The news that trans people are, from the 10th of October 2026, going to be offered lobotomies on the NHS, has given me a lot to think about. Trans people like myself are all too familiar with the conversation about ‘the surgery’ - and due to excessive waiting lists, and concerns about healing times, it’s not uncommon for us to resign ourselves to the idea that it may never happen. But the NHS is insisting that wait lists for trans-orbital transgender lobotomies will be cut down by 75%, with the procedure only taking an hour at most. So, am I going to get it?
I have a friend who had it done. Hers was a few years ago, and she’d had it done privately. Anesthesia, a sterilized needle - the works. I remember how she was before the surgery - dower and moody. A real bummer to be around, honestly. Then, when we got her in the cab from the hospital, she was singing to herself and pointing at little dogs out the window. Yes, we had to restrain her a few times - stop her from climbing out while we were doing 70 on the motorway. But she’s so much happier now.
I’m told that the NHS surgeries won’t offer quite the same level of care. The needles are sterilized, but they’re significantly thicker. Less precise. Also, to cut wait times, they’re not being performed by surgeons. According to this leaflet I have; the procedure is simple, and takes only a few minutes. You can even have it done during your 3 monthly testosterone blocking injection. One in the bum, one up the nose.
Lobotomies are to become mandatory for all new patients from October. So, if you’re only just getting your first appointment with the gender clinic now, you’re going to have to consent to it before hormones are prescribed. This younger girl I know; she just started - and after her lobotomy, she got prescribed oestrogen. The only issue is, she keeps forgetting her name at the pharmacy, so hasn’t been able to successfully pick up any. Still, she’s cheery enough. It is her choice, afterall. We’re all different in this community - not everyone has the same medical pathway.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit trepidatious about getting it done. I’m not good with things going up my nose. I have this spray, for hayfever, and every time I do it it’s an ordeal. Once, when I was a little kid, I stuck a plastic zip tie up my nose that I found in a clothes shop while my mum was off buying bras. A security guard saw me doing it, and he scolded me. Called me an idiot. I was so embarrassed. Then again, these nurses are professionals, aren’t they? They’re trained. When my nurse does my bum injection, I barely feel a thing. She has the touch of an angel. I’m in good hands with her.
I know the surgery’ll make me happier. I’ve seen it. Still, I’m kind of worried about something going wrong. It only takes one misjudged hammer tap, or for the nurse to trip, and suddenly I irreversibly think I’m a cow. Everywhere I’ll go, I’ll ‘moo’. I’ll wear a bell around my neck, and walk on all-fours, and have big, kind eyes. Then what? Will they let me live on the farm - integrating me with all the other cows? That would be the kind thing to do.
I have this other friend; and after she got The Big-L, she seemed to completely forget about her transition entirely. She stopped putting in the effort, you know? No makeup. Her dressing started to lack colour coordination. She even started dating a woman! Well, I say ‘dating’. It’s more than that, really. She feeds her, and pushes her around and stuff. Real couple of love-birds. Still, I feel sorry for her ex-boyfriend. After the lobotomy, she stopped acknowledging him entirely. Like she couldn’t even see him. Like I say though, she is happier. That’s undeniable.
I have an appointment. I made it a month ago, just in case, but I’ve still not decided whether or not I’m going to go. Thing is, they’ve brought it forward by 2 months. They’re bringing them all forwards - turning around procedures in triple time. Offering complimentary Amazon gift vouchers and chances to win holidays to Japan. I would love to go to Japan.
I think a little holiday would make me happier, actually. A little break - away from it all. Just some time to stop thinking for a bit. To clear my head.
Then again… it’s a lot to think about.
Hey, by the way - my short film ‘Transsexual Psycho Bitch Murder Party’ premieres this Saturday night at 8pm (GMT), over on my Youtube channel. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out. Thank you.
If you’d like to read more of my writing, you can do so by subscribing at lobotomyworld.substack.com
Follow me on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/imjenives
Second account for visual art: https://instagram.com/secondjenives
You can download my serialised dystopian satirical novellas ‘Good Trans News’ over on my Ko-fi, for FREE, here: www.ko-fi.com/jeniveswriter
You can get a physical/ebook copy of my compilation of short stories ‘Jump Doggy’ on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GHPTF5CJ
Follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/lobotomyworld
Weird stuff on my website: www.jenives.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lobotomyworld
For work/enquiries, please contact me at jeniveswriter@gmail.com. I am currently seeking representation as a writer. Thank you.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.