Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hello everyone,
So I am 9 days post op. Had my surgery with dr. Sinclaire and dr. Artinyan in Los Angeles. I have been bleeding profusely. Like my pads gets filled with blood every few hours. Anyone else with any similar experience??? The doctor says it's normal. But, I don't think it is.

It's difficult to be sure what's going on. I was changing pads 3-4 times a day but they were soaked with a combination of blood, discharge and lubricating jelly. You will continue to see blood on the pads for a month or more but if it's really red, hopefully the doctor was able to examine a pad to determine just how much you are bleeding.

I haven't been bleeding like that at all. I would definitely call your surgeon's office and ask for advice.

Tomorrow I have my post op visit and so they will be able to see in person how much I am bleeding. I just find the bleeding very annoying. I bleed so much that I feel like if it's pay back time for all the years I didn't get a period.
Another question that I have is my doctors told me that I don't need dilating what so ever... is that even possible???

I would ask for clarification on the dilation thing.  Was it a regular inversion procedure or just a cosmetic, or something else?  Not having to dilate would definitely save a lot of hassle.

Quote from: Colleen_definitely on July 30, 2018, 11:50:46 AM
I would ask for clarification on the dilation thing.  Was it a regular inversion procedure or just a cosmetic, or something else?  Not having to dilate would definitely save a lot of hassle.

she had mentioned in another post about having a Sigmod Colon Vaginalplasty with Dr. Sinclair

Oh that would certainly explain the dilation thing

...and that helps explain the difference in bleeding and dilation schedule. 

Mine was an inversion (can I call it an outie-to-innie).  Quite a bit of bleeding first two days, not much by end of week 1.  From week 2, an occasional spot after dilating. 

I have seen somewhere else that one of the issues with the Sigmod Colon Vaginalplasty is that the opening needs some dilation though not anywhere near what inversion requires. Unfortunately there hasn't been much information posted about this so let us know what your doctor tells you.

Actually ladies, my doctor didn't use the segmoid colon, he used a new technique in which he grafted colon from another area of my colon called the right side. He said because this portion of the colon is straight, moist and has the least amount of danger regarding loosing length and future closures and secondary surgery requirement. This was all dr. Avo Artinyan's opinions who is a colorectal surgeon at st. Vincent hospital ( and very handsome he is). Both doctors said no dilation necessary what so ever. But, I am so bloody and swollen that I wouldn't want to dilate anyways. I will give you guys more updates tomorrow after my post-op visit with both doctors. Thank you

Nadia this is all super interesting.  Very interested to know more.

And most important, best wishes on your recovery! 

Nadia, how did your follow up appointment go? As a general rule we tell GYN surgical patients that if they are heavy soaking a pad every hour then they need to call their surgeon.

I promise as soon as I go to my visit, I'll give you guys all the updates. My appointment is at 4:30 PT ( in about 5 hours from now). Today I feel much better. I didn't need a walker to go to the bathroom and I was able to walk standing up. My bf helped me wash my hair and I did my make up and around 1 o'clock we will head up north to Los Angeles for my visit. I live in San Diego. I know for fact that I have urinary tract infection. The doctor told me that when I left the hospital and I feel the burning sensation when the pee goes through my catheter. Long story short more updates in about few hours.

Good luck with your appointment and waiting for the good news. Would you mind sharing details about your surgery/ recovery/  results?

So for some reason both doctors couldn't be present at my appointment and they tried to FaceTime and obviously that didn't work out. Anyways, for some reason Dr. Sinclaire didn't take my Foley catheter out or anything and he said that I must go see dr. Artinyan tomorrow before any decisions can be made. He tried to put fingers in my vagina and it was very painful and for some dumb reason I had forgotten to take my dilator with me ( nobody told me to bring it either). So, I guess more updates coming tomorrow. The urinary tract infection is a killer though. It burns like crazy.

You don't need to wait to treat your UTI. A local emergency room or doctor should be able to provide you with a prescription for the needed antibiotic. Just warn them that the blood in the urine sample may not be from the UTI but is instead the result of surgery.

Quote from: Dena on July 31, 2018, 11:10:46 PM
You don't need to wait to treat your UTI. A local emergency room or doctor should be able to provide you with a prescription for the needed antibiotic. Just warn them that the blood in the urine sample may not be from the UTI but is instead the result of surgery.

Also, if I can add to what Dena wrote. Sometimes your insurance will penalize you for going to the E.R. for something like a UTI, especially if you have a program through your insurance that you can phone a doctor. Often you can just call that doctor or nurse practitioner and they can call you in an antibiotic to a 24 hour pharmacy. You avoid waiting in the E.R. for 8 hours and you don't get a $1,000 bill!

So, I am on my way to Los Angeles to see dr. Artinyan this morning which I'll give you ladies all the updates later. However, for the UTI I was given a prescription for antibiotics by the doctor and did take them. However, it's not done yet, the burning sensation is there and it doesn't feel good whatsoever. Not sure, maybe it's because of the catheter. Please have me in your prayers today as my patience is coming to an end. Thank you

The burning sensation is the catheter for sure. It is the most uncomfortable feeling one can experience. It was the worst part of all of my surgeries. Once it is gone the sensation will be over as well.

Hello ladies,
So nothing new, I still have my catheter in and am on bed rest. My next appointment is next Tuesday. Hopefully then I will have some better news.
P.S. I can shower now. Which is great but, a hassle since I will be bleeding all throughout the shower time.

Quote from: Nadia.20102010 on August 02, 2018, 12:00:23 PM
Hello ladies,
So nothing new, I still have my catheter in and am on bed rest. My next appointment is next Tuesday. Hopefully then I will have some better news.
P.S. I can shower now. Which is great but, a hassle since I will be bleeding all throughout the shower time.

Thank you for updating us. Please post after you appointment. Your going to get through this!

Hello ladies,
So, I did go to my doctor's appointment and everything is healing well. The catheter is out and now I am peeing normally. The doctor was able to place a 9" long dilator in there with no problem. In fact he was joking and saying that my vagina has more space than the dilator can reach and how if he pushes it in, it will get lost in there, lol. Now, just waiting and letting my little girl heal and get better. Today marks three weeks and I still can't sit straight. Hmmmmm, nothing else really come to mind but, if you have any questions please ask me. I send you all my love.
Oh also, the bleeding has decreased dramatically. Still have some discharge but very little.

That is a great news. I wish you a speedy recovery

Quote from: Nadia.20102010 on August 09, 2018, 11:54:38 AM
Hello ladies,
So, I did go to my doctor's appointment and everything is healing well. The catheter is out and now I am peeing normally. The doctor was able to place a 9" long dilator in there with no problem. In fact he was joking and saying that my vagina has more space than the dilator can reach and how if he pushes it in, it will get lost in there, lol. Now, just waiting and letting my little girl heal and get better. Today marks three weeks and I still can't sit straight. Hmmmmm, nothing else really come to mind but, if you have any questions please ask me. I send you all my love.
Oh also, the bleeding has decreased dramatically. Still have some discharge but very little.

Omg 9 inches! That makes me nervous for some reason ^^ (jk). I'm so happy for you Nadia. Do you mind posting the surgeons name and how much $?

My plastic surgeon is Dr. Alexander Sinclaire. Here's his website https://www.tgsurgery.com
He has a team of other surgeons that he works with. My surgery was covered through my insurance. I just had to pay little bits and pieces for CT scan or this and that. Nothing major. But, about the doctor and his staff all I can say is lovely, lovely, lovely and lovely. Claire and Anita are the two ladies working in his office and they both are sweet and helpful and the doctor himself is as cool as the other side of the pillow. Love him and his staff.

Quote from: Nadia.20102010 on August 09, 2018, 05:05:36 PM
My plastic surgeon is Dr. Alexander Sinclaire. Here's his website https://www.tgsurgery.com
He has a team of other surgeons that he works with. My surgery was covered through my insurance. I just had to pay little bits and pieces for CT scan or this and that. Nothing major. But, about the doctor and his staff all I can say is lovely, lovely, lovely and lovely. Claire and Anita are the two ladies working in his office and they both are sweet and helpful and the doctor himself is as cool as the other side of the pillow. Love him and his staff.

Thanks!

Of course. Anytime.