So, you are post-op, or want to know what it's like, eh?

My Experiences After Surgery

Want to know more about what it's like? Send me an email and request access to my journal! :-)

Suffice it to say, surgery takes a lot out of you. Everyone went out of their way beforehand to tell me that this is MAJOR surgery, and that I should expect to be partially incapacitated for quite a while. Having no point of reference since I have never been in the hospital, let alone had any kind of surgery, I was still clueless. I took their word for it, but I expected that I would mostly recover in a couple/few weeks and be back to my old routine. I monitored closely what other people’s reported experiences were on the SRS email list, and some reported that they were climbing the stairways of the hospital shortly after surgery (as in exercising and getting a great workout) and another said she was in a dance contest 2 ½ weeks after surgery, among other things. DON’T expect that, okay? This is highly unlikely to be your experience, and I have to wonder about things like the stair climbing. People aren’t always 100% accurate

I had six weeks off of work, and figured that I could get a few things done. I was wrong. Between dilation, which I’ll talk about next, and being tired, that time was eaten up. When I went back to work I took Fridays off for a few weeks, just so that the week wasn’t too long. The same week I went back to my day job was also the week that classes started, and I was teaching one evening a week, which wore me out even more.

Personal Maintenance

“Personal Maintenance”, as I call it, will be the bane of your existence after surgery. It takes a lot of time and it hurts, especially at first. Luckily, the amount of time and pain involved reduces over time, and it is something that you just HAVE to do, so just deal with it. You didn’t come this far, and go through this much, to let this part of the deal slide, so take it seriously and “do your time”.

How often, and for how long?

Well, that’s a good question. Each doctor has a different idea, it seems, when it comes to frequency and duration. I’m not sure that doing it too much is a big problem, but I do know that too little is bad. You need to progress through the different size dilator stents in the first few months after surgery. You may not be able to increase the depth of your vagina, as the surgeon has made a cavity for it to exist in, but some increase has been reported by individuals. You must ensure that you do not lose any depth, and measure using the stent as best you can. You must, however, increase the diameter of the vagina if you ever intend on using it. Even for lesbians, there is sensate tissue at the opening to the vagina, and possibly inside, depending on the procedure (the prostate may possibly be stimulated, too) and you don’t want to rule out a potential source of sexual pleasure.

An excellent description of post-op maintenance and dilation is at the Intelligence Engineering site, and is entitled, "Zen and the art of Post-Op Maintenance." See also their page entitled "Theory and Practice of Dilation."

Changing your Birth Certificate

Dr. Becky has an excellent page dedicated to this topic at http://www.drbecky.com/birthcert.html. Thank you Dr. Becky!  :-) I better get busy on that one!!

Gynecological Health

 In some ways, the neo-vagina (as it is referred to) is very similar in its needs to a natal woman’s vagina. There is a delicate balance needed between good bacteria and good fungus (yeast), for instance, that may take your body a while to ‘figure out’. This is particularly true at first, I’ve found, as you are most likely cleaning yourself internally at a great frequency. This internal mixture of bacteria and fungus is sometimes referred to by women as the “flora”. Sounds pretty, eh?

Dr. Schrang recommended a white vinegar douche (2 tablespoons vinegar at most) as an internal cleanser. This makes the water slightly acidic, and helps to maintain the balance between good and bad bacteria. If things get out of balance, then infections occur, particularly fungal (yeast) infections. The good bacteria keeps the yeast in check, and when it is killed off (by cleansers or the use of oral or topical antibiotics) then the yeast flourishes. Time to see your doctor or gynecologist then!

Time for your first gynecological exam? Check out the site "GYN101".

The introduction to the site says, "Have you ever wondered what really happens when you go for a gynecological exam? I wasn't sure, so to prepare for my last gynecological exam I took GYN 101 — the crash course that guides you through the process. GYN 101 is quick, fun, and you may even be surprised by some of the things you learn.

Knowledge is power, and GYN 101 gives you the knowledge you need. By the time you're through, you'll feel more comfortable. More in control. And you'll walk out of that office feeling smarter, healthier, and a million times more confident.

I'll walk you through the site, sharing my thoughts. Are you ready?"

Post-Op Psychological Therapy

Many transsexuals will forgo further counseling after SRS, feeling that they are past their problems now and everything will be fine. So far, research on postoperative psychological functioning of transsexuals does not allow for unequivocal conclusions, but there is little doubt that sex reassignment substantially alleviates the suffering of transsexuals. However, SRS is no panacea. Psychotherapy may be needed to help transsexuals in adapting to the new situation or in dealing with issues that could not be addressed before treatment.

Post-Op Hormone Therapy

A gynecologist may be a good choice for monitoring your hormones once you are post-op. You'll be seeing one anyway, right? They know a lot about the effects of female hormones and how important they are to a woman's body. They understand how much women's response can vary, and are usually very willing to listen. Still, they are human, and may not always be supportive of you, or fully understand your needs. Shop around if this is the case.

Other Links and Information

Post-Op Email list: http://www.postop.org/

Page updated October 20, 2007