Hey guys
So yesterday I got offered stage 1 phalloplasty this Friday! I jumped at the chance but now I'm terrified.
I'm in the UK and was wondering if maybe some of you who've already done this can clear a few things up.

First, what did you take with? The 'what to bring' list is kinda unhelpful, it says comfortable clothing for discharge, but am I right to assume that I won't need clothes/underwear for the rest of my stay? Did you take a boredom cure?

Also I've informed my practice nurse (as suggested) but because it's short notice she hasn't got any paperwork and I'm not really sure what she'll be required to do. My surgery isn't exactly the best for fast appointments and I've read on a couple of oats/blogs the London team aren't very forthcoming with aftercare info?

My mind has completely gone to pot. I 'be spent years researching all of this thoroughly and yesterday my mom asked what happens in this stage and I found myself going. 'Ern... I'm not 100% sure. Mr Christopher explained all the stages and I was fine with it, but it was so long ago, and the guide on there website is out dated (it says 4 stages not 3 and that they don't do vaginectomy).

I've also be living alone with no support when I get back
Any hints tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I almost forgot, do I need to shave? I always figured I would because I imagined the hair would get in the way for the surgeons but no one has said anything

Don't take anything I say as gospel as I'm still waiting for a date for my first stage but I would have thought that they do all the shaving necessary once they've got you in the hospital. From what I've read depending on which op your having you should be in hospital for about 4/5 days and most of that will be spent laying in bed so you ll just need something that your comfortable laying around in. I'm not planning on taking anything for my lower half other than some very baggy shorts! Boredom wise I'll have my e reader my phone and I'm hoping they've got a TV in the room!!!! And by the way congratulations and I hope it all goes really well for you

Hey,

Firstly congratulations on the date.

Secondly, my 1st stage (also with Mr Christopher) was short notice too. I was called on the 1st of a month, asking if I could come in for the 3rd!

First of all, which procedure are you going for? Forearm? Pubic? Thigh?

I have completed all 3 stages if you have any more specific questions, Ill try to help.

I brought more than I needed, I brought my laptop for entertainment and a book. I never touched the book and the first couple days, I just kinda lie there, half sleeping and half watching the tv (yes, you have one in your room) and didn't get out my laptop until about day 3. (You will be very tired and exhausted).
    How are you getting home? Do you have a  lift or are you getting the train?
What I suggest you bring can depend on if you are going to have help heading back or if you are going to need to be able to carry everything alone.

I got a lift from stage 1 and 3 but got the train alone after stage 2 (and during my procedures, I would say stage 2 was the hardest. So it is possible. But again, it may be different depending on what procedure you are having).

You don't need to shave, don't worry.
  No need to bring underwear, as you will be wearing the hospital "knickers" anyway (they make you feel very sexy... :p ) and I would just wear something like jogging bottoms and a jumper there, that you can wear when you leave. In between you will just be wearing a hospital gown anyway so theres no need to bring any other clothes.

You practice nurse will probably just be dealing with bandage changes, wound care and dealing with any infections you may get.
  Things such as drain and catheter removal will happen at the hospital right before your discharge (except for at the urethral hook up stage, but you have a while before that terror ;p )

Yes, the London team (while being VERY skilled in what they do) are not the most forthcoming with info and aftercare. I haven't seen them post my final stage of surgery. Tobe honest, that just saves me the expensive train fare to London :p

You wont have help at home? Hmm, its possible to survive, ofcourse, but I think you may struggle. If you have the forearm op, your arm will be out of use, and if you have the pubic one, you aren't going to be able to stand up straight for awhile...
   DO THE FOOD SHOP BEFORE YOU LEAVE!! :p

You are totally awesome
And I'm super nervous!
I'm having the forearm flap, I'm getting the megabus there and hopefully back if I can book it in time but if not it'll be the train.

Food shop just came plenty of stuff I can just throw in the oven.
I think I'm all packed not that there's much to take, maybe my iPad will find its way in there.

I'm not having stage 3 so hopefully if all goes well I'll only have stage 2 to get through.
Did you have much bleeding/oozing? I read someone's blog (big mistake) and they had major bleeding etc but they had complications.

Thanks for all the help though you rock:)

I hope everything went well man!

hope all goes well .I will be having the  forearm flap in about 3 months, when I have stopped smoking and am nicotine free.
I had the pubic  done about 15 years ago. but due to celulitus and other probs with it. me and Mr Ralph have decided the best thing will be to have a new one.

Just remembered take bottled water london water is not very nice :-)

I'm back
Thought I should update all you wonderful people who answered my question.
The surgery went fine, and I had to stay in bed 3 days with a drain, a catheter (I hate them I hate them I hate them!) and my arm held upright. But after that I was able to move about slowly. I had no complications and was able to go home 6 days post op. Best advice I can give to anyone is get up as soon as they allow (apparently some guys get too scared their dick will drop off!).
Also you know your own body. The anaesthetic backed me up pretty bad and I was constipated for 5 days (I'm regular as clockwork once a day usually) and I told them 2 sena and 2 lactulose was too much... But oh no, they were nurses they knew best.... ->-bleeped-<-ting through the eye of a needle when you have dressings on your ass is bit fun! Do not let them tell you they know your body better than you!!

Anyway doing things one handed is not fun! But is manageable. I've now had all my non disolvabld stitches out and I have a 1 month (can you believe) follow up next Friday.

If anyone wants any info feel free to ask, the hospital aren't very informative!

Hey glad to see your out and about and going well. I'm in in just under a week now and getting super nervous. Is there anything unobvious I should take with me- think I've covered the obvious things!