tion(s) will succeed or that the TS will necessarily even be completely happy with the results. Operative techniques and skills vary widely and are subject to very individualistic reations. This often necessitates many subsequent visits to the surgeon with the consequent expense, pain and inconvenience that goes with 'surgery. My own problems were by no means over when I emerged from Johns Hopkins Hospital. I have had to have subsequent surgery myself and so have most other TSs I have known.

No matter how passionately wanted, being born again as an adult is a monumental undertaking, the gravity of which can only be lightly imagined by the pre-operative TS and the neophyte "woman."

So these have been my views on the whole area of surgical sexual reassignment. From my observations—and I have been considered knowledgeable and objective enough to be given a seat on the Gender Identity Committee of a large mid-western hospital gynecology depart- ment I would say that the large majority of those who come to doctors stating that they are transexuals and that they want surgery are not true transexuals. Some of them are in truth homosexuals and others are transvestites who have let their dreams get out of hand. Those of you in this latter category should think it over more thoroughly. I once read about TVs having the "Best of both worlds". It can be true, given the right circumstances, especially if they have a sympathetic and understanding wife.

The TV, if he can manage to pass, can have his cake and eat it too. He can expand his self expression through TV to cover the full spectrum of his personality, and this is something greatly to be desired and also something a GG cannot do. Why throw all this potential fulfillment away by taking a one way ride? It can only be worth it in a very few instances (percentage-wise).

Lastly, before you set nylon covered foot out the door, whether it be on the road to fuller self expression or on the road to surgery, ask your- self this: Am I ethically free to do this thing, or just how many other innocent bystanders or children may suffer because of what I do, and DO I CARE?

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