I am 4 days post-op today. That means it was time to remove the packing. That means I could finally take a shower again! I had breakfast at 8am as usual. Afterwards, a nurse came to my room to finally remove the packing. She started by snipping the 5 stiches holding it firmly in place. I was expecting some pain as the pressure was released, but it was surprisingly pain free. With each snip I could feel the pressure wane. After they were all cut she began to remove the packing layer by layer. When she was done I was told I could take a shower in 10 minutes.
About 15 minutes later I hopped in the shower. It felt great to finally cleanse myself again. I shampooed and conditioned my hair, I washed my body with the antibacterial soap they provided, I shaved various bodily areas that needed shaving. I stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed and rejuvinated. I was told to start applying the polysporin as well after each shower and sitz (?) bath. It is strange looking into the mirror and seeing the beginnings of a vagina now. For the past days I've only seen packing and gauze. Now I could see the labia majora, labia minora, vaginal cavity, urethra, and somewhere beneath all the swelling was the clitoris.
It does not looking appealing in the least right now. But I can see the overall appearance of it and can envision its future as a quaint vagina. It's strange looking down and seeing that, yet still able to feel the same muscles I've always known in that general area. I wonder how long it'll take before it starts to look more like its final outcome.
With each change there comes another set of challenges. After they removed the layer of padding sitting on top of the packing when I left the hospital I had to get used to walking again, sitting again, getting up and down again. The same thing happened when they removed the packing. You have to learn the most effective ways of doing those things again to minimize the pain with the newly exposed areas. It would make sense that it would become less and less painful with each layer they remove, but I'm finding it quite the opposite. It's now harder than before to sit, to get up, to stand. It's more painful as well. My guess would be that it is because I no longer have the protection of the additional layers and padding that cushioned me before.
For those who are soon to be arriving in Montreal, I'll provide an outline of the schedule. After the surgery you will stay in the hospital for another day and a half. On the morning of day 2 you are wheelchaired back to the residence. They remove the top layer of padding and you are free to walk now on your own schedule, and are encouraged to do so. On the second day after arriving back at the residence your packing is removed and you are able to begin taking showers again, and now have to start doing the sitz baths twice daily as well as apply the polysporin. Two days after that you will have the stent removed, at which point you will begin the rigorous dilation schedule. The next day the final piece of the puzzle is removed...the catheter. You are now on your own, which is something you will most likely be extremely happy about, except the mess you will likely make. The only exception to this schedule is if you do not have a boul movement within the first 5 days. I'm not sure why, but if you don't then you will have to leave the catheter in for another week I think, and your GP at home will then need to remove it.
~Sarah
Congratulations on reaching another milestone Sarah. Sounds like you are doing great. I can well recall that feeling of being so clean an fresh after it was all over... Enjoy these next few days. They are a most magical time to live through - like being reborn.
In fact I wrote a poem about it which if you will forgive me I will share here. I hope, for those who have been through this it will bring back good memories and for those not yet there it may give you a little taste of what Sarah is going through...
Thanks for the update, Sarah. I'm glad that you are all fresh and clean now. (I remember playing "doctor" with the girl across the street when I was about four. She looked so fresh and clean, without that awful extra stuff.) I'm sure it will look better once healed and covered with fur, although beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've talked to a number of GG friends about this, telling them that I'll have a cute vagina. They all roll their eyes, but I tell them it'll look cute to me. :)
And thanks, Jenny, for the poem. Yes, what a wonderful time for you, Sarah, to live through. I pray that we all can get there. :icon_flower:
- Kate
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 05:23:43 PM
I am 4 days post-op today. That means it was time to remove the packing. That means I could finally take a shower again! I had breakfast at 8am as usual. Afterwards, a nurse came to my room to finally remove the packing. She started by snipping the 5 stiches holding it firmly in place. I was expecting some pain as the pressure was released, but it was surprisingly pain free. With each snip I could feel the pressure wane. After they were all cut she began to remove the packing layer by layer. When she was done I was told I could take a shower in 10 minutes.
What exactly is the difference between the stent and the packing? When I heard people mention this, I thought they were one of the same. So if the stent is still inside you, I take it that you are still sewn up? Given that, you can still see details? I'm having a difficult time understanding.
Quote
For the past days I've only seen packing and gauze. Now I could see the labia majora, labia minora, vaginal cavity, urethra, and somewhere beneath all the swelling was the clitoris.
Has Dr. Brassard mentioned anything regarding your depth?
Quote
It does not looking appealing in the least right now. But I can see the overall appearance of it and can envision its future as a quaint vagina. It's strange looking down and seeing that, yet still able to feel the same muscles I've always known in that general area. I wonder how long it'll take before it starts to look more like its final outcome.
So, if you contract your PC muscle, you feel things moving in there?
Quote
On the morning of day 2 you are wheelchaired back to the residence.
COOL!
Quote
The only exception to this schedule is if you do not have a boul movement within the first 5 days. I'm not sure why, but if you don't then you will have to leave the catheter in for another week I think, and your GP at home will then need to remove it.
And are you good in this department?
Quote from: Kristyn on April 03, 2010, 06:10:54 PM
What exactly is the difference between the stent and the packing?
A stent is a reusable plastic device for post surgery maintenance.
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_stent (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_stent)
packing is done after surgery to allow for intravaginal healing during the first days to week after surgery, it's glorified cotton gauze kept in place with 2-0 Vicryl stitches.
Quote from: FlanHusky on April 03, 2010, 06:21:54 PM
A stent is a reusable plastic device for post surgery maintenance.
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_stent (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Vaginal_stent)
packing is done after surgery to allow for intravaginal healing during the first days to week after surgery, it's glorified cotton gauze kept in place with 2-0 Vicryl stitches.
So the packing is on the outside?
Quote from: Kristyn on April 03, 2010, 06:26:44 PM
So the packing is on the outside?
in the vagina (the stitches on the labia majora hold it all in)
Yes, the packing is on the outside. The name is utterly confusing.
Kristyn - the packing was covering the urethral opening, the labias, and the clitoris. The stent is within the vaginal cavity, which is below all of that, at least it is now, from what I can see. The stiches that were holding the packing in place were removed, but there are still stiches lower that are still holding the stent in.
I have not asked, and have not been informed about possible depth, but he did say I had a lot to work with which to me implies a greater possibility for depth.
I don't know what a PC muscle is, but when I flex the muscle that would move the penis before, I now feel it moving things inside and moving the outside of the labias. It seems like instead of moving a penis up and down like before, it seems like it would now best be used to squeeze and compress a penis, or other object from within. Pretty interesting feeling I must say.
Yes, I had three bowel (?) movements yesterday...TMI? I don't think the nurse believed me when I told her that just now after asking me whether I had one today.
~Sarah
must be a difference in terminology, my bad. (I know packing as using dressing on an internal wound where dressing is external wound care)
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 06:47:13 PM
I don't know what a PC muscle is, but when I flex the muscle that would move the penis before, I now feel it moving things inside and moving the outside of the labias.
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Pubococcygeus_muscle (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Pubococcygeus_muscle)
It may just be how they view the inside and outside in this instance. The "dressing" I would say was the mutitude of padding that lie over the packing. Then the "packing" would be beneath the dressing and over the vagina, where it would normally be within the vagina were it not for the swelling. Who knows why it's called what it is in this case.
~Sarah
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 06:47:13 PM
Yes, the packing is on the outside. The name is utterly confusing.
Kristyn - the packing was covering the urethral opening, the labias, and the clitoris. The stent is within the vaginal cavity, which is below all of that, at least it is now, from what I can see. The stiches that were holding the packing in place were removed, but there are still stiches lower that are still holding the stent in.
Now I got it! :icon_mrhappy:
Quote
I have not asked, and have not been informed about possible depth, but he did say I had a lot to work with which to me implies a greater possibility for depth.
Then I'm sure you'll be fine, unless he encountered something bizarre in there
Quote
I don't know what a PC muscle is, but when I flex the muscle that would move the penis before, I now feel it moving things inside and moving the outside of the labias. It seems like instead of moving a penis up and down like before, it seems like it would now best be used to squeeze and compress a penis, or other object from within. Pretty interesting feeling I must say.
That's it, hunny bunny! That's your PC muscle that does that work! So cool!
Quote
Yes, I had three bowel (?) movements yesterday...TMI? I don't think the nurse believed me when I told her that just now after asking me whether I had one today.
Was this difficult or did you have to work at it? I'm just not sure I can trust my new GP to remove my catheter if I have to wear it home!
Quote from: Kristyn on April 03, 2010, 07:08:02 PM
I'm just not sure I can trust my new GP to remove my catheter if I have to wear it home!
The standard operating procedure is to remove the catheter before discharging the patient. It's pretty easy but can be uncomfortable. (saline is removed from the balloon same way it was filled, with a Luer-Lok Tip syringe, aseptic technique applies to prevent UTI chance)
The BM (bowel movement) is slow-going. It comes in spurts, but you can tell when the final push comes since that's when most of it flows out and the cramping feeling goes away.
FlanHusky - That's standard procedure, but he says if you don't have one within five days they'll have to leave the cath in and your GP must remove it. Probably something to do with the swelling not going down enough to safely remove it maybe. I'm not sure what the reference to saline was about though.
~Sarah
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 07:28:03 PM
I'm not sure what the reference to saline was about though.
the catheter is kept in place with a saline filled balloon inside the bladder, fill goes in a side port as you've likely noticed.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcalder.med.miami.edu%2Fpointis%2Fimages%2Findwelling.gif&hash=1a8a2299c42186c2df9020da522d5a7506c7416f)
Ohhh, I was wondering what the second tube ending was for. Thanks!
~Sarah
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 07:28:03 PM
The BM (bowel movement) is slow-going. It comes in spurts, but you can tell when the final push comes since that's when most of it flows out and the cramping feeling goes away.
You can bet I'll be eating a lot of chickpeas and stuff!!!
Quote
FlanHusky - That's standard procedure, but he says if you don't have one within five days they'll have to leave the cath in and your GP must remove it. Probably something to do with the swelling not going down enough to safely remove it maybe. I'm not sure what the reference to saline was about though.
Yeah, I've heard of a Brassard patient from another group that had to do this. Still I wouldn't trust my current GP to do it. My last one, I'd trust with my life! The best doctor I ever had--he wrote books on sexuality and had a guest spot on some sex call-in show on the learning channel. He was great!
[/quote]
Hmm, so I ended up getting a BA after all!!
(bladder augmentation :))
~Sarah
Hello SarahR I am happy on your journey and you made it after all, even after nearly not taking Brassard as your surgeon.
I am glad you went with him! Hopefully you can post pics soon.
Quote from: SarahR on April 03, 2010, 08:03:27 PM
Hmm, so I ended up getting a BA after all!!
(bladder augmentation :))
~Sarah
Awe thanks Valerie. I'm glad my contribution is helping. I know that when I was waiting I would revel in every story, every detail I could find. I would constantly be checking the site for new updates to Melan's journey in Thailand. I would search the forums for every past story. I know exactly how you and the rest of the girls who are coming up soon feel. That's why I'm trying to post daily updates.
These are the details that you will be living in two weeks. And you know I'll be waiting to hear your story as well when you get here. It's one heck of a journey and I'm glad to share it.
~Sarah
Sarah - it's nice for all of us to read.
For those of us already long gone down the road it brings back happy memories too you know.
So thanks from the old timers too!
A good shower when you really feel you need one is one of the most sublime pleasures in life.
I have to agree with Valerie too, reading your experiences has been invaluable. I've received my pre-surgery packet from Dr. McGinn with lots of useful information, but reading your first hand account provides the sort of details they don't include in the manual! Glad you're doing so well. :)
Every time I read about the adventures of another reborn woman, I get that tingling feeling which means I am so looking forward to passing through it myself. And it is coming that I have a definite feeling about.
Rest Sarah, for Monday is coming quick. ;)
Quote from: Valeriedances on April 04, 2010, 09:37:59 AM
Sarah, truly wonderful. Your journey and experience has been so awesome, incredible, touching ...and inspiring. Your happiness and contentment are clear to see ...if I may speak plainly and be mushy for a second, you've captured our hearts through allowing us to share these personal moments with you. I think the world outside has difficulty comprehending what this is about, but we, your sisters and brothers, get it ...as we live it ourselves and cheer for you in attaining your dream. It gives us all hope.
Valerie
All i can say is i agree compleatly with Valerie. And I'm only as far as part 5 in your story. Sarah you are AWESOME! thanks soooo much!