List of things to bring for GCS recovery

[SadieBlake]

I did some looking around and didn't find a list here. If there's a preexisting thread, I'll append to that and delete this one.



Laptop, headphones books, phone charger

Pre-op

2x fleet enemas
Magnesium citrate

Post-op 3 weeks of recovery in SF

Maxi pads 18
Panty liners 12
panties, cotton, cheap 8
Regular clothing, long skirt


Arnica sublingual & topical
Aspirin, ibuprofen
Bacitracin
Surgilube
Douche bulb
3@ syringe, needles estradiol valerate, alcohol swabs
15@ progesterone
Vitamin E
Probiotics

Shampoo and conditioner

Things to get in San Francisco

Cranberry juice
Adult diapers?
Chux
Sitting ring
Vinegar

[Michelle_P]

Sadie, this is a great list!  Some of the items are personal choices, some are your specific prescription, and I won't touch bacitracin with a 10 foot pole (allergy; blisters and rash), but yeah, the detailed checklist is excellent.  This is better than the nebulous handout I just got this morning from the medical provider, which was a bit TOO general.  (Same list for MtF and FtM patients)

Packing for GCS is a pretty unique sort of thing to be doing.  It only happens once for each of us (I hope!).

[Dena]

You will need to consider light entertainment. It might be net flick or preloaded movies but something that doesn't require intense concentration. You will need a big supply of maxi pads but those can be bought anywhere. Plan on changing them out at least 3 times a day because they will be collecting your dilation mess. While you are dilating, you will drip on the bed unless you have a disposable pad under you or an old bath towel. There may be some blood mixed in so it would be best to avoid new bath towels. You will also need a pile of paper towels to clean up after dilation. I don't know where you will be getting the lube you will use for dilation but you will go through a tube about every two days so you may want to have a box shipped to you. Let me know if you need a good place to buy it.

[Devlyn]

Cough drops or syrup?

[SadieBlake]

Dena, thanks and a link for surgilube in bulk would be great, I may also bring some j-lube for modifying whatever lube I decide to use.

The chux on the list are hospital slang for disposable absorbent mats, I'm staying at an airbnb and certainly don't want to stain their linens/towels or be making trips to the laundromat to do towels. And yes, the laptop and my phone both do Netflix, I'm thinking a Buffy marathon.

Michelle, thanks, I started this list selecting from Andrea James' site the tsroadmap

http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/vaginoplasty/shopping.html

I basically never use antibiotic ointments and probably won't use it, I'll talk with the doc about it. It's main purpose is to keep a wound from scabbing over and AFAIK there are better ways to do that.

[Lucie]

I may also bring some j-lube for modifying whatever lube I decide to use.

Do you think that J-Lube is secure/sterile enough for dilation during the first weeks after SRS ?

[Dena]

You should order this lube as it's low cost and used by Meltzer's office. I use it and I like it better than what I buy in the store because it has a thicker consistency so it stays on the dilator better and you need less. If you have another brand you want to use, Amazon may be able to offer it in quantity but I doubt that you will beat the price for this one.

[Michelle_P]

You should order this lube as it's low cost and used by Meltzer's office. I use it and I like it better than what I buy in the store because it has a thicker consistency so it stays on the dilator better and you need less. If you have another brand you want to use, Amazon may be able to offer it in quantity but I doubt that you will beat the price for this one.

+1

This particular brand has an outstanding price.  I bought this in the small single use packet form for use in intermittent urinary catheterization.  It seemed to 'stick' better than other brands, and had a more comfortable, better lubricated feel when running in a catheter, so it should work very well on a dilator.  In the big tubes, a case of 12 sells for what I had to pay for one tube of Surgilube, which was also less comfortable.  (I got fixed last year so I don't have to cath any more.)

[Tessa James]

I just returned from the Meltzer/Lay and Greenbaum Specialty Surgical Hospital where a dear friend had her GCS.  The one item I went out and got for her were the softest unscented baby wipes I could find

I was impressed by the comprehensive, personable and professional services the staff provided.  Being part of her support team was an educational and rewarding experience for me.

Having a support person or team may be optional but I suggest it should also are on the list?

[SadieBlake]

Do you think that J-Lube is secure/sterile enough for dilation during the first weeks after SRS ?

I'm sure it will be fine, it's intended use, after all is large animal obstetric veterinary practice.

I may not need it but I figure better to have a small vial and not want it than vise versa :-)

[Lucie]

The advantage of J-Lube is that its lubricating power is much higher than Surgilube-like lubricants. But I'd fear that bacteria might be introduced to the lubricant while mixing the powder with water.

[SadieBlake]

The advantage of J-Lube is that its lubricating power is much higher than Surgilube-like lubricants. But I'd fear that bacteria might be introduced to the lubricant while mixing the powder with water.

I'll be sticking to a known - sterile lube for the first few days in any case but once I'm past basic healing of the incisions and sutures, I'm not that fussed about 'bacteria'. Skin is supposed to have bacteria on it after all.

IAC PEO (what's in j-lube) isn't something that bacteria survive in and I have access to deionized water and full lab apparatus for ensuring fundamental cleanliness.

So not to worry, I'll be fine :-)

[Lucie]

I'll be sticking to a known - sterile lube for the first few days in any case

That's safer.

but once I'm past basic healing of the incisions and sutures, I'm not that fussed about 'bacteria'. Skin is supposed to have bacteria on it after all.

I agree. This is true for mucous membranes as well.

IAC PEO (what's in j-lube) isn't something that bacteria survive in

For what I know J-Lube contains some sugar. Bacteria love sugar.

I have access to deionized water and full lab apparatus for ensuring fundamental cleanliness.

That's fine, but once back at home only.

[apsharas]

Wet Wipes. It was that little thing I forgot to get when I had SRS. I had pads, liners, 4 extra tubes of lube... Not fun when you can't leave to buy.


Most probably you can find all sort of lists, but my personal one  of mandatory stuff you should always absolutely bring with you is:

Clothes: Dresses or baggy pants, easy to slip on. Velcro or slip in footwear. Even buckles are going to be a major pain. Hairbands and elastic. I would go the extra mile and say "Hammerpants". Underwear one size bigger than usual for the swelling period.

medkit: Laxatives, stool softener, gas buildup meds. You are going to need this. And since you don't want to add more discomfort, bring cold remedies and throat pain pills. You are on risk of catching this from the plane trip and / or moving countries. Also, moisturiser (esponge baths will be agressive for the skin), and something to treat skin rashes. you are bound to get them after so many days in bed.


Electronics: elongators, even USB elongators. Unless you have a smart surgeon that bothers to put a power strip on the bed, you are going to need it. And for the love of everything holy, buy a pre-paid sim card if going to Thailand. Also, if in a non free speech country with restricted and monitorised internet, get a good VPN. Even if you don't need the security, you can use it to get US Netflix.



And I'm going to say this: You will never have enough pads. During the first postop weeks you will be using a minimum of 3 a day, swapping them at least after each dilation. You will be burning through a minimum of 21, and that if your discharge is ok or you are not bleeding badly. Stock that crap in industrial size

[Mariah]

Also make sure to consult the surgeons office as well because some things they provide and you won't need to buy and other things they won't and you do need to buy and bring. Remember you don't want to be carrying to much stuff weight wise because you shouldn't be lifting much weight after SRS. Entertainment really is crucial though. Then again I didn't need to use my entertainment as much as planned because I had my now husband and Dena around for that. Hugs
Mariah

[Mariah]

Which reminds me loose fitting comfortable clothing is a must. Hugs
Mariah

[SadieBlake]

For what I know J-Lube contains some sugar. Bacteria love sugar.

Ahh, good call -- still not a worry, I used the trade name because at least some people will recognize it, what I'll actually be using is pharma grade pure PEO because I have access :-)

[Lucie]

Thanks Audrey for the link, the list of supplies you give sounds quite relevant and useful !

[SadieBlake]

Thanks Audrey, on your list, my surgeon specifically recommends vinegar douche (massengill is the one they specifically state).

[Rachel]

I would add a probiotic and stool softener.

Pick up snacks that are easy to grab and yogurt.

A mirror to aid in dilation and check out your vagina.