@whitequark i mean, "joyful" is probably a strong way of putting it. i'm pretty content with what i ended up with, and i consider it worth it after these five years. minimal complications because i went to one of the most experienced surgeons. helps that single-payer healthcare here in Canada wrote the cheque. truth be told, i don't really think about it much these days. it's just the shape of my body now.

i would hesitate to generalize based on the shared trauma of those you commiserate with.