Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I had my three month post-op consult today. Everything seemed routine - she seemed pleased with everything I reported - until I mentioned that I'm still too swollen to sit without a doughnut cushion. She seemed very concerned about this - that I ought to be sitting comfortably by now. She set up another consult for a month from now.

Has anyone had this problem? How long does it usually take before sitting is comfortable?

I'm still uncomfortable in certain chairs.  (I was finally able to ditch the donut like 2 weeks ago, and even for a week or so past that it felt like sitting on an apple.)  Everyone heals at different rates.

At 90 days, while I was not using my donut per se, I did not feel comfortable on wooden or un padded plastic chairs for any length of time, and had a small plain pillow to put under one hip or the other as needed.  My home upholstery is fairly new and very soft, so that worked ok.  My greatest moment of relief was when the two stitches at the base of my vulva finally came out.  If your doctor (who I got to meet at SCC) is worried, she probably has a reason, but for me there was one day I forgot to carefully choose my seating, and did not jump or scream by the middle of my 4th month. 

I never found the doughnut all that useful, so I guess I never had the problem of being unable to give it up. ;) However, I'd say I was uncomfortable sitting on an unpadded chair/bench for longer than half an hour or so for months, although I *could* manage it in a pinch by a few weeks post-op.

I did, however, have such major swelling that it took the better part of two years to disappear completely. It didn't prove to be a problem except insofar as it was an annoyance (and a hindrance to wearing tight pants!).

As said swelling for me most of year and half.

Sitting was around 4 th month where it could be in about any chair.

Just keep eye out for infections.

I suspect that the answer to this has a lot to do with our morphology. I haven't been using a cushion since two weeks post-op and actually left my doughnut in Bangkok at the end of my stay. However, I would also have to say that my swelling is pretty minimal. Chett provides anti swelling medication  (Serato-Peptidase) that I'm still taking at 4 weeks as it was also for the breasts and it seems to have worked well. I do a lot of walking too which maybe helps , about 1.5 hours a day.

I have a torn perineum so at 2 months post op sitting is still a bit tricky, whatever the surface! Still, it will heal in time and at least I know the cause. I hope yours is just your surgeon being ultra cautious. xx

I dispensed with the doughnut torture device after 12 days. It simply squeezed my buttocks together and put more pressure on the surgical site. I always found sitting on one cheek or sitting on a nice soft cushion far more satisfying. I'm not sure there's anything to be worried about. You simply take longer to resolve inflammation and swelling.

I kept my donut to give to Homer Simpson... But I use it more for my knees whilst kneeling at the desk when I'm passing by. I used a partially inflated (maybe 3-4 breaths only, definitely not more) travel neck cushion for much of my time in Bangkok. It can be used in a variety of ways
- placed like an 'n' to help lift the legs whilst resting on the sitting bones without pressuring the surgical site.
- placed like a 'u' to allow the legs and bum to rest on the sides and not pressure the surgical site.

It is also much more discrete and can be easily carried in a handbag.

As to discomfort when sitting - is that because of pressure on the bum, or more the soft tissues pressing up against the clitoris and labia, and in turn pulling against the stitches? Is it sore like a dull throb or more a distinct pain / yelp / ouch?

A lot can also depend upon the thickness of the skin and the underlying soft tissues which might not have much freedom to absorb the stresses of sitting.

Good luck and hopefully it is nothing serious

Quote from: Monkeymel on September 18, 2014, 11:12:33 AM

As to discomfort when sitting - is that because of pressure on the bum, or more the soft tissues pressing up against the clitoris and labia, and in turn pulling against the stitches? Is it sore like a dull throb or more a distinct pain / yelp / ouch?

The area between my legs is swollen, so when I sit, that's where the weight goes. It feels sort of crushed, and after a minute or two the pressure on my clitoris begins to create a sharp pain.

I think the stitches are long gone.

I stopped using the donut cushion sometime around 3-5 weeks after SRS. However, I did still have a lot of swelling and even today, about 1.5 years after surgery, I still do. I was just fortunate that the swelling wasn't painful.

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 18, 2014, 11:36:22 AM
The area between my legs is swollen, so when I sit, that's where the weight goes. It feels sort of crushed, and after a minute or two the pressure on my clitoris begins to create a sharp pain.

That does sound strange. Seriously try the neck cushion. For the inflammation you could ask for more anti-inflammatory pills. Does it help if you lay down for a while - or is it constant? Have you tried using an ice pack - eg two ice cubes inside some fabric and rest with them there? It should be cold but not burn. Or does it help with cool sitz baths? Do you wear tight or loose fitting knickers? I found hipster /adore boxer shorts very helpful as they can hold a pad in place without touching the skin.

Inflammation goes down at different rates for everyone. And in my case - left vs right.

I was still swollen up to 4 mths in such a way that I couldnt sit properly im ok now but have the odd day where its difficult.


julie x

I want to say that I was able to sit comfortably after a few weeks. I really really disliked the donut and couldn't wait to give it up.