Post Reassignment surgery, need advice

[Linaru]

Greetings,
My name is Freya, I'm from the UK and this June I had reassignment surgery .. however, i am having some issues, my surgeons specialist nurses have been less than helpful and I'm really getting quite concerned.

Post op I had a lot of granulated tissue and could really get a good look to work out what is what

its now been about 22 weeks since surgery.  and I am still finding dilating agonizingly painful..to the point i am in tears after each session it also produces blood and other issues which leaves me concerned.
MY surgeons specialist nurse response to this was' to try warming the dilator'  not exactly a helpful response, nor did explain what's going on

now that I've finally been able to get a look in there is noticing what looks like 3 different holes.. blood from dilation is coming from the lowest one, I cannot see a clit or anything resembling the inner labia.

in all honesty, it looks nothing like id expected, nor does it look like any of the pictures the surgeon had shown me prior to the op and I'm starting to feel like a freak.

I am hoping that someone here whos been through it might be able to help me figure out what is what and if i am even dilating correctly, or if the blood is the result of it pushing somewhere its not mean to.

[AnonyMs]

Sounds like you really need to speak to the surgeon about this.

For the pain I've heard that some women use emla on the dilator, but obviously this doesn't help with he real problem.

I'll send you a pm to some info on dilating, but I can't post it here due to the NSFW content.

[Linde]

A properly healed surgical wound should not bleed 22 weeks after the procedure.  Go back to the doctor, don't even deal with the nurse, request face time with the doc.  Write all your complaints and questions down, to make sure you do not forget anything.  Do not allow the doc to impress you as the almost overlord, he is a person like you, and he can make mistakes , the same as any of us can make!

[Kendra]

The surgeon or surgeon's office needs to be actively helping you with this.  Whoever told you the dilator isn't warm enough either misunderstood or does not care. 

For pain management, in addition to over the counter Ibuprofen (not exceeding published dosages) keep in mind caffeine can enhance pain for up to 8 hours.  Coffee after dilation, not before. 

One possible cause of pain is granulation tissue that has formed, not rare at all but could worsen until it's corrected - involves a somewhat routine repeated application of silver nitrate but this shouldn't involve a guessing game.  Please tell them this has become urgent.  The reason I say this is urgent is if dilation pain is unbearable you could lose depth and that can be irreversible or expensive and time consuming to correct. 

[Northern Star Girl]

Greetings,
My name is Freya, I'm from the UK and this June I had reassignment surgery .. however, i am having some issues, my surgeons specialist nurses have been less than helpful and I'm really getting quite concerned.

Post op I had a lot of granulated tissue and could really get a good look to work out what is what

its now been about 22 weeks since surgery.  and I am still finding dilating agonizingly painful..to the point i am in tears after each session it also produces blood and other issues which leaves me concerned.
MY surgeons specialist nurse response to this was' to try warming the dilator'  not exactly a helpful response, nor did explain what's going on

now that I've finally been able to get a look in there is noticing what looks like 3 different holes.. blood from dilation is coming from the lowest one, I cannot see a clit or anything resembling the inner labia.

in all honesty, it looks nothing like id expected, nor does it look like any of the pictures the surgeon had shown me prior to the op and I'm starting to feel like a freak.

I am hoping that someone here whos been through it might be able to help me figure out what is what and if i am even dilating correctly, or if the blood is the result of it pushing somewhere its not mean to.

@Linaru
Dear Freya:
WOW... having GRS is a memorable moment for you as you are starting your transition journey, I am so sorry to hear that you are very concerned with some of your post-surgery issues.  There are others here, like the previous reply from our lovely member @Kendra for example that can tell you of her own experiences in regard to GRS... and here on the Forums there are many postings and threads here on the forums that can be a valuable resource for you as you continue on.

I am most pleased that you had decided to join the site.
Thank you for writing your first posting.... other members will be along to offer their thoughts and comments in response to your specific questions and concerns..

Thank you for posting your happy event and happy thoughts here on this thread. 

This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.
    There are a lot of members here that will be able to identify with your situation as you continue to feel free to share it.

    Please allow me to warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.

    As you are certainly aware you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
     ***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

    Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace.
I have included information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Northern Star Girl]

@Linaru   
Oh, and another thing Freya:
Please find your way to the  Introductions Forum and write a brief introduction post and summary about yourself and your questions & concerns so that more members here on the Susan's Place forums will be aware of your arrival and therefore you may obtain more responses and information that you might be looking for.

Enjoy your time here on the Forums, I trust that you will find this an enjoyable and informative experience.
Best wishes to you.... and again, Welcome to Susan's Place
Danielle

**** now you can have your thread back.

[isa86]

Who did you have surgery with hun ?

[Linaru]

Who did you have surgery with hun ?

I had surgery with dr.bellringer at parkside hospital
Small update Ive recently had contact back from them.. they claimed that im making a fuss for nothing and wasting their time but have agreed to give me an appointment to speak with them in person late december (though it came across as them being reluctant to do so..)

Some of 6ou have provided links that have proven to be quite helpful i have a little more information to go on
Though i am still concerned it seems i have to wait till the end of the year to speak with them

[gracefulhat]

I had surgery with dr.bellringer at parkside hospital
Small update Ive recently had contact back from them.. they claimed that im making a fuss for nothing and wasting their time but have agreed to give me an appointment to speak with them in person late december (though it came across as them being reluctant to do so..)

Some of 6ou have provided links that have proven to be quite helpful i have a little more information to go on
Though i am still concerned it seems i have to wait till the end of the year to speak with them

My God what a piece of crap surgeon / office staff. Please post name so none of us will ever go there

[Rachel]

Hello,

I had a part of my graft not take and as a result scar tissue formed. It was white. When the scar tissue contracts (every day and every dilation session) it hurt very much to dilate. I think it happened at the 6 week mark and progressed to the worse point at 3 months. Then it did not progress in pain and eventually either I got use to the pain or it loosened up a bit and the pain went to 90% of the maximum.

At the one year post op point (when things were well stabilized) I had a revision and the scar tissue was removed. I lost 1 inch in depth and have just now gotten to just over the #4 dot. I am just now a tad bit deeper that before the revision.

I had tons of granulation and was treated many times by the doctors staff. 2 weeks ago I had a procedure that cut some skin that healed together from the revision. About 1 inch long. It freed up about a 1 inch wide piece of skin and 1.5 inches long. The doctor asked if I wanted numbing and I said no. I had just had 4 hours of electrolysis on my face and I was tired of needles. The doctor showed me how to use the silver nitrate as she burned the wound with about 4 sticks of silver nitrate. I have a supply of silver nitrite to treat my vagina s I do not need to take a day off from work and have them do it. So far the healing looks great and I am not treating the site after the first week.

Yes, I have great nerve feeling and the cutting and burning hurt very much. I have learned to deal with the pain. I do cry and I do say to myself I can not take it. Then I change the dialogue and repeat I can take it and I do.

I had revision surgery in April and GCS 11/2016. I have a minor amount of bleeding after dilation about 3 inches inside my virginal each night. There are two areas where there are still some issues but they are minor.

This will help. I used prescription hydroquarterzone cream in my vagina as per my doctor (I have been on the cream for over 1.5 years). The cream will help to loosen the scar tissue and make it more pliable. The scar tissue pain will hit a peak and it will subside a bit in time. I had a revision to remove the scar tissue and am fantastic now.

I am really sorry this is happening to you. I want you to know that you can get through this. It hurts and you can get through this. I would ask the doctor if you can use numbing cream 2.5% Lidocaine or if you can get a script for 5%) on the dilator, especially the #3 and #4 dilator. If they inject me with lidocaine then why not use a topical.

We all heal differently and sometimes the graft does not take in some areas. It can be from blood flow and many other things.

After my GCS my operation was completed in a procedure room a week later. I had a major revision 1.5 years later and I will have a second major revision in April, 1 year after my first revision and 2.5 years after my GCS.

Rachel

[Linde]

I had surgery with dr.bellringer at parkside hospital
Small update Ive recently had contact back from them.. they claimed that im making a fuss for nothing and wasting their time but have agreed to give me an appointment to speak with them in person late december (though it came across as them being reluctant to do so..)

Either the staff needs to be fired or the surgeon should never ever ind a patient.  This is absolutely against the ethics of the profession!
The concerns of a patient should be taken care of.  Nobody wants to speak to a surgeon just for fun after one had surgery with this surgeon!

[isa86]

So you never had a 6 week check up . I had surgery in the uk, im seeing my surgeon next week, wich is 7 week check up, then about 3 month tgen 6 month where we will then discuss if there is any cosmetic issues that need touching up wich he usually does at 9-10 month mark and then at 12 months i see him again for a final check and discharge.
I thought all surgeons on the nhs work like that :/

[Linde]

So you never had a 6 week check up . I had surgery in the uk, im seeing my surgeon next week, wich is 7 week check up, then about 3 month tgen 6 month where we will then discuss if there is any cosmetic issues that need touching up wich he usually does at 9-10 month mark and then at 12 months i see him again for a final check and discharge.
I thought all surgeons on the nhs work like that :/

This sounds like a pretty standard mode of operation.  Even with simple carpal tunnel surgery i had three follow ups!

[Aibhilín]

 I also have no clitoris or inner labia. I also had a ->-bleeped-<--load of granulation tissue post-op and dilation was absolutely agaonising for months after the surgery.

Luckily when I was there, the head nurse was absolutely amazing but I heard that she left a year or so after I had my surgery. She was brilliant with everything, comforted me and did what a nurse SHOULD do after a surgery of this magnitude. It doesn't seem like the new nurses are up to scratch.

I really hope your surgery heals better than mine did. If you want to speak with me, you can always reply in this thread and i'll PM you.