Hey everyone, it's me again. Here I am, just shy of 3 weeks post-op and today is my first day back at the office. I wanted to post a little update to let others know my experience with the healing process and getting back to work.

The first week post-op is hard. Getting used to the schedule of dilation and everything else, re-learning how to sit and walk each day after they remove one more thing, and managing the pain. The second week of healing seems to be exponentially better than the first. Every day gets better and better and I could really start noticing things getting easier. It's still hard to sit and walk for the most part during the second week, but things were moving along at a steady pace by then. By the third week I've noticed a great improvement in everything from my mobility, to my pain, and definitely in the appearance of the area down there. I'm making sure not to push myself too hard since I know I am still in the early stages of healing, but overall I am well enough to get back to a nominally active life...meaning being able to get out of the house, go back to work, and do simple activities.

As for work, I don't have a rigorous job. I'm a programmer, so I sit at a desk and type. If you have this type of job, I believe going back to work after 3 weeks is definitely possible. However, everyone is different so this may just be my experience due to my age, my genetics, or other factors. I still have to constantly rearrange myself in my chair since I can't sit in one position too long, but it doesn't seem to be hindering my ability to work too much.

Everyone will have their own experience, but this is mine and it may be useful in helping others judge the amount of time they can reasonably take off of work. Overall, definitely not ok to go back to work 2 weeks post-op, but it is possible to get back to work 3 weeks post-op.

~Sarah

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing this. I work at a computer myself so this is good news. I am glad you are doing well!

Thanks for the input and glad to hear you are doing well.  Myself, I've decided to take a year off, but with my job, I could go two ways--design or production management.  Design is pretty lax--sit down and create.  Production management on the other hand is a little more involved as you can well imagine--lots of running, phone calls, etc.  quite a bit more stressful.  I think if I was working up until the time of my surgery, and I was in a management role, I would opt to take six months off post-op to heal as much as possible.

My job is also at the computer all day, but being self-employed I can at least set my own pace and take lots of breaks if necessary, stretching an 8 hour day into 12 (which happens with alarming frequency anyways lol)

I'm glad to hear this because I really can't afford to be completely away for too long. Are you able to sit on pillows or otherwise make yourself more comfortable while you're sitting?

Yes, if I wanted to I could bring my donut pillow and sit on it, but really it's not that bad without it. My biggest worry was wondering if I would be able to come back to work in such a short period of time, seeing as how most people said they needed months off. However, for me there was really no reason I couldn't go back to work today.

Although, it would be nice to have a couple of more weeks off just so that I could get down to only 3 dilations a day instead of the 4 I have to do now, but other than that the pain and discomfort is easily manageable and doesn't distract me too much from my work.

~Sarah

I am a computer geek type as well.  I was working from home by the end of the second week.  And worked for about ten days from home so I could accommodate my dilation schedule.  Then went back into the office.

Congratulations on such a wonderful journey!  I'm glad to hear everything went well.

I loved reading your posts!

-Sandy

That's funny Sandy...technically I was "working from home" the second week - last week - too, but I didn't really have anything to work on so it was pretty much just a paid week off It's not really as bad as most people make it out to be. Except the dilation schedule, that is definitely as rigorous as people make it out to be, lol.

~Sarah

Quote from: SarahR on April 19, 2010, 12:38:30 PM
As for work, I don't have a rigorous job. I'm a programmer, so I sit at a desk and type. If you have this type of job
~Sarah

No ways, im a programmer too! This is what I meant in one of my topics about the majority of trans people seem to be really good with technology. (Note I said majority and I didn't say all) When I get srs I will be able to lay in my bed and have one of those bed tables with my lappy on it doing my work since I have a routed VPN at work with full access to my work PC.

Quote from: SaraR on April 20, 2010, 07:22:00 AM
No ways, im a programmer too! This is what I meant in one of my topics about the majority of trans people seem to be really good with technology. (Note I said majority and I didn't say all) When I get srs I will be able to lay in my bed and have one of those bed tables with my lappy on it doing my work since I have a routed VPN at work with full access to my work PC.

I have met quite a few trans people who where in some form of technology.  In many cases they are people who, for the most part, sit in front of computes all day.

I think because of our two-spirit nature we have an inherent ability to handle the abstract concepts of programming and computers that are often beyond the ken of others.  Also, I think, many take up the solitary life of a technology specialist so that they do not have to deal with people as part of their job.  I know I was very socially inept growing up and programming was very comfortable for me.  I never had to deal with any alpha-male type things.  It has always been me vs. the computer (and I *always* win!)

But, interestingly enough, quite a few are drawn to the more spiritual and religious aspect of life which deals with people as a primary part of their lives.  That too may be part of our two-spirit nature.  We can easily empathize with others for we can see both sides of gender and use that to aid us in understanding others and their problems.

And Sara (not Sarah), I will say that say that lying on your bed with a VPN link to your workstation is handy, but you will have to learn how to type one-handed while you dilate. 

-Sandy

I can actually type really quickly with just a finger even let alone one whole hand.

The only downfall of programming is doing $()^&! properly since it requires shift.

One of the girls I know in Toronto who is a Linux Sysadmin said she got into programming to escape the world. I might be into technology programming + networking, but I do see a large amount of people on a regular basis. This is mostly when I have to go install a router/switch in a corporate setting of some sort.

Apparently with dilation most often the dilator is just left in with no movement.. during these periods i can macgiver something to make sure it doesn't pop out.

P.S. The vpn link is to our network. I just have the ability to control my pc via a remote management interface. This helps for importing/exporting projects im working on.

Quote from: SaraR on April 20, 2010, 03:20:57 PM
The only downfall of programming is doing $()^&! properly since it requires shift.

Apparently with dilation most often the dilator is just left in with no movement.. during these periods i can macgiver something to make sure it doesn't pop out.

P.S. The vpn link is to our network. I just have the ability to control my pc via a remote management interface. This helps for importing/exporting projects im working on.

Well, they say that a well designed regex is indistinguishable from line noise...  (sorry, a bit 'o greybeard humor).

There is a brand of dilators that have a screw in attachment at the end that allows you to screw on a ball, and hold the ball between your thighs as you dilate.  I never used it but it looked like an interesting idea.  Actually you can simply hold your thighs together after you insert your dilator and it will stay in place.  You are right in that most dilations simply require the neo-vagina to be kept from healing closed and usually doesn't require movement.

Just remember to tighten up your muscles if you sneeze or cough.   

-Sandy

Haha, mental note, bf comes in and I sneeze, dilator goes flying across the room and hits him in the end! "What the hell was that!?" "Um, my dilator!"

I wonder if lube is always necessary or does the body produce a natural lubricant like genetic women.

Quote from: SaraR on April 21, 2010, 11:48:11 AM
Haha, mental note, bf comes in and I sneeze, dilator goes flying across the room and hits him in the end! "What the hell was that!?" "Um, my dilator!"

I wonder if lube is always necessary or does the body produce a natural lubricant like genetic women.

In other discussions along these lines we have had the idea of making it an Olympic event with points for style, distance and accuracy...

Anyway, you will not produce very much natural lubrication.  You may have some, but usually dilation (organic or all natural) will be a lot more comfortable for you if you have some external lubrication.

-Sandy

I basically meant after the severe dilation period where your only dilating like once a week.

Like for example; if me and my boyfriend mess around, is there enough lubrication on my own or does it get discomforting.

I mean in theory, when a man is penetrating he produces a clear liquid from the testies as lubrication.

So mainly my question is, do you need lube when having sex?

Quote from: SaraR on April 21, 2010, 01:41:34 PM
I basically meant after the severe dilation period where your only dilating like once a week.

Like for example; if me and my boyfriend mess around, is there enough lubrication on my own or does it get discomforting.

I mean in theory, when a man is penetrating he produces a clear liquid from the testies as lubrication.

So mainly my question is, do you need lube when having sex?

The short answer is a definite...

maybe.

A lot depends on you and your comfort level and the amount of lube you produce.  How much time you take to get in the mood, all of that.

I am just over two years post op and I can easily dilate with my two smallest dilators without using any external lube.  But the larger sizes or with a guy, I prefer to have some.

A *general* rule of thumb is that post-op transwomen do not produce sufficient quantities of vaginal lubrication as born women for comfortable penetration.  You *can* produce some lubrication from the prostate (your neo-G-spot) with gentle massage and intimacy.

It is very much YMMV.  And really is all part of the fun of being a girl.  Exploring your new body and being explored.  Take your time and enjoy the ride.  If you end up needing a little help, so be it...

-Sandy

Haha, I guess I will train it! Find all the good spots that get me in the mood.