A recently post-op girl's laundry list of questions

[AubreyRenee]

Hello everybody!

I just got back from Suporn's care a week and a half ago. I'm pleased with the results but had a few questions about post-op care and living. I asked Suporn about these but I didn't get clear answers.

Do I need a gynecologist? I know this sparks a bit of debate on this forum but would love to hear people weigh in. I know I wouldn't need any reproductive care - no pap smears, etc. - but will I need an annual pelvic exam beyond a prostate exam?

When should I stop douching, if at all? This was a weird point of doublespeak at the clinic. On one hand they suggested douching after each dilation, and on the other they suggested discontinuing douching after a few months. I got a different answer from each nurse, which leads me to believe that this is a matter of personal preference. Feel free to correct me here.

(Yes, I know that I'm stuck to douching 3 times a day presently, with additives, as per doc's orders. I'm just thinking long term here.)

Why are our vaginas longer than average? The average female vagina is 4-6 inches long, yet the girls at the clinic and the doctor kept saying "longer is better." I've read online that the longer vaginal cavity can cause problems for post-op patients as applicators and other vaginal care tools aren't built with longer canals in mind. I'm above average presently and wondering why the going wisdom is "You need to be deeper" instead of "you're long enough as is." Maybe I'm missing something here.

Asymetries during swelling? I was told not to worry about asymetrical healing for at least six months but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Presently my vulva are... well... misshapen, to say the least. (To be more precise it looks like Picasso took a shot at a still life with a pack of Crayolas, but that's just me.) The vulva are asymetrical to the point of worrying me. I assume it all settles eventually but if someone has a similar experience I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

[girl_ashley]

It won't be a bad idea to at some point get a gynecologist just to make sure everything is still healthy with your new parts.  Especially since your surgeon is on the other side of the planet.  My surgeon is here in the states and driving distance from me and so my follow-up appointments will be my key to knowing everything is good down there, but I do plan on finding a trans positive gynecologist some time after my last follow-up with her.

You shouldn't douche too much or too often.  If you were advised to douche, then you can probably stop once you stop seeing icky stuff coming out and/or stop smelling a four odor coming from that area.  You should ask your surgeon or doctor if you have further questions.  I was never advised or ordered to douche so those thailand surgeons must think differently.

I don't know why your surgeon said deeper is better.  How much depth do you have?  From the sounds of it, I think you are quite deep enough.  If you are getting to at least 5" then you're doing just fine.  Don't push yourself.

Yes, asymmetrical swelling is very common.  It will go down with time and healing.  Your vulva will settle into a natural shape once this happens.  It is perfectly NORMAL.

[AubreyRenee]

Thank you for the tips and advice. I'm just past 6.5 inches right now. I've got an email in to my surgeon regarding the douching regimen - here's to hoping it goes away sooner than later.

[Ann Onymous]

Debate will probably continue ad infinitum regarding the need for a local gynocologist.  I got one on board prior to surgery for a couple of reasons...one was that she could also be considered my PCP for the purposes of the insurance I had.  She read the bloodwork and wrote my prescriptions as necessary. 

The other advantage I had with her was that she had a large lesbian patient base...she (along with her staff) was USED to hearing women come in and talk about having sex without using any form of birth control.  It spares some of the questions that otherwise might be asked... 

I don't even remember anything about asymetries...that was too long ago (literally last century). 

[vanna]

Hey

i am a suporn girl i would not enjoy to hit a big anything

anyhoow you douche daily yes but for only two months with that aweful solution it turned my tummy many times

after that you still need to remove lube ans once you become a every other day or then weekly then i would suggst just then

there is also many feminine solutions i use once once weekly cAll femina fresh yes it does work and sometimes the inserts you can use

replens is also nice leaves you nice wet and freshened like a gg but i am sidetracked as always

a gyno mmm i would only go if instructed of a doctor

[Muffins]

heya Aubrey I remember you ..you were a week before or after me!? So hazy (blames painkillers!) My reply may be a bit late but I may as well post...

Do I need a gynecologist? - yeah I've heard mixed opinions on this... I don't see it happening for me at this point, but if something seems wrong or a doctor can't help then....

When should I stop douching, if at all? - I was told everyday for the first three months and then once a week there after. But it seems there is no one size fits all rule... whatever your body needs I'd say. If once a week is too much then cut back, which you may need to after 6-12 months. I've been taking a course of probiotics since I've been back which I've read helps keep things in check down there! I've been skipping my douche for the last dilation of the day due to it being so cold at my parents house (heating in the mornings only blah).. I figure it may make the morning dilation easier *shrugs*.. it seems ok... doesn't smell or anything
I think with time (I'm waiting at least beyond six months) the body will take over naturally and be able to flush and self clean but occasionally may need help, maybe more so if you are not taking any progesterone which I've read can aid in self-lubrication.

Why are our vaginas longer than average? I read that the average is six inches.. I guess with the chance of losing depth from pain and with swell reduction it gives a bit of room for shrinkage/lose perhaps. And with the biggest dialator which is more realistic (girth wise) most from what I've heard don't get full depth with that so it's a little closer to what is natural!

Asymetries during swelling? - it's easy to expect perfection considering the cost and that it's plastic surgery but reality is even a lot of natal vaginas are not asymetrical. But yeah wait until the 12 month mark for the end result. ^_________^ revision is always (a free) option!

[AubreyRenee]

week after, actually. and I'm playing the "try to remember your face" game from the picture there and failing miserably!  Thanks for the advice. I didn't get the memo on the schedule so it's nice to hear that this settles eventually. and I'll have to try the probiotics.

Just so you know - this is a pseudoname. My real name begins with the same letter though.

Oh god... this is gonna drive me crazy!

[atheris]

I'd recommend a check-up by a gynecologist several months post-op. At this time, any problems can be treated, problems like granulated tissue, or infections that you may not be aware of. My first exam revealed a small patch of granulated tissue, a UTI, and a scraping revealed a yeast infection I was unaware of. If nothing else, it's good for peace of mind to know everything is healing well.

Douching was discontinued shortly after the surgery according to the surgeon's instructions.

[missyzanta]

NO, you dont need a gyn. 

MY doctor says NO to douching and i am 13 mths post and only douched once thats because the condom broke and the guy ejaculated in me so i douched himout but have only done it once and i NEVER stink and the lube works its way out very easily.

I am almost 7 inches deep and most guys i have been with have been 6inches up to 10 and i have accommodated them well.  The avg vagina is only 4 to 5 inches deep but what they fail to tell you is that the vagina stretches and a genetic females can accommodate a very large man.  I took a 9 incher one night and he was as big (girth wise) as a lysol can and it took a while to open up but when it did it DID.  All of my lovers have been black men and the myth is basically true. So NOT a myth.  The post care nurse that gave me my lesson on vaginas claims that most men arent over 5 inches and I told her (honey you must have never been with a black man) and she turned pink.

ALL N ALL, your vagina is actually the same but u dont have to worry about certain cancers that a natal female is concerned about that a pap smear checks for.

[Suigeniris]

Woww!!! Zanta your amaZING , WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE YOU LOL LOL I have only been to the GYN once since my surgery ,and I have a second appt in 3 months just to make sure all is well but I've been to Mcginn a few times after surgery and she said she doesn't need to see me ) until my 6 month post appt ........  PS. Although I have a local GYN I'm lucky enough to have the Mcginnister )))) just a quick 1 1/2 away

[NikkiJ]

Congratulations on attaining total womanhood!

Just my input on your questions:

Do I need a gynecologist? I was told to go to a gynecologist about once a year, but my primary physician has responded to her transgender patient when I need something, and has helped me with granulated tissue, and taken a culture to check things out, so I really don't see a need for a gynecologist at this point. 

When should I stop douching, if at all? My surgeon gave me a regimen that was only every day for a couple weeks, then, as needed from there. There was a time when i was getting some discharge that caused me to use vinegar and/or just warm water a couple times, but I could see how too much of that could dry out the lining, and the problem went away. Usually I just use a tiny drop of Dr. Bonners Castile soap.


Why are our vaginas longer than average? I guess it depends on the depth you want to attain, and how much skin you give the surgeon to work with, and your feeling on skin grafts. Plus, a natal female's vagina is able to stretch when being penetrated.


Asymetries during swelling? Others have answered that better than I can.

[umop ap!sdn]

Asymmetry can happen if one of the labia minora becomes detached early on. Even having had a reattachment procedure done, it still healed asymmetrically. Definitely wait a year to know for sure but you can have asymmetrical healing.

[Debra]

It's funny I've heard average natal woman's vagina is 3 inches to 4 to 5 to 6. It's like which is it? haha

But I think what's overlooked is the fact that natal women have a cervix and then the uterus so there is more room back there