metoidioplasty may also involve the creation of a scrotum by inserting testicular implants inside the labia majora, then joining the two labia to create a scrotal sac. The procedure may additionally involve urethral lengthening to allow the patient to urinate through the penis while standing. The disadvantages are that the resulting penis is quite small, and thus cannot usually be used for penetration. The next procedure is called the Centurion, which is a variation of Metoidioplasty. In the Centurion, the round ligaments (which run along the sides of the labia) are freed from the labia majora and brought together along the shaft of the clitoris to provide girth for the new penis. The extraction of the round ligaments from the labia majora leaves a hollowed-out area which serves as a "pocket" for solid silicone scrotal implants. The labia majora are later joined to form a scrotal sac. A urethral extension to the tip of the new penis is formed by joining skin flaps around a catheter that runs along the underside of the clitoris. It results in a natural-looking, erotically sensate penis, but it is also quite small and often cannot be used for penetration. If an FTM desires an average-sized penis that looks acceptable in the locker room, through which he can urinate, and with which he can engage in penetrative sex, a Phalloplasty is the way to go. A Phalloplasty involves the construction of a penis using donor skin from other areas of the body, such as from the abdomen, groin, leg or forearm, that is then grafted into the pubic area. It also involves a urethral lengthening so that the patient can urinate through the penis. In addition, erections can be achieved by this procedure with a malleable rod implanted permanently or inserted temporarily in the penis, or with an implanted pump device. Metoidioplasty and Centurion procedures range from about $6,000 (for clitoral release only) to $30,000 (including urethral extension and testicular implants); Phalloplasty procedures range from $50,000 to $150,000. However, there is also a risk that something will go wrong at some point, especially in a Phalloplasty. Thus, these figures are the bare minimum, as more money will most likely be spent on extra, corrective surgeries and maintenance procedures. John would give up anything shy of his dog to have the perfect penis, but he is just not happy with the genital reconstruction surgeries currently available for FTMs. The first two are pretty inferior, and the Phalloplasty is too expensive and comes with too many risks. After all, it’s easier to dig a hole than build a pole. Yet genital reconstruction surgery is not what “completes” the transition for FTMs, since many do not have bottom surgery. Aside from removing their breasts, John says it is the testosterone (which most FTMs call “T”), and the testosterone’s physical effects that really make FTMs feel like men. The first time John injected himself with testosterone was a pivotal event. He felt a a warmthwarmth flooding his body, as if he were like he was tracing the blood as it pumped through his arms and legs. He almost passed out. It was the beginning and end of his transition, and it was overwhelming. About a month after the first shot, John’s period stopped. After about four to six weeks, his voice began to drop and his facial hair slowly started growing in. After about six months, he had some fur under his chin. After a few years, he had a full beard, and due to an increase in T-dosage, he started going bald. Taking hormones influences and regulates practically every cell, tissue, organ, and function of the body, including growth, development, metabolism, and sexual and reproductive functions. If an FTM stopped taking testosterone, even if he had been on the testosterone for 10 years, his menstrual cycle could return. Therefore, taking testosterone is a lifetime commitment—John will do it until the day he dies. He doesn’t mind. Testosterone gives John energy, confidence, and courage, and makes him feel like he has enough strength to conquer the world. When it runs out every 10 to -14 days, he feels achy, irritable and tired—which is what he says a woman feels like most of the time. He thinks that if women knew how good testosterone was, everybody would be walking around with mustaches. John does retain some feminine qualities, however, and he really cherishes them. Actually, he never appreciated them until after he became a man, and now he thinks they make him a better man. As opposed to a “macho asshole guy,” he sees himself as a sensitive and caring man. Today, not only does he live a more honest life, but John lives a very different life as a man. For example, For example, hHe’s noticed that in certain social events, people tend to listen to him and respect his opinion more. One thing he didn’t expect, however, was the extra stress that men have to deal with. John was one of the first to arrive at a party a few years ago at a woman’s housea house that belonged to a woman he didn’t know. Within half an hour of being there, the woman had asked him to move a large fan, to unstick the top of a martini shaker, and to light the pilot in her oven. She didn’t approach anyone else, she just came to John—the only man that had arrived at the party thus far. The expectations that come with being male that don't come with being female totally blindsided him. One lesbian, three gay men, and John sit on the Out Professionals Career Panel at UC Irvine. Hanging down from their table is a blue sign that says “UC Irvine Career Center” in yellow letters. A typed nametag has been placed in front of each panel member, expect except John, whose tag has been handwritten a sign in purple marker. Each panelist also has a water bottle, except John, who drinks a Fresca. John wears a brown-and-white-checkered button-down shirt, a brown belt, and dark blue pants. He looks thoughtfully at Eileen, one of the career counselors at UCI, as she introduces each panelist: A Scientist Amy Ross, Computer Engineer Paul Salce, Vice President of Development at Cal State Long Beach Michael Losquarado, and Doctor Brian Kellerfemale scientist, a male engineer, a male administrator, and a male physician who are all out at work. They talk about their personal experiences of coming out in the workplace. John sits to the left of the administrator and the doctor. The lamp behind them reflects on John’s bald head, and his face has turned a reddish color, almost matching the maroon-colored walls of the room around him. “I’m actually only semi-out at work,” John says. “I decided not to fully come out.” The doctor rubs the administrator’s knee thoughtfully. The two have been dating for over 13 years. “It’s a little bit different when you’re dealing with bathroom issues,” John continues, “It’s a little bit more complicated.” John believes that transgender people really don’t belong in the gay and lesbian community. He thinks that, in a lot of ways, being transgender is a medical thing. Gay people don’t need to go to the doctor, get shots, or have surgery, so the gay experience is very different from the transgender experience. But there are not enough transgender people to accomplish anything, and they have to side with somebody, so they side with the LGB community. John thinks that transgender people really belong to the intersex community, but the intersex community doesn’t want anything to do with transgender people. Officially, their association does not consider trans as intersex, though this does not mean that all intersex individuals do. Intersex people have physical proof—they were born with something wrong with them—but transgender people are just seen as mentally ill. (conclusion on page 4) |
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