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Cosmetic Surgery Information Guide

2009-04-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

This article sets out as an information guide on what you must know about Cosmetic Surgery before considering undergoing one. Cosmetic plastic surgery is an elective surgical procedure which ixs performed especially in the more developed countries where people are more affluent and want to look better.

People undergoing Cosmetic Surgery increased by leaps and bounds in recent years very often encouraged by very extensive medical breakthroughs and less expensive surgical procedures.

Cosmetic Surgery is one of the most progressive in the fields of medical research. This is partly due to the widespread acceptance among women and increasingly also men who want to look better than what they are at whatever age they are in. To go under a cosmetic surgeon's knife is no longer a taboo like it used to be in the past.

Today's modern society's pressures to look young, slim and healthy are driving more and more people to opt for cosmetic surgeries to achieve their aesthetic looks.

Although pictures can help when you are discussing your goals and expectations with your cosmetic surgeon, you should be realistic about it. The beautiful models whose faces and bodies you see in magazines and advertisements were usually born with what you see. They were already good looking in the first place and their faces are usually made to look even better with cosmetic touch ups. Their body shapes are naturally acquired because good genes, proper diet and regular exercise. Most of them have never undergone any cosmetic surgeries with only some exceptions. Therefore, you cannot reasonably expect to look very alike the supermodel or the movie star that you fancy.

However, using a picture of your favorite model as a starting point can give your surgeon some idea of the look of which you would like to own. Only after examining you can your cosmetic surgeon determine whether your aspirations are reasonably achievable.

A very important question you should ask yourself when you are thinking of undergoing a Cosmetic Surgery is, "Am I considering Cosmetic Surgery for myself or to please someone else?" It is critically important for a potential plastic surgery patient to understand that the decision to opt for the surgery should not be done just to please someone else. Yes, not even to please your husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend or anyone else, but the decision is made for yourself.

If your reasons for considering a Cosmetic Surgery are that "My boyfriend would be more attracted to me if my breasts were bigger," or "I will get better chances of getting dates if my nose is a little higher," then you should not be considering cosmetic plastic surgery because these are the thoughts of a person who is insecure with low self-esteem.

It is certainly erroneous to believe that the world will change after the surgery. What if you do not get that date that you were hoping for? Will your self confidence crash? There are some research findings that indicate many Cosmetic Surgery patients suffer emotional scars and some are even prone to being suicidal, but that is for another article.

Then again, the personal changes made to your face and body after the surgery can certainly boost your self confidence and self esteem. For example, someone who has completed a successful breast enlargement surgery very often find herself standing up straighter and walking with more confidence in her gait.

Do go for a detailed consultation with your cosmetic surgeon to find out what information you must know the surgery you are hoping to do or even consult a psychiatrist for information if you think that the reason that you want to try cosmetic plastic surgery is due to low self esteem.

Cosmetic Surgery Facts

2009-04-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

There used to be a time when cosmetic surgery was the snooty prerogative of celebs who would frequently be photographed after a "holiday" looking all dewy and refreshed, much to our awe and amazement! Back then, those who could afford surgery strictly adopted a "don't kiss and tell policy" when questions were raised about their newly relaxed appearance. With increased media exposure, however, more and more people are displaying interest in nip and tuck procedures purely for aesthetic purposes. As a result, cosmetic surgery has found a place in the public domain.

Although people are a lot more up-front about cosmetic surgery than they used to be, the fact is that going under the scalpel is not for everyone. While TV shows might sing its praises, and gush about how a little tweaking here and there can send your self-esteem sky rocketing, it isn't quite that simple.

Do You Need Cosmetic surgery?

To answer this question it's important to understand the nature of the term. Cosmetic surgery helps you alter physical features or parts of your body that function perfectly well, but might still make you unhappy. Contrary to popular perception, those who seek out cosmetic surgery aren't usually people who are chronically dissatisfied or unhappy with their appearance. On the contrary, most people who choose to alter their appearance are basically happy and well-adjusted.

This is where the question of "need" comes in. If you're chronically depressed enhanced breasts or perfectly arched brows aren't going to bring about any changes in your state of mind. In fact, if done for the wrong reasons, cosmetic surgery can be a dangerous tool for your self image. For the most part, those who seek out cosmetic procedures are people who are reasonably happy with their appearance but wish they could have something (usually a minor aspect) about their physical appearance altered so they'll look and feel better.

What Cosmetic surgery Can Do for You

Although your cosmetic surgeon can give you a realistic picture of your physical appearance post surgery, he or she can't and shouldn't guarantee any change in your psychological well being. If chosen judiciously, however, cosmetic surgery can bring about positive emotional changes. Research conducted on patients after cosmetic surgery reveals that most patients indicated increased self-confidence, and an enhanced quality in their personal and social lives. This isn't hard to understand. When you look better you feel better. This enhanced self-perception has a positive effect on your relationships.

Making Cosmetic surgery Work for You

Now that you've made the decision to have cosmetic surgery it's necessary to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for the surgery. Expect enhancement of your present looks, not movie star perfection. The less realistic your expectations, the more you set yourself up for disappointment when the bandages come off. Your surgeon should be able to give you a fair picture of what the end results might be.

Don't expect a miraculous makeover of your entire life. In other words, cosmetic surgery isn't a magic wand that can set right a troubled marriage or end loneliness. If you expect your newly enhanced looks to correct other personal issues you might have, that's not going to happen. In fact, if you've just been through a traumatic experience such as a death in the family, have recently gotten divorced, or lost a job, you should probably postpone any plans for cosmetic surgery. The surgery will only compound these life stresses and increase the possibility of heightened expectations.

Also, understand that cosmetic surgery is a medical procedure and as such there is always an element of risk attached. Complications can occur.

At the end of the day, cosmetic surgery can be a powerful way to realize your physical potential, which in turn can lead to beneficial effects in your personal, social, and professional lives. If you do your research, ask questions and are realistic in your expectations, there's no reason why cosmetic surgery won't enhance the quality of your life as it has for so many others.

The Beverly Hills Face Lift Surgery Procedure

2009-04-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to have a Beverly Hills face lift surgery done? Have you ever seen a movie star who is 60 years old strolling down the red carpet but looks like she is 40 and wondered how? If you have had these questions before, than you have probably thought about having a face lift.

A Beverly Hills face lift can be a way to get rid of some nagging wrinkles or some sagging skin that you may not like as much as you used to. However, have you ever researched what actually happened during and after the surgery ? Perfectly removing twenty years of aging from one's face does not happen by magic. Such a procedure can be very intricate and requires a lot of expertise and some artistic talent as well. However, with the right doctor and the right procedure, you can achieve what you would consider to be the perfect face lift.

The face lift procedure is actually an out-patient procedure most of the time. While this does not mean you will not have any post-effects from surgery , it does mean that you do not have to take two months off of work in order to have the surgery done. Usually it takes about ten days to fourteen days for you to recover fully and be back to work. Until that time, your doctor will do a few things to ease the pain caused by the surgery . During the procedure the doctor will in most cases use a general anesthetic and then also use a local anesthetic in the procedure in order to prevent most of the pain. In fact, most of the time patients do not suffer much pain at all because the local anesthetic used is generally a long acting anesthetic.

After your surgery , you will most often be able to go home, or to a specialized overnight facility. Sometimes when you go home the doctor will send you with a private duty nurse to help you as well. After you are home, and for the next two weeks, the long-acting local anesthetic will minimize the pain and will help with the swelling that occurs.

As you can tell from the procedure, it is very important that you have a very good doctor perform your Beverly Hills face lift surgery . Talk with the doctor beforehand to see what kind of procedure they follow, which kind of anesthetic they use and if you have any choices and what kind of post-surgical care you can expect. If possible, speak with past patients and find out what it was like for them and what suggestions they have for you. Often times, doctors will have patients testimonials that you can read that will help you get a better idea of what to expect in the procedure. I would also suggest to look at before and after pictures, and not just the before and after pictures that you find on the doctor's website. They will invariably put up only successful procedures on the site which may or may not be the best representation of the doctor's work. You want to see as many pictures as possible.

Asking these questions and getting to know your doctor will help you understand the procedure for a Beverly Hills face lift surgery . Just make sure that you are comfortable with the doctor and the procedure before you make your decision, as a face lift can be very hard to undo afterward if you don't like it.

Tips on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Photo Viewing

2009-04-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Your plastic surgeon's
before-and-after photos can reveal much about both your surgeon's ability as well as information about the procedure you are about to undergo. Most often, it is these plastic Surgery photo viewing that will help you decide whether or not you want the procedure.

Always Ask for Photos

You do not want to go into a potentially risky procedure without fully knowing what you are about to get into. A plastic Surgery photo viewing session is one of the best ways for you to get a glimpse of a surgeon's sense of professionalism and skills and how you might just look like after surgery.

Don't settle for just one plastic Surgery photo. Ask your surgeon to present a gallery and explain to you which plastic Surgery photo is most likely reflective of your condition and goals. You might also want to log on to websites and scour the net for numerous other photos. This will help you compare your surgeon's work with that of others.

Assess Photo Quality

Good plastic surgeons will always have more than one set of photos to show. Badly done photographs may be a sign that you may not have a very dedicated and meticulous surgeon. Make sure that you are viewing a high resolution plastic Surgery photo gallery. Pictures however that appear too perfect are something to be wary of. Cosmetic plastic Surgery cannot produce perfect results and you should be on your guard if all the pictures present fabulous looking models.

Look for Signs of Editing and Manipulation

Of course reputable and accredited surgeons do no more than cover a patient's identity during minor plastic Surgery photo editing. None of the surgical details are masked. It is still a good idea however to have a discriminating eye. You might end up in the hands of the rare surgeon con artist who might resort to plastic Surgery photo editing.

Aside from editing, you should also check plastic Surgery photo galleries for inconsistencies in lighting or angles. Before photo editing software was invented, clever photographers used lighting and angles to change the look of the same object. Some surgeons may not have intentionally employed such a practice. Real lighting difficulties may truly have resulted in a picture that looks better than the actual result. Simply ask your doctor about what you see if you notice differences in lighting or angle in before and after pictures.

Do Not Rely On Pictures

Don't rely on photos alone to make your decision. You might be able to make a more informed decision if you requested for a computer assisted display of what you would look like after the procedure. You should also consider looking for real people you know such as friends and family and assess for yourself how much they have improved in their appearance.

Your doctor's skill, accreditation and certification should also be a factor in deciding. Researching about a doctor's qualifications is the best way to ensure safety.
Trina Rowde

Is clinic plastic Surgery right for you? Read more on how a plastic Surgery photo can help you decide.

What Is Special About Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery

2009-04-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

Plastic surgery has become a common procedure with many of us who want to change some of our features in order to appear better. However, getting the right plastic surgeon to perform the procedure is what will ensure the success of the surgery with the minimum risks. Here is why Beverly Hillsplastic surgery clinics are considered to be some of the best in the world and how you too can become a patient of one. The fact that the Beverly Hillsplastic surgery clinics are situated in the heart of Hollywood where not only the celebrities live but also some of the richest people in America. This is the clientele that the Beverly Hillsplastic surgery clinics are used to on a daily basis and the fact that they demand the best plastic surgeons in the world in order to ensure they are provided with the best procedures with the minimum side effects or risks makes these clinics the best in the world.

When You Demand the Best You Pay For It Too

The Beverly Hillsplastic surgery clinics are known to have the best plastic surgeons in the world but they are also known to be extremely expensive. However, when you want a procedure to be done without a flaw and with the minimum of risks involved then, you will invariable pat of it whether it is in Beverly Hills or anywhere else in the world and besides when it comes you one’s appearance and health, money usually means nothing if they cannot rectify or improve it. So you are sure to get the best treatment possible.

Finding and Booking A Beverly Hillsplastic surgery Clinic

There are a number of Beverly Hillsplastic surgery clinics and in order to find the most suitable one for you it will require some research that can usually be done online. It is recommended to get your procedure done by a specialist in the field you are interested as they will be easier to find and yet again you will be ensured of precision and results due to the vast experience in the domain. Once you have found the plastic surgeon of choice and have checked all his credentials, recommendations and references try and book in as much in advance as possible because even though these clinics are expensive they are also almost always fully booked, at times with even a year or so in advance.

Getting Atlanta Plastic Surgery

2009-04-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons that you might think about getting plastic surgery. The industry has been booming for many years because many people feel that their lives are just too short to live looking in a way that they would rather not. Atlanta plastic surgery offices have much to offer for people who are looking for a way to change their looks for the better. There are many reasons that someone might want to visit an Atlanta plastic surgery office. For once, some people have conditions which change the way that their face or bodies looks, and wish to have surgery in order to change how they look. Other reasons some people choose to visit an Atlanta plastic surgery office is that they have been injured, whether in an accident or in another way, and this injury has changed the way that they look. At an Atlanta plastic surgery office, you can find help for both of these reasons, and you will be able to help plan with a doctor the way that you will look from that time on.

Many Reasons

However, there are also other reasons that you might want to visit an Atlanta plastic surgery. For one, you might have decided that you just don’t like the way that you look, no matter how you might look. You might feel that you want to change something about your appearance, no matter what that something might be. If this is the case, there are many things that an Atlanta plastic surgery office can provide for you.

No matter what the reasons are that you choose to get plastic surgery, you should know that this is indeed something that is going to change the way that you look for the rest of your life. Before you get plastic surgery, you should think carefully about the way you look now and be sure that you are doing the surgery for the right reasons. Because it is surgery, you are going to be actually going through a medical procedure, and you might want to think carefully about what the outcome of this procedure is going to be. Be sure that you know that this is for you before you begin with an Atlanta plastic surgery specialist. Also make sure that you are visiting a place in Atlanta that has been licensed by the medical boards so that you know you are getting the best service and care.

American Board of Plastic Surgery Inc. Assures the Standard of Competence of Its Plastic Surgeons

2009-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

The whole process of certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery has been designed to assure the public that the plastic surgeon has completed an approved educational program as well as an evaluation that also includes examination processes that assesses the knowledge , skills as well as experience requisite to providing high quality patient care in that particular specialty. The umbrella organization for twenty-four approved specialty certifying boards is The American Board of Medical Specialists, and in order to be certified as a specialist by one of the twenty-four recognized boards, the physician need to compete specified requirements. The American Board of Plastic Surgery Inc. has been around since 1937 and is organized around various interest groups involved in Plastic Surgery , and it became a subsidiary of the American Board of Surgery in May 1938, and three years later obtained the status of a major specialty board.

Main Purposes

The main purposes of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is to establish requirements for the qualification of applicants, conduct examinations of approved candidates, issue certificates to those who meet the Board’s requirements and to do and engage in any and all lawful activities incidental to these purposes. Choosing to get Plastic Surgery performed by an American Board of Plastic Surgery Inc. plastic surgeon will assure patients that they are being treated by a doctor that is a graduate from an accredited medical school and one who has finished a minimum of five years of extra training as a resident surgeon. The concerned plastic surgeon must have undergone at least three years of residency in an accredited general surgery program as well as at least two years of residency in Plastic Surgery .

For a plastic surgeon to get accredited with the American Board of Plastic Surgery Inc.’s program the doctor should also have completed successfully comprehensive oral and written exams and the whole process of certification is a voluntary process that can be taken, if so desired. The American Board of Plastic Surgery certification is one of twenty-four specialty boards recognized and spans the entire spectrum of the Plastic Surgery specialty. The American Board of Plastic Surgery Diplomate is one who has fulfilled all the requirements and is setting out to promote safe, efficacious, and ethical Plastic Surgery through adhering to the highest standards with regard to examination, and all other aspects of Plastic Surgery .

Plastic Surgery Before and After Pictures: View With A Critical Eye

2009-04-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Most cosmetic surgery candidates have browsed the internet or medical publications for before and after pictures of the procedure they wish to undergo. These photos are an important and highly useful tool for potential patients.

They can reveal a plastic surgeon's aesthetic preferences, experience, skill level, artistic eye, and quality of work. Although the before and after photos are an integral part of choosing your cosmetic surgeon, it is important to study the photos with a Critical Eye .

One of the first things to assess when consulting with potential plastic surgeons is how easily they produce a portfolio of their work and how they react when you ask them for photos. If they balk, make excuses, or act insulted that you asked for pictures, its not a good sign.

A cosmetic surgeon who is confident in his skills will readily offer you many photos and take the time to go over them with you. A good surgeon will go over individual cases and point out similarities that may mirror your personal situation.

He or she should specifically point out what was done to achieve the end results, how your own case figures in relation to others previously performed, and offer answers to any questions you may have.

If a cosmetic surgeon only offers you a few photos, ask if there are any more. If not, why not? Five examples is not enough to base a decision off of - you should be given upwards of a dozen. Some surgeons may have small portfolios because they're very choosy about which pictures they want to show to potential clients.

A confident plastic surgeon will show you not only the occasional shocking metamorphosis that can be achieved, but the results of the average patient and more difficult cases where the outcome may not be as dramatic.

When browsing the photos, take special note of the lighting, makeup, and expression of the clients. If the before pictures have drab backgrounds, poor lighting, no makeup, and the client is frowning, followed by a colorful and happy after photo, it should cast doubts on the surgeon's skills.

Both the before and after should have been taken in the plastic surgeon's office, in front of the same, plain colored background. If it is a facial cosmetic surgery , the hair should be clipped back from the face. Remember to take into account any makeup the client may or may not be wearing, as this can make a great difference in her appearance.

Try to focus on the specific area that concerns you. The target area should look natural, fitting each individual. If everyone is the photos appears exceptionally beautiful, you should also be weary. To make an informed decision, the photos should represent a wide range of patients.

The best before and after photos will make you feel confident in the cosmetic surgeon's abilities. If you find yourself agreeing with the aesthetic choices the surgeon made on different people in the after photos, then he might be a good match for you. Be sure to use other criteria to base your decision on, as photos alone are not enough.
Abigail Aaronson

Considering cosmetic surgery to enhance your appearance? Consult a Houston plastic surgeon to learn which procedures are best suited to your body type. View online videos and photo galleries at http://www.basu plastic surgery.com/.

Sane Plastic Surgery For Men - Statistics And A Few Tips

2009-04-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

It's probably no secret that men in increasing numbers are undergoing elective plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is a growth industry, and men are becoming a significant factor in that increase. Just as an example, the American Academy of Facial and plastic surgery reports that as of March 2007 there was an "astonishing" 91% increase in men receiving non-surgical facial plastic surgery since 2000. Botox injections are the most sought after non-surgical procedure among men.

Liposuction was performed on over 53,000 men followed by over 45,000 rhinoplasty (nose) procedures and 33,000 eyelid surgeries. About 13% of all plastic surgery patients are men according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Given this trend, there would seem to be a need to introduce some sanity into the plastic and Cosmetic surgery picture for men in the light of the all too frequent, obsessive quest for the knife among women reported incessantly in the media.

Here are a few tips concerning plastic surgery which are specifically applicable to the males of our species.

The Face

1. Facelifts have a tendency to produce a feminizing effect in men. However, there are several less drastic procedures that actually can yield better results, namely chin liposuction, forehead lifts and neck lifts. Since male temperments seem to be less patient with the time frame required for recovery from plastic surgery, these smaller procedures are better accepted.

2. Chemical peels, of course, are non-invasive and can eliminate fine lines and blotches, which often make men, as well as women, look older than their years.

Liposuction

1. Try as one might, in many cases no amount of intense gym work on abs or love handles will rid the body of unwanted fat deposits. Liposuction can easily dispense with these imperfections. Not only that, liposuction can work beautifully in removing fatty breast tissue, helping to sculpt the abs to a profile not seen since the patient was a strapping youth.

2. Best results are obtained from liposuction when men discipline themselves to continue working out regularly. This minimizes the chances of reappearance of localized fat deposits. Avoidance of alcohol for at least three to five weeks following surgery is also highly recommended, and there is no better time to stop smoking. Smoking can hinder the desired outcome in any Cosmetic surgery procedure.

Implants

1. Pectoral and calf implants can present problems. Among other things, they have a tendency over time to migrate.

2. Again, the preferable route is liposuction around these areas to allow pectoral and calf musculature to appear to be more distinct.

Overall, men, unlike women, seek less involved plastic surgery yielding an improved masculine look with less time spent recovering. So in terms of their bodies, temperament and objectives, men are quite different from women in the way they approach plastic surgery. The long and the short of it is that masculinity must be preserved at all costs.
from:articlesbase

What is Safe Plastic Surgery?

2009-04-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

The popularity of plastic surgery in Los Angeles is increasing. As a plastic surgeon, I am frequently asked by my patients whether plastic surgery is 100 % safe.

No plastic surgeon or any other type of surgeon can guarantee 100% safety. Many things that we do in life carry a possible risk of complications. For example, there is a risk of injury when driving cars, flying on airplanes, skiing etc. However, there are effective ways to minimize the risk of plastic surgery complications.

First of all, it is important to know that your plastic surgeon is a true plastic surgeon. Not every surgeon who performs plastic surgery completed a plastic surgery residency. Your plastic surgeon should perform the procedure you desire on at least a weekly basis. You surgeon should be willing to show you before and after plastic surgery pictures of his patients. The more plastic surgery pictures you can see the better. You should have an opportunity to talk to other patients of your surgeon.

Where you surgeon performs plastic surgery is a very important safety factor. Of course, having surgery in a hospital provides the safest possible environment. For this reason, I perform most of my surgeries at the hospital where my office is located. In addition, many of our plastic surgery patients have an opportunity to spend the night after surgery in the hospital. This is a particularly good option for patient who live further away or undergo combined surgical procedures. These patients typically stay in a private room where they are cared for by experience nurses. The next day I visit my patients in their room before they are discharged home. Many Los angeles plastic surgeons perform surgery at surgical centers. Surgical centers that have proper state or national accreditation also provide safe environment to perform outpatient plastic surgery.

It is important to assure that patients do not have any serious medical conditions prior to undergoing plastic surgery. In my practice, any patient who is over 45 years of age or has medical problems will need to be evaluated by a primary care physician or a cardiologist prior to surgery. My goal is to provide every patient with a plastic surgery procedure that is effective and safe.

Bloodless Spine Surgery: Pictures & Explanations

2009-04-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Section 1 covers common spinal conditions such as cervical, thoracic and lumbar herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. Each problem is explained and illustrated. The classical symptoms, standard signs, traditional and non-traditional treatments along with surgical interventions are explained. Preventative techniques are described. Section 2 shows the medical evaluations and strategies necessary for safe spinal surgery. Basic medical, vascular, cardiac, hematological, pre-operative bloodless and pre-operative bloodless assessments for Jehovah's witnesses are covered. Section 3 takes the patient to spinal surgery. The concepts of radial arterial catheter, foley catheter, central access catheter, swan-ganz catheter, regional anesthesia, hypotensive anesthesia, fluroscopic evaluation, intraoperative neuromonitoring, pre-operative decisions, four-poster table, bovie and bipolar coagulator, Aquamantis coagulator, harmonic scalpel, high intensity headlights, futuristic surgical suite and innovative bloodless instruments along with techniques of surgery are illustrated and explained in language for the general public. Section 4 shows patient case reports displaying standard spinal decompression, complex spinal reconstruction, spinal fusion in Jehovah's witnesses and spinal fusion in patients with hemophilia along with kyphoplasty performed in an osteoporotic older patient. Section 5 is a thorough bloodless terminology dictionary which includes factors such as acute normovolemic hemodilution, allogenic blood and risk factors, anemia, anesthesiology, autologous self-salvage, auto-transfusion, blood safety data, cost of blood transfusion, factors used in transfusion, epinephrine, erythropoietin, fibrin sealants, gelatin and various dietary supplementations such as vitamins B12 and C necessary to augment iron storage.

Did Kim Kardashian Have Plastic Surgery? (Pictures)

2009-04-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

o, that's not the latest Madame Tussauds wax figure, it's Kim Kardashian looking very plastic-y this week at NYC Fashion Week. Did she have plastic surgery or Botox or is it just a ton of makeup? What do you think? Leave a comment below!

Here's Kim Monday Feb. 16 at the Tracy Reese show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week:

- Click here for tons more sexy Kim Kardashian pics -

- Booty Battle: Kim Kardashian vs. Beyonce Knowles -

Here's Kim the day before at the Y-3 Autumn/Winter 2009-2010 Fashion Show:

What do you think of Kim's look lately? Leave a comment below!

update on Braden - before and after surgery pictures

2009-04-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

Linda wrote to me to ask that I share some new pictures of Braden. As she said, when she was researching Braden’s strabismus surgery, she scoured the web for pre and post surgery pictures. (She wrote in August about their journey to finding the right eye doctor for Braden).

Braden shortly before his surgery

Braden, post surgery

Braden, post surgery - look at those straight eyes!

Artist’s Life: Cut, Nip and Tuck

2009-04-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

You may remember that the body, the return of beauty and fashion as art were big themes batted around in the 1990s. They all reconverge with a clinical vengeance in a group show called “I Am Art: An Expression of the Visual & Artistic Process of Plastic Surgery” at Apexart, a nonprofit space in TriBeCa.

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Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

Nose jobs, before and after: images at “I Am Art: An Expression of the Visual & Artistic Process of Plastic Surgery.”

The curator is a plastic surgeon, Anthony C. Berlet, who has training as an architect, experience as a medical illustrator and a busy practice in northern New Jersey. Along with his own work he has selected that of three colleagues: Antonino Cassisi, an Italian specialist in pediatric plastic surgery; Michael Cohen, a partner in the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland and a breast surgery specialist who also paints, sculptures and collects art; and Scott Spiro, another New Jerseyite, with a particular interest in body contouring, a sideline in painting and drawing, and a membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

How is their art, which is also their surgery, best described? The human body is their medium, the operating room their studio. The tools of their craft include multifarious cutting, clamping, probing and sewing devices, as well as digital and laser technologies. Most of the work that results is a living art. It can be seen walking among us in the form of revamped and — this is, of course, the point — improved faces and figures.

For purposes of a gallery display, however, we get photographs and videos of those bodies, often seen before, during and after surgery, in the process of being patched and stitched, augmented or reduced, subtly adjusted or utterly transformed.

The idea of anatomical alteration as art is not new. Some non-Western cultures have long practiced scarring, binding, piercing and stretching parts of the anatomy in the interest of status or beauty. In the contemporary West there is a significant tradition of body art. The French feminist artist Orlan has been submitting herself to craniofacial reshapings for years in a blend of performance and sculpture meant to question dominant standards of beauty.

Dr. Berlet, no doubt sensitive to Western associations of cosmetic surgery with decadence, vanity and conspicuous consumption, is careful to distinguish, in an exhibition brochure, which kinds of procedures qualify as art and which do not.

The basic face-lift, for example, is a rote operation “that can be taught to almost anyone.” Pull, lift, stitch; end of story. Not art. Creativity begins with other, more option-rich manipulations. With rhinoplasty — nose jobs — you are on aesthetic ground. Each nose is unique, so decisions about shaping it must be imaginative, though always guided by a fundamental form-follows-function principle: i.e., the patient should be able to breathe through the nose when the work is finished.

Other procedures involving different and larger parts of the anatomy, and requiring masses of skin and tissue to be moved from here to there and blood supplies to be rerouted, can be formally even more complex. And the ramifications of every move must be considered: as in all art, there is a fine line separating doing too little, just enough and too much. Ethical, philosophical and psychological inquiries are ever present.

Who defines the terms “too little,” “just enough” and “too much”? Who defines beauty, perfection, the ideal? To what degree is perfection another version of distortion? The examination of culturally based and gender-based valuations was central to certain artists of the 1990s, who would have noted as significant that all four artists in the Apexart show are male, while almost all the models or patients in the photographs are female.

And what about hierarchical ranking within the aesthetics of plastic surgery? Are certain types of heroic, skill-intensive surgery — the repair of severe birth defects, say — high art? And are more fashion-oriented procedures like breast lifts, tummy tucks, mommy makeovers and liposuction low art, or possibly not-art?

Personally, I have no problem with accepting the work in “I Am Art” as art. A thing of beauty is a joy, whether forever or for a day, and if a doctor-artist can turn you into one, that’s art to me. And if he can rescue a body from serious ruin and a soul from despair, God bless him; he’s as good as Michelangelo. Does he cater to the rich and charge too much? Check out all the drecky Picassos still selling for huge prices at auction. Do all those nose jobs look pretty much alike? Check out paintings in Chelsea galleries these days.

The big problem with the Apexart show, as least for certain sensitive types, is looking at some of it. Dr. Cohen’s pictures of breast enhancement are as agreeable as lingerie advertisements, but his colleagues deliver some pretty strong stuff. Many artists do their work in private and give you only a final, polished product, leaving the scraps, scrapings and splots on the studio floor. Here you get the whole schmeer — the blood, the guts, the slice, the equivalent of Counter-Reformation paintings of martyrdoms, but with real bodies.

The show gives you some warning as to what you’re in for. The following words appear in tiny type far down on the back of the brochure: “This exhibition contains content that may not be suitable for all viewing audiences. Please use your discretion.”

Heed that advice. And if your discretion says, “Go,” then brace yourself, keep your mind open and respect what you see. After all, given the frailties of the flesh, the vanities of age and the possibilities of accident, you too may end up as art someday.

“I Am Art: An Expression of the Visual & Artistic Process of Plastic Surgery” remains on view through May 9 at Apexart, 291 Church Street, TriBeCa; (212)..., apexart.org

three weeks until surgery

2009-03-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

We have less than three weeks until the big surgery...and suprisingly, I am getting less nervous as it gets closer. I'm sure that will all change once we are days out from the surgery, but for now, I'll enjoy this. If I do start to think about it, I repeat the verse from Matthew 6:34 -

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

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Wes has an MRI next week, but other than that, not much until the big day. The MRI is being used to determine the exact make-up of Wesley's chest (mainly how much esophagus he has). We pretty much know that he has next to none, but our knowledge will be "official." The doctors will be able to see where his esophagus should connect to his stomach since he has no esophagus from his stomach up. From the top down, he pretty much only has the amount from the back of his mouth to the spit fistula on his neck. I cannot tell you how happy I will be to not have to deal with the spit fistula!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot even find words to describe my excitement :)

-------

We have decided not to travel to Minnesota to meet with the doctor there. It was a difficult decision, but Damon and I think it is for the best. The doctor is not practicing much anymore, so it wouldn't be him doing the surgery, it would be someone he trained. From what I read from other families using the trained doctors, their success rate was not nearly what the original doctor's was. I also have to be honest, being away from home for at least another 2.5+ months did not look good to us.

-------

Damon and I are happy to report that we are debt-free except for our home!!! We paid off the last of my school loans, and now we are onto baby step three: saving 3-6 months salary. Here are the steps from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University:

1 - save $1000 to start an emergency fund

2 - pay off all your debt (except for your home) through the debt snowball

3 - save 3-6 months living expenses in an emergency fund

4 - invest 15% of your income in a Roth IRA and a pre-tax retirement fund

5 - college funding for children

6 - pay off your home early

7 - build wealth and give

If you are interested in taking the class for yourself (I highly recommend it), check out http://www.daveramsey.com

Surgery Pictures

2009-03-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Many of you already know my "interesting" stories from the day of my surgery, so I will try not to repeat them all here. I am not even sure "interesting" though is quite the word for them! :) Hmmmm. :)

First off, let me just say that my surgeon did an excellent job and I am healing well! Grateful for that! And since having my gallbladder out, I no longer have the horrible sharp pains in my stomach from the gallstones!

All that said though, I was not at all prepared for how painful surgery was going to be! I remember waking up in the recovery room and half-deliriously saying to the nurse, "Why did I do this surgery?" Wow......"ouch" is certainly not adequate enough! It was at least good to be reminded of how necessary it was though when she said, "Hey, I saw your gallbladder when it came out and it definitely needed to go!"

The day-of was horrible..... surgery was a couple hours late, I woke up from it so nauseous that they ran out of the different options they could do for me to make me feel better, they wouldn't let Doug come and see me in the recovery room (so I had do be in there for hours before I eventually got to see him), I had to wait forever for them to get a room ready for me and transport me, and they tried to take my water away from me when I finally got up to my room for the night (although Doug and Becky hid it for me....Hehehe.)

We got to the hospital that morning at 8:30 am and I didn't get to see my hubby until 7:00 pm! He was so precious though because he kept calling the recovery room asking the nurse when he would be able to see me. After them holding me captive for several hours, he was about to come break the doors down and rescue his hurting little princess! :) I was so worked up when I finally did get to see him that the first thing I said to him was, "Honey, I need you to spend the night with me!" We had already decided ahead of time that he wouldn't do that because he has had major problems with his back for months now and it would be way too painful for him. But guess what? My caring hubby stayed the night with me in a little cot alongside my bed!

As Doug spent something like 10 hours in the hospital waiting for me, he had wonderful friends encourage him! Our good friend Dave Schmitt came and ate with him and then joined him in a walk around the hospital. Then our good friend Beck came and waited with him until they could both see me. And he also had several family members and friends that called to check on how we were both doing.

When they wheeled me into my room that night, I not only saw Doug's awesome face, but my good friend Becky's! She brought me some beautiful Gerber Daisies (which happen to be my most favorite type of flower), and two things she knows I just love: Junior Mints and Twizzlers! :) She also brought Doug some Cherry Bites! :) At one point, she called our kingdom group (they meet on Thursday nights) and I got to hear them all tell me hi, they missed me, etc. It was great!

Yes, I will admit that I was absolutely crazy to go to church last Sunday when I had just had my surgery on Thursday. All I will say is that I definitely regretted it. :)

So how am I doing now? Much better! I still am in pain (hurts to move, walk, etc) but the pain gets a little less each day. My stomach is definitely still swollen (I have felt like I am pregnant because of it), but the swelling has definitely decreased. Last night when I was at my friend Becky's birthday party, my walking was a little faster and looked a little less waddling-like, I was standing straighter, and could actually sit in an upright chair!

We have so appreciated the visits, the food, the cards, etc!

Here are some pictures......sorry about the quality, but they were taken on the cell phone.

Pre-surgery

Doug on his cot
Post Surgery
My Gerber Daisies

Duchscherer set for elbow surgery

2009-03-28T06:26:00.002-07:00

Justin Duchscherer will have arthroscopic elbow surgery next week, likely causing the Oakland Athletics' two-time All-Star to miss at least the first month of the season.

Manager Bob Geren announced the surgery Friday, but he said the team has not yet determined when or where Duchscherer will have the operation. He also said the team won't know how long Duchscherer will be out until after the surgery.

Typically, a pitcher would miss at least six weeks with an arthroscopic procedure on his elbow.

"Anytime you lose a guy it's disappointing, especially when the player is a possible No. 1 guy," Geren said.

The 31-year-old Duchscherer had been bothered by a sore elbow almost the entire spring. Last week he had two encouraging bullpen sessions, but when he tried to pitch in a minor league game on Thursday, he had to leave in the first inning because of elbow pain.

An All-Star in 2005 and 2008, Duchscherer was 10-8 with a 2.54 ERA. He missed the end of the season with a hip injury, his second stint on the disabled list.

Without Duchscherer, Dallas Braden likely will start on opening night.

A-ROD WON'T SEE TEAM: Alex Rodriguez's rehabilitation from right hip surgery will keep him from returning to the Yankees' spring training complex until after the team heads to New York to play two exhibition games.

Rodriguez has been rehabbing in Vail, Colo., where he had surgery on March 9. Rodriguez is working out in a pool, doing a range of motion drills and lifting weights.

"He'll be back after we're gone," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "All is going good."

Rodriguez is expected to be out until May.

DICE-K THROWS: Daisuke Matsuzaka had his first bullpen session of the spring with the Boston Red Sox after being named the MVP of the World baseball Classic.

Matsuzaka struggled with his control in the 54-pitch session ahead of his first Grapefruit League game of the season Monday against the Braves in Orlando.

Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell said Matsuzaka's wildness was understandable considering all the traveling he has done.

"I think, all things considered, it was kind of what we had expected, worldwide travel, west coast travel, getting in late the other night, still adjusting to the east coast," Farrell said. "So, he had a chance to throw all his pitches ... in his bullpen session. So, he'll go Monday and we'll look to be in that 70- to 75-pitch range."

TABATA DIDN'T KNOW: Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jose Tabata said Friday his much older wife lied to him about being pregnant with his child before she was accused of abducting a 2-month-old baby girl, who has since been returned to her parents.

Tabata, speaking publicly for the first time since his wife's arrest earlier this week, also said 43-year-old Amalia Tabata Pereira never told him she was incarcerated for more than two years in an arson case years before they met.

According to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, Tabata's wife showed off pictures of an infant and told the player that the baby was his, only to have Tabata learn hours after seeing the baby that the girl had been taken from her parents in Plant City, Fla., about 60 miles from Bradenton, where the Pirates train.

Pereira, arrested after the baby was handed over to authorities at a Bradenton shopping center on Tuesday, was taken Wednesday to the Hillsborough County Jail and is being held on $750,000 bond on an abduction charge.

from: newsobserver.com

Why Oh why must it all be from scratch?

2009-03-28T06:26:00.001-07:00

First before I go any further.... Do you people see.... Really Can you see? What crazy freaks I deal with on a daily basis..... Someone please.. Anyone... Please come save me!

I have been sooo busy.. For those of you who don't read my other blog ~Pieces of Me~

I have just a few short weeks until surgery.. I will be a few hundred miles away from home for a spell... I am taking two kids w/ me to stay in the hotel w/ the baby and 2 are staying home w/ Suga daddy.. This means that I have been cooking and freezing food this week.. All week... I canned up 6 quarts of Spaghetti Sauce, baked up and froze around 12 loaves of quick bread, banana, cran/orange, strawberry, chocolate banana and sweet potato... 15 loaves of bread, 4 sourdough, 3 wheat berry/ wheat germ, 4 french, and finally 2 potato and 2 pizza doughs... I made strawberry freezer jam 8 pints... Bought some Tomatillos and made tamales and cooked up some re fried beans in the pressure cooker.... froze that w/ some hand made tortillas.... Between Mexican food and Italian the boys will be set... that doesn't even count the cupcakes, muffins and cheese.. Mozzarella, ricotta, neufatchel and cottage... I have plans for the yogurt next week and all the casseroles..... I think I am burned out.. I never get burned out cooking.. Between taking pictures for the blog and wrapping freezing and cutting I might just not cook for awhile... I will be posting pictures tomorrow night.. of most of everything...

We did get our craft time in... Those pics are great! All the kids picked out their Easter baskets at Salvation Army and decorated them and planted wheat grass so it would be ready for Easter Morning.. I will be in the hospital then, so dad has to be the "Bunny." We made the greatest little gifts for some kids at church as well... Oh My Lord.. WE had a blast.... Those pics are to come!

We have this thing here.... I have a sign over my Door that says, "Sarcasm one of the free service I offer " So that being said! WE sabotage each others Easter baskets daily with shouting into each others baskets when the other ones aren't looking.... I whisper into mine how much I love my grass and how proud of it I am that it grows so strong... Looks so healthy and is the pretties grass EVER... My son walks right behind me and tells my grass that I was lying and that it is Ugly and pitiful... SO I in turn, insult his grass and pretend to spit on it.... In the end the prettiest grass is the one that is sheltered and care for the most..... It is a sick sorted service but we get much Joy from it!

I have much more to write but I am going to save that for another day!

If you lasted this whole post God Bless you and get a glass of water.. You must be soo tired!

A Crazy Week & a Surgery Date

2009-03-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Finally! A date fer surgery. Now let the worrying commence!

It's April 13th, by the way, and I'll also be participating in an experimental drug trial as well. Turns out my surgeon is the CHIEF of Cardiac Surgery at Vanderbilt, so I'm feeling pretty confident. :o) Perhaps he'll be worth the wait..... We asked him what he thought was the cause of my mitral valve going bad, and he said that he couldn't say for certain but it was NOT because I am so fat like Studmuffin has been thinking (although the doc acknowledged [and so do I] that I do need to lose a whole lotta weight); it is probably just degenerative valve disease that may have some kind of genetic component. The doc said the proper name of it twice, but I didn't catch it. It began with an M..... I have to say that I was *happy* to find out that I didn't cause this to happen by my ginormity (and therefore cannot be blamed for it by said Studmuffin).
********************************************************
Something fun: And Here's link to a whole bunch of really cute bunny pictures!
BUNNIES HERE
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Today, Homeschool Kid had to have a frenulectomy...I won't go into it all, but he's feeling sore and on mushy foods for a few days. The Doc was running late so it took all daggone day and I had other stuff to do......On top of that, neither our regular insurance nor our secondary dental insurance would pay anything AT ALL for this procedure, which made me wonder again: why do we give them our money? Is it all just a giant Ponzi scheme? :::sigh::: It has been an expensive day.
********************************************************
Something fun
More bunnies: this time it's video of SHOW JUMPING BUNNIES (I kid you not)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPOdffkkLo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]
********************************************************
The

No 'S' thing

. Studmuffin & I both have lost weight and it is rather easy. But he's an engineer and so loves to do charts and graphs (that boy sho' does know his way around Excel), and he's been giving me grief that I wasn't coming up to snuff with my pound-a-week goal on his charts that he sends me via email (especially before we found out that it isn't my overweight that's cause the heart trouble). It was buggin' me that he was buggin' me - especially last weekend when he several things to say about it.

: No , this isn't his chart...I just thought this was a funny graph....

That chart didn't look quite right to me, so I put in the data I had: the day we started No 'S'ing, the couple of times a week I've been weighing myself and made my own little chart in Word....

HA! HA! HA! His chart was WRONG!!!!

Y'all would be so proud of me: Tuesday night we were working on some other numbers (yes, we're such nerds....) and I showed him my data and my chart and asked if perhaps he might've put something in wrong? He was in denial for a little bit and accused me of "cherry-picking" the data; I said that I certainly could be wrong, but would he please check it maybe tomorrow?

He sent me a new chart the next day...and it was fixed! And GUESS WHAT?! I'm doing rather BETTER than my weekly goal. Since he wasn't here, I did my little happy dance of truth and justice. Always check the facts, y'all. Always. Even if somebody else minored in Math in college, you still gotta check the facts.
********************************************************

Something fun:

The coolest dirty car windows

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I didn't get to go out knitting at all this week (well, except in waiting rooms at doctors' offices) and I miss my knitting buddies. I'ma have to miss them for at least a month after the "Grand Opening" so I don't want to miss them before the event.
********************************************************
Something fun:
If yer a Star Wars fan at all - click HERE
********************************************************
There's all kinds of other stuff that happened, but I still gotta practice some more music before bed. Hopefully I'll post some actual KNITTING on Sunday. Won't that be different? :)
********************************************************
Something fun: And here's an

origami Yoda

you can make.
There's lots of really cool origami

at this site too

That should keep you busy until Sunday maybe.

Chernobyl Today: A Creepy Story told in Pictures

2009-03-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

In the zone of alienation in northern Ukraine, Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. Its population had been around 50,000 prior to the accident. Today, the only residents are deer and wolves along with a solitary guard.

Prypiat used to be proud for being home to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers.

But something happened on 26 April 1986…

It took three days before all permanent residents of Chernobyl and the Zone of alienation were evacuated due to unsafe levels of radioactivity.

Let the story be told by these magical pictures taken ~20 years later after the accident.

All the texts put in the quotation-marks are mostly the quotations of comments made by the authors of the photos.

(Image credits:Pedro Moura Pinheiro via:villageofjoy.com)

“The sign on the road to Pripyat, the town where the workers of the nuclear plant lived.”

Sara’s Ecstatic with the Results of her Breast Augmentation

2009-03-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

26 year old Sara (user name: HottMama) realized at a young age that she was very underdeveloped for girls her age. As she got older, she eventually settled down and had a family, giving birth to two children. She was very distraught at the lack of volume seen in her breasts after breastfeeding her infants. She had already been considering a breast augmentation for a considerable amount of time, but finally decided to take the appropriate steps to undergo this procedure. She discussed this with her husband, and upon deciding to undergo a breast augmentation, began doing as much research as possible. After talking to friends, family, and going on for consultations, she finally had her surgery done on December 1, 2008 by Dr. Andre De Greef. She strongly benefited from using Make Me Heal’s Breast Augmentation Message Board for guidance.

Sara’s advice for anyone having plastic surgery:

“Do as much research as you can, ask a million and one questions. Read every sticky on makemeheal.com and take your time deciding. It’s a lot of money to fork out for something you ‘might’ want to do.”

Please join us below for an interview with Sara:

Make Me Heal: When did you first have the idea to have your procedure(s)?

Sara: When I was 16 and very underdeveloped.

Make Me Heal: What were your motivations (physical, emotional, social, etc.) behind your decision to have the procedure(s)?

Sara: Having successfully breastfeeding my two children and the lack of volume my breasts had afterwards.

Make Me Heal: How long did it take you to make a decision and was it an easy or difficult one to make?

Sara: Very easy because of the length of time spent on researching it since I was 16.

Make Me Heal: Did your family, friends, and any other people in your close circle give you support, opposition, or did you make this decision without considering them?

Sara: I made the decision with my husband, no one else.

Make Me Heal: How did you research the procedure and come to decide on this particular procedure?

Sara: I asked a friend at work about hers, she let me touch and squeeze them. I googled everything I could possibly think of about breast augmentation.

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you used any of Make Me Heal’s resources such as the message boards, pictures library, doctor directory and doctor reviews, and any recovery and preparation products that you used.

Sara: I actually found the site about a week before my surgery date, but the site has an abundance of information on it!

Make Me Heal: How did you come to choose your doctor?

Sara: I had one consultation with the PS that did my surgery. He did my friends breasts from work and if I look half as good as she, I would be happy!

Make Me Heal: Please discuss if you have any role in deciding the type of technique used for your surgery by the doctor, incision placements, implant brand, anesthesia type, etc.

Sara: I told him to work his magic on me and he sure did!!!!

Make Me Heal: How did you prepare for the surgery?

Sara: I didn’t prepare for the surgery physically but mentally. I did research on types of pain relief can be used, what type of tape to use for hypertrophic scars (which I suffer from).

Make Me Heal: How were you feeling the night before the surgery and on the moments before the surgery itself?

Sara: The night before I was content, I cleaned the house, made lunchs for the kids. That morning I wasn’t too nervous, more excited…..I was going to wake up with boobs!!!!!!

Make Me Heal: How was the recovery process? Please discuss what side effects you experienced? What were the worse parts of the recovery? Did anyone help you during the recovery?

Sara: My husband, Chris, did soooo much for me the first week after surgery. Heat and cold compresses worked wonders for me!

Make Me Heal: Please discuss the pain or discomfort you experienced during the recovery?

Sara: The three days after surgery were the worst for pain, I couldn’t get up using just my abdominal muscles because of the pain but it wasn’t unbareable. I still have ‘morning boob’ 29 days after surgery but it gets better day by day.

Make Me Heal: How well prepared were you for the recovery from physical, emotional, and mental respects?

Sara: I prepared for the worst……I read the horror stories. You think your recovery is going to be that bad and then when it comes time…it isn’t!

Make Me Heal: What are your top recovery tips to other patients?

Sara: Take a good 2 weeks off work…..even if you feel great after 4 days…take your time! Have someone there with your 24/7 for the first week. Don’t do anything besides pamper yourself during this time. You just went through a huge life changing surgery!!

Make Me Heal: How long did you take off from work? What did you tell your co-workers about taking this time off? Did anyone notice your cosmetic procedures at work and what did you tell them if they asked about it?

Sara: I took 3 weeks off. I was scheduled to go back 9 days after surgery but didn’t feel ready. I told one woman about my surgery, noone else. So far noone has noticed, that I know of. I’m not sure what I would say if they asked me about it.

Make Me Heal: How happy are you with the results?

Sara: I am estatic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make Me Heal: How has your makeover impacted your life from personal, social, career, and other respects?

Sara: I am more confident. I can wear those cute teddy’s that I couldn’t before. I feel sexier in pictures, talking to my husband…everything.

Make Me Heal: Would you have done anything differently if you had the chance?

Sara: I would keep a total secret from everyone besides family….and get them to swear that they wouldn’t tell (although sometimes that doesn’t happen!)

Make Me Heal: What is your final word of advice to other people considering the procedure(s) you had?

Sara: Do as much research as you can, ask a million and one questions. Read every sticky on makemeheal.com and take your time deciding. It’s a lot of money to fork out for something you ‘might’ want to do.

Make Me Heal: Was Make Me Heal beneficial to you along your journey?

Sara: All the women on the BA forum are wonderful and willing to answer any questions and show you pictures when asked.

from:www.makemeheal.com

For LSU, it's all about Ty's toe

2009-03-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

Today in our story, underdog fans everywhere – particularly those of the Duke footprint – hope No. 1 seed North Carolina stubs its proverbial toe in the second round of the NCAA Tournament this afternoon against No. 8 seed LSU in a 4:45 p.m. game at Greensboro Coliseum.

Perhaps the most famous toe in the history of Carolina sports would not cooperate with reporters on Friday.

Cameras circled North Carolina star point guard Ty Lawson’s injured right big toe Friday afternoon in the Tar Heels’ locker room as trainers feverishly worked on the big digit. The toe had no comment.

Slowly, a trainer unwrapped the bandages like in that vintage, “Eye of the Beholder” Twilight Zone episode in which the character played by Baton Rouge area native Donna Douglas (Ellie May from the Beverly Hillbillies) has undergone a medical procedure to make her face normal.

Ty’s toe is not as beautiful as Douglas’ visage, though it looked pretty normal. But cosmetics are not the issue here. It’s how the toe feels, and Lawson has not played on it since the regular season finale against Duke on March 8.

“I don’t know,” Lawson said while on the trainer’s table. “I still haven’t been on it. It’s not swollen anymore. It’s just stiff. I’m just going to go out there and see how it feels.”

Lawson was scheduled to practice on it Friday afternoon, then be checked for swelling at 11:30 last night with the ultimate test being in today’s pre-game.

“OK, uh, I don’t know,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said with a smile as he opened a press conference Friday. “He has to get through without any swelling and see how he feels (Saturday). So, it will be a game-time decision more than likely.”

This was day 15 of Ty’s Toe. There have been routine toe updates by the various papers' websites in the area. Reportedly, the Research Triangle is busy working on it.

Lawson aggravated the toe during a practice before that Duke game when he ran into the goal support. X-rays showed the toe was previously broken, then healed and then was aggravated in that practice, but Lawson does not remember breaking it. And the story thickens. Lawson also had a somewhat mysterious ankle injury last season that made him miss six conference games. Could it be Lawson?

The toe was shot up so Lawson could play in that Duke game, and he scored 13 points with nine assists in 36 minutes of a 79-71 win. But Lawson, the Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year averaging 16 points and nearly seven assists a game, was not himself. His game, and thus North Carolina’s game, is based on his cheetah-like speed with all 10 in-shoe starters firing, and he was missing a claw.

Then, when the shot wore off, the big toe grew so swollen it looked like a paw. More shots were ruled out, and Lawson was held out of the ACC Tournament, where the Heels lost to Florida State in the second round.

Lawson tried to practice on it before the NCAA Tournament, but he really couldn’t do much. So he was held out of North Carolina’s 101-58 win Thursday over No. 16 seed Radford, which the Heels could have beat with toes tied behind their back.

Replacement point guard Bobby Frasor is only adequate.

LSU is not Duke, but it is surely not Radford either. Four-time All-American forward Tyler Hansbrough may score 30 today and guard Wayne Ellington may get 20 for North Carolina, but the Heels may need Ty’s toe to kick LSU out of the dance.

“I’ve been a college coach 31 years, and I’ve never had a player that can accelerate at that speed,” Williams said of Lawson. “He can turn it from 0 to whatever as fast as anybody I’ve seen. He can run past people dribbling it when they’re running. He puts tremendous pressure on a defense to make sure they get back.”

That's when he's healthy. Remove the toe of a leader, and the rest will fall?

Or as Bill Murray’s John Winger said in Stripes, “An army without a leader is like a foot without a big toe.”

How To Get a Sex Change

2009-02-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

There are different levels of change when it comes to the transgendered. For those who identify with the other gender and want to change their sex, there does not have to be surgery. For this article, the steps help you get a sex change, before you decide whether to go under the knife or not.

1. Make the decision. The choice to change your sex and gender is a tough one. You might face rejection from all sides - your family, friends, coworkers and lovers. You need to consider how the decision will impact your life then make the choice and move on with it.
2. Change your exterior persona. An essential part of a sex change is the outward appearance. Change your wardrobe and hair to fit your new gender role. If you are changing to the female sex, then you will need to take the additional steps of hair removal and makeup. Once you have the wardrobe and style change you might need to practice walking, posture and attitude to suit your new gender assignment.
3. Educate yourself. Learn about the sex change and transgender community by educating yourself. Get in touch with the community, join a support group and learn about gender reassignment. Talking with others who have been where you are will help you make the change and help you decide if you want to take the sex change to the next level and have sex reassignment surgery.
4. Accept your choice and how it impacts your life. Now that you have made the choice and started to get educated about what it means to the rest of your life, it is time for acceptance. By now you should be experiencing at least some reaction from those closest to you. From this you will hopefully begin to either accept your choice or at least decide how you will help them with the transition.

5. Integrate the change into your life. For a full sex change you cannot be another gender part of the time. The change will eventually need to become part of your life and be integrated into all facets of life. This means that if you took the earlier steps only in your private life or without your family, this step moves your change into those parts of life you avoided earlier. Prepare your employer for the change and let your family know you will be a new gender at the next holiday.
6. Live the life. To be sure that the sex change is for you, you should live the life. Spend at minimum six months living a full life with your gender change. For this period of adjusting to your new life, you should avoid making any other major changes including career or family changes to allow your time to process. You should also avoid starting a new love relationship during this period.
7. Decide if you want to make the change permanent. After making the change and living the life, you can now decide whether you want to have sexual reassignment surgery to make the sex change permanent.

Sex changes are traumatic even without sex reassignment surgery. Follow these steps to begin a sex change

Sex change surgery

2009-02-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

Definition

Also known as sex reassignment surgery, sex change surgery is a procedure that changes genital organs from one gender to another.

Purpose

There are two reasons to alter the genital organs from one sex to another.

Newborns with intersex deformities must early on be assigned one sex or the other. These deformities represent intermediate stages between the primordial female genitals and the change into male caused by male hormone stimulation.
Both men and women occasionally believe they are physically a different sex than they are mentally and emotionally. This dissonance is so profound they are willing to be surgically altered.

In both cases, technical considerations favor successful conversion to a female rather than a male. Newborns with ambiguous organs will almost always be assigned to the female sex, unless the penis is at least an inch long. Whatever their chromosomes, they are much more likely to be socially well adjusted as females, even if they cannot have children.

Precautions

Sexual identity is probably the most profound characteristic humans have. Assigning it must take place immediately after birth, both for the child's and the parents' comfort. Changing sexual identity may be the most significant change one can experience. It therefore should be done with every care and caution. By the time most adults come to surgery, they have lived for many years with dissonant identity. The average in one study was 29 years. Nevertheless, even then they may not be fully aware of the implications of becoming the other sex.

Description

Converting male to female anatomy requires removal of the penis, reshaping genital tissue to appear more female, and constructing a vagina. A vagina can be successfully formed from a skin graft or an isolated loop of intestine. Following the surgery, female hormones (estrogen) will reshape the body's contours and grow satisfactory breasts.

Female to male surgery has achieved lesser success, due to the difficulty of building a functioning penis from the much smaller clitoral tissue available in the female genitals. Penis construction is not attempted less than a year after the preliminary surgery to remove the female organs. One study in Singapore found that a third of the patients would not undergo the surgery again. Nevertheless, they were all pleased with the change of sex. Besides the genital organs, the breasts need to be surgically altered for a more male appearance. This can be done quite successfully.

Orgasm, or at least "a reasonable degree of erogenous sensitivity," can be experienced by patients after surgery.

Preparation

In-depth psychological counseling should precede and follow these procedures.

Aftercare

Social support, particularly from the family, is important for readjustment as a member of the opposite sex. If patients were socially or emotionally unstable before the operation, over 30, or had an unsuitable body build for the new sex, they tend to do poorly. In no case studied did the procedure diminish their ability to work.

Risks

All surgery runs the risk of infection, bleeding, and a need to return for repairs. This surgery is irreversible, so the patient must have no doubts about the results.

The most common complication of the male to female surgery is narrowing of the new vagina.

Key Terms

Chromosomes: The carriers of genes, which determine sex and characteristics.

For Your Information

Books

Hensle, Terry W., and William A. Kennedy. "Surgical Management of Intersexuality." In Campbell's Urology, ed. Patrick C. Walsh, et al. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1998.
Jordan, Gerald H. "Surgery of the Penis and Urethra." In Campbell's Urology, ed. Patrick C. Walsh, et al. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1998.

Periodicals

Eldh, J., A. Berg, and M. Gustafsson. "Long-term Follow Up After Sex Reassignment Surgery." Scandinavian Journal of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery & Hand Surgery 31 (Mar. 1997): 39-45.
Hage, J. J., and P. J. van Kesteren. "Chest-wall Contouring in Female-to-male Transsexuals: Basic Considerations and Review of the Literature." Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 96 (Aug. 1995): 386-391.
Hage, J. J., and R. B. Karim. "Sensate Pedicled Neoclitoroplasty for Male Transsexuals: Amsterdam Experience in the First 60 Patients." Annals of Plastic Surgery 36 (June 1996): 621-624.
Huang, T. T. "Twenty Years of Experience in Managing Gender Dysphoric Patients: I. Surgical Management of Male Transsexuals." Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 96 (Sept. 1995): 921-930, 931-934.
Karim, R. B., J. J. Hage, and J. W. Mulder. "Neovaginoplasty in Male Transsexuals: Review of Surgical Techniques and Recommendations Regarding Eligibility." Annals of Plastic Surgery 37 (Dec. 1996): 669-675.
Siemssen, P. A., and S. H. Matzen. "Neovaginal Construction in Vaginal Aplasia and Sex-Reassignment Surgery." Scandinavian Journal of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery & Hand Surgery 31 (Mar. 1997): 47-50.
Tsoi, W. F., et al. "Follow-up Study of Female Transsexuals." Annals of the Academy of Medicine (24 Sept. 1995): 664-667.

Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Published December, 2002 by the Gale Group

The Essay Author is J. Ricker Polsdorfer MD.

http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/hc/hcindex.jsp

The Desire For A Sex Change

2009-02-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

How should the Catholic community respond to men and women who think that a person's sex change operation would solve their problem? Catholic teaching in this area is clear. It is impossible to "change" a person's sex. Hormone treatments, cosmetic surgery and surgery to mutilate the sex organs do not change a person' sex.

Confusion in this area has come about because people tend to defer to scientists, particularly in areas where their personal experience is limited. Therefore, when doctors, including those from the prestigious Johns Hopkins, have promoted "sex change" operations for physically normal men who believed they were really women trapped in men's bodies or women who believed they were men trapped in women's bodies, many have accepted the idea that it was indeed possible to change a person's sex.

In an article in First Things titled "Surgical Sex," Dr. Paul McHugh, of Johns Hopkins, laid out some of the history of the "sex change" phenomenon.¹ From the beginning, McHugh had doubts. He interviewed the men for whom the surgeons had created bodies that appeared female, and found the claim that they were now women unconvincing. He states:

None of these encounters were persuasive...The post-surgical subjects struck me as caricatures of women. They wore high heels, copious makeup, and flamboyant clothing; they spoke about how they found themselves able to give vent to their natural inclinations for peace, domesticity, and gentleness--but their large hands, prominent Adam's apples, and thick facial features were incongruous (and would become more so as they aged). Women psychiatrists whom I sent to talk with them would intuitively see through the disguise and the exaggerated postures. "Gals know gals," one said to me, "and that's a guy."²

When he became psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins, McHugh decided to challenge what he considered to be a misdirection of psychiatry. He encouraged a study already begun on the outcomes of such surgeries. The study found that while most of the clients said they were happy with the outcome, the various psychological problems, which accompanied their feeling they were the other sex, remained unchanged. They still had the same difficulties with relationships, work and emotions.

McHugh concluded that "to provide a surgical alteration to the body of these unfortunate people was to collaborate with a mental disorder rather than to treat it."³ He ordered the practice halted at Johns Hopkins and tried to convince others that such interventions were a misuse of psychiatry and surgery. However, in spite of the evidence, the support for the idea of "sex change" operations has continued to grow. In fact, there have been several articles discussing whether it is advisable to begin the "sex change" process in adolescence or even before.⁴

McHugh was frustrated to find that those promoting the practice were not persuaded by empirical evidence:

One might expect that those who claim that sexual identity has no biological or physical basis would bring forth more evidence to persuade others. But as I've learned, there is a deep prejudice in favor of the idea that nature is totally malleable.
Without any fixed position on what is given in human nature, any manipulation of it can be defended as legitimate. A practice that appears to give people what they want--and what some of them are prepared to clamor for--turns out to be difficult to combat with ordinary professional experience and wisdom. Even controlled trials or careful follow-up studies to ensure that the practice itself is not damaging are often resisted and the results rejected.⁵

Each cell of a person's body contains chromosomes which identify that individual as either male or female. It is not simply a question of different genitals. Before birth prenatal hormones shape the brains of boys to be different than those of girls.⁶

Mutilating surgery and hormone treatments can create the appearance of a male or female body, but it cannot change the underlying reality. It is not possible to change a person's sex.

In promoting the truth about the human person, the Church is on the side of science when it proclaims that it is not possible to change a person's sex. Therefore, persons who claim to have had their sex changed may not marry or be ordained.⁷ A man who is surgically altered to resemble a woman may not marry a man and a woman with a male appearance may not be ordained a priest.

Unfortunately, the promotion of "sex change" operations has decreased investigation into prevention and therapy for those suffering from gender dysphoria. However, a number of mental health professionals work with and do help such individuals.

For example, in one case a Catholic, married man who had several children wanted to become female. He had completed electrolysis to remove facial hair and was on hormone treatment. As child he had been unable to model after his angry father, aggressive older brothers, or hostile boys in the neighborhood. He viewed men as angry, violent, dark people with whom he could not identify. Instead, he had escaped from what he perceived as the unsafe world of men, into a fantasy female world where he felt safe. As he matured, these fantasies diminished and he married and had children. However, at a certain point in his career he found himself in an extremely stressful situation both at work and at home, and his original fantasy about being more safe as a female reemerged.

In his therapeutic treatment, he came to understand the origins of his inability identify with his masculinity. Then he worked on forgiving the men and boys who had hurt him in his childhood and in his adolescence, especially his father and his brothers. In working with a spiritual director, he slowly came to experience God as loving father who could protect him, and to develop a relationship with St. Joseph as a role model of male love. A major goal of treatment was to help him see his own masculinity as a positive gift from God.

In another case, a thirty-year-old man with excellent athletic abilities was seeking "sex change" surgery. The therapist he consulted was able to help him uncover serious emotional conflicts with his mother. She was a self-centered person and a substance abuser who had essentially abandoned him as a child. Unconsciously, he thought that if he were a woman, he finally might receive his mother's love and acceptance. Because he had not experienced a comforting, loving mother/son relationship, his ability to trust and feel safe in the world was badly damaged. He thought that if he were a female he might feel protected in the world. As a result of his regular participation in a "transgender support group" (which was biased toward encouraging "sex change" procedures), he came to believe that there was a biological basis for his belief that he was female. It was extremely difficult for the young man to admit his problems with his mother, or to acknowledge his feelings of disappointment, sadness, and resentment. Eventually, through therapy, he was able to recognize the effects of his mother's dysfunction on his self-image.

Dealing with clients who have a desire to become the other sex, it is important not to take the desire at face value, but to uncover the emotional conflicts which has led them to think they would be happier, safer and more confident as the other sex. The recognition of emotional pain with peers or with a parent leads to the awareness of significant anger which can be resolved through a process of forgiveness.⁸ At the same time it is necessary to treat low self-esteem, poor body image, sadness and fears.

Many of those who seek surgical "sex change" suffered from untreated and undiagnosed gender identity disorder (GID) as children. For example, a therapist was consulted by a member of the family of a young woman who had told her parents that she wanted "sex change" surgery after graduating from college. Since childhood, the young woman had shown all the classic symptoms of GID.⁹ She had never had female friends, never wore a dress, never used make up, never wore jewelry or dated a boy. She also insisted that her Catholic parents address with a boy's name which they agreed to do.

GID in children is a treatable condition; however, according to Zucker and Bradley, who are experts in the treatment of this disorder in children, parental ambivalence is, in most cases part of the problem with parents ignoring or excusing obvious problems.¹⁰ Zucker and Bradley encourage early intervention, not simply to avoid a later desire for a "sex change" but to prevent the suffering, unhappiness, and isolation that children with GID experience. In the case of this young woman, the therapist recommended treatment of GID to the family member who asked for consultation, but this recommendation was never communicated to the parents. The young woman recently had her breasts removed.

The other conflicts in those who seek "sex change" surgery experience are a failure to embrace the goodness and beauty of their masculinity or femininity, hatred of their bodies, deep resentment with a parent or peer, childhood loneliness and sadness, rejection by peers of the same gender, intense fears of being betrayed and hurt, and a deep desire to be protected in the world. A less common conflict is seen in some boys and men who have powerful artistic and creative gifts, which lead them to experience a strong attraction to the beauty in the female world and to an identification with femininity. This artistic response can begin early in childhood and can lead to a desire to be female. In rare cases, a parent wants a child to be of the opposite sex, dresses and treats the child as being of the opposite sex and may even take the child to a "transgender support group."

Self-knowledge, forgiveness, skilled psychotherapy and good spiritual direction can all play a part in the healing process. Much more work needs to be done in this field. Parents, pediatricians and educators need to be able to recognize GID in children. Mental health professionals and priests should understand the origins of the condition, and know that successful treatment can occur in persons who come to them with the desire for a "sex change." Finally, professionals with positive experience in treating this problem need to share their expertise with others.

Richard P. Fitzgibbons, M.D.
www.maritalhealing.com
100 Four Falls Center, Suite 312
W. Conshohocken, PA 19428

How to Get a Sex Change

2009-02-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

Many people today aren't comfortable living as their own gender. Due to modern advances, they no longer have to live feeling like a misfit. Sex change operations are available and affordable to almost everyone. Here's how to start your journey to your true self.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Examine why you want to get a sex change. Make sure it's because of long term, deep rooted feelings and not just a temporary issue.

Step2

Realize that a sex change doesn't involve only physical alteration of the sex organs. It requires daily hormone injections to maintain the overall physical characteristics of the desired sex. There are side effects from the surgery and hormone injections.

Step3

Talk to a therapist about your feelings. Consult more than one, if possible.

Step4

Discuss your feelings with your friends, if you feel safe. Ask for their opinions.

Step5

Look online to find clinics that perform sex change operations. There are clinics overseas, especially in Asia, that have reasonable prices.

Step6

Read online diaries of others who went through the operation. It can help you understand what you might face.

Step7

Join a community in your area or online for people dealing with transgender or sex change issues. Establish a network of support.

Step8

Research methods of paying for your sex change operation. Some medical insurances may cover the procedure. Some large cities cover the cost of sex change operations in their medical benefits as well.

Convicted Murderer Demands Sex Change

2009-02-08T06:11:00.001-08:00

http://www.pasadenacriminaldefense.com
Robert Kosilek, who was convicted of first degree murder for strangling his wife in 1990, is suing the state of Massachusetts to get a tax-funded sex change operation. A judge had previously entitled Kosilek treatment for his gender-identity disorder which included hormone treatment, laser hair removal, and psychotherapy. Criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, Don Schweitzer appears on CNN Headline News to discuss why he believes Kosilek, or any such criminal, shouldn't be allowed to have this type of state-funded treatment.

Cosmetic Surgery Thailand

2009-02-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic Surgery Thailand

性転換ニューハーフ専用 SexReassignment Surgery in Korea.

2009-02-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

SRS Korea for GID persons.Maybe in Korea there're good hand doctors for sex change operation

The Sex Changers - Thailand

2009-02-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

Thailand -- the mecca of sex tourism is now welcoming a sex-trade of a different kind, citizens seeking sex-change operations. According to the industry, gender switching and cosmetic procedures are growing at the rate of 20 percent a yearIs this really enough to make one feel a man or woman? You still don't have the internal parts which are what truly differentiate male from female. To me this perpetuates the idea that it doesn't matter what's on the inside-rather it's the outside. I hope that one day we will all learn to happy with who we are just as we were born.

The Sex Changers - Thailand

Sex Change Operation

2009-02-08T06:01:00.000-08:00

Sex Change Operation

Sex Change Teen wins Argentina legal battle

2009-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sex Change Teen wins Argentina legal battle

Sex Change Surgery

2009-02-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

Enter the transgender community, where people undergo surgery to become the sex they believe they truly are.

Taboo: Sexual Identity :
WED AUGUST 8 10P et/pt : http://channel.nationalgeographic.com...

Paging Dr. Bowers: Sex Change Hospital

2009-02-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

Dr. Marci Bowers has performed over 100 gender-reassignment surgeries in the “sex-change capital of the world”: Trinidad, Colo. In the documentary drama Sex Change Hospital on WeTV, the audience got to go behind the scenes and see the real story. Bowers has been in the news lately for agreeing to pay for the sexual-reassignment surgery of Isis King, the transgender former America’s Next Top Model contestant. (Windy City Media Group)

Windy City Times: Hi, Marci. I just watched your show the other night for the first time and learned so much. It made me want to know more about you and your life. What is your history?

Marci Bowers: Well, I am a Midwestern product. I was born in Chicago. I grew up in a small town west of Milwaukee and went to college in Madison, Wis. I eventually entered medical school at the University of Minnesota. I was class and student body president there. I went to do my residency in Seattle, Wash. My first 12 years in practice were spent there. About two-thirds of the way through that, I went through my own transition.

I don’t identify anymore as trans because before I broke out into the open with my personal life, I was known pretty much as a woman practitioner back then. It was something I really didn’t talk about.

Along the way, I married someone I met in college. We married in 1985 and we are still married. We are married not in a traditional sense, [ but ] more of a 21st-century sense. We have three kids together, two homes and our finances are all tied together. We live separate lives but remain best friends.

The kids are teenagers [ aged ] 17, 16 and 12. I have a partner here—a woman as it turns out. I moved to Trinidad with a man. Most of my partners have been men since the transition, but my partner right now is a woman. I tell everyone she has more testosterone than most of the men that I dated!

WCT: And you are the first transgender surgeon to perform this surgery, correct?

MB: Technically I am not the first one. The first one was a doctor by the name of Sheila Kirk. She started late in her career, in her mid-60s. She didn’t perform too many.

So, I guess I am the first one that has had much success.

WCT: You are really busy; that’s for sure. How many surgeries do you perform a week on average?

MB: Usually five of the male to female vaginal plastic surgery. [ They're ] actually pretty difficult so that’s quite a number.

WCT: Is it more complicated to perform a female-to-male operation or the other way around?

MB: It depends on what surgery you are doing. The cosmetic and functional results are better male to female. The other is not more complicated. There are just more multiple procedures and that sort of thing.

You are using natal tissue. You are not borrowing from the forearm or doing a big skin graft from a jelly roll to create a penis. It’s just using the local tissues. That’s what I prefer, and increasing numbers of transmen are starting to go with that, too.

WCT: Does the patient have to go through psychological testing before they even meet with you?

MB: Yes. That is what’s called “the standards of care,” which means they are required to meet some minimal criteria in order to proceed with permanent surgery.

The problem with this is that it gives a mixed message to society. They think it means that they are crazy or that this is some sort of mental disorder.

The larger issue is that it’s good to have the psychological counseling. That it’s a huge deal and there are many ramifications that go along with it: family, job, etc.

The fact is that most patients have known where they were at a long time ago. Transitioning is difficult. You don’t want to jump into it without knowing what you are getting into.

WCT: Are these surgeries covered by insurance?

MB: About 10 percent of employers cover this. Insurance for this is employer-mandated. So, we are finding that some of the more progressive companies—especially Internet companies such as Microsoft, Intel and IBM—do also. Companies that rely on a diverse workforce are increasingly mandating coverage for transgender care. Sadly, most people are still forced to pay out-of-pocket.

WCT: I noticed on the shows that I watched that many people have the surgery later in life.

MB: Well, that was just the show. It’s random. Keep in mind the show was filmed about two and half years ago. What’s happened since that time is that it was a self-selected group of people that were willing to come out. The reason that they were older [ was ] because those people are out and proud and just don’t care what people think. The younger ones are infinitely more passable. They tend to hide. When you tell someone that you are trans you subject yourself to large amount of discrimination. It’s not for the faint of heart.

WCT: So you do all different ages?

MB: Yes, from 17- to 75-year-olds. The average age is the mid-40s.

WCT: How long is the recovery time after these operations?

MB: It’s a long recovery period. Twelve full weeks is the usual the amount of time.

WCT: I was really impressed by your bedside manner. Since you have been through it yourself, that must make it easier to connect with a patient.

MB: I am definitely more sympathetic to how difficult it can be for people.

WCT: What have you learned from being part of the show Sex Change Hostpital?

MB: That it takes a really long time to be a part of network TV.

WCT: So it was a long process. What’s in the future for you?

MB: We have talked about doing a second season. It’s always a challenge doing what I do. It’s certainly not mainstream yet. I think we have done a good job with educating the world. People at least have a stand now on whether they like or don’t like the procedure.

WCT: What inspired you to do the surgery for Isis from America’s Next Top Model?

MB: I got interested in Isis, first from her appearance on an MSNBC special [ and then from ] following her journey on America’s Next Top Model ( ANTM ) . I think the jolt I got was when I heard she was living in a homeless shelter when approached by ANTM. Then, when Tyra’s producer approached me about a potential episode, we collaborated on this idea. I think the surprise effect was very special and I give the Tyra’s folks enormous credit—even though I’ll be the one with the challenges at surgery!

WCT: What was Isis’ reaction when she found out the news that you would be performing the operation?

MB: She cried! When Tyra asked “Do you know this person ( referring to me ) ?” Isis began nodding immediately … so that was cool to be known for what my work means to people. When I said to Isis that we’d like to evaluate her for the steps necessary to complete her surgery, she again nodded and cried.

WCT: How soon could all this happen?

MB: We have a surgery date! Isis is also getting her letters of evaluation together and we are working with our hospital to get them on board for media participation.

WCT: Well, I think you are a hero to many people and it is definitely an honor talking to you. I learned a lot from watching your show.

MB: We all have a cross to bear but I think, in some ways, transgender people have it worse. When someone makes an attempt to understand, it makes the world a little bit better place.

The show will air Dec. 23 and 24 on WeTV. Visit www.wetv.com and www.marcibowers.com .

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20060

Candi Stratton Discusses Sex Change

2009-02-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

Candi Stratton Discusses Sex ChangePost-op Transsexual Candi Stratton discuss her transformation and sex change operation

Pioneers Of Sex-Change Surgery

2009-02-08T05:53:00.001-08:00

Seth Doane travels to Trinidad, Colorado, where the first private practice for gender reassignment surgery, more commonly called "sex-changes," was begun over forty years ago.

Sex Change Anyone?

2009-02-08T05:50:00.000-08:00

What an erection feels like is very difficult to put into words as it doesnt feel pleasurable in and of itself. It's just a hard tight feeling that breaks your concentration and makes you restless and gives one an almost overwhelming desire to either have sex or masturbate. You only get pleasurable feelings, when its manipulated and felt up. Most girls give me an erection just by the shape of your bodies. You have to learn to rise above it or act like a moron around women. lol.

Blizzard offers $15 WoW character facelift, sex change

2009-02-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

character facelift, sex change

Feeling blue (literally)? Time for a (sex) change? Blizzard has made available Character Re-Customization for World of Warcraft, a.k.a. the ability to modify your in-game avatar's features, gender, and name for $15 in real-world dough.

Our role-playing pals at WoW Insider have an in-depth look at the new offering, pointing out that it does not allow you to change your character's race or class, and that, seeing as a name change on its own runs $10, it's a pretty sweet deal. Oh, and Blizzard has thoughtfully addressed the potential for griefers changing their identities to get away with foul deeds; if a player is on your (or your friends') ignore list, the naughty knave's name will be updated accordingly.

Sex Change

2009-02-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

See all National Geographic videos: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/v...
Dawn began life as Danny, but eventually travels to Thailand for an operation to fully transform from male to female.

Changing gender in Iran

2009-01-01T06:24:00.000-08:00

change of sex designation arizona

2009-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

Breast Lift(Mastopexy)
Procedure: Raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning remaining tissue and nipples.
Length: 1 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Sometimes inpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary bruising, swelling, discomfort, numbness, dry breast skin. Permanent scars.
Risks: Thick, wide scars; skin loss; infection. Unevenly positioned nipples. Permanent loss of feeling in nipples or breast.
Recovery: Back to work: 1 week or more. Strenuous activities: 1 month. Fading of scars: several months to a year.
Duration of Results: Variable; gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight changes may cause new sagging. Results may last longer or be enhanced when breast implants are inserted as part of the procedure.
Chemical Peel(Phenol and trichloroacetic acid [TCA])
Procedure: Restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin, using a chemical solution to peel away skin's top layers. Works best on fair, thin skin with superficial wrinkles.
Length: 1 to 2 hours for full face.
Anesthesia: None; sedation & EKG monitoring may be used.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Full-face phenol peel may require admission for 1 to 2 days.
Side Effects: Both: Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness; acute sensitivity to sun. Phenol: Permanent lightening of treated skin; permanent loss of ability to tan.
Risks: Both: Tiny whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores. Phenol: Abnormal color changes (permanent); heart irregularities (rare).
Recovery: Phenol: Formation of new skin: 7 to 21 days. Normal activities: 2 to 4 weeks. Full healing and fading of redness: 3 to 6 months TCA: New skin within 5 to 10 days.
Duration of Results: Phenol: permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages. TCA: variable (temporary).
Collagen / Fat Injections
Procedure: Plump up creased, furrowed, or sunken facial skin; add fullness to lips and backs of hands. Works best on thin, dry, light-colored skin.
Length: 15 minutes to 1 hour per session.
Anesthesia: Collagen: usually none; local may be included with the injection. Fat: local.
In/Outpatient: Outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary stinging, throbbing, or burning sensation. Faint redness, swelling, excess fullness.
Risks: Collagen: allergic reaction including rash, hives, swelling, or flu-like symptoms; possible triggering of connective-tissue or autoimmune diseases. (A skin test is required before collagen treatment to determine whether an allergy exists.) Both: Contour irregularities, infection.
Duration of Results: Variable; a few months to 1 year.
Dermabrasion
Procedure: Mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a high-speed rotary wheel. Softens sharp edges of surface irregularities, including acne and other scars and fine wrinkles, especially around the mouth.
Length: A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia: Local, numbing spray, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary tingling, burning, itching, swelling, redness. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sensitivity to sun; loss of ability to make pigment (tan).
Risks: Abnormal color changes (permanent). Tiny whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores.
Recovery: Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 4 to 6 weeks. Fading of redness: about 3 months. Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12 months.
Duration of Results: Permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages.
Ear Surgery(Otoplasty)
Procedure: Set prominent ears back closer to the head, or reduce the size of large ears. Most often done on children between the ages of 4 and 14 years. (Occasionally covered by insurance.)
Length: 2 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia: Young children: usually general. Older children or adults: general or local, with sedation.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness, numbness.
Risks: Infection of cartilage. Excessive scarring. Blood clot that may need to be drained. Mismatched or artificial- looking ears. Recurrence of the protrusion, requiring repeat surgery.
Recovery: Back to work or school: 5 to 7 days.Strenuous activity, contact sports: 1 to 2 months.
Duration of Results: Usually permanent.
Eyelid Surgery(Blepharoplasty)
Procedure: Correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. (Upper-eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance if used to correct visual field defects)
Length: 1 to 3 hours.
Anesthesia: Usually locally with sedation or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary discomfort, tightness of lids, swelling, bruising. Temporary dryness, burning, itching of eyes. Excessive tearing, sensitivity to light for first few weeks.
Risks: Temporary blurred or double vision. Infection, bleeding. Swelling at the corners of the eyelids. Dry eyes. Formation of whiteheads. Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent). Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery). Blindness (extremely rare).
Recovery: Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to 10 days. Contact lenses: two weeks or more. Strenuous activities, alcohol: about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling gone: several weeks.
Duration of Results: Several years. Sometimes permanent.
Facelift(Rhytidectomy)
Procedure: Improving sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin by removing excess fat, tightening muscles, redraping skin. Most often done on men and women over 40.
Length: Several hours.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Some patients may require short inpatient stay.
Side Effects: Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing skin is repositioned.
Risks: Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles or feeling (usually temporary but may be permanent). Infection, bleeding. Poor healing; excessive scarring. Asymmetry or change in hairline.
Recovery: Back to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity: 2 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months.
Duration of Results: Usually 5 to 10 years.
Facial Implants
Procedure: Change the basic shape and balance of the face using carefully shaped implants to build up a receding chin, add prominence to cheekbones, or reshape the jawline.
Length: 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Occasionally overnight hospital stay.
Side Effects: Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness and/or stiffness. In jaw surgery, inability to open mouth fully for several weeks.
Risks: Shifting or imprecise positioning of implant, or infection around it, requiring a second operation or removal. Excess tightening and hardening of scar tissue around an artificial implant ("capsular contracture"), causing unnatural shape.
Recovery: Back to work: about 1 week. Normal appearance: 2 to 4 weeks. Activity that could jar or bump face: 6 weeks or more.
Duration of Results: Permanent.
Forehead Lift(Browlift)
Procedure: Minimize forehead creases, drooping eyebrows, hooding over eyes, furrowed forehead and frown lines by removing excess tissue, altering muscles and tightening the forehead skin. May be done using the traditional technique, with an incision across the top of the head just behind the hairline; or with the use of an endoscope, which requires 3 to 5 short incisions. Most often done on people over 40.
Length: 1 to 2 hours.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary swelling, numbness, headaches, bruising. Traditional method: Possible itching and hair loss.
Risks: Injury to facial nerve, causing loss of motion, muscle weakness, or asymmetrical look. Infection. Broad or excessive scarring.
Recovery: Back to work: 7 to 10 days, usually sooner for endoscopic forehead lift. More strenuous activity: several weeks. Full recovery from bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Limit sun exposure for several months.
Duration of Results: Usually 5 to 10 years.
Hair Replacement Surgery
Procedure: Fill in balding areas with a patient's own hair using a variety of techniques including scalp reduction, tissue expansion, strip grafts, scalp flaps, or clusters of punch grafts (plugs, miniplugs and microplugs). Works best on men with male pattern baldness after hair loss has stopped.
Length: 1 to 3 hours. Some techniques may require multiple procedures over 18 months or more.
Anesthesia: Usually local with sedation. Flaps and tissue expansion may be done with general anesthesia.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary achy, tight scalp. Unnatural look in early stages.
Risks: Unnatural look. Infection. Excessive scarring. Failure to "take." Loss of scalp tissue and/or transplanted hair.
Recovery: Back to work: usually 2 to 5 days. More strenuous activities: 10 days to 3 weeks. Final look: may be 18 months or more, depending on procedure.
Duration of Results: Permanent.
Laser Facial Resurfacing
Procedure: Smooth the face and smooth fine wrinkles using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device that treats layers of damaged skin. Softens lines around the eyes and mouth and minimizes facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas.
Length: A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient, unless combined with other surgical procedures that require hospitalization.
Side Effects: Temporary swelling, discomfort. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sun sensitivity. Increased sensitivity to makeup. Pinkness or redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months.
Risks: Burns or injuries caused by laser heat. Scarring. Abnormal changes in skin color. Flare-up of viral infections ("cold sores") and other infections (rare).
Recovery: Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 4-6 weeks. Complete fading of redness: 6 months or less. Return of pigmentation/light sun exposure: 6-12 months.
Duration of Results: Long-lasting, but does not stop aging. New wrinkles, expression lines may form as skin ages.
Liposuction(Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
Procedure: Improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device. Can be performed using the tumescent technique, in which targeted fat cells are infused with saline containing solution with a local anesthetic before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. Common locations for liposuction include chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles.For larger volumes of fat or for fibrous body areas, ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) may be used. UAL is a new technique in which a ultrasound probe is inserted beneath the skin to "liquify" the fat before it is suctioned.
Length: 1 to 2 hours or more. UAL: 20-40 percent longer than traditional liposuction.
Anesthesia: Local, epidural, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Extensive procedures may require short inpatient stay.
Side Effects: Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation. Tumescent: Temporary fluid drainage from incision sites. UAL: Larger incisions for cannula.
Risks: Asymmetry. Rippling or bagginess of skin. Pigmentation changes. Skin injury. Fluid retention. Excessive fluid loss leading to shock. Infection. UAL: thermal burn injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound device.
Recovery: Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activity: 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising: 1 to 6 months or more. Use of tumescent technique or UAL may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling.
Duration of Results: Permanent, with sensible diet and exercise.
Male Breast Reduction(Gynecomastia)
Procedure: Reduce enlarged, female-like breast in men using liposuction and/or cutting out excess glandular tissue. (Sometimes covered by medical insurance.)
Length: 1 hour or more.
Anesthesia: General or local.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation.
Risks: Infection. Fluid accumulation. Injury to the skin. Rippling or bagginess of skin. Asymmetry. Pigmentation changes (may become permanent if exposed to sun). Excessive scarring if tissue was cut away. Need for second procedure to remove additional tissue.
Recovery: Back to work: 3 to 7 days. More strenuous activity: 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling and bruising: 3 to 6 months.
Duration of Results: permanent
Nose Surgery(Rhinoplasty)
Procedure: Reshape nose by reducing or increasing size, removing hump, changing shape of tip or bridge, narrowing span of nostrils, or changing angle between nose and upper lip. May also relieve some breathing problems. (May be covered by insurance.)
Length: 1 to 2 hours or more.
Anesthesia: Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.
Side Effects: Temporary swelling, bruising around eyes, nose and headaches. Some bleeding and stiffness.
Risks: Infection. Small burst blood vessels resulting in tiny, permanent red spots. Incomplete improvement, requiring additional surgery.
Recovery: Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid hitting nose or sunburn: 8 weeks. Final appearance: 1 year or more.
Duration of Results: Permanent.
Tummy Tuck(Abdominoplasty)
Procedure: Flatten abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles of abdominal wall.
Length: 2 to 5 hours.
Anesthesia: General, or local with sedation.
In/Outpatient: Either depending on individual circumstances and extent of surgery.
Side Effects: Temporary pain. Swelling, soreness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, tiredness for several weeks or months.
Risks: Blood clots. Infection. Bleeding under the skin flap. Poor healing resulting in conspicuous scarring or skin loss. Need for a second operation.
Recovery: Back to work - 2 to 4 weeks. More strenuous activity - 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of scars - 3 months to 2 years.

Sex Change Surgery Before and After

2009-01-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

I got this info page from http://www.symposion.com/ and I thought it would be helpful to my visitors who're here looking for information and pictures of sex change surgery. So I made it my blog post.
Beginnings of Sex Reassignment Surgery in Japan

By Takamatsu Ako, M.D., Harashina Takao, M.D., Inoue Yoshiharu, M.D., Kinoshita Katsuyuki, M.D.**, Ishihara Osamu, M.D.**, Uchijima Yutaka, M.D.* **Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gynecology*, Urology**, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Japan

Abstract

The first sex reassignment surgery (SRS) performed officially in Japan - for a female-to-male (FtM) person in 1998 and for a male-to-female (MtF) person in 1999 - are reported. For the FtM, two-stage conversion was applied. In the first operation, salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, colpectomy, metoidioplasty, and mastectomy were performed. A free flap phalloplasty with the deltoid flap is planned as the second stage. For the MtF, one-stage neovaginoplasty was performed by penile skin inversion technique with sensate pedicled neoclitoplasty.

Introduction

Japan, which is considered to be one of the world's most advanced countries in terms of its economy, technology, industry, and medicine, has long been in the dark ages regarding people who suffer from gender dysphoria. In July 1996, the Ethics Committee of Saitama Medical School submitted a report, at our request, on surgical treatment for transsexual patients. The report acknowledges that transsexualism exists and that treating transsexual patients can be regarded as a justifiable medical activity. The report was made public by mass media. In 1997, the medical guidelines for transgender persons were issued by the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, with some modifications of the Standards of Care of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association. We organized a medical team composed of psychiatrists, a sexologist, endocrinologists, gynecologists, urologists, and plastic surgeons.

This is a report of the first sex reassignment surgeries (SRSs) officially performed in Japan: one for a FtM person in 1998 and one for a MtF person in 1999. Diagnosis, preparatory psychotherapy, and hormonal therapy were carried out according to the above-mentioned guidelines.

Methods

SRS for a Female-to-Male Transsexual

In the first operation, regarded as the first stage in the two-stage conversion, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, colpectomy, metoidioplasty, and mastectomy were performed.

First, the gynecologists performed a transabdominal oophoro-hysterectomy. Then they began to elevate the anterior vaginal flap through the abdominal approach. The elevation was completed transvaginally, just to the dorsal part of the urethral orifice, by plastic surgeons. The vaginal mucosa was resected, and colpocleisis was accomplished. After the abdominal wall was closed, we performed a metoidioplasty, as advocated by Hage (1996). By resection of the chordee, the clitoral shaft was released and abdominally advanced. The neourethra was constructed by suturing the vestibular skin, the vaginal mucosal flap and the labial flap around the urethral catheter in a watertight fashion (Figures 1, 2). A suprapubic cystostomy was performed and the urethral catheter was removed.

Figure 1 Figure 2

For the bilateral mastectomy, we used a modification of the concentric-circle periareoral de-epithelization technique reported by Davidson (1979). Resection of the breast gland and reduction of the nipple were performed by the transareolar approach described by Pitanguy (1966) and Hage and Bloem (1995) (Figures 3, 4).

Figure 3 Figure 4

The estimated blood loss was 740 ml, and the total operating time was 6 hours. The postoperative course was completely uneventful. The suprapubic catheter was left in place for 7 days. The total hospital stay was 14 days.

We are planning a free-flap phalloplasty as the second stage of the conversion. The patient desires the phalloplasty but at this time cannot afford the necessary fee which will amount to 2,500,000 yen (US$25,000).

SRS for a Male-to-Female Transsexual

A one-stage operation was performed in June 1999. The operative technique involved the following procedures: bilateral orchiectomy and penectomy followed by vaginoplasty, clitoroplasty, and vulvoplasty.

For the vaginoplasty, we employed a modification of the abdominally pedicled penile-skin-inversion technique added by a triangular perineal skin flap (Karim, Hage and Mulder, 1996). A dorsally based triangular perineal flap measuring about 10 cm long and 4 cm wide was used to line the posterior wall of the neovagina and widen the introitus (Figure 5). The testes were isolated and then removed with a double ligation of the spermatic cord at the level of the external inguinal rings. The skin of the penile shaft was mobilized from the corpora up to the level of the corona. A circumcising skin incision was made at the corona, completely denuding the penis of its skin and leaving the glans penis attached to the corpora (Figure 6).

Figure 5 Figure 6

The dorsal part of the glans penis was used as a clitoris. Sensate pedicled neoclitoplasty using the reduced glans, which remained attached to its dorsal penile neurovascular pedicle, was performed (Brown, 1976). The corpora cavernosa were resected to prevent postoperative pain due to erection of the remaining corpora tissues.

A neovaginal cavity was created by dissection between the two layers of Denonvillier's fascia using a laparoscope placed in the abdomen as a guide. The created neovaginal depth was approximately 10 cm.

The lower abdominal skin flap was dissected to about the level of the umbilicus, and this advancement of the flap in the inferior and posterior direction made it possible for the base of the penile skin tube to overlie the introitus of the neovagina. The perineal triangular flap was sutured to the posterior wall of the penile skin tube and the widened tube was then inverted to line the neovaginal cavity. The skin flap was incised in the middle and the urethra was brought out through the buttonhole and amputated at the urogenital diaphragm level. The urethral stump and neurovascular pedicled neoclitoris were sutured to the skin with interrupted sutures. A soft, individually selected urethane mold, placed in a condom, was inserted into the neovagina, and the mold was securely sutured to the perineum to prevent prolapse (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Figure 8

The estimated blood loss was 760 ml and no transfusion was necessary. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. She wore the dilating stent every day for 3 months postoperatively; nevertheless, the neovagina decreased in depth to 6 cm and in diameter to two fingers' width. The neoclitoris was found to have returned to a normal level of sensation (Figure 8). The patient has returned to her previous occupation.

Discussion

We believe that most FtM transsexuals desire closure of the vagina. However, we recognize the different view of some surgeons who consider the risk benefit to be rather high. Their reasoning is that most patients are not necessarily aware of the presence of the vagina because of decreased discharge after hysterectomy and atrophied mucosa due to long-term hormone therapy. We have found vaginectomy to be technically difficult and bloody and autotransfusion has a valuable place here. We have also found the vaginas of the Japanese FtM transsexuals we have examined to be very narrow compared with those we have observed elsewhere, so we have chosen to do transabdominal hysterectomies. The other advantage of the transabdominal approach is that the partial elevation of a sufficient size of the anterior vaginal flap and vaginectomy can be carried out from above, under direct vision (Figure 9).

Figure 9 Figure 10

Figure 11

In SRS for MtF transsexuals, we employed a laparoscope to assist in dissecting the vaginal cavity. Its light can help avoid injury to the prostate and rectum and can provide a direct view of the vaginal cavity up to the peritoneum.

We are planning a free-flap phalloplasty as the second stage of the FtM SRS (Figure 10). We have experienced 13 cases of deltoid flap and 5 cases of forearm-flap phalloplasties in non- transsexual patients during the past 15 years (Figure 11). These techniques always result in extensive scarring of the donor area. Our first choice of donor site for phallic construction is the deltoid flap (Harashina et al.,1990) because it results in less morbidity in the donor site, is a true sensory flap, has hairless skin, and is less likely to result in atrophy of the neophallus. However, this technique may be technically more difficult than that with the forearm flap, and it may be impossible to make a roll on obese patients. We think the deltoid flap is especially suitable for Japanese FtM patients because they generally are not obese. In fact, they usually try to reduce their weight so that they will not be regarded as females.

At the time of writing this paper, we have performed six SRSs: one for MtF and five for FtM. Four of the five FtM patients had already undergone mastectomies elsewhere. The SRSs were performed at the Gender Clinic of Saitama Medical Center, which was the only provider of transgender-specific health services in Japan as of March 2000. In total, over 400 clients have visited our clinic since the first patient arrived in 1992, and about 100 new gender dysphoric clients have been seen each year. Sixty percent of them seek SRS. While there are many candidates, we take our time before performing surgery because there are very few psychiatric specialists in this field in Japan and we must apply for permission from our ethics committee in each case.

Conclusion

The first SRS operation in Japan was affirmatively reported all over the country and there was actually no public criticism. The operation was an historic turning point for the proper understanding of Gender Identity Disorder in our country.

We are just on the starting line. Many issues remain to be resolved in promoting the welfare of our patients. Whereas public interest is steadily increasing and some acknowledgement of SRS seems to have become established, there is still no policy regarding health insurance and legislation for those who have undergone the procedure. SRS is not covered by National Health Insurance, and postoperative persons cannot yet change any of their documents. Our team is still the only practising gender surgery team in Japan, although two other teams are now being organized. Despite these difficulties, the role of SRS, performed justifiably, is becoming more prominent in the treatment of transsexualism in Japan.

References

Brown, J. (1976) Creation of a functional clitoris and aesthetically pleasing introitus in sex conversion. In Marchac, D. (Ed.), Transactions of the 6th International Congress of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Paris: Masson, pp. 654-655.

Davidson, B. A. (1979) Concentric circle operation for massive gynecomastia to excise the redundant skin. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 63: 350-354.

Hage, J.J. (1996) Metoidioplasty: An alternative phalloplasty technique in transsexuals. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 97: 161-167.

Hage, J. J., Bloem J.J.A.M. (1995) Chest wall contouring for female-to-male transsexuals: Amsterdam experience. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 34: 59-66.

Harashina T., Inoue T., et al. (1990) Reconstruction of penis with free deltoid flap. British Journal of Plastic Surgery, 43: 217-222.

Karim, R.B., Hage J. J., and Mulder J. W. (1996) Neovaginoplasty in male transsexuals: Review of surgical techniques and recommendations regarding their eligibility. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 37: 669-675.

Pitanguy, I. (1966) Transareolar incision for gynecomastia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 38: 414-419.

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Doctor Joris J. Hage in the Netherlands for his valuable help in accomplishing this task.

Cosmetic castration banned

2009-01-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

Thailand’s health chiefs have barred hospitals and clinics from castrating would-be “ladyboys” amid growing concern about the operation being seen as a cheap and quick alternative to a full sex-change.

In a letter to 16,000 private health units, the Public Health Ministry said doctors performing the operation outside formal sex-change therapy — which requires rigorous physical and mental evaluation of the patient — faced up to six months in jail.

However, senior health official Tara Chinakarn admitted that policing the temporary ban might be difficult as cosmetic removal of the testicles was such a quick operation and easy to conduct in secret…

At the lower end of the market, clinics have responded to demand from teenage boys to look more like girls by posting Internet advertisements offering castration for as little as 4,000 baht ($125).

sex changes Sex Change Thailand

2009-01-01T05:04:00.000-08:00

Sex Change Thailand,Cosmetic Plastic Surgery,Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) Center & Clinic,Bangkok,Thailand by Pichet M.D
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             Here we are providing information to the prospective patients and/or
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Soy: Sex Change Surgery in Bean Form.

2008-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Just one more reason to avoid the stuff: infertility.

The reason? Pumps you full of estrogen:

Eating half a serving of soy food a day lowers sperm concentrations and may play a role in male infertility, particularly in obese men, Harvard University researchers report.

The reason for this relationship between soy and sperm count isn't clear. However, researchers speculate that soy increases estrogen activity, which may have a negative affect on sperm production and also interfere with other hormonal signals.

Pass the venison.

The First Transgendered in the world

2008-09-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

Elbe, Lili (1886-1931)

Lili Elbe (1882 - 1931) was one of the first identifiable recipient of male to female sex reassignment surgery. She was born in Denmark and was identified as male at the time of her birth. Born as Einar Mogens Wegener, she identified as male for most of her life and was a successful artist with that name. After the surgeries, however, she took the name Lili (some sources state Lily) Elbe.

Elbe's birth year is sometimes referred to as 1886. This appears to be from the book about her, which has some facts changed to protect identities. Lili before her transition was married to Gerda Wegener, who was her partner and legal wife. Both of them were famous painters and illustrators. Gerda though had a better commercial success and is still recognized in nowadays as one of the leading artists of the Art Deco during the first decades of the 20th century.

Lili Elbe was "born" one day while filling in for Gerda's absentee model; Gerda asked Einar to wear stockings and heels so that she could substitute Einar's legs for those of her model. Einar felt surprisingly comfortable in the get-up.

Over time, Gerda became famous for her paintings of beautiful women with haunting almond-shaped eyes dressed in chic fashions. However, around 1913 it was discovered that Gerda's women were in fact Einar himself. No one had suspected before then that the petite femmes fatales of Gerda's work could have been modeled on anyone other than a woman, but Einar had acted as Gerda's chief model for years.

After that, in the 1920s and 1930s Wegener regularly dressed as a woman, attending various festivities and entertained guests in her house as Lili Elbe. One of the things "Lili" liked to do was to disappear, wearing her modeling fashions into the streets of Paris in the throngs of revelers during the Carnival (interpretation of quote).

She was apparently very well accepted as a woman and even received a request for marriage many years before her surgical transition. Only her closest friends knew that she was transsexual and to others, Elbe was introduced by Gerda as Einar's sister.
In 1930 Elbe went to Germany for surgery, which was only in an experimental state at the time. A series of five operations were carried out over a period of two years.

The first surgery, removal of the testicles (Orchiectomy), was made under the supervision of sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld in Berlin.
The rest of Elbe's surgeries were carried out by Dr. Warnekros in the Dresden Municipal Women's Clinic. The second operation was to remove the penis, and transplant ovaries, which were taken from a 26-year-old woman. These were soon removed in a third and fourth operation, due to rejection and other serious complications.
The fifth operation was to transplant a uterus and was intended to allow Elbe, then nearing the age of 50, to become a mother

At the time of Elbe's surgery her case was already a sensation in newspapers of Denmark and Germany. The King of Denmark invalidated the Wegeners' marriage in October 1930, and Einar managed to get his sex and name legally changed, including receiving a passport as Lili Elbe. She also stopped painting believing it to be something that only Einar did.

Gerda Wegener went on to marry an Italian military officer, aviator, and diplomat, Major Fernando "Nando" Porta, and move to Morocco, where she would learn of the death of Elbe, whom she described to a friend as "my poor little Lily [sic]." (By contrast, she described her second husband as "a magnificent, splendid and peerless hunk of man".)

The First Transgendered in the world

After living for several years in Marrakech and Casablanca, the Portas divorced, and Gerda returned to Denmark, where she died in 1940. After the dissolution of the Wegeners' marriage, Elbe accepted a proposal from another unknown man, which she intended to follow up as soon as she would be able to "become a mother"

Lili Elbe died in 1931, due to complications three months after her fifth and last operation. This operation was designed to "allow her to be a mother," and entailed the transplantation of a uterus. Her cause of death is believed to have been transplant rejection. She is buried in Dresden, Germany.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

2008-09-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

What is Abdoinoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is designed to firm and smooth the appearance of the abdomen. The procedure removes excess skin and fat and may also tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.

How is it done?

Abdominoplasty generally takes up to four hours. The operation involves the use of a general anesthesia and a hospital stay of two to four days. An ellipse of skin between the pubic bone and the navel is cut out and the skin is lifted. Once the excess skin is removed, the skin above the navel is pulled down and stretched toward the skin below the pubic bone and is stitched together. Excess fat may be removed and underlying muscles tightened at the same time. In some cases the skin is pulled down over the original navel and a new hole is made for it to come through. After surgery, bandages and drainage tubes are put in place to support proper healing.

Why is it done?

Excess fat or skin on the abdomen and lax abdominal muscles can occur after dramatic weight loss or pregnancy. In cases where the problem does not respond to dieting or exercise, the only way to resolve the problem is surgical removal of excess skin.

Risks & complications

Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, as with any surgery, there are risks.

- General complications of surgery include blood loss and possible transfusion, blood clots in the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT) and chest (Pulmonary Embolism), chest infection and reactions to anesthesia.

- Poor healing which results in conspicuous scars may necessitate a second operation.

- Tissue loss along portions of the incision and infection which require antibiotic and in some cases hospitalization is possible.

- Accumulation of fluid under the skin may require additional outpatient visits.

- Patients may experience numbness after surgery that can occasionally be permanent.

Risks can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery.

Alternatives

The surgeon may discuss alternative approaches to the Abdominoplasty procedure. Liposuction may be used alone to remove excess abdominal fat. However, the main alternative to Abdominoplasty is simply to leave the abdomen as is

Candidate eligibility

The best candidates for Abdominoplasty are men and women who are in relatively good shape, but bothered by excess deposits of abdominal fat and skin that will not respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who have finished bearing children, with abdominal muscles that have separated or weakened due to pregnancy. The surgeon will make the final determination of each patient’s eligibility for the procedure after an examination and consultation with the patient.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/Overseas-Medical-Care/Medical-Services/Procedur

Plastic surgery in Thailand

2008-09-01T06:39:00.001-07:00

Setting the standard

Sophisticated techniques. Advanced medical knowledge. Technical and artistic mastery. Understanding our patient needs. The Plastic Surgery Center at Bumrungrad International attracts patients from Thailand and abroad with its excellent reputation and world-class results.

The Plastic Surgery Center sets the standard for cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, hair transplantation and related procedures.

Cosmetic Surgery

Our cosmetic surgery experts reshape the structures of the body to improve each patient's appearance and, perhaps more importantly, his or her esteem.

Although no amount of surgery can achieve perfection, modern treatment options allow plastic surgeons to achieve significant improvements in both from and function. The Plastic Surgery Center specializes in cosmetic procedures for both men and women.

Our specialties include

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

2008-09-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

The Effect of Blepharoplasty

Also known as Eyelid surgery, this is a procedure that removes fat along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids, resulting in a more alert and youthful look.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower lids, or all four at the same time.

Best Candidates for Blepharoplasty

Men and women over the age of 35

Risks

All surgery carries risk, and you should be fully aware of the medical risks associated with this procedure before you consent to surgery. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you during your consultation, and you are encouraged to ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

More details about your consultation.

You will be required to sign a consent form before surgery stating that you have been informed of the risks involved; that you understand those risks; and that you accept those risks. This is standard hospital protocol and surgery will not be performed if you do not sign.

More details about the required forms.

It is your obligation to inform your surgeon of key medical information that may influence the outcome of your surgery or may increase the level of risk. These include medications you are taking, history of disease, medical complications, etc.

Risks and risk rates vary from patient to patient depending on a range of factors. No two people are alike. The risks listed below are possible risks associated with this type of surgery and are mentioned regardless of how remote the possibility:

Temporary blurred or double vision. Infection, bleeding. Swelling at the corners of the eyelids. Dry eyes. Formation of whiteheads. Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent). Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery). Blindness (extremely rare).

More details about the risks involved in plastic surgery

Surgery
Time required: 1-3 hours
Anesthesia: Local with sedation or general

Post surgical side effects
Tightness of lids
Burning, itching of eyes
Excessive tearing and light sensitivity

Blepharoplasty Recovery time
Reading: 2-3 days
Back to work: 7-10 days
Strenuous activity: 3 weeks
Bruising and swelling gone: 2-4 weeks

Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment. All specifics will be discussed with your physician at your consultation

http://www.bumrungrad.com/Overseas-Medical-Care/Medical-Services/Procedur

The procedure, technique and result

2008-09-01T06:35:00.001-07:00

1.“Penile inversion technique”vaginoplasty (not good candidate for a case more than 200 lbs. and need more depth)
Surgeon uses the "Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty" technique which turns the penile skin "inside out" and uses it to line a vaginal cavity. The penis and testes are removed. A pure penile inversion limits the size of the vagina that can be created depends on the amount of penile skin available,also the vaginal depth is to depend on penile skin on the resting state not from your erectile state.This technique is called SRS with penile inversion vaginoplasty. You should know the depth hase been gained from your penile skin but not from your whole shaft of penis in resting stage not from your erectile stage.This technique will gain fast recovery and better healing.

2."Scrotal Graft Technique" Vaginoplasty
Some patient's penile tissue limit because the length of penis or the Peno - scrotal junction stays in high position, which will limit the vaginal lining or meaning that vaginal depth is limited.The surgeon will use "Scrotal Graft Technique" combination with penile skin to form the vaginal lining to create the new vaginal depth or new vagina, which is a better technique compared to the penile inversion technique.You will get the depth of your new vagina between 5-7 inches owning to your body structure. This is better choice for the case who have limit penile skin but they have more scrotal sac tissue to use.

Most surgeons currently prefer Scrotal skin graft much more than penile inversion and colon graft.

3."Sigmoid Colon-Vaginoplasty Technique" Vaginoplasty( it is not good case for weight over 200 lbs and larger abdomen.)

You will have two choices to do this surgery about delayed or immediate “ Sigmoid Colon-Vaginoplasty Technique” .Or in case of your penile skin is very short and small amount of your scrotal tissue and refuse to get other skin for grafting to line in your vaginal canal or limited in occasionally rare for some cases with healthy and body weight not over 200 lbs with stopping smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery or non smoking person with flat tummy may need to perform "Sigmoid Colon-Vaginoplasty" do in one stage( Immediate) . In some cases that it will be not appropriate cases to do this procedure ,they have been done by this technique in second step after 6 months(delayed technique) such as the case is not bigger tummy , the weight is over than 200 not more than 225 lbs or maybe need to do this surgery later after 6 months.
In the delayed type,it is better for some cases that have ever done before SRS c Penile inversion or Scrotal skin graft with vaginal shrinkage by the time or for some reason that and need to gain more depth with natural lubricant or they ever had overweight and can not do immediately but they will do later.

All of the cases ,I will construct the labia majora , sensated Labia minora, clitoral hood and sensated clitoris in the meantime. The surgeon also constructs labia majora and labia minora by using some part of your scrotal and sensated prepuce to create this part of female appearance.I don’t use the delayed type for this procedure.You will gain natural labia major and minora on this occasion.The surgeon constructs a clitoris by retaining a small section of the glans penis with its blood supply and nerves intact, and position this into an appropriate site above the urethral meatus. Since the nerves of glans in phenotypic male are analogous to the nerves of the clitoris in a female which patients can have feeling of erotic sensation like naturally – born female and maybe having this arousement sensation to reach orgasm in some case but I can not guarantee that in all of the cases,this is the special sense

All Our Services Pricing

Hair Transplant
Less than 1,000 Grafts	outpatient 2,500 USD

Vagina
Posterior repair	1 night in hospital 3,000 USD
Sigmoid colon cut vaginoplasty (post sex change surgery with stricture vagina for more depth)	4 nights in hospital 7,000 USD
Reduction labioplasty	outpatient 1,500 USD

Lip and Rhinoplasty
Hair (or cleft) lip surgery	outpatient 2,500 USD
Palate repair	1 night in hospital 2,500 USD
Thining lip	outpatient 1,500 USD
Rhinoplasty with implant and nasal bone shaving	outpatient 2,500 USD

Wrinkle Correction
Botox: crow's feet, forehead and glabella lines	per bottle: 650 USD
Restylane injection	per syringe: 650 USD
Perlane injection	per syringe: 650 USD

Nose
Augmented Rhinoplasty without shaving	outpatient 1,200 USD
Augmented Rhinoplasty with shaving	outpatient 2,500 USD
Alaplasty	outpatient 1,200 USD
Hump correction	outpatient 2,500 USD
Rhino shaving or reconstruction	outpatient 2,500 USD

Face
Face lift surgery (cheekbone area lift, cheek area lift, lateral side of jowl and neck lift)	1 night in hospital 4,000 USD
Forehead lift or Brow lift by endoscopy	outpatient 3,500 USD
Mid-face lift	outpatient 3,500 USD
Neck lift	outpatient 2,500 USD

Chin
Augmented chin	outpatient 2,500 USD
Sliding chin (Bone Sliding of jaw)	1 night in hospital 3,000 USD

Eyelid Surgery
Double eyelid fold	outpatient 1,200 USD
Upper blepharoplasty	outpatient 1,200 USD
Lower blepharoplasty	outpatient 1,200 USD

Breast Surgery
Breast enlargement	outpatient 2,600 USD
Breast reduction	1 night in hospital 4,500 USD
Breast uplift	1 night in hospital 4,000 USD

Abdomen (tummy tuck)
Abdominal lipectomy (Abdominoplasty or Tummy tuck surgery)	3 nights in hospital 4,000 USD

Ear
Protruding ears	outpatient 2,500 USD

Mandible (Jaw surgery)
Angle resection	1 night in hospital - 3,000 USD
Botox injections to reduce jaw muscles on both sides	per bottle: 650 USD

Liposuction
First point	outpatient 1,600 USD
Next point	outpatient 500 USD

Sex Reassignment Surgery
Scrotal Skin Graft Vaginoplasty	4 nights in hospital 6,500 USD
Sigmoid Colon cut Vaginoplasty	4 nights in hospital 8,500 USD
Buttock or Hip Enlargement	outpatient 4,000 USD

Cheek
Cheek dimples	outpatient 1,500 USD
Cheekbone implants	outpatient 3,000 USD
Cheekbone reduction	1 night in hospital 3,500 USD

Adam's Apple
Reshaving	outpatient 1,500 USD

http://www.bangkokplasticsurgery.com/sex-change-surgery.html

What is the Sex Change Surgery?

2008-09-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

What is the Sex Change Surgery?

Genital surgical sex reassignment: surgery of the genitalia and/or breasts performed for the purpose of altering the morphology in order to approximate the physical appearance of the genetically other sex. Non genital surgical sex reassignment: any and all other surgical procedures of non-genitalia or non-breast, conducted for the purpose of effecting a more masculine appearance in a genetic female or for the purpose of effecting more feminine appearance in a genetic male.

Before and after surgery about nose refinement( 10 days later surgery.)As a former step of SRS, there is a hormonal sex reassignment, which is the administration of androgen to genotype females, and administration of estrogen and/or progesterone to genotype males, for the purpose of effecting somatic changes in order for the patient to more closely approximate the physical appearance of the other sex.

When is SRS performed?

The time that people start feeling of belonging to the opposite sex is 2-3 years of age. According to the outcome of many researches, early treatment would prevent unnecessary sufferings. Physical outcome of an early treatment can be expected to be more satisfactory by comparison with starting later, especially MFs (male to female). This is an enormous and lifelong advantage instead of having to live with a deep voice and other scar. Thus, the earlier the SRS is performed, the easier transsexuals can adjust themselves according to their sex identity, and they can avoid the confusion about themselves. But SRS is usually performed at the age of 18-21. There are two reasons for this long delay. First, most children with gender identity disorder will not grow up to become transsexuals. Second, adolescents in many countries are still legally dependent on the consent of their parents when deciding on medical treatment.

Tory claims "sex change" surgery is a choice

2008-09-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

A Conservative MP has claimed that gender reassignment is a "matter of choice."

Mark Pritchard, who represents The Wrekin, expressed his view during Business Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

He said that while he is "not against sex changes" he wants a debate on their cost to the NHS.

"Given the number of sex changes, which are increasing in the United Kingdom year on year, the cost to the NHS, which has scarce resources, and the fact that sex changes are a matter of choice, is it not time that we had a debate about the issue?" he asked Harriet Harman, Leader of the House.

"Many of my constituents do not have access to Alzheimer's drugs or cancer drugs, but neither of those diseases do they have through choice."

In fact the Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust, which cover's Mr Pritchard's constituency, "at present consider(s) the funding for assessment and treatment of gender dysphoria a low priority," according to its published policy on the assessment and treatment of gender dysphoria.

Ms Harman, who is also the Secretary of State for Equality, told Mr Pritchard he "misunderstands the situation.

"It is not a question of choice: if someone needs to have gender reassignment surgery, it is a question of necessity for them.

"If the honourable Gentleman wants to raise the issue further and ask questions of the relevant Minister, he can do so in the Opposition day debate next week on the NHS."

Last month Mr Pritchard voted against changes to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill designed to stop discrimination against lesbians and single women accessing fertility treatments.

First elected in 2005, he has a majority of just 942.

A 1999 Court of Appeal ruling recognised that gender reassignment is the appropriate medical response to gender dysphoria and that it is unlawful for PCTs to operate anything that amounts to a blanket ban on funding in such cases.

PCTs may decide that the treatment has low priority for funding, provided that it makes the decision on rational grounds.

The process of allocating money that can be used to pay for treatment, and the relative amounts made available, vary.

Consequently, some PCTs will fund many treatments readily, but others give all the treatments a very low priority.

In its official website the NHS states:

"To an extent, it is a ‘postcode lottery.’

"Each PCT has its own internal committee that sets priorities for spending the money that it receives from the Department of Health.

"Priorities are based on what the committee sees to be the most urgent needs of the local population and what is best for service-users.

"It will consider the cost of each type of treatment and examine the research evidence that demonstrates its benefits.

"It is unlikely that the PCT will set a fixed budget for treating gender dysphoria, because it is a relatively rare condition for which it is difficult to predict the annual number of new cases at a local level.

"The PCT will usually limit its spending by establishing a policy, which specifies the only types of treatment that it will fund."

Sex Change Surgery

2008-09-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone I hope you remember my friend Aum now she had SRS operation and I went to see her in hospital, she had to stay in the hospital for 7 days recovering before she could go home.

Sex reassignment surgery (SRS), gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change operation is a term for the surgical procedures by which a person's physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble that of the other sex. It is part of a treatment for gender identity disorder in transsexual and transgender people. It may also be performed on intersex people, often in infancy. Other terms for SRS include gender reassignment surgery, sex reconstruction surgery, genital reconstruction surgery, gender confirmation surgery, and more recently sex affirmation surgery. The commonly used terms sex change or sex change operation are considered factually inaccurate. The terms feminizing genitoplasty and masculinizing genitoplasty are used medically.

I understand that most ladyboy lovers prefer pre-op ladyboys but they never think about what ladyboys want, really all ladyboys want to be real girls but it is difficult as the operation is expensive. In order to make money some ladyboys work in the bar to earn enough money. I ask ed Aum she said she wanted to have the operation and she didn't like her dick and she wanted to be a real girl and make a new life.
Aum told me ladyboy lovers who like pre op they just want sex and they like to have many partners. They never really think about a serious relationship with a single ladyboy.

Thailand has lots of ladyboys but maybe only 20% of them have had the srs operation. I agree with them who want to have operation because I understand. Now Thai surgeons are very good and the results are very successful.

In Thailand there are lots of surgeons to choose from but have to very careful as if you have a problem it can be very difficult to correct.

Aum's operation cost 70,000 baht it is already 2 months ago and she is very happy with her new life

REAL CHANGE

2008-09-01T06:28:00.001-07:00

"They please the world most who please Christ least."--St. Jerome

While watching the Democratic Convention last night, I saw something amazing. Americans want someone to save them. They want change, a new "good news". In 1st century Rome, Ceaser was the answer to the worlds problems. In fact, there was the "good news" of Ceaser the king. Into this seemingly peaceful world came a new Good News, not of political ideals, but of the radical call to follow a carpenter from Nazareth. The call came to follow a Jew who had been crucified as a sinner, a failure, and a nobody. He was being proclaimed risen from the dead by fisherman, ex-tax collectors, and zealots as the True King with the True Good News. His Kingdom was not of this world. His message was the politics of the heart, soul, mind, and body. It was then, and it still is 2000 years later. His prayer in John 17 for His followers to be "one as He and His Father are one", was His vision for changing the world. When the world sees believers united in His Church, which is His chosen way to minister in the world, the world will find the "change" it truly needs. The "change" these folks on the TV were chanting about last night is at best, the same old thing. Especially when at the very center of their "change" is their dedication to legal abortion and their hope in contraception as being the way to "fewer abortions". Why would they want "fewer abortions" if abortion is ok?! And contraception led to more abortions in the 1950's and 60's when it was introduced as safe and accepted than before it came into vogue. The answer to no abortion and "change" is the call to take up our crosses and follow the Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. His Good News is still our answer to this relativism we are drowning in today in America. Either killing babies is evil, or it is not. Legally killing old people is next if we don't have real change, in our hearts.

Childhood central nervous system leukemia: historical perspectives, current therapy, and acute neurological sequelae

2008-09-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

Fred H. Laningham1, 5 , Larry E. Kun3, 5, Wilburn E. Reddick2, Robert J. Ogg2, E. Brannon Morris4 and Ching-Hon Pui4, 5

(1) Division of Diagnostic Imaging (MS #210), Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA
(2) Division of Translational Imaging Research, Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
(3) Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
(4) Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
(5) University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA

Received: 22 July 2007 Accepted: 25 July 2007 Published online: 9 October 2007

Abstract
Introduction During the past three decades, improvements in the treatment of childhood leukemia have resulted in high cure rates, particularly for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Unfortunately, successful therapy has come with a price, as significant morbidity can result from neurological affects which harm the brain and spinal cord. The expectation and hope is that chemotherapy, as a primary means of CNS therapy, will result in acceptable disease control with less CNS morbidity than has been observed with combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the past several decades.
Methods and results In this review we discuss the poignant, historical aspects of CNS leukemia therapy, outline current methods of systemic and CNS leukemia therapy, and present imaging findings we have encountered in childhood leukemia patients with a variety of acute neurological conditions. A major objective of our research is to understand the neuroimaging correlates of acute and chronic effects of cancer and therapy. Specific features related to CNS leukemia and associated short-term toxicities, both disease- and therapy-related, are emphasized in this review with the specific neuroimaging findings. Specific CNS findings are similarly important when treating acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and details of leukemic involvement and toxicities are also presented in this entity.
Conclusion Despite contemporary treatment approaches which favor the use of chemotherapy (including intrathecal therapy) over radiotherapy in the treatment of CNS leukemia, children still occasionally experience morbid neurotoxicity. Standard neuroimaging is sufficient to identify a variety of neurotoxic sequelae in children, and often suggest specific etiologies. Specific neuroimaging findings frequently indicate a need to alter antileukemia therapy. It is important to appreciate that intrathecal and high doses of systemic chemotherapy are not innocuous and are associated with acute, specific, recognizable, and often serious neurological consequences.
Keywords Childhood CNS leukemia - Neurotoxicity - Intrathecal therapy - CNS infection - Secondary malignancies - Methotrexate

Body change stress for women with breast cancer: The breast-impact of treatment scale

2008-09-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

Georita M. Frierson1, Debora L. Thiel1 and Barbara L. Andersen2

(1) Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, USA
(2) Department of Psychology and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, USA
(3) Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Avenue, 43210-1222 Columbus, OH

Abstract Background: Body change stress refers to subjective psychological stress that accompanies women’s negative and distressing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors resultant from breast cancer and breast surgeries. Body change stress is manifest with traumatic stress-like symptoms.Purpose: The development of the Breast-Impact of Treatment Scale (BITS) is described. The construct is assessed with 13 items that comprise a one-factor solution.Methods and Results: Tests of convergent validity demonstrate the relationship, but not overlap, of the BITS with measures of stress, emotional distress, and sexuality. The BITS distinguishes between women receiving segmental mastectomy (lumpectomy) versus mastectomy. Incremental validity is shown with comparison to ratings of body satisfaction.Conclusions: An early psychometric foundation enables use of the BITS to assess a common and distressing quality of life outcome for women with breast cancer.
Georita Frierson is now at the Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas. Debora Thiel is now at the Madigan Army Medical Center, Behavioral Health Department, Tacoma, Washington.
This research was supported by grants from the American Cancer Society (PBR-89), the Longaberger Company-American Cancer Society (PBR-89A), the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (DAMD17-94-J-4165, DAMD17-96-1-6294, and DAMD17-97-1-7062), the National Institute of Mental Health (RO1MH51487), the National Cancer Institute (RO1CA92704, KO5 CA098133), the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCI: P30 CA16058), and the Clinical Research Center grant from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (MO1-RR0034).
We thank the patients for their participation and continued commitment. In addition, we thank the research and professional staff of the Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project, William B. Farrar, M.D. and other referring surgical oncologists, and Timothy Crespin, Ph.D. and Hae-Chung Yang, Ph.D., for data analyses.

The Healthy Way To Healing Biser Acne Forever

2008-09-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

By Steve Betzner

Getting acne with all the zits, and pimples....what ever you want to call them! Can be no fun with all the pinching and poking trying really hard to make the go away..Ugh.

One of the best places to find the cure is your own body. Changing whats going on inside your body can change whats going on outside your body. You may want to consider the Biser Acne Cure Formula.

Acne starts when we are teenagers, and hormones are only part of the problem. As we become bothered by our new afflictions, we find that we are getting even more acne bumps! We then pick at them and tear our skin apart trying to get rid of them.

This tearing will sometimes create scarring, so then we are left with permanent reminders of our skin problems. For some, the acne will continue into adulthood, leading to internal feelings of discomfort and shame at being afflicted with a "teenager's disease." It is a terrible cycle we are doomed to repeat if we do not force it to stop.

Another major factor that can have an affect on your acne is your body health. Its important to have a balanced body then your body can take care of its self. When your bodies natural immune system can work naturally it can fight bacteria and infections that affect our skin and cause acne.

Maintain a balanced body for strength and optimal health, if we allow it to become unbalanced through stress and other negative emotions, then we weaken ourselves and we are more likely to get sick in any number of ways, including acne.

All of us can take control of our situation and lower the emotional stresses on the body that allow our bodies to function the way they are supposed to function.

This is where Biser Acne Cure comes in. This is a multi-step method to help you regain control of your life and cure yourself of the acne that symbolizes all the problems you have to face each day.

One of the first things you want to do is recognize that what you are currently doing is not working. If it was successful, then you would not have acne in the first place because your body would fend away the bacteria.

Having had emotional stress and a unhealthy body can lead to strained immune systems and all sorts of illnesses for us.

Improve your control over the amount of stress in your life and take back your health.

Look for new ways to change your routine and relax in a way you have always wanted to and forget the stress.

Be sure to surround yourself with positive people, because positive, happy, calm people on the inside become and will help you become positive, happy, and calm. These people will radiate positive energy, and positive energy is beautiful. Once you control your stress and become at peace, your body's natural balance will return and your acne will begin to disappear.

About the Author:
Before studying any other article about different acne cure be sure to read Steve Betzners' free report about stopping your acne forever using naturally healthful cures. Acne Cures Before studying any other articles about various acne cure be sure to read Steve Betzners' free article about eliminating your acne forever using naturally healthful cures. Acne Cures

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A Return to Love

2008-09-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

Here is what we need to do:

One: Love our bodies as they are.
Short ones, tall ones, fat ones, sleek ones, flabby ones, toned ones- it doesn't matter. We must first make friends with our own bodies. Our culture teaches us to loathe our bodies no matter how they look- we can never quite measure up. That is why we need to stop right now and choose to love our bodies no matter what they look like. I choose to love my chocolate brown skin, my full lips, my gray-speckled hair. I love it all. I find no fault with it. I groom it and dress it up and endeavor to look my best everyday. While I do have a goal to lose weight, I don't give myself negative messages. I make good food choices and work out almost every day. I know if I keep this up, I will lose weight, but I don't care about looking good tomorrow. I care about looking good today. So I buy nice things that flatter my physique as it is today. I must confess I have a great sense of style and I do get compliments almost daily on my appearance- despite the fact that I do not fit the standard of beauty in our culture. To the unobservant eye, I'm an overweight, old, black lady. Yes, I am those things, but to my own eyes, I am also beautiful. I believe that I am- so I project that view out onto the world from the inside of me. Hell, I'm downright sexy. A few rolls of fat can't stop the sexiness from oozing out through my pores. I believe with all my being that I am beautiful, therefore others believe it too. (There is a great lesson here. We cannot convince others of that which we ourselves do not believe .) How do you start to love yourself? Perhaps you have been bombarded all your life with messages that you are inadequate and do not measure up. Start there. Change those messages (at least the ones that come from inside you). Whenever you start to criticize your body, stop and change the words, even if you don't quite believe them yet. Say to yourself, "I accept my body." "I love my body." "I am grateful to my body." Women who do not love their bodies, do not believe in their bodies ability to birth. So let's start there. Love your body.
(You might also read 'A New Earth' by Eckart Tolle)

Two: Recognize that our bodies are not us.
They are the shell we travel this life in. While it is important to love your body, it is equally important not to mistake it for being you. You are a triune being, composed of body, mind, and spirit. Your spirit will live on, your body will age and die. It is all too easy to get caught up in the life of the body. Especially if you are a mom and have little ones at home. But please recognize, dear ones, that you are more, so much more, than today's laundry list of chores and meetings, and doings, and havings. Take time to honor your mind (read a good thinking book, or practice daily phrases of that language you always wanted to learn!) and to honor spirit (light a candle during daily quiet time, make time for prayer, or meditation, or if those kinds of activities don't suit you, dance wildly to music you love and that speaks to your soul, howl at a full moon!) You want a life of balance- well you don't get it by being mired in the body. Get out of the body if only a few minutes a day and pamper the mind and the spirit. You know what makes birth such an amazing experience? It doesn't just happen in the body, it happens to our minds and spirits as well. All the great landmark events of human experience do. We just get distracted with the physicality of birth, yet it is a tremendous mental/spiritual event as well. Make a plan today to honor all aspects of your amazing being- body, mind, and spirit.
(To emphasize these principles, it might be helpful to read Victoria Moran's 'Creating a Charmed Life')

Return to love, dear ones. Do not give in to our culture's condemnation or perversion of the feminine form. We must learn to love ourselves, and then loving birth will come to us.

Binge No More by Joyce Nash (Pt 2)

2008-09-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

The second part of this book begins with a chapter full of blank logs and questions for monitoring and analyzing your eating behavior. I won't be putting them here, but the log is very similar to Fairburn's.

Nash introduces the ABC Model of Behavior, to help identify when binges are likely.

Antecedents - the events and feelings that lead up to a binge
Behavior - the binge itself
Consequences - what happens after the binge

So, when monitoring your eating in the log, you would look for patterns in the A and C areas that will point out when and why your binges are likely to happen.

On this log, you include:

time of day
foods eaten
indicate whether you feel it was a binge
degree of hunger you felt before eating
where you were/what you were doing while eating

Nash provides a 21 item questionnaire for analyzing your logs. It looks at how often you binge, what may have triggered the binges, your thoughts and decisions made leading up to and during the binge. You're asked about consequences (both positive and negative), the types of foods you eat during the binge, and when and where you binge. Using your records and the questionnaire (do the analysis every week or two), you can determine which of the following is causing your binges:

hunger
deprivation
stress
seeking gratification
problem thinking
lack of consciousness
poor nutrition

So, now it's time to take action and change how you eat. Most of us bingers are also dieters, through not eating, restricting calories, or avoiding certain kinds of foods. In more extreme cases, some may use laxatives, diuretics, OTC diet pills, or exercise excessively to compensate for the caloric intake. This is the part of the self-help where we stop doing these things and start taking control over the forbidden foods.

Nash suggests introducing the forbidden foods a little at a time. Rather than having an all-or-nothing viewpoint, look at the foods on a continuum that allows you to make some not so great choices now and then. As often as possible, choose better foods, but don't ever consider something off limits.

This is where I run into problems, as a low carber. Nash recommends using the Food Pyramid to guide your choices, but this is so hotly debated among the different camps that I'm not even going to touch it here. I am not qualified in any way to say "do follow the food pyramid" or "don't follow the food pyramid" because it all depends on your own viewpoint regarding carbs, protein, and fat. There are the obvious things I agree with: occasional sweets and baked goods. But there are others on the list provided that I disagree with, just because I have history with lower carb diets. Should we stuff ourselves with peanut butter or ground pork or bacon or hot dogs? No, I don't think so, but I don't think they belong in the "Seldom" category. I eat bacon quite often. Sure, it's turkey bacon, but it's still bacon. I occasionally have peanut butter and pork. I do prefer to focus on some of the leaner diary and protein sources, but that doesn't mean I think we should all live on egg whites, skim milk, and spinach.

I also disagree with the number of servings given on the food pyramid - really, 6 to 11 servings of grains and cereals? I'd love to eat 11 cups of Cheerios a day, but I don't think that will help me at all. Vegetables, you can never go wrong with those, so I have no problem with the 3 to 5 servings recommended. Fruits, 2 to 4 servings, I'm not a big fan of fruit, but I suppose the quantity of fruit I eat in one or two sittings would fit (or maybe even exceed that some days). Dairy, 2 to 3 servings, sure. Protein, 2 to 3 servings, I don't agree with that one. Body for Life and Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle, and all the other muscle-centric stuff I've read suggest protein with every meal, especially if it has a starchy component. Something about slowing the absorption or whatever - I can never remember details. Fats, oils, and sugars used sparingly, okay, I am mixed on this one. I prefer moderate use of good fats and oils. Sugar, I definitely try to avoid that!

Enough of my commentary - back on topic. Here are Nash's suggestions for normal eating. They sound a lot like Fairburn's suggestions.

Eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day, preferably at a set time.
Eat every 3-4 hours.
At first, focus on eating at the right times, rather than what you eat.
Never skip a meal.
Only eat when planned.
If you do mess up, get back on track as soon as you can.
Once you establish your time pattern, begin to intodroduce healthier foods.
Don't diet by not eating, restricting calories too much, or restricting food groups or specific foods.

It might seem counter-intuitive to not restrict when you're trying to lose weight, but like Fairburn, Nash suggests that structured eating with healthy choices can actually lead to weight loss. Eating regularly will decrease hunger, and you'll be less likely to binge on the foods that actually do make you gain weight. Having set times to eat reduces the opportunity for grazing. Keeping a schedule of 3-4 hours also keeps your metabolism up and stabilizes you mood, reducing the negative feelings that often trigger binges.

What about cravings? I remember earlier this summer, I wanted ice cream so badly. Nothing I did made that desire go away. It persisted all day long. I can't remember now if I actually had ice cream, but I think I managed to stay away. To deal with cravings, Nash suggests following your schedule, don't think of something as a bad food - think of it as something you should limit, and try to catch the craving early (leave the area of temptation if you're around the food that you're craving, focus your attention elsewhere, or disrupt your senses by brushing your teeth, chewing gum or a mint, or smelling something strong). Have a list of alternatives to eating available. Remember the list of activities Fairburn suggested keeping with you at all times? Apparently a good strategy. If you really can't resist, go ahead and have just a little. (Of course, if you don't have issues with portion control, this is just fine. But I can never stop at just a little bit, so it's a big issue for me.) If you do indulge, do it without guilt. Guilty feelings lead to self-loathing, which leads to more binges. When you want something, give yourself 10-15 minutes to see if the desire passes. If it doesn't, try one of the alternatives mentioned above. Determine how important giving in to your craving is and decide how much you should eat. Then eat it and stick with your plan.

If you've been sticking to your plan, reward yourself. Use a star/sticker chart to illustrate your ups and downs. Set up a reward system. For example, no binges in 2 weeks, buy yourself a CD or a DVD. Don't punish yourself for not meeting a goal though! You don't need to be perfect. Be consistent instead, with the number of binges decreasing over time.

In order to change your behavior, you have to change how you think. We often make mistakes with our thought processes. We adopt all-or-nothing mentalities, or rely only on our emotions that are often negative. We overgeneralize the way we eat and/or look. We see doom and gloom in the future, or think we know how others view us. All of this negativity sabotages our efforts not to binge, and we all have these voices in our heads:

The Critic - the judgmental voice that chips away at our self-esteem
The Excuse-Maker - the coping voice that justifies your behaviors (boy, this is a big one for me!)
The Worrier - the voice that predicts disaster, that you'll get fat if you eat that potato chip
The Caretaker - the voice that puts our own needs on the back burner in favor of the needs of others
The Victim - the voice that says it's unfair to be afflicted with these problems (yeah, another one I'm guilty of - I've noted my resentment often, that I can't just eat what and when I want)
The Enforcer - the voice that cracks the whip and demands perfection in our eating and exercising
The Voice of Negativity - the voice that points out all your flaws
The Voice of an Eating Disorder - the voice that tells you "this is who you are and how it is" when it doesn't need to be that way

Nash provides a work sheet for identifying what your voices are telling you. You use this work sheet to reprogram your brain to become a more positive thinker. Nash suggests using index cards to write out positive thoughts. You could use anything - Post-It Notes, a computer program to send daily reminders, whatever. Post something positive in your blog every day. Find something every day, or as often as you need it, to remind yourself that you are not all of those things the negative voices say.

Nash also has a chapter dealing with body image, including a bunch of questions about how you perceive your body during various periods of your life. I'm not going to review specifics here because, quite frankly, it's hard for me to relate to any of it. I think my view of my body shape and size is very realistic, and it's not that I'm ashamed of my body in any way. Yes, I tend to keep it covered because really, no one should see that ghost white skin and stretch marks. I think my body size and shape goals are also realistic - I don't want to be thin. I want to be curvy and muscular. I think here are some parts of my body that look pretty darn good (I love my legs - they may be short, but I can see muscle and I think they curve in an appealing way. My husband loves my legs and never hesitates to tell me!)

Coping with disordered eating is an entirely different beast for me. Nash talks about problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Problem-focused coping uses problem-solving strategies and other active methods of change that can influence a situation. I suck at problem solving. I'm not an outside-of-the-box thinker at all. In fact, even obvious solutions are often a mystery to me. Emotion-focused coping occurs when there isn't much about a situation that can be influenced, including negative feelings. For the disordered eater, this results in avoidance and escape.

Nash's strategy problem-focused coping looks a lot like Fairburn's:

Define the problem
Generate a list of alternative activities
Choose a solution and execute it

Fairburn's strategy is a little more complicated (off the top of my head, I recall a step that requires we consider the consequences of each possible alternative), but I think either one can be a good starting point.

Nash's strategy for emotion-focused coping involves relaxation and deep breathing:

Relax
Imagine a relaxing scene
When you're relaxed, end the imagery
If you want, pre-plan your imagery (even write it down) - I do this!! Well, I pre-plan the dreams I'd like to have when I fall asleep. Same concept. Yes, I'm weird.
Practice imagery. I do this too. I pre-plan the dreams several times a day. This is probably why I get so little done around the house.

There's more in the book's remaining chapter and a half that I just cannot properly summarize. There's a bit of psychology involved and I could just not do justice to any kind of write-up. I've covered the bare bones of both books here in my blog anyway, and if you think you may have binge eating disorder, I highly recommend either (or both) books. I'd start with the Joyce Nash book (Binge No More: Your Guide to Overcoming Disordered Eating) and if you feel you need more, get the Christopher Fairburn Book (Overcoming Binge Eating).

10 User Friendly Habits for Successful Home Gym Training

2008-09-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

Are you dissatisfied with your current training program? Are you not achieving the results you had hoped for when you started training? If you are you stuck on a fitness plateau and are in need of some tips on how to start seeing progress then keep reading.

I am sure you want to see results from your training program (why would you do it if you didn?t want to see results, right?). You can start seeing measurable results again and break through those training plateaus by incorporating one or more of the following success habits for successful home gym training. In my ten+ years involved in the fitness industry and helping hundreds of people achieve their fitness goals, I have found these habits very valuable tools when it comes to seeing results from your training. I recommend using the ones that work for you and breaking through that training plateau!

Fitness Success Habits:

1.Set Clear Goals: Unfortunately a lot of people head to the gym without clearly identifying what it is exactly that they want to achieve. I suggest you nail down a specific goal to train for. I have found that when my clients really nail down a purpose to train for they always get better results. I find it interesting that when people focus on training for a special event they usually see better body composition results even though they weren?t focusing on that. I recommend picking a road race a few weeks out, a list of mountains to hike, a special date to look your best at, or a special competition to get ready for.

2.Have a Plan: Now that you have a compelling goal to train for you need a plan. I hang out in gyms a lot and most of the time I see people wandering around the gym with no plan at all. If people do have a plan that they are following, often times the plan is not appropriate for that individual. The best advice I can find is to get an individualized plan suited to the goals you have laid out. See habit number 10 below to learn more about getting the right plan for you.

3.Use Progressive Overload: ?If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.? You need to progress in order to make your body change. This is a key habit that should be followed when it comes to training the human body. In order to see the physical changes you are looking for, you want to focus on improving from workout to workout. You can perform one or more reps than last time, lift a slightly heavier weight, and do the same amount of work in less time. The key is to challenge the body by progressively and systematically overloading the body in an intelligent manner.

4.Utilize Planned Variety: On average, the typical individual will adapt to an exercise program in 3-6 weeks. If you have been following a specific routine and you are not seeing results, then it is probably time to start mixing things up. You can change all kinds of things to get some needed variety in your program. You can change the overall format (switch to circuit training, supersets, etc.), change the number of sets, change the number of reps per set, change the rest periods between sets, change the exercises you are using for a given muscle group, change the grip or hand position, and you can even change the speed of movement for the exercises. The options are almost unlimited so don?t bore your muscles with the same old exercises with the same old 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Variety is the spice of life and a key factor in seeing continued progress.

5.Select ?Money? Exercises: Simply put, some exercises deliver a lot more benefit than others. Multi-joint, compound exercises like snatches, cleans, squats, deadlifts, lunges, step-ups, bench presses, chest presses, seated rows, bentover rows, standing overhead presses, lat. pulldowns, pull-ups and chin-ups should make up the core of your exercise selection. No matter what your goals are you will get far better results by making the exercises listed above the core of your training program.

6.Keep a Training Log: ?But Kyle, I don?t need a training log, I can remember what I have done before in my head.? I hear this one all the time, usually from the same people who are not seeing any results from their efforts. Listen. If you want to see progress from your training, don?t leave things up to guess work. Remove all doubt and start tracking things. Track your progress via measurements such as body fat percentage, girth measurements, and body weight. Your training log can help you learn from your prior mistakes and help you achieve the results you are looking for at a faster rate.

7.Track What You Eat: Some experts say that 75-80% of your overall results are totally due to your nutrition. This may be surprising to you but you can gain muscle or lose fat on the exact same program. Your nutritional intake will totally dictate your results so if you really want to make some progress it can be a good idea to periodically track what you eat so that you can make sure that you are eating in a manner supportive to your goals.

8.Periodically Evaluate Your Progress or Lack Thereof: No program works forever and no matter how effective a given program was you should mix things up when you are no longer seeing results from your efforts. The only way to judge the effectiveness of a training program is by the results it is producing or not producing. Some experts recommend checking your progress every 1-3 weeks to see if you are improving in the areas you want to. If you are not seeing improvements then that should be a mental note for you to make some changes. If you are seeing results, keep training until that program no longer delivers.

9.Find a Great Training Partner: A great training habit that has the potential to improve your fitness results is to find a dedicated training partner. Choose carefully. You want someone who will challenge you, someone positive, someone to keep you on track, and someone who will help improve your training. You don?t want someone who is unreliable, negative, and lazy. Choose wisely and this training habit could mean renewed progress!

10.Find Coaches and Mentors: Coaches and Mentors can help save you lots of frustration. Coaches and Mentors have been there before and help you achieve better results at a faster rate. They know little tricks to help you get back on track towards the results you want, so do yourself a favor and invest in yourself by learning from these experienced teachers.

There you have it, ten success habits to help you break through those stubborn training plateaus. Implement some of these suggestions and I am sure that you will get back on track towards your fitness goals. Enjoy your training and keep focused on your goal.

Train with purpose,

Kyle

Kyle Battis owns and operates Professional Fitness Coaching based out of Concord, NH. Kyle specializes in body transformation programs, athletic performance enhancement programs, and home gym training. If you want a collection of ideas to add some variety to your training please visit http://www.HomeGymSecrets.com You?ll have access to some amazing audio interviews Kyle has done with top-fitness professionals and you will receive a Free E-Book, ?The 20 Essential Secrets to Building the Body and the Home Gym of Your Dreams,? just for visiting. Kyle can be contacted by e-mailing him at kyle@homegymsecrets.com.

Change your body, change your life

2008-09-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic surgery is big business these days: liposuction, body-contouring, breast augmentation or reduction and even botox injections. All of these not only improve you on your looks but may change more than your body. This was the campaign for promoting cosmetic surgery. It symbolizes that it will not only change your everyday sex life but also you will definitely stand apart in the crowd and grab people’s attention. I think Cosmetic surgery can help improve your appearance, but it’s not for everyone and one has to understand the benefits, risks and limitations to make the best choice.

Sex Change Surgery - The Beginning

2008-07-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

"The Johns Hopkins Hospital has quietly begun performing sex change surgery.
The Baltimore hospital, one of the most eminent teaching and research institutions in the country, has also established a "gender identity clinic," staffed by a special committee of psychiatrists, surgeons and other specialists, to screen applicants for the operation.

Although the controversial surgery has been performed in many European countries in the last fifteen years and by a few surgeons in this country, Johns Hopkins is the first American hospital to give it official support.

Two operations approved by the committee of specialists have already been performed, the first last September and the second last month ... They are said to be recovering satisfactorily.

In the male-to-female operation, which takes three-and-a-half to four hours, the external genitals are removed and a vaginal passage created.

Female hormone treatments before and after surgery gradually reduce secondary male sexual characteristics such as body hair and enhance feminine appearance through breast development and the widening of hips.

About ten percent of the 100 applications received by the hospital have been from women, on whom a transformation operation can also be performed.

The men and women who seek sex change surgery are called transsexuals. They are almost always physically normal, but they have a total aversion to their biological sex that dates from early childhood. They have the apparently unshakable conviction that they are either female beings trapped in a male body or males trapped in a female body.

The overriding desire in the case of men is to be accepted as women. For this reason, psychiatrists believe, they are often sexually inactive before surgery because of their distaste for homosexual relationships.

Although transsexuals frequently assume the identity of the opposite sex without surgery, they are distinguished from transvestites, who derive pleasure from wearing the clothing of the opposite sex but have no desire for a sex change.

While opinion is not unanimous, many leading psychiatrists and psychoanalysts who have examined transsexuals, believe that they cannot be helped by psychotherapy. Such persons, moreover, are regarded as prone to mental breakdown and depression, suicide and, occasionally, self mutilation.

Dr. John E. Hoopes, a plastic surgeon who is chairman of the Johns Hopkins committee, said last week:

"After exhaustively reviewing the available literature and discussing the problem with people knowledgeable in this area, I arrived at the unavoidable conclusion that these people need and deserve help."

Transsexualism is thought to be relatively rare and far more frequent in men than in women. Dr. Hoopes said transsexuals in this country probably numbered in the thousands.

About 2,000 persons have undergone sex change surgery. Of these, perhaps 500 are from the United States. The best known is probably Christine Jorgensen, formerly George Jorgensen, who was operated on in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1952 and has since become a nightclub performer and actress.

Virtually all the operations have been performed in Europe, Morocco, Japan, and Mexico. A few surgeons have performed the operation in this country, probably not more than a dozen times in all, but many hospital boards have refused to permit it.

Experts in the field believe that the Johns Hopkins decision that the surgery does not violate legal restrictions on mutilation or ethical and moral codes will lead to its being performed at other hospitals in the United States.

The Johns Hopkins committee was formed a year ago. After preliminary studies, it began accepting applications for surgery in July. Most of its patients have been referred to it by the Harry Benjamin Foundation here.

The foundation is headed by Dr. Harry Benjamin, an endocrinologist, who has been studying and treating transsexuals, often without charge, for the last 15 years.

Dr. Benjamin has led the fight to have these persons regarded as a distinct medical phenomenon and coined the term transsexual to describe them. Earlier this year he published a book, The Transsexual Phenomenon.

His work is supported by the Erickson Foundation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which also pays the cost of transsexual research at Johns Hopkins. The foundation, headed by Reed Erickson, also supports research in air pollution and human resources. Mr. Erickson is a consulting engineer of independent wealth.

The Johns Hopkins clinic examines only two patients a month. There already is a long waiting list. Applicants receive a thorough physical and mental examination from the committee, which costs $100. Only those who show no signs of psychosis and appear to have a degree of insight into their condition are accepted. . . . A number of psychiatrists familiar with the subject regard the majority of transsexuals as emotionally normal except for their gender confusion, which leads to intense feelings of frustration.

"It flies in the face of everything I believed when I began," said a Los Angeles psychiatrist-psychoanalyst, who has done considerable research in the field. "They are shockingly normal except for that one area."

After surgery and about two weeks of hospital care, the overall cost of which averages about $1,500, the patient is asked to be available for further study at the hospital. Also, for a former male, for example, to retain external female characteristics, he must continue receiving female hormones.

"This program, including the surgery, is investigational," Dr. Hoopes said. "The most important result of our efforts will be to determine precisely what constitutes a transsexual and what makes him remain that way.

"Medicine needs a sound means of alleviating the problems of gender identification and of fostering public understanding of these extremely unfortunate individuals. It is too early in the program to be either optimistic or pessimistic."

The origins of transsexualism are not yet certain. No organic basis for the condition has been found, but research is continuing into the possibility that it may be at least partly due to heredity or abnormal glandular functions before birth.

Psychiatrists believe that transsexualism is caused by prolonged conditioning early in life, perhaps within the first three years. Some cases, in which a mother wanted a daughter instead of a son and raised her child accordingly, seem obvious, but the origin of others is obscure.

By means of the family histories that it takes from transsexuals, the Johns Hopkins committee, as well as the Benjamin Foundation, hopes to shed new light on the problem. Similar investigations, although without surgery, are also being carried on at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center."

This amazing news was rapidly propagated by other newpapers all around the country.

This article appeared on the front page of The New York Times on November 21, 1966:

A SEX SWAP OP..AT 18 EXCLUSIVE BRITAIN'S YOUNGEST-EVER TRANSSEXUAL

2008-07-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

In her low-cut dress Lucy Parker smiles confidently at the camera. She couldn't be more different than the picture of the 11-year-old boy in his school uniform with the pudding-basin haircut.

Yet the pictures taken seven years apart are of the same person. Richard Parker, schoolboy, has become Lucy Parker, the teenage girl who loves make-up and wearing the highest of high heels.

At 18 Lucy is the youngest transsexual in Britain. She started hormone treatment at 16 and has had an operation to give her breasts. In a few months her transformation will be complete after a final operation.

"Some people will say I am too young to have made this decision, but for me becoming a true woman can't come soon enough," says Lucy. "I have spent 16 years trapped in a man's body, but my soul is a woman's."

At the beginning of the year Lucy, who's a Size 8 and 5ft 10in tall, had 34C breast implants - an 18th birthday present from her mum Allison, 41.

In the next few months Lucy will undergo $10,000 sex reassignment surgery, possibly in Thailand, to remove her manhood and build a vagina. "After the operation I will be finally who I was meant to be," says Lucy who lives in Middlesbrough on Teesside.

Sexual Reassignment Surgery in Thailand or The US - Consider The Costs

2008-07-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Thinking of undergoing Sexual reassignment surgery in The US? - Think again!

Below is an account of someone who did "The Works" in The US and at US prices. If you don't have that kind of money to spare or simply don't want to spend that vast sum then consider having all the surgical procedures done in Thailand at 20% of the US cost.

This account was passed to me. Sorry I don't know who the writer is. If you know then
please tell me and I can properly reference the article about SRS in Thailand.

It costs way more than you think to transition properly. By properly, I mean making sufficient
changes that you can live successfully in your identified gender. Living successfully means
that you are know longer seen as your birth gender.

If all you want to do is change your genitals from male to female you can do that in Thailand
for less than $12,000 US plus airfare. You'll need to have a good amount available for
counseling afterwards if this is all you do as your face, facial hair, voice, body build, hair, etc.
will cause you to not fit in to society.

If you want sticker shock, these are my costs that I incurred over the 2006 - 2008 period
using the best US doctors (in my opinion anyway):

Sexual reassignment surgery (vaginaplasty) - $21,650
Sexual reassignment surgery (labiaplasty) - $4,770
Breast augmentation - $6,975
Facial Feminization Surgery (part 1 - jaw alignment) - $11,680
Facial Feminization Surgery (part 2 - trachea shave, jaw contouring, shortening the chin,
shortening the upper lift, rhinoplasty, forhead contouring, hair advancement) - $40,945
Laser Hair Removal of beard and mustache - $1,940
Electrolysis (preparation for SRS) - $650
Counseling ($70 to $125 per hour, once a week for about 3 years) - over $6000 and still
counting
Voice therapy ($80 hour for about a year) - about $4000
Miscellaneous costs such as airfare and lodging - about $1000

Total to transition completely - just over $100,000.

Oh by the way, that doesn't include the indirect costs of lost income, alimony or child
support if transitioning causes you to loose your job or marriage. This is not something to take likely. Go talk to a counselor before you do anything else.

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