Dorit's GRS

[LizK]

Minor complications.   My surgeon has been keeping an eye on some skin around the top of my vagina that was getting dark.   Sure enough, it was dead skin and yesterday he decide to cut it away. Smelled bad!  He said this is not an uncommon occurrence, and that new skin will grow back.   I share this in wanting to paint a realistic picture of my healing.   Some things go wrong.

I also want to share the deep personal and emotional healing this has been for me.   In spite of the pain and discomfort of my body, I am experiencing a release of joy and delight in myself that I never thought possible.   I giggle a lot!

Hi Dorit

I was told I had a minor complication when they took my packing out...some of the sutured skin had split causing discomfort when dilating...but I could not get really concerned about it as I feel so content. Its great to hear you are feeling so positive and even a small setback such as you describe really just bounces off that positiveness and  happiness I am sure you are radiating...congratulations and I hope your recover continues to go well.

Take care

Liz

[Kendra]

Dorit you are setting goals and then conquering.  This is mountain climbing.  Minor complications, major accomplishments.  I understand and share in your happiness. 

[Denise]

How are you doing?  I think of you often as we're about a day apart.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

[Dorit]

Thanks Denise, I think of you often too.   I am having a slow recovery, have to deal with a urinary infection now.   I am progressing and feel stronger everyday.   I am this Friday facing a continues 24 hour trip back home to Israel, including an 8 hour flight to Europe    I am determined to make it, even though I could postpone.

I am very happy.   I am experiencing a deep transformation in my spirit that is filling with joy and gratitude.   It is worth the suffering.

[Denise]

Have a good flight.  If you don't have a pillow for sitting on that's shaped like a U (a friend loaned me one, it's wonderful) ask your Dr/their-office about where to get one.  The one I have looks like a horse collar.  You might be able to use a soft neck pillow.

I assume you'll forgo dilation during the trip.

I hope your stay here was enjoyable for other reasons than surgery.


Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

[Kendra]

Some major airports for international connections have day-hotels inside the airport.  Prices are somewhat high but can help you stay closer to initial dilation schedule if you have enough time between flights.  Traveling 24 hours 3 weeks post-op is very soon after this type of surgery. 

I traveled from Seattle to Seoul for VFS 6 weeks after GCS/GRS - a short trip in comparison (10 hour flight).  I was totally fine in coach-class seats but 6 weeks is very different than 3 weeks.  Hopefully you have a bit of extra room on your flights so you can fully recline your seat.

The u-shaped seat cushion I was provided in my GCS goodie bag is basically a neck pillow sold at airports.  The one I had was filled with material instead of air (not the inflatable type), it helped the first few days.

[Linde]

Thanks Denise, I think of you often too.   I am having a slow recovery, have to deal with a urinary infection now. 

This is one of the most common infections caused by cahteterization!  Somebody was a little sloppy in handling your catheter!  Not a big deal as infections go, just pretty uncomfortable.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

[AnneK]

Not a big deal as infections go, just pretty uncomfortable.

Cranberry pills can help with infections.  My urologist recommended them.

[Dorit]

So much help and encouragement, you are all so sweet!   My surgeon is amazing, last Sunday morning he went to a pharmacy and brought an antibiotic.   It is working.   I also had my first outing on New Years day!   I had a walk around the block in what is for me very cold Philadelphia.   I did receive a donut inflatable pillow as a gift, plus i like the idea of using the common neck pillow too.  I had enough sense to take economy upgrade for the 8 hour leg to Frankfurt.   We are behind the bulkhead, no seats in front.   There will be a 2 1/2 layover, maybe I can find a spot to just lay down, then a 4 hour flight to Tel Aviv.    Our daughter will meet us at the airport and take us home, about a 2 hour drive.   As daunting as this seems, I believe I am ready.

[Linde]

So much help and encouragement, you are all so sweet!   My surgeon is amazing, last Sunday morning he went to a pharmacy and brought an antibiotic.   It is working.   I also had my first outing on New Years day!   I had a walk around the block in what is for me very cold Philadelphia.   I did receive a donut inflatable pillow as a gift, plus i like the idea of using the common neck pillow too.  I had enough sense to take economy upgrade for the 8 hour leg to Frankfurt.   We are behind the bulkhead, no seats in front.   There will be a 2 1/2 layover, maybe I can find a spot to just lay down, then a 4 hour flight to Tel Aviv.    Our daughter will meet us at the airport and take us home, about a 2 hour drive.   As daunting as this seems, I believe I am ready.

Some of the lounge seats in Frankfurt can have the foot part pulled out, and others can have the armrest liftet.

When you check in for you flight, you might be able to get a bulkhead set for the Tel Aviv section also.  They are mostly reserved for handicapped people (I get them all the time, even without reservation, I just show my handicapped card upon checking in), and they might allow you to take it because of your condition, just ask and wine a little!  !
I wish you a great trip home, and a nice and pleasant flight!

[anne_indy]

Frankfurt is a very big airport with lots of walking. Depending on how mobile you feel, you may want to request that they transport you in one of the  electric carts. The walking is great as a break between my typically long flights (6 hr to Frankfurt / 12 hr from Frankfurt to US west coast) but may not be so comfortable depending on your recovery status.

Brook


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Denise]

@Dorit I hope your flight home is uneventful.  Please let us know how you're doing when you get home, after sleeping a day or two   [emoji16]

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

[NatalieRene]

I am now one week post op.   My major discomfort issues are probably unique to me; itchy skin rash from laying in bed for a week accompanied by heat flashes and perspiration, probably due to hormonal changes, plus a flowering of canker sores from the abrasion of the oxygen tube during surgery.    The first makes it hard to sleep, the second hard to eat!

I had my catheter removed, I was a bit afraid after reading accounts of painful urination that went on for weeks.   No pain whatsoever.    Better yet, I had a deep emotional experience of joy and validation as I can now pee as a woman!!

I would like to clarify about my modified vaginoplasty, as my surgeon Dr. Leis refers to it.   It was not zero depth.   We had discussed in pre-op the options and my needs, and he said he could give me a shallow vagina of an inch or so.   This is what I chose.   No dilation is required, and obviously penetrative sex is not really possible, but for me personally it added a dimension of reality to my GRS.   

I am very happy with my choice of surgeon.   Because I am in the recovery apartment of his clinic, I am examined by him daily, sometimes even twice.   I believe this kind of daily attention from the surgeon is rare in the US.   It certainly adds to my sense of well-being.

Congratulations! He was my surgeon too back in 2010. He does very good work. I also stayed in one of his apartments.

[Rachel]

Hello Dorit,

Congratulations on your GCS. I hope you are recovering well.

Dr. Leis seamed like a very nice person. I saw three presentations of his and he presented very real results and expectations from his surgeries.

Is he still operating out of Lower Bucks Hospital?

Rachel

[Dorit]

Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him?

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

[Linde]

Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him?

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

I hope everything will continue to work that well for you.  And keep those opiates away if you don't really need them.  They are nasty stuff!
Hugs
Linde

[Beverly Anne]

Thank you for sharing your very personal experience, Dorit. I'm so glad you are doing so well. I read everything I can about others' GCS experience, because I'm planning mine in July after I graduate from nursing school. I have my first consult with the surgeon this coming Friday, January 11. I'm so excited! Sending you thoughts of healing and happiness!

[LizK]

Yes, Dr. Leis did my surgery at Lower Bucks Hospital.    I sort of developed a crush on him, the smile and gentle look in his eyes is so reassuring.   I asked him if all his trans patients fell in love with him?

I arrived home last night after 20 hours of travel.   The trip turned out to be better than I had anticipated.   The advice to sit on one of those neck pillows that are sold at airports really worked, as a matter of fact I am sitting on it now as I type.   Also a good supply of opiate pain pills helps to!   This morning I stopped taking them, so I am hurting a bit.   It is wonderful to be home, I am healing with no new complications, and being patient to let the process take its course.

Hi Dorit

I hear you, its such a great feeling to finally make it home to your own bed and have your own stuff around you. I hope you don't have too much more in the way of discomfort. I only had to fly for an hour to get home (sitting on my donut) and that was bad enough but 20 hours sounds really uncomfortable.

Glad to hear you a healing well. I hope you can continue to make great progress. I find that dilation time has really become "me time" and have to be a bit careful or I am likely to doze off and wake with the finishing alarm. LOL

Take care

[Dorit]

I am now one month post-op.    I just returned from my first checkup with the Israel medical services  surgeon and gynecologist for the transgender community.   They declared that the work of my GRS surgeon, Dr. Sherman Leis in Philadelphia was excellent, and that my recovery was progressing well.   It was so reassuring to me that I cried.  They gave me some treatment and advice for the minor complications that I have been suffering and assured me that they will heal.

I feel I have reached a milestone in my recovery that has been a real suffering and challenge for me emotionally.    I know that I am still far from normal, but see a real progress in healing that was just confirmed by the doctors.   Also even though it is a whole day trip to Tel Aviv and back, I now have a "home" for my care that is made up of a loving and encouraging staff, instead of trying to relate to a local gynecologist that has absolutely no experience with transgender patients that have been through GRS.     I am happy and grateful!

[JudiBlueEyes]

So nice to read Dorit!  You're doctors sound wonderful!