A question that appears fairly often on Quora is about whether people regret transition and in particular GCS. The question is a good one from a lay viewpoint since even a naive knowledge realizes that such surgery is largely irreversible. The focus is, like many of these questions, on the MtF transitioner, ignoring FtM.
FtM GCS is not as successful as MtF GCS. The two procedures, phalloplasty and medioplasty are real compromises and don’t result in normal male function. In phalloplasty a realistic looking penis and scrotum are constructed. The clitoral tissue cannot be relocated though. To achieve an erection an implant is necessary.
Phalloplasty is cosmetically good and does enable many day to day necessities for males such as use of urinals. It also provides for a more realistic fit for clothing and I’m sure provides a good psychological result as far as feeling more genuine.
In medioplasty the clitoris grows under the influence of testosterone. Eventually it is partially freed and forms a small phallus. It is, of course, very sensitive, but is usually insufficient to penetrate a partner. As with Phalloplasty I’m sure that this helps FtM transitioners feel more genuine.
MtF GCS is hugely successful, although there’s considerable room for improvement. The results are a functional set of external female genitalia plus the vagina enabling a full range of sexual activity. Satisfaction with the procedure is high and regrets are very low.
When people regret GCS it is not, in the vast majority of cases, that they’ve made a dramatic mistake. It generally is a result of complications from surgery, which can happen with any surgery. These can normally be cleared up.
The only people who are likely to experience true regrets are the poor souls, and there are some, who play the system to get GCS for the wrong reasons. They study the right answers to give and con the therapists and doctors. While the system is built to avoid mistakes, it is hard to really prevent someone’s intentional deception.
These days those transgender individuals who’ve transitioned are generally happier than before. The world is still not very kind to us, but it is not as cruel as it was. Most people take a live and let live attitude and many realize how difficult the road we’ve trod is.
My Gifted Life 