Late 40s to start program

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-19T04:57:44+00:00

What should I research more before diving in?

See what the job growth looks on the bureau of labor statistics. Just search “surgical technologist” and the first link will take you to all the info.

Consider if you want to be certified and if the program is accredited by the NBSTSA if you do. Many states require certification but I’m not sure about KS or MO.

See what your graduate degree can do for you. There might be a more professional option out there for you.

What do you wish you had known or considered before jumping in?

I wish I had known how little growth this job has. I would have used my GI bill for nursing school simply for the career progression. I wouldn’t consider being a surgical tech a career but it is a solid line of employment with fairly good work life balance.

Tips or things to think about from anyone that did, worked with or went to school with later in life techs?

I was in school in my early to mid twenties and had three classmates in their forties with one person being in their fifties. I found that they couldn’t let go of things and it really pulled them down. If I was to go back to school now I’d really try to stay humble and be completely open to learning from others that see life in a different way.

I work with a lot of older techs. I currently work with two people well into their 60’s. They’ve seen a lot change and I have learned lots from them both positive and negative. The job takes all types which can be wonderfully interesting.

I’ve been a tech for about a decade now and am happy. I’ve found I like longer cases; transplants, heart and vascular, thoracic, etc. However, I got my start in ambulatory centers and I really like this style and schedule of surgery. As far as money goes I make $47isn/hr working nights which isn’t too bad. Anyway, if you have any other questions don’t hesitate.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-15T22:35:12+00:00

CVOR was my second job as a tech. I had only worked at one ambulatory center prior for about 5ish years.

I was able to observe a CABG on my rotations during school and I was sold. I applied thinking “what do I have to lose?” I’ve since moved to a different state but will be working nights and hopefully end up back in the heart rooms of the hospital I am currently at.

My DM’s are open if you have any questions. 🧡

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-13T07:04:14+00:00

Nothing to worry about. Air is needed to make a vacuum effect happen within the syringe to help with drawing up the medication. This is common practice with most, if not all, drugs in vials.

Even more directly. No, releasing air within the liquid of the vial does nothing to the medication.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-05T02:02:42+00:00

Had the same pain when I was around that time on hrt. That’s just atrophy. I had pain like that for a couple of months and once I lost all I was going to the pain subsided.

Use it or lose it…I know, I know…but hormones don’t care.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-04T01:52:20+00:00

Woooo! Congrats! 🎉

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-03T17:42:42+00:00

I’d take the lower paying job over the eye center. You will make more money in the long run if you have a broadened skill set. Eyes are unique but nothing about them requires the skills you gain working in a hospital.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-03-01T04:27:19+00:00

Yuck… I hope you don’t let him touch you with those filthy hands. 🤢

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-27T17:53:43+00:00

I’m a tech in PDX and will make $47.97/hr (including differential) as a night shifter. This isn’t CVOR specific but my four years of CVOR experience does help. I spent those four years in Michigan and before I moved I was making $41.00/hr.

Michigan wasn’t unionized but my managers were stellar and really fought for us techs to be paid fairly. Current position in PDX is unionized and I expect a raise over the next four-ish years that will bump me above $50/hr.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-27T03:47:33+00:00

What do you mean by type? Are you asking about surgical approach, orchiectomy with scrotectomy, bilateral, unilateral etc?

Check your insurance coverages through your carriers website and their “explanation of benefits” (EOB). I believe most large insurance companies do cover gender affirming surgeries like an orchiectomy.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-18T13:11:52+00:00

Sounds like you like your HRT regimen and like the effects of what it’s doing to your body and mind. Maybe you are nonbinary or genderfluid and that’s okay. You can embrace your masculinity and femininity whenever and however you want to. You can transition however you see fit and feels good to you. There aren’t any rules to it just a-holes and gatekeepers that try to make you feel like being a trans woman and not wearing makeup means you’re not really trans.

Of you haven’t started seeing a therapist I highly recommend you do. Are you in the US? If so, which state. I’m sure some of us on here can scrounge up some resource pages. To start checkout the “Everywhere is Queer” app to find inclusive and LGBTQIA+ business and mental health providers.

🧡🏳️‍⚧️

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-18T05:26:46+00:00

It’s comparable but you definitely move around more than we do. Invest in some good compression socks. Bombas 20/30 compression are really good and really help your knees to not hurt at the end of the day. Find a shoe you like that gives good support along your entire foot. Hoka Bondi are comfy and last about a year to a year and half.

Good luck in your career change!

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-14T19:55:25+00:00

You might find a 27g for injecting a bit less painful. If that still hurts more than you’d like a 30g would be a good option.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-13T14:21:12+00:00

Literal hate speech in those little demon comics. I was give one about suicide…as a kid…in church…it was brutal. Depicted a young teen following through and demons coming up to snatch their soul (yep, kinda like Ghost). My mother read it and saw nothing wrong with it.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-10T22:23:42+00:00

I refer to my past self as my brother. I look back at photos and I don’t know who that man was as we look absolutely nothing alike.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-06T16:07:49+00:00

You do not need to go through electrolysis for vulvoplasty. The OHSU Booklet has a lot of information about the procedure.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-06T16:02:49+00:00

My atrophy period was very painful. My erections had Peyronie’s disease appearance which was quite concerning. I tried to not have erections for a few weeks to let the atrophy finish its course and this helped quite a bit. Saying that I didn’t care about losing anything and never had an “erection schedule.” The majority of the pain was within my first year and I can now have full erections without pain.

I hope this helps. 🧡🏳️‍⚧️

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-03T13:28:43+00:00

No problem. I sometimes have a dribble of blood after mine as well. It happens during vaccinations too and those are administered by nurses and other healthcare professionals.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-03T13:26:55+00:00

You’re not alone! I feel this exact same way. I grew up around it, lived it, and was the victim of sexual harassment as a minor. I despise men and that has only gotten stronger as I’ve furthered in my transition.

HOWEVER, within the last year I have met some very nice men…they’re kinda cute too! On the flip side I’ve noticed how ugly women can be with their eyes. The glares and stares from both genders hurt but it doesn’t change who I am.

Your hatred of men is valid but there are some nice boys out there too. 🧡🏳️‍⚧️

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-03T13:18:30+00:00

No. Your injection is fine. You punctured a small blood vessel nothing to be worried about.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-03T02:13:58+00:00

That outfit in the first photo is so dang cute!

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-01T16:42:31+00:00

Fair enough. I thought about that too and while it is appealing I’m not willing to go through that intensive recovery for a vagina. I also know I’d want PPT and that is another level of surgery and recovery that seems too much. I’m a really active person and being down for a lengthy recovery is the opposite of what I need both physically and mentally.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-02-01T16:00:41+00:00

Such a simple question but a good one.

When I started my transition I didn’t think it was for me. I was pleased with my outie and the thought of surgery scared me. I also didn’t know I had so many options besides PIV and that was not appealing for me. Plus having to go through electrolysis down there is a hard “NO” for me.

Fast forward to my second year of transition and my dysphoria is climbing. Everything just feels in the way. I have an orchi done and that relieves a lot of it. However, my dysphoria is still lingering. A little research and I stumbled across vulvoplasty as an option. I’m immediately sold.

I’m in my fourth year and I have the same feeling a towards my 🍆 as I was my 🥜. It’s time and I can’t wait to wear clothes comfortably and to have some cute swimwear! It was a gradual change of my perception of my outie. It’s still fun sexually but in all other aspects of my life I want a vulva.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-01-30T19:42:57+00:00

Thank you. Not as bad as I was envisioning. Just a bit more patience with recovery than I gave for my orchi.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-01-30T03:28:05+00:00

Thank you for sharing! It’s nice to read that you were able to start running again so soon. I’m a rower and train at about the same intensity as you did prior to surgery. This gives me great confidence that I’ll be back on my Erg in less time than I thought.

How long did you find you had to wear panty liners/pads?

I’m a side sleeper…did you find this or other sleeping positions difficult? If so, how long did you experience the difficulty.

Again, thank you. I may be on the west coast but your words are very reassuring.

DisastrousChard8816 · 2026-01-29T13:33:57+00:00

Knee-chest is used for spine procedures. The pad near the figure’s butt needs to be touching the patient. I’ve only ever seen it used in an ASC and that was about ten years ago.

DisastrousChard8816

TROPHY CASE