The pre-op meeting was well organized just like the first one in January, not rushed and efficiently covered a large amount of information.
And another goodie bag!
Clockwise from center: probiotic, Arnica, antibacterial cream, stool softener (optional), squeeze/spray bottle for cleansing, ice-pack bag, written instructions, manufacturer's information for breast implants, disposable underwear, chux pads, panty pads.
Prescriptions to use after hospital discharge: pain meds, antibiotic.
Assistant summarized instructions, she is very knowledgeable (I didn't catch her name - I will later as she will be making follow-up phone calls). She also asked if I had any questions and I had a list of four. Each item I brought up was automatically communicated to Dr. Ley, and my questions regarding anesthesiology were automatically confirmed by the anesthesiologist when I met him.
1. I've found urinating is directionally a hit or miss event. When people ask if I prefer to be called Miss, Ms. or Mrs. I don't go into this detail but let's just say I am not just a different gender compared to Ichiro the baseball player. I miss. This isn't uncommon as shown in
this informative topic by Moni. Dr. Ley confirmed this is routine to permanently adjust during labiaplasty and she will.
2. I developed granulation, a fairly common occurrence during the GCS healing process and can involve discomfort or pain. I have been carefully applying silver nitrate under
Meg Bergeson's direction (she is awesome and a Doctorate of Nursing). Dr. Ley will work on this while I'm under anesthesia.
3. Breast implant size. I learned something today... size is not simply affected by each breast being resized. They're installed as a pair
and the distance between each nipple is important. Dr. Ley measured this distance to help determines a realistic minimum and maximum implant size range - to narrow this down (so to speak) involves a discussion of patient preference: small/medium/large. Depending on decision there may or may not be cleavage, but either way Dr. Ley aims to minimize the gap between breasts. HRT timing, existing results and other factors are also considered. I'd never considered nipple distance but this can be an important characteristic of ribcage development after post-puberty testosterone sets in. Now I understand why many have recommended go with a surgeon familiar with transgender physiology... I had previously assumed this was just due to over/under muscle placement.
4. Anesthesia breathing tube size (intubation). I had
VFS 4 months ago and that doctor requested I use a 5.5 tube size to help avoid potential damage to an area that's still healing. Dr. Ley is glad I mentioned this as their standard tube is size 6.0. Right before getting wheeled in for my innie tune-up and bump job the anesthesiologist confirmed they would do even better, skip the breathing tube and use a breathing mask.
I also told Dr. Ley about the occasionally pleasurable experiences I had with dilation starting very early (week five), certainly not every time but there were a few 2 to 3 months in that were so amazing I cried myself to sleep. I forgot to mention to her I've additionally gained strong sensation since then in the areas that don't involve dilation.
And here's a couple photos this evening right after surgery.
8:30pm July 9, 2018
Kendra and Beth
