| Making The Right Connections Trying to get everything in order to make a transition into womanhood can be a dizzying experience for even the most organized transsexual. There are so many things to consider and to decide upon. Even though I had been unofficially living as a woman for some time I needed to meet the requirements set forth in the Harry Benjamin SOC (standards of care). My therapist did something for me that I did not anticipate. She tested my resolve and in the process and made me realize how strong my desire was to live fulltime as Stephanie. I spent a great deal of time researching the SRS procedure and the surgeons themselves. She had experience with Montr�al and felt it would be a good option for me. I had read so many things, good and bad, about the major players in SRS. I had seen plenty of pictures and read many descriptions about the surgery, but I still had questions that needed to be answered. I knew that I would have to go to the horse's mouth to find the answers. When the opportunity came for me to meet one of those surgeons at a party he would be attending at a therapist's house in New Jersey, I jumped at the chance. I had read many things about the SRS experience in Montr�al. I was interested in hearing more from some of the girls who had gone there for their surgeries and from Dr. M�nard. I was fortunate to bend his ear with all my questions for about 20 minutes or so. He not only answered my questions, he also gave me quite a background of his work over the years. I loved his candor and presence. I definitely felt a connection with him. |
| Dr. M�nard seemed like the type of person I could put my trust in. He told me they had a waiting list in Montr�al that was almost two years. He advised me, if I was interested in going there, to send them a letter from my therapist stating that I was in the process of meeting the requirements for surgery. That way I could be put on the waiting list even though I still didn't have my two letters of recommendation for the SRS. My head was spinning with all of the information I received from Dr. M�nard. I was able to spend the rest of the evening talking to some of his post-op patients about their experiences in Montr�al. I met a girl there I hadn't seen in four or five years. She once told me that she didn't know whom she was exactly, maybe just a confused gay male who liked to dress as a woman. And there she was all these years later sitting in front of me as a post-op TS. Wow! How could this be possible? I heard some wonderful stories from other girls there including two gals who went to Thailand for their SRS. I was sure there were many satisfied girls who went there for their SRS. I just knew I wasn't going to be one of them. The thought of waking up halfway around the world in a new sex just didn't appeal to me. After talking to many of the post-op girls there, and knowing that they no longer had that annoying thing between their legs, made me very envious and determined. I remember thanking Dr. M�nard as I said good bye to him. I told him I hoped I would see him in Montr�al sometime soon. At the time I had no idea how soon that would be. Back Next |