Is there anything to be prepared for?

[CosmicJoke]

Hi everyone. I'm looking at getting a vaginoplasty done in the near future. If I were to give you a time frame it would probably be either sometime next year or toward the end of this year at the soonest.

Basically I am going right to the Papillon Center in New Hope next month. I should be able to get all my questions answered. It's clear to me that Dr. McGinn wanted to do that with me beforehand.

I'm just curious if maybe there's anything you wish you knew about this operation in terms of recovery or some other aspect?

I'm just trying to get all the knowledge I can before taking this big step in my journey.

[Jessica_Rose]

As with everything else, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). Some people are walking around a day or two after surgery, while others may require more time to heal. I had a breast augmentation performed at the same time as my bottom surgery. The BA was initially the more uncomfortable of the two procedures, and it had my full attention for the first week or so.

I'm not sure that there is any way to prepare for the abrupt visual change in your anatomy. There can also be a lot of bruising. After surgery, the first few times you dilate can be uncomfortable and disconcerting. It takes time for the swelling to subside, and it may be a few months before you become completely comfortable with your new designer amusement park.

Based on the research I did before my surgery, Dr. McGinn is one of the best. She is also featured in a film called 'Trans', which has some good information.

If you have any personal questions, send me a PM.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[KathyLauren]

While the surgeries we MTFs get are often considered "cosmetic", don't let that fool you into thinking that it is minor surgery.  Even vulvoplasty (a.k.a. "zero-depth" vaginoplasty) is major surgery, and of course full-depth is more major.  Some folks are lucky and recover quickly; others take longer.

I had quite a lot of pain for a couple of years afterwards, probably due to scar tissue.  My surgeon was Dr. Brassard in Montreal, so the competence of the surgeon was not in question.  It is just that different bodies heal at different rates.

I'm not saying that your experience will be the same.  YMMV.  Most people heal quicker than I did.  I just want to point out that it is a possibility.

[CosmicJoke]

This is just a little update. I will be going to The Papillon Center this coming Tuesday. I have an in person appointment with the PA-C and Dr. McGinn too most likely.

I'm really excited about going the GCS path but also a little anxious about what is to come. I'll definitely take the opportunity to ask the questions I'm not sure about.

Hopefully my appointment goes well!

[Lori Dee]

Dr. McGinn is top-rated all over the country. Relax. You are in good hands.  🙂
 
I am so excited for you! I would be honored just to meet her, let alone have her do my surgery. She is an icon.

[Athena]

Make sure you have ice packs for when you get home, they help a lot. Also if you can't use the number 4 dilator then try to keep going with the number 3 and try to use the number 4 as much as you can. I'm not going to lie the first month hurt but it was almost 1 month to the day and things suddenly didn't hurt as much. Push through the first month it's worth it.

[Sarah B]

Hi CosmicJoke

If I was considering surgery in the USA Dr McGinn would definitely be at the top of my list.  Her name has been mentioned here around Susan's for the past 15 years.

In terms of post surgery care,  I was in hospital for a week and it was imperative that I was able to wee before I was allowed to go home.  I had trouble weeing at home, but that was a result of not being hydrated enough as I took hot showers on my back to relieve the pain, although it was not excessive.

Pain medication was minimal. I was given Panadeine Forte, but I found it gave me headaches, so I avoided taking much of it.  I was also cautious about using painkillers because I had heard stories about becoming dependent on pain killers after surgery.  In my case the pain was never severe enough to need anything stronger.

I was back at work after only two weeks.  Yes, I walked around gingerly and I used liners to stay comfortable during healing.  As for dilation, if anything was amiss then that was it.  I had a soft stent that was left inside overnight and an occasional dilation was used.  Long story short, I'm extremely happy with what I have and I'm forever grateful to my surgeon for the life he has given me.

I assume Dr McGinn is going to do your surgery?  If so then you will be in good hands.

Take care and all the best for the future

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
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@CosmicJoke