Hi all. I'm about 4 months away from SRS. Everyday since I found out when my date is, I start to freak out a little more lol. Just wondering if there is anything I could/should be doing to prep for this surgery. I know the standard eat right and exercise. But anything else? Should I talk to my general doctor or the surgeon about stopping hormones for this? I've never had surgery before and the operation is beginning to scare me a little bit.
Thanks in advance everyone.
No per op requirements i guess given?
Who is the surgeon if can ask?
It's Brassard. I know i have to do blood tests in about 2 months. But I haven't heard anything else from their office since October (when i found out).
You will be sent a conformation with all you need to do and your scripts for blood work.
Suzanne holds off being there might be a earlier cancellation.
Relax it will be ok.
Maybe i will get to see you while here in Montreal.
Ps they will be back in office Monday.
Just relax, you are in good hands and it will be over in no time at all. Usually they will want you to stop hormones 3 weeks before the surgery date and no medications (you'll get the list on the package that they will send you) a week before the surgery. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions, there's plenty of Brassard graduates here.
Thanks, I guess I'm waiting on the instructions then.
Hi Kate,
Seeings you have that much time on your hands, make sure you've done all the research you can. The location of the hospital, what is required of you prior and on the day of admission. What type of procedure and what you can expect to happen in the immediate days and weeks of being post op.
It's will help you to be prepared for the expected things which will put you at greater ease, instead of walking in "blind" to what is major invasive surgery.
Have you seen any videos on the actual procedure? This may help you to understand what you can expect to deal with afterwards. As they say, "to be forewarned is to be forearmed."
Huggs
Catherine
As with any surgery, the best thing you can do is read up on it a bit and get in as good shape as you can be. One calms the mind the other helps you heal faster and with fewer complications. While this will vary as everyone reacts to surgery differently, not being overweight and being fit really helps you get back on your feet and moving. It also helps with swelling and pain. I attribute the fact that I was already walking (albeit tenderly) 30 minutes at a time before I left to my fitness level when I arrived. I was also able to sit off to the the sides of chairs at mealtimes the last few days. Running and a rounded core program really helped. It takes time after to get back to that level but it also helps healing if you get moving ASAP and get back to cardio as soon as is comfortable. Walk a LOT before during and after.
As others have said, the staff will take good care of you. It's all very systematic from the time you arrive at the clinic and through the recovery centre. Follow all their instructions carefully and ask lots of questions of the nurses in each section (the surgical centre has a separate staff whom you won't see much of when you move to the recovery area). All are very helpful and some have been there many years. I saw some people cut corners with dilation and not follow the spirit and letter of what they were told about care. They had more discomfort than necessary. The nurses did their best to warn people, but some of the patients were a bit less than cooperative and I could see nurses get a little frustrated. You will not see much of Brassard or Belanger post op. The senior nurses are your primary caregivers and have seen it all. They also are the ones who check up on you after you leave. I might add that it does help if you can at least understand some French. Their English varies, though they all speak it, and some of the translations were iffy. You can get along fine without French, but you may end up re-asking questions different ways. I just found even my limited French helped me understand better.
As for what to take: Be sure to contact Suzanne closer to the date and get the most recent list. Don't buy much until then. They changed and simplified number of post-op procedures not long before I was there -- things like using tubs for sitzbads instead of seats for toilets and changed some of the needed supplies (they told me to bring a reusable douche but they providing that). In the course of 5 months prior I was given three conflicting lists of what I would need there and after, and bought way too many things that I ended up not using. They will provide you with everything you need medically for recovery there. The only things I found I needed were personal hygiene items -- but that included unscented body wash for the sitzbads (you put it in the water and soak). They don't provide that and you'll want a large bottle. You'll be in no state for a few days to walk or bus to the pharmacy up the road (though you can get something there before surgery). I brought a comfy cushion thinking I'd need it after but I never ended up using it. As for after at home, I found that I used more pads to sit on for dilation than I expected and was glad I bought three big bags of XL. I also bought extra waterbased lube. You will end up using all that lube and more as dilation is for life. I didn't need any of the dressings, ointments etc., but that was me. I did and do go through a lot of panty liners.
I found having a analog travel clock helped me time dilating and I also took a lot of music on an iPod and headphones. The dilating schedule becomes your life as soon as they unwrap you. You want distractions and not all their TV's work (in addition, they are wall mounted and in the shared rooms noise gets to be an issue). Some people took ipads and kindles, which also helps distract but remember you have to be able to use things one-handed. I read online and messaged on my iphone a lot -- they have a wifi set up. I expected to read more, but never opened the two books I took. You'll want a lot of rest at first, then you may get cabin fever. I found that shortish (as in thigh to knee) nightgowns and a washable cotton nightgown worked best for me for sleeping and dilating, though I was there in summer. I didn't want to wear even yoga pants.
I don't know where you are being put up prior to surgery, but I also was lucky in that the two women I stayed with before hand at the B&B were great and we bonded. We stayed together the entire time up until surgery and kept each other company after as much as we could. At any one time they have patients in various stages of their stay -- meaning pre and post op and recovery. Making friends early really helps. It's the luck of the draw, but makes a big difference as you go through something like this. They become your support group and you tend to remain in contact after. The really are the ones you can turn to. You share common meals with the larger group, but that's just a sliver of your time and there are always people arriving and leaving. The small group you coincide with the whole time is only two or three people. Some come through for revisions and only stay a day or two. You'll meet both MTF and FTM. When I was there it was something like 60 % MTF and 40% FTM.
Sabine,
Great post.
Fist bump
Sabine, your post brings back some memories :)
Some variations in my case (but YMMV, this is just to show katiew88 that there are other possibilities)
- I was able to walk round and round the recovery centre the day I was moved there
- Didn't need pain killers aside from the supplied tylenols after the first night post op
- I prefer to bring kitchen timer, because my mind tends to wonder around and forgot how long it has been with just a simple clock (but alas they didn't tell me to bring one)
- I bought too much sanitary pads, I need more liners than pads. Mind you I didn't bleed much.
- A single bar of dove soap is enough for you to use while in Montreal, but might want to stock up more for the time you are back home (or use the liquid type as what Sabine mentioned)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Everyone has already covered most of it. :) But I'll add two things : I preferred a tiny timer with an alarm to remind me when I was done dilating, and I discovered that "puppy pads" (sold for housetraining puppies) were basically the same as the Chux bed liners they recommend but MUCH cheaper. The Chux are bigger, but after the first couple days at home I didn't need something that size, just big enough to go under my hips at night/during dilation. Oh, right, and a third thing - I bought a ton of cheap white washcloths and used those for cleanup. Requires access to regular laundry services, but it was easier than having fifty zillion paper towels on hand.
Good luck!!
Good information, everyone. I appreciate this thread.
Did anyone that went to Brassard take a companion with them? I have heard conflicting accounts of a lack of accommodation at the recovery center for companions. I am tied at the hip with my wife, and have been for 24 years. We go, and do, EVERYTHING together. We are besties. The idea of her traveling there with me and then being shut out for the majority of the day bums me out a bit. I have also heard that there is no real place for them to visit you in the recovery center comfortably, especially in the shared rooms. I spent 8 days in a hospital a few years back and she spent the entire time with me there -24 hours a day. I have done the same for her hospital stays....
Any info on that?
Quote from: ainsley on January 05, 2015, 01:54:26 PM
Good information, everyone. I appreciate this thread.
Did anyone that went to Brassard take a companion with them? I have heard conflicting accounts of a lack of accommodation at the recovery center for companions. I am tied at the hip with my wife, and have been for 24 years. We go, and do, EVERYTHING together. We are besties. The idea of her traveling there with me and then being shut out for the majority of the day bums me out a bit. I have also heard that there is no real place for them to visit you in the recovery center comfortably, especially in the shared rooms. I spent 8 days in a hospital a few years back and she spent the entire time with me there -24 hours a day. I have done the same for her hospital stays....
Any info on that?
You'd really have to ask at the clinic. When I was there, at least two SOs were with patients but as far as I know they did not stay at the facility. They tried to be there most of the day, though I think one (a woman) may have slept in a chair overnight once or twice, but her friend was having some problems postop. It may have been specific to her case and the staff may have turned a blind eye. As you mention, there are few beds and little space to begin with. There are also some privacy issues.
Wow, awesome info. I understand mileage may vary... I've always been a fairly fast healer, and I think I have a high pain tolerance (never used any pain killers when I had my wisdom teeth out). But this is much different from that lol. I'm hoping I can be up and walking on the first day too, as i understand it thats what the nurses push for as well.
I'm more interested in what happens from when I check in, to when I'm on the table?
Ainsley : I went with my wife, and she did in fact spend every single minute they'd let her at the residence, which worked out to ~12 hours a day. However, I did have a single room (albeit a really tiny one!) and I hear they've cracked down on visitors since I was there over two years ago, so you might want to ask either the clinic or someone who's been more recently. If it's true, I think it's a bad idea - it's downright cruel to separate you from your wife when you need her most.
Visiting hrs are 1pm to 8pm. Both hospital and residents.
No visitors in the rooms at the recovery house.
After stent is out you will be real busy for much visiting anyway.
The most time is after supper/soupe.
You are having major surgery and will be tired and need your rest to heal and the hrs are plenty.
Quote from: katiew88 on January 05, 2015, 04:38:28 PM
Wow, awesome info. I understand mileage may vary... I've always been a fairly fast healer, and I think I have a high pain tolerance (never used any pain killers when I had my wisdom teeth out). But this is much different from that lol. I'm hoping I can be up and walking on the first day too, as i understand it thats what the nurses push for as well.
I'm more interested in what happens from when I check in, to when I'm on the table?
There is not much to do, and you are really just processing and waiting. You spend the night before at the hospital side. It all happens like an assembly line in a way.
It depends a bit on whether you stay at the B&B beforehand. I did and was told to show up and check in directly at the surgical center the evening before my surgery. Those who don't do the B&B and are put up at the recovery wing just settled in there and someone fetches them to the surgery side to do their forms etc. Then they too show up the evening before across the way in the surgical centre.
They had me sign some forms (what you had been sent in the packet with a release and you initial all the pages -- it's a very one sided legal document, and I probably should have had my lawyer read it but ...), weighed me, took my luggage to the recovery side (apart from what I needed at the hospital which wasn't much, and there is a locked box by each bed for you to put anything like an ipod or phone) and settled me into a room. Then it was mainly sleeping and waiting. I think it was no food after 10 PM or midnight. They had us all up by a certain hour early the next morning, so they'd control what liquids we had and when. We were not supposed to have any liquids after about 8 am, but because my surgery was later, I was given something in the late morning. Brassard came by to talk to me ahead of time and I think Belanger popped her head in as well. I mainly talked to the nurses and the two women I had met at the B&B. A nurse came by to put me in the surgical gown. I ended up listening to music and sleeping a little as I waited.
When my time came (which was much later than scheduled), I was walked up to the surgical floor, given another form to fill out by the surgical nurse, prepped and put on a gurney. They gave us spinals, and a jab (unlike my FFS). The surgery last a couple of hours, and they each do part of it. I was vaguely aware of the "packing" phase at the end as I felt the tugs and pushes and heard voices, but there was no pain. Then they pulled me out of it, and rolled me into the recovery area for a while before I was wheeled down to the first floor where I was shifted back to my bed and I slept.
Overnight, they came by to check my vitals and ask if I needed any pain medication. They also start you on the antibiotics etc. You have pills and pills until you leave, though it diminishes. I accepted pain medication that first night but declined after and just took the Tylenol. You mainly sleep through to the next day. Your first meal is that breakfast, and you really are not that hungry overnight. You do get a bit nauseous so it's just as well. They get you up to walk as soon as they can and want you to walk around the first floor. I really wanted to get up and to move a bit, though it's not easy between what's still in your system and your general weakness and discomfort.
After that it's just recovery and a schedule for when they start to unwrap you etc.
So nice to see our latest graduates giving the instructions and help.
Nice to know the mantel can be passed.
Merci
I hadn't thought about that check-in day in ages. So much happens in such a short time, and by the end you are only thinking: how do I sit, and when is the next dilation? I felt hostage to the dilation/wash schedule until I was down to two a day, then one etc. The events of surgery itself just get driven from your mind.
Quote from: mrs izzy on January 05, 2015, 11:37:24 PM
So nice to see our latest graduates giving the instructions and help.
Nice to know the mantel can be passed.
Merci
Yes, definitely this^^___^^. I'm having my surgery this spring as well and the info here has been most helpful. My kid sis is now permanently living with me and is very supportive I'm finally getting my birth defect corrected, and is eager to help me with things both pre and post op. I'm in Fl. and my surgery will most likely be done in Miami tho so different surgeon. I should have my scheduling this week. As a female hermaphrodite my procedure might be a lil different but after so many years I'll finally have a normal vagina. I've been waiting so long for this, and my genital dysphoria is so severe any discomfort and risk will be worth it.
I thank the OP for this thread, and all of you who have responded for your input and information. :)
Ally :icon_flower:
Quote from: Jenna Marie on January 05, 2015, 06:10:10 PM
Ainsley : I went with my wife, and she did in fact spend every single minute they'd let her at the residence, which worked out to ~12 hours a day. However, I did have a single room (albeit a really tiny one!) and I hear they've cracked down on visitors since I was there over two years ago, so you might want to ask either the clinic or someone who's been more recently. If it's true, I think it's a bad idea - it's downright cruel to separate you from your wife when you need her most.
Jenna--Thanks for the info. I totally agree that it is cruel to separate me from my wife. Even if I am supposed to be resting, I assure you I will rest much better knowing she is there next to me. Maybe I am a baby, and that is fine with me, but she is my rock and it will be tough while she is not there. I had cancer and was on chemo for a year and a half, then had radiation and she was with me the entire time. Surgery, chemo clinic, home chemo pump, radiation therapy, throwing up, you name it and she was right there with me. Now, the most important event in my life so far and she may have limited access to me....hmmmm...I wonder the logic behind it; sauf for the clinic staff having to deal with SOs and patients...
Ainsley : Wow, that sounds like a very tough time for both of you, and I'm glad you're OK now.
I almost never disagree with Izzy, but I do this time, and agree with you - the current hours are not "plenty," and I actually did much better and was much less depressed when my wife could be there with me, even when I had to do all the aftercare work. (Honestly, she *helped* with a lot of that; it was easier to stay on top of things when she was there!) Maybe you can get a special dispensation from them... when I was there, one woman was in a single room that had a double bed, and she was allowed to let her wife sleep overnight in the bed with her once.
Thanks for the information everyone! I get anxious really easily, and I know that i'll be anxious as hell the day before/day of surgery lol. I'm hoping knowing all the little things before hand will ease this.
Ainsley I hope they'll allow your wife to be with you for longer, it seems strange that they wouldn't, especially at the recovery house. A friend of mine is coming up with me, so I'm hoping that the visiting hours will be sufficient.
Did anyone get a trachea shave with the surgery as well?
Quote from: katiew88 on January 06, 2015, 06:29:20 PM
Did anyone get a trachea shave with the surgery as well?
I originally planned for BA at the same time, mainly because I didn't want two recoveries. I decided to wait as I thought having the extra procedure might interfere with how I cared for myself post op. I felt after that I had made the right choice for me, but IDK how involved a trachea shave is or if it would inhibit anything after.
Jenna, thanks! Doing great for nearly 4 years now. ;) Will be 4 years NED in March.
I think we are on the same page because my wife will keep me on task and help me with any aftercare -as prescribed. She is meticulous about that stuff. I may bring up the subject of her companionship and presence with me throughout the process to the clinic and see what comes of it. Like I always say -You can't win if you don't play. So, it's worth a try.
Katie, it looks like you will be there a few months before me. I am very happy for you, btw. ;)
I look forward to hearing how it goes for you and your companion. Hopefully they will be accommodating for you. Let me know!
When I was in Montreal last September there were two girls with trach shaves. They didn't seem to have any problems with it and just had a bandage where the incision was. By the time they went home the bandages had come off and I couldn't even see redness or a scar.
On the issue of family visiting. My boyfriend and mother flew to Montreal with me. We had three full days together in the city before I checked into the hospital. We stayed at the bed and breakfast (Gite) and they stayed there the entire time. My room there for one night was paid for as part of my surgery as I never had to stay at the residence prior to surgery.
My mom actually got a little sick during the trip but my boyfriend visited me every day. In the hospital visiting hours are generous. They went with me to check in at 7 the evening before surgery and stayed until 9. The next day they came before surgery and were in my room waiting when I got back. They stayed until 7pm, or 8 when visiting hours ended.
At the recovery house they could visit until 8 as well. After you start dilations, that will occupy much of your time and a few hours a day is probably all you will be able to visit. It's only 6 days, and you are lucky to have your spouse with you. Her support, the staff and the other girls in your group will help you get through it. Family is usually not allowed upstairs in the rooms.
Just want to add to this a little.
You are having i mean having major surgery with the chance of infection at its highest at the beginning.
There visiting hrs are for you and the other patients safety.
As others and Tammy just said you will have your hands and time full once you start your dilations.
Relaxing is also needed in this time for healing to begin.
So breath. Relax you will be in good hands.
Thanks everyone. Im gonna hold off on the trachea shave for now. Just got my medical package from brassard with all the forms and packing lists etc. It's all getting very real now!
Also, theres a medication that I'm on which is in the avoid list. I emailed Suzanne in Montreal about it, and she just told me to continue it. Anyone have experience with this sort of thing? Should I get a second opinion? Or is her word all I need to care about for my stay over there?
I figured the medication thing out. Talked with my doctor and Brassard again.
How much time pre-surgery will I have to myself? I arrive on a Saturday, and surgery isn't until a Monday. Just wondering because friends are coming up and I was hoping to explore Montreal a bit.
Quote from: katiew88 on February 23, 2015, 11:33:56 AM
How much time pre-surgery will I have to myself? I arrive on a Saturday, and surgery isn't until a Monday. Just wondering because friends are coming up and I was hoping to explore Montreal a bit.
Hope this helps...I arrived in Montreal on Sept 8, stayed one night at the B&B.
The next day, I had arrive at the clinic/hospital before 6pm, but I was so anxious, got there about 4pm. After the check in, and shown where all the important things were, they showed me to my room. About an hour later a roomie showed up...pretty sure there are usually two to a room. We had dinner that night.
Around 7am the following day, after some preparation stuff, someone from the surgery side said "nina, you're up first."
We went upstairs, had chats with various members of the surgery team, then surgery around 8 or 8:15am.
Next thing I knew, I woke up back in my room, hooked up to IV and so on, and was on Facebook around 11am.
I think it was Friday morning - about 48 hours following surgery that I was wheeled over to the recovery centre.
Cool thanks MuffinHeart, were you able to do anything in Montreal on September 8 or 9? before having to check into the hospital? Also I'm staying at the recovery centre the first night, then going to hospital the next night.
Probably a different story for me as I only live about an hour away from Montreal, so we didn't really need to get up and around and see the town.
The night before I went to the hospital, to be honest, just walked around and reflected. I was nervous, anxious, lots of angst. Don't think I could really take my mind off of what was happening in a couple days. We walked to a convenience store, picked up a few snacks and watched some tv at the B&B.
The afternoon that I checked in, basically stayed right there. We could have wandered around the city that day, but I was super paranoid - what if I wasn't looking when I crossed the street lol...worried I'd get hit by a car or something go wrong. Nope, this paranoid chick stayed put.
There really isn't a lot around that area like restaurants or shopping.
I think what you'll find is when you check in to the recovery center, you'll probably chat with a lot of the other people there and time will fly by so fast. Before you know it, you'll be back at the other building.
I'm laughing thinking about my roomie at the recovery center. While I experienced zero pain, never needing pain medication other than what they gave you before each meal and at bedtime, I never felt like venturing anywhere. My roomie, on the other hand, she went shopping, to McDonalds...she went for 3 and 4 hour walks. I couldn't believe...it was like she hadn't had surgery, and here I am just wanting to stay put.
Quote from: katiew88 on February 23, 2015, 11:33:56 AM
How much time pre-surgery will I have to myself? I arrive on a Saturday, and surgery isn't until a Monday. Just wondering because friends are coming up and I was hoping to explore Montreal a bit.
I think it will depends on what time you arrive on Saturday. I arrived late afternoon 2 days before the surgery date, and I don't have time to get out and explore, since I was told that you need to shave etc down below at around 4pm (going out to Montreal proper and back by 4pm is not plausible if you don't know the way and without any private transportation). You might be able to sneak out a bit if you have local friends who can drive you from and back to the recovery center. Also to give you more time, maybe make sure you shave everything down below before you fly out to Montreal.
Later in the afternoon they will have you done your first enema before moving to the hospital, at the hospital they will have you do another enema again and nothing to eat till after your surgery.
Thanks jfong and Muffinheart. Sounds like there really wont be much free time, might just hang out in the park that's near them(weather permitting).