Best aftercare advice

[suzifrommd]

What was the best aftercare advice you received from your surgeon amongst your post-op instructions?

Was there one thing without which your recovery would have been much worse?

[Vicky]

MAJOR ITEM -- "Don't be afraid to call our office if you think you have ANY problems, and bring your own health care team online as soon as you can."

The result was that I had disclosure documents with both my surgeon and primary care providers so they could openly communicate with each other, and it was good I did because they needed to. We got a minor infection cleared up fast.  A young friend of mine who had the same surgeon and instructions helped her health care team and our surgeon deal with a different problem than mine, but which  turned out well. 

After that stuff, was to follow sanitation practices, and timelines for dilator size increases and possible intercourse timing.  Also to get regular exercise and rebuild my stamina.  Then go out and enjoy life.

[Jenna Marie]

Whatever supplies your doctor tells you to stockpile, buy three times as much as you think you'll need. It's shocking how fast stuff like lube and pads are used up. Having a gigantic stockpile is the thing without which my recovery would have been much worse.

Especially lay in a huge supply of lubricant and douche (if your doctor recommends douching at all - Brassard does for 2 months, so I bought a 2-month supply plus some extras).

I bought a ton of super cheap, white washcloths and used those instead of paper towels etc. for cleanup, but you do need access to a very hot washing machine for this.  Similarly, although the recommendation is for menstrual pads, I used surgical gauze layered in between a cut-up baby blanket early on when things were really tender down there. If you do buy pads, get several brands and styles, because women are different and some will work better for you than others.

[mrs izzy]

What was the best aftercare advice you received from your surgeon amongst your post-op instructions?

Was there one thing without which your recovery would have been much worse?

I think the best advice is keep it clean and as dry as possible. Lots of air on the bits.

Do not over do things to soon.

Hugs
Izzy

[Vicky]

I bought a ton of super cheap, white washcloths and used those instead of paper towels etc. for cleanup, but you do need access to a very hot washing machine for this. 

If you do buy pads, get several brands and styles, because women are different and some will work better for you than others.

I too used the wash cloths, launder them before you go to the surgery, and use a good fabric softener on them.  Much easier on new healing stuff than toilet paper or kleenex.

Be sure one type is the wide wings for the pads.  I double layered them on advice of an RN friend.

[Julieb1]

I think the best advice is keep it clean and as dry awissible. Lots of air on the bits.

Do not over do things to soon.

Hugs
Izzy

Defo dry n clean I only put knickers on if going out other wise in dressing gown most of the time  your pee will spray and make you wet along with liquid from douching etc use a hair drier on low to kerp the external dry other wise you may get sore.

xxx

[dkl]

Tell you in a couple days!!

[Jenna Marie]

Vicky : Heh, classic example of how different styles work for different people - or not. Pads with wings got caught painfully on bits of me, and I gave *that* idea up after one day.

[Vicky]

Vicky : Heh, classic example of how different styles work for different people - or not. Pads with wings got caught painfully on bits of me, and I gave *that* idea up after one day.

Sorry to hear that Jenna -- note I only suggested one set there.  I used that style for a car trip home on my 9 & 10 days, and it did fine for that, but not after that one.

[mrs izzy]

Ya not to fond of the wings either. I had a package and just folded the wing under the pad.

I found I liked the long panty liners the best. Just at first changed them more often.

Just my nickels worth being they took our pennies away.
Izzy

[suzifrommd]

Thanks everyone.

The reason I'm asking is that I've been told that the surgeon I've chosen is skilled and has good results, but is not known for great aftercare.

I'm sticking with her anyway but I wanted to hear what other women were told to do by their doctors that really helped, so I can tell if anything is missing.