I received my pre-surgery info package and had my pre-surgery exam with Doctor Rumer's Clinical Director via Skype on Friday 10/14/16
A little background on myself so others can determine if this may be relevant to yourselves or not.
I will be 61 years old as of my surgery date of November 29. I'm 5'7", 130lbs and in good health.
I had a major surgery about 6 years ago (not gender related) and recovered very well.
The information packet contained several forms that I need to complete and return to Doctor Rumer. There are also forms that my primary doctor will have to complete.
There are some forms that I need to complete and return to the hospital.
Complete pre-op instructions are included along with the agreement and information about her recovery care program. (I will be staying at Dr. Rumer's recovery center above her office after surgery.)
I will need to stop all hormones 4 weeks prior to and until 2 weeks after surgery.
I need to complete a pre-surgery physical exam with my primary care doctor. My doctor says this is more than a standard annual physical exam, I had to schedule a longer appointment.
I will need an EKG and complete blood work.
Since I had a major surgery a few years ago I will need a clearance letter from my pulmonary doctor. (I had lung surgery)
All of the exams and tests need to be completed less than 4 weeks before surgery and the results in Dr. Rumor's hands no less than 2 weeks before surgery.
Doctor Rumer's office will be sending prescriptions for all of the drugs I will need and orders for all of the tests. I should receive these in the mail in the coming week.
I will need to pay all of Dr. Rumer's fees 3 weeks prior to surgery.
It's getting closer, but it still feels like it is taking for ever for this to happen. I'll keep posting updates.
That's a lot to do before the surgery! But I'm very excited for you Charley Ann! Thank you for sharing your experience thus far, and I look forward to reading this thread as you update it.
BTW, we should get together again sometime for lunch or something before you leave! :) (I'll send you an email, hehe)
Yes, Charley Ann, please do post updates! I have a consultation with Dr. Rumer next April, so I will be very interested to hear about your experience, especially recovery.
With kindness,
Terri
PS - I hope you get to do lunch with Emily. I didn't get a chance to see her when I was in Chicago, but she is a real sweetheart :)
OMG! I lived in Crystal Lake, IL for 25 years! Good luck on all your medical screening and preparations for surgery, Charley.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Thanks everyone!
Hi Terri, I saw your FFS thread, WOW that was a tremendous amount of work to get done all at once! Yes, Emily is a sweetheart, we've meet a couple of times, looking forward to seeing her again.
Lot of tests and a very tight schedule for completion and notification.
Last week I received all of my scripts from Doctor Rumer's office. This included:
Prescriptions for: Flagyl, Neomycin, Bactrim and Percocet.
Scripts for testing included:
An EKG, basic metabolic panel, complete blood count, urinalysis, a coagulation study and a Nasal Swab.
She also sent a script ordering a pulmonary clearance letter. My pulmonary doctor has ordered a Pulmonary Function Test and a CT chest scan that he says he needs in order to write the letter.
I have everything scheduled for next week and the week after so everything is looking good so far!
Good Luck, sweetie! I hope you do well. Let us know how things go when you are able.
Blessings to you,
Terri
Hi Charley,
Can you please explain why Dr. Rumer considers her procedure a one-stage modified penile inversion vaginoplasty? What is different about this method versus the "usual" penile inversion method?
I never asked her why she considers her method "modified" so I'm not completely sure about this but I don't believe the modified method is unique to her. I think the modified part goes back many years to the techniques used by Dr. Bowers.
I completed all of my tests last week and just now heard from doctor Rumer's office that they have received everything. All of the test results look good and I am ready to go!
I have filled all of the prescriptions that doctor Rumer sent me and completed shopping for all the supplies I will need during recovery.
Hard to believe the time is almost here. In 11 days I leave for Philly! I will be taking my laptop with me so I will try to make daily posts about how recovery is going. I'm so excited!! this is going to be a long 10 day wait.
Saturday started my 10 day countdown to surgery. Included in the package Dr. Rumer sent me was a 3 page list of meds, foods and other things I can't have starting 10 days before surgery.
Most I don't really care about, but I was surprised to find tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, grapes and wine on the list. I'm missing these already!
Also on the list is aspirin and ibuprofen. Went out with some friends yesterday to watch football and since I can't have wine I went back to my old drink of choice, scotch. It's been over a year since I've had scotch and apparently it doesn't like me anymore seeing as it gave me a throbbing headache. Was really wishing I could have aspirin!
8 days until SRS!
Good luck girl! Such an exciting time.
Started my Arnica Protocol today. This is "Arnica Montana 30x" it is a small white pill you can get at health food stores.
Dr. Rumer's instructions are to take 4 pills 4 times a day for the next 10 days. This is to reduce bruising, swelling and pain after surgery.
Had to have all of my no chip gel nails removed yesterday :'(. I feel naked without them!
I've been off of the hormones for 3 weeks now and am starting to feel the effects of no estrogen. I just yelled at a paper cup that bounced out of the recycle bin. Can't wait to get back on the E!!!!!!
I leave for Philadelphia tomorrow, only 3 days until surgery!
I am excited for you. Good luck.
If you are still allowed to eat then enjoy those last few meals.
Good Luck Charley Ann! That Arnica really works well. Which hospital do you go to for your GCS?
Moni
Dr. Rumer has just recently switched hospitals. I will be one of the first at Hahnemann University Hospital.
I'm now checked into my room at Dr. Rumer's office. I flew out of Chicago yesterday afternoon and stayed at a nearby hotel last night.
I checked in here at noon today. I saw Dr. Rumer for a quick exam and then was shown to my room where I started the prep for surgery. The prep involves cleaning out my system and taking some anti-biotics at 1, 2 and 10pm. The last parts of the prep will be shaving my pubic area sometime tonight and then an enema at 4am tomorrow.
As of midnight today I have been on a clear liquid diet. I had black coffee and water for breakfast, apple juice and chicken broth for lunch and will repeat that for dinner. After midnight tonight I can't eat or drink anything.
The hospital will call me sometime this afternoon and tell me what time I need to check into the hospital tomorrow. As soon as I hear from the hospital I need to contact Dr. Rumer's office so they can arrange Uber transportation for me.
There is another girl here that checked in at the same time as I did. We are both going in for SRS tomorrow.
My room here is very nice. There is a bed, a Futon, HD TV, small microwave and a small fridge with a freezer section. The office is located in a very nice area of Ardmore. There are many restaurants and plenty of shopping close by.
I packed a lot of things. My bag was 47lbs. plus I have a large purse and a backpack with my laptop, files and meds.
This is what I unpacked. Hopefully I will use all of this because I sure don't want to lug it all back home.
6 pack of 8oz bottles of apple juice.
24oz bottle of chicken broth.
2, 10oz bottles of Magnesium Citrate.
4 packages of crystal light water flavoring. (For after surgery, as I drink mostly water.)
1 roll of paper towels.
1 package of bed pads.
1 package of depends adult diapers.
1 package of panty liners.
2 packages of feminine wipes.
Small travel bottles of shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer.
Small bottle of anti-bacterial soap.
1 bar of soap.
Razor and shave butter.
Large soft very warm bath robe
5 pajama tops and bottoms
Slippers
Extra pillow
Donut cushion.
2 tops, 1 skirt and 1 pair of leggings.
Hard to believe all of this added up to 47 lbs, but my bag (large 32" spinner) was stuffed.
I'm only taking my phone and Kindle to the hospital so my next update won't be until I'm back at the recovery center, which should be Thursday Dec. 1.
The hospital just called. I need to check in at 11am. They have made arrangements to have me picked up at 10:15am! The other girl that is here is going in at 6am.
Good luck, and keep us posted as you are able!
Good luck Charley Ann!
Moni
Good luck, I am very excited for you.
Surgery went well!
Dr. Rumer says everything went perfect and I feel ok.
I checked into the hospital at 11am Tuesday and was wheeled into the OR at 12:20pm, the next thing I knew I was waking up in my room about 5:15pm. The operation took 4 hours total.
I spent Tuesday evening, Wednesday and Thursday morning in the hospital flat on my back. Dr. Rumer does not want us out of bed during the hospital stay. Dr Rumer came in to see me on Wed. morning. She removed the bandage and examined area, everything looks good. There are 2 drains in place and the catheter. She did not replace the bandage, the area is open except for the stretchy panties. Thursday morning her assistant came in and examined me and then started the discharge process.
I was impressed with the hospital up until checkout. All of the staff was friendly and attentive.
Pain control was very good, I was on morphine that was controlled by a black box, just push the button and another measure was injected into the IV. I could push the button once every 15 minutes.
Pain wasn't too bad probably about a 3 with the morphine. I think it may be more of a comfort level than pain. The packing feels HUGE, like someone stuffed a roll of TP up my butt! It's not at all comfortable.
I don't know what happened, but when discharge time came, my nurse went to arrange for a cab and transport down to the main entrance. A while later the cab driver called and asked where I was, (still in my room) then called again and said he couldn't wait any longer. Still don't know what happened to my nurse. I had to call for another. She arranged to get me downstairs and we called for another cab.
The trip from the hospital to the recovery center was about a 40 minute cab ride. I was dropped off and walked up to my room on the second floor. I was totally exhausted! One of the nurses here examined me and helped me into an adult diaper. I then crawled in to bed and slept off and on for a few hours.
I was able to walk up the stairs with no problem. I don't have any pain issues and everything appears to be healing as expected.
My Daughter arrived about 3:30, she will stay with me for the recovery time. We ordered food delivery about 6pm. I took a few bites of my sandwich and felt like I would throw up if I ate anymore. The food was good, it just didn't set very well. I'll ask the doctor about that tomorrow. I think it's probably from all the morphine in my system.
Now it's Friday morning, up at 4am, only slept about 3-4 hours last night. Was finally able to brush my teeth and clean up my face, almost feel human now.
Been passing a lot of gas this morning, hope that means my systems are coming back to life.
Will post another update later today.
Congratulations, Charley! I wish you a speedy recovery!
~Terri
Congratulations !
Make sure you take a stool softener like Colace. I was taking 3/day till I went. There is peri-colace which is a softener and for constipation. Drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeine for 3 weeks (it dilates the capillaries and inhibits blood flow). Eat protein and keep your calories up to aid in healing, even if you are not hungry.
For protein I eat mixed nuts, landjaeger ( lean dried red meat with light spices), chicken and a healthy protein cookie called Complete by Lennie and Larry.
I am glad your daughter is there to help you.
Congrats girl! Welcome to the other side. :)
Today has been much better. I'm able to walk around, sit and surf the internet and laydown in several positions. I just can't do any one for too long a time.
The nurse was just here to examine me. Everything still looks ok. Not much coming out of the drains but they are leaving them in until Tuesday. The drains, catheter and packing will all come out Tuesday. There is a lot of swelling but she says it's not out of the normal. There is very little bleeding from the stitches or the drain insertion points, just enough to stain the diaper in a few spots. Not bad for being on for 24 hours.
I was able to eat lunch today with no problem. The nurse said the combination of the pain killers and other drugs can cause the stomach problem I felt last night.
So we'll be on our own this weekend. The nurse will be back Monday to check in again.
Quote from: Mohini on November 05, 2016, 10:01:05 PM
Hi Charley,
Can you please explain why Dr. Rumer considers her procedure a one-stage modified penile inversion vaginoplasty? What is different about this method versus the "usual" penile inversion method?
I asked Dr. Rumer about this. She said: She does not require laser or electrolysis hair removal, she creates a clitoral hood, she creates a soft pink area at the inside the labia.
Ice can help with the swelling.
Glad you are doing so well. Congrats Charley Ann!
Moni
Saturday, Day 4 post op.
I may have overdone moving around yesterday. I was a bit sore by bedtime. Pain level was only about 3, but annoying enough to keep me from sleeping. Took 2 pain pills, which reduced the pain level to 0.
So for today I'm trying not to move around so much. Did a self-exam this morning and discovered some bleeding around one of the drain lines. I changed the diaper and cleaned things up, checked again a couple of hours later and the bleeding had stopped so I'm not going to call anyone about it.
Hey Hey, I pooped this morning! It was really soft, more like runny.
The hospital had given me a stool softener everyday while I was in there. When I got back to the recovery center I started back on Metamucil twice a day. I've been taking that twice a day for years and it's always kept everything flowing so I figured I would stick with it.
So far, so good!
A small amount of blood is to be expected for a month or more. If the blood is excessive (making a big mess on the bandages or diaper) you should discuss this as soon as possible. You will be disturbing unhealed incisions and have sutures popping for a couple of months after surgery so don't worry about spots, streaks or pinkish blood.
How long did it take when you scheduled your appointment? 3-4 months Did you use insurance?
Hi Dena, Ya the Doctor said not to worry about the small spots or short duration bleeding.
I've had a strange feeling off and on since yesterday and continuing through today. I keep getting an itch in a place I no longer have. Reaching down to scratch and finding nothing to scratch is such a weird feeling!
Quote from: PrincessLulu on December 03, 2016, 05:07:43 PM
How long did it take when you scheduled your appointment? 3-4 months Did you use insurance?
I had my consultation in early June and then scheduled Nov 29 as the earliest possible surgery date about 2 weeks after that. If I remember correctly the consultation was about 2-3 weeks out after my initial contact with Dr. Rumer.
My insurance would not cover it.
sorry to hear that when i started working my place of employment had the grs an exclusion but they just told me they have changed it. which dramatically makes it happen fast/ this is most likely the same surgeon since their are soooo many..... lol
I don't think my work place will be allowed to exclude any longer. I am going to try to get reimbursed after everything is done. Don't know if I will get anywhere but it's worth a try.
Quote from: Charley on December 03, 2016, 05:09:35 PM
I've had a strange feeling off and on since yesterday and continuing through today. I keep getting an itch in a place I no longer have. Reaching down to scratch and finding nothing to scratch is such a weird feeling!
You are getting the itch early and be ready for a year or more of it. That's nerves reconnecting and it will go away at some point but sooner or latter you will just put up with the itch because attempting to scratch it doesn't work.
Sunday, Day 5 post op.
Nothing much to report today. A little sore again last night at bed time so took 2 more pain pills for sleep.
Just finish my inspection and diaper change this morning. No bleeding and everything looks about the same to me. The doctor will be back in tomorrow to look things over.
Still doing good!
Monday, Day 6 post op.
Went down to the doctor's office this morning for my exam and surprise, they took everything out and started my dilations.
I felt almost nothing when the drains came out. They had a self-closing stitch around them so the small slits were closed as soon as the tubes came out. The catheter came out with a mild burning sensation but not really painful. The feeling of the packing being removed was rather strange, like someone taping on the inside wall of my vagina. Again no pain just a very strange feeling.
Dr. Rumers Physician Assistant help me with the first dilation. I was given a set of 3 dilators, she skipped the small one and started me in the middle size. This size went in up to the next to last dot. She also got the largest to go in up to the second from last dot.
She wants me to use the largest possible for 20 minutes at a time 4 times per day for the next 4 weeks. It is ok to start with the medium size for 10 minutes and then the large for the last 10.
After 4 weeks it will be 3 times a day for 2 months, then 2 times a day for 3 months and then finally 1 time per day.
I am to buy a medicated (with iodine) Douche and use it once a week for two months. After that go to once or twice a month.
I can start taking showers now but I'm not to wash the area. Nothing more than letting the water run over it and then pat dry. After 6 weeks I can wash the area as normal.
No sex for the first 3 months.
Everything looks ok to me. It's not looking pretty but I can see the structure and everything that's supposed to be there is. Very swollen but all there.
So far I'm very happy with my decision to go with Doctor Rumer.
Congratulations.
It feels so good to have that stuff out, I am very happy for you.
Wednesday Dec. 7, Day 8 post op. (Back Home)
I arrived home last night about 8pm after a long day of travel.
I was a bit worried about my dilation schedule. My last dilation was at 8am at the recovery center, I wasn't able to do another until I got home at 9pm. I was happily surprised to find everything was the same as it was in the morning.
I resumed my 4 times per day schedule this morning.
The dilator set I was given is a three piece set. The small one measures 1.03 inches (26.2mm) in diameter, the medium one is 1.2 inches (30.8mm) and the large is 1.35 inches (34.4mm). All of them measure 5.5" (140mm) from the end to the last dot. There is a 12mm spacing between the dots.
My dilation schedule is 4 times per day with 10 minutes on the medium size and 10 minutes on the large size. Going by the dots I have 5" of depth when using the medium and 4.5" on the large. As a male I was a bit on the small side so I am happy with what I'm seeing here.
Had a busy day this morning. Had to pick up a refill for the pain pills and then go get my nails done. (I felt naked without my nails)
I discovered last night that I'm not comfortable with only sheer curtains protecting the view into my bedroom while dilating. So I stopped at my local Lowes and picked up a set of blinds for the bedroom.
I was gone about 2.5 hours and it pretty much wore me out so I ate lunch and took a nap.
I'm up now and ready to go hang the blinds, then probably another nap!
Just reviewing my experience at Dr. Rumer's recovery center. Here are some of my thoughts.
This is what I took with me and what became of it.
6 pack of 8oz bottles of apple juice. **(Could have done with half of this.)
24oz bottle of chicken broth. **(Very tasty on the liquid diet day)
2, 10oz bottles of Magnesium Citrate. **(Required)
4 packages of crystal light water flavoring. **(2 packages would have been ok.)
1 roll of paper towels. **(Came in very handy)
1 package of bed pads. **(Only used about 4 out of the package)
1 package of depends adult diapers. **(You will need most of the package)
1 package of panty liners. **(Never used any. The diapers are all you need)
2 packages of feminine wipes. **(One package was more than enough)
Small travel bottles of shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer. **(Small bottles is plenty. You can't take a shower until the day you go home)
Small bottle of anti-bacterial soap. **(Not needed. There was a good supply there.)
1 bar of soap. **(Not needed. There was a good supply there.)
Razor and shave butter. **(A must have if you haven't completed electrolysis)
Large soft very warm bath robe **(An absolute MUST have at this time of year. They keep the place on the cool side)
5 pajama tops and bottoms. **(Used 4 tops and one of the bottoms.)
Slippers **(An absolute MUST have at this time of year. They keep the place on the cool side)
Extra pillow **(used this between my legs when sleeping and just laying around. Helps ease the pain)
Donut cushion. **(What can I say. You NEED this. Don't let it out of your site!)
2 tops, 1 skirt and 1 pair of leggings. **(Used one long top and a pair of loose fitting leggings for the trip home)
Might want to bring one of those portable camping chairs as there is nothing to sit on except the Futon and bed.
There are many good restaurants in the area and most of them deliver.
I was very happy with Dr. Rumer's recovery center. You are pretty much on your own but they do check in on you every day and if you have a problem they are right downstairs.
Early on my daughter's work responsibilities increased and she was not sure she was going to be able to make the trip. I thought of going it alone. That would have been a very bad idea. You cannot do this alone. In fact if I had it to do over I would have had her meet me at the hospital on discharge day and help me get to the recovery center.
I am glad you got home safely.
Since I got home dilation with the large dilator is bordering on painful so I changed my procedure to 15 min on the medium and 5 min on the large. I'm still getting the same depth as I did originally. it's just not very comfortable with the large one.
I talked to the doctor this morning and she said there is no problem with the 15/5 minute routine and I should expect it to get easier as I go. She also said I should expect the swelling to start going down in another week which should also help.
Doctor Rumer's office seems to be good at getting back to me about post-op care. They called back within 15 min.
Started my E injections back up this morning. Life is good again!
I also switched from diapers to panty liners this morning. The only discharge I've seen for the last couple of days is from the lube for dilation.
You are doing wonderful :)
Hello Charley Ann,
I am glad to hear that things are going forward and life is great again.
Keep flying!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Surgery Costs
Looks like my final cost numbers are in.
These are all out of pocket costs.
Insurance paid for most of the pre-surgery testing but I had a large deductible on the CT scan.
Insurance paid for my medications outside of the hospital.
Doctor's fees (Includes $3500 for Tracheal Reduction) $20,000.00
Hospital Fees $6020.00
Medications $43.00
Lodging (One night in a hotel) $195.20
Pre-Surgery testing $1225.00
Pre-Surgery Supplies $50.00
Post-Surgery Supplies (So far) $114.00
Food during recovery $445.00
Transportation (First class Air, Limos, Taxi for 2 people) $2490.00
Total $30,582.00
6 – 8 weeks of lost wages. (Fill in your number) ??
Goodness,
I am so grateful that most of Canada pays for most of this.
I wish more places were enlightened to take this burden away from people.
Also I wish your job had sick pay.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3 weeks post-op
I've had a small area of skin just above the vagina turn white about a week ago and now it has expanded to fill the entire area between the urethra and vagina. I snapped a picture and sent it to Dr. Rumer she said that is normal and that tissue will slough off and regenerate as new tissue. She said it looks like I am healing very well.
I also had some bleeding after dilation yesterday morning, she said that was normal and not to worry as long as it does not happen every time. (with 88 dilations now, it's only happened twice, and stopped within a couple of minutes.)
It seems like the soreness is becoming a little more intense. I was told that is also normal. As the numbness wears off down there I will feel a little more pain. Yes, the numbness is wearing off and the swelling is going down. To help with the soreness she called in another prescription for more pain meds.
I discovered last night that more than an hour of sitting is still too much! I went to my support group meeting. It is a 25 minute drive each way and a little over an hour of sitting at the meeting. By the time I got home I needed those pain pills!
I think I had a couple of stitches come out this morning but it happened in the shower and I could not grab them before they went down the drain.
Is this about the time that they start coming out?
Normally the stitches start coming apart at 6-8 weeks depending on how much stress is placed on them. It's possible for the surgeon to put stitches in that last longer but they only do so if there is a special reason for them to last longer.
Most surgeons use dissolvable sutures at this point, so you may not ever see any (and I was told by Brassard that they start to dissolve around the 1-week mark but a few might linger to 2 or 3 weeks). The one close friend I have who went to Rumer did get dissolvable sutures, but that was a few years ago now; if you have any questions, you should ask the surgeon directly.
4 weeks post op
Just had my 4 week check up with Doctor Rumer's office. Everything looks good and is healing up nicely.
I did e-mail in a picture that pointed out a spot just below the vagina that is very sensitive and sore. The doctor says it looks like a small tear in the skin, probably from stretching during dilation. She gave me clearance to treat it with lidocaine and Neosporin ointment.
Other than that one spot I'm feeling pretty good.
The largest dilator now goes in to the same depth as the smaller one and is only slightly uncomfortable.
Next week I get to reduce my dilation schedule to 3 times a day! I have become very tired of 4 times a day, my whole life revolves around that schedule and everything has to fit into those 6 hour blocks of time. I believe that schedule has caused some mild post op depression. I am very much looking forward to going to bed at my normal time, sleeping 7 hours and having a somewhat normal day.
The doctor has cleared me to resume normal activity, exercise and lifting. She is sending me a release return to work on Jan. 16th. I've also been cleared to start washing and wiping the entire surgical area. She still wants me to take showers only, no baths for another 2 weeks or so.
Overall I'm feeling very good. My energy level has returned to normal, I've gone from taking several naps a day (like every 3-4 hours) to just one after lunch and I can skip that one if I have things to do.
Life is beginning to return to normal!
Six weeks post op.
I'm felling pretty good. I used the lidocaine and Neosporin ointment for one week and that cleared up the torn skin.
I still have some mild soreness, but I'm off the pain pills (I even have some left over) and am starting to sit without my donut.
I return to work next week and expect to put in full days without much of a problem. I talked to management about taking a long lunch to go home and do my mid-day dilation. Since that will only last about 6 more weeks they don't have any problem with it.
Dilation has become much easier. The largest is not really uncomfortable anymore and I am now doing half my dilation time with it. I expect to switch to just the large one in the next two weeks.
The swelling has gone down considerably. I still have a small patch of white skin just above the vagina that needs to shed, but everything else is looking pink and healthy. Even the incisions are starting to fade away to nothing.
Eight weeks post op.
On 1/24 I was 8 weeks post op and I've been back to work for 2 weeks now.
Still sore when trying to sit for the whole day, so work got me a Varidesk so I can switch between sitting and standing. Those things are really pretty nice, wish I had gotten one long ago.
Right after the 8 week mark I developed a small amount of granulation just above the vaginal entrance. Sent a picture to Dr. Rumer, she has me treating it once a day with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water applied with a swab. She wants to see another picture in a week. After 2 days it looks like it is subsiding a bit so I think the peroxide is working.
Dilation is going well. I am now using the largest dilator for 15 minutes of each 20 minute session. I'm only about 10 minutes from work so they are letting me take a long lunch and go home for my midday session. It is a bit of a drag going home every day but it only lasts until the end of February and then I go to a twice a day schedule.
Sounds like you are doing well.
Stay shiny
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What is charged in the U.S. is obscene, you will understand more when I post my own account of my surgery soon.
Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk
Quote from: Susan on February 03, 2017, 06:30:41 PM
What is charged in the U.S. is obscene, you will understand more when I post my own account of my surgery soon.
Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk
I look forward to reading this.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3 Months post op.
I had my 3 month check up with Dr. Rumor's office on Monday Feb, 27. I had sent in some pictures the night before so she looked at those and we talked about how things were healing. The granulation still had not healed completely so she wanted me to see a gynecologist and get it treated.
So, I had my first gynecological exam yesterday! The doctor treated the granulation. She said the silver nitrate treatment was going to burn for several minutes, turns out all I felt was a little warmth and the skin tightening up a bit. There was the one spot that I have been treating with peroxide and there was one smaller spot just inside the entrance to the vagina.
The doctor said the inside of the vagina looks very good, there is no additional granulation inside and it is healing very well! She also said that she was surprised that the depth was above average for a 61 year old woman.
At 3 months post op she said she could tell I was not a CIS woman, but even at this stage she does not think the average guy would know the difference. So I feel pretty good about doctor Rumors work! (remember, it's still not done healing)
Dilation is down to twice a day! Now it doesn't seem like such a chore and in three more months I'm down to once a day.
In hind sight recovery has not been all that bad. What seemed like it would take forever now seems like it just flew by. So if your going through this, hang in there, it does get better and it is SO WORTH IT!
Oh, Charley, that is a wonderful report. It sounds like you are doing so well. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing this with those of us who haven't reached that point yet.
Hugs,
Michelle
Quote from: Charley on March 03, 2017, 08:02:06 AM
3 Months post op.
I had my 3 month check up with Dr. Rumor's office on Monday Feb, 27. I had sent in some pictures the night before so she looked at those and we talked about how things were healing. The granulation still had not healed completely so she wanted me to see a gynecologist and get it treated.
So, I had my first gynecological exam yesterday! The doctor treated the granulation. She said the silver nitrate treatment was going to burn for several minutes, turns out all I felt was a little warmth and the skin tightening up a bit. There was the one spot that I have been treating with peroxide and there was one smaller spot just inside the entrance to the vagina.
The doctor said the inside of the vagina looks very good, there is no additional granulation inside and it is healing very well! She also said that she was surprised that the depth was above average for a 61 year old woman.
At 3 months post op she said she could tell I was not a CIS woman, but even at this stage she does not think the average guy would know the difference. So I feel pretty good about doctor Rumors work! (remember, it's still not done healing)
Dilation is down to twice a day! Now it doesn't seem like such a chore and in three more months I'm down to once a day.
In hind sight recovery has not been all that bad. What seemed like it would take forever now seems like it just flew by. So if your going through this, hang in there, it does get better and it is SO WORTH IT!
Charley
Enjoying reading your updates Charley.
I had the same surgeon. Mine was done Feb 22nd. Its been rough with recovery because I got internal hemmorhoids flaring up at the beggining of this week (just prior to being 3 week post-op).
So its been messing with my pysche a bit and I got a little down and depressed, but I'm doing better.
Thanks for the advice on hanging in there, if I can get past the hemmorhoid thing, I think I'll survive. Schedule for rubber band ligation on Tuesday morning.
I had to giggle at the down to twice a day dilations comment. I'm at 4 and March 29th couldnt come soon enough so I can go to 3 a day! 4 a day is tiresome! [emoji19] I get 3.5 hours break in between each one and then repeat.
Thanks audreytn, I'm glad others are getting something out of my reports.
OMG, the hemorrhoid thing. Mine aren't that bad yet, but if I don't use the Metamucil twice a day they flare up and it's worse than anything I've had from SRS!
Quote from: Charley on March 17, 2017, 12:29:28 PM
Thanks audreytn, I'm glad others are getting something out of my reports.
OMG, the hemorrhoid thing. Mine aren't that bad yet, but if I don't use the Metamucil twice a day they flare up and it's worse than anything I've had from SRS!
You are welcome!
Oh thank god. glad I am NOT the only one having these issues.
I went for another silver nitrate treatment for the granulation yesterday, it may take 2 or 3 to get it to heal completely. I have another appointment in 2 weeks for an inspection and possibly another treatment. Darn dilators keep stretching things after the treatments!
The doctor used twice as many sticks this time and things really tightened up afterward. Last night I didn't think I was going to get the big dilator in. This morning was still a bit tight but not as bad.
She also started me on a 2 week trial of "Estrance" (estradiol vaginal cream). This should help with dryness and also keep the treated areas softer which should help them heal better.
This may not sound to great, but it's still a minor problem that is pretty common during SRS recovery. I'm still doing well and healing as expected!
4 Months post op.
Well it's been a little over 4 months and I'm feeling pretty good!
I had another exam yesterday for the granulation and the doctor said there was only a small pink spot left and it probably didn't need treatment but as long as she was there she touched it with one silver nitrate stick.
Dilation last night was no problem. I did not feel any stretching or tearing from the spots that had the granulation. This mornings dilation was even better, no resistance at all, even the largest dilator went in with ease.
So, it looks like I'm good to go until my 6 month follow up with Dr. Rumer.
Oh, and I'm dating now. I'm still a little nervous going to each date, but it's been fun so far. I can't wait to try out my new parts!
sounds like you are coming along nicely Charley!!!
I'm still doing two dilation's a day so I was a little worried that I had to travel and go 24 hours between times.
Well, my long travel day turned into 30 hours. When I finally made it to my room and got to my long over due dilation I was pleasantly surprised to find it only slightly tighter than normal. Depth was also maybe a quarter inch less on that Thursday night and by Saturday morning everything was back to normal. I have several of these long travel days coming up this year so I'm happy to know I can do it without issue.
I've been very diligent about my dilation schedule. Apparently it pays off!
Almost 14 months post op now so this will be my last post to this thread.
Everything has healed nicely. I have full sensation, 5" of depth and am happy with the looks.
Dilation is once a day and I am able to skip a day or two without any negative effects. At about 10 months post op I tried the large orange dilator and was pleasantly surprised that I was able to take it. It is tight but not painful so I now do 10 minutes with the green and then 10 with the large orange.
I am happy with my surgery and transition and have moved on to living life.
congrats. I still have one area trying to heal but not succeeding. the clit, the raw area between it and the urethral opening have not formed properly. I have no clitoral hood, no "flower" so to speak. probably gonna have to go back for a revision.
i am super tight. can barely get my green in to 1.5 dots. ugh.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Charley Ann,
I understand you have signed off from this thread but since I do not currently have the ability to message you directly I still wanted to express my deepest gratitude for your WONDERFUL posts as you went on this journey. I hope that you may see this as an update and if so, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As I am an East coast girl, Dr. Rumer is squarely in my sights for my own surgery and hers is the only office I have so far contacted to request more information from. In the meantime, the details you included about your own experience have answered pretty much every single question I have, and many more I would never have thought to ask.
In my eyes you are a hero because instead of simply going through this experience passively, you took the extra time and effort to pass on incredibly valuable knowledge to those of us who follow you.
With my warmest thanks and very best wishes for you,
Brittany