How does one tend to the area around the clitoris and underneath the hooding?  Is it ok to pull the hooding to clean and inspect underneath the area?  Also, what anomalies/strangeness should one be aware of in that area, i.e. scabbing, color, etc.?  I want to take every precaution possible in order to avoid infection.

YMMV
First, you may start out with big blood clots over the entire hood so that you can't even see anything.
Eventually these fall off but the opening in the hood will still be swollen shut.
Eventually the opening will open a bit.
Eventually you will see your clitoris.

Quote from: Kristyn on August 24, 2010, 08:53:23 PM
How does one tend to the area around the clitoris and underneath the hooding?  Is it ok to pull the hooding to clean and inspect underneath the area?  Also, what anomalies/strangeness should one be aware of in that area, i.e. scabbing, color, etc.?  I want to take every precaution possible in order to avoid infection.

Hi Kristyn,

I had a huge clot over my clitoris which has only just gone at 5+ weeks post op so I've only just seen the clitoris. I was told by the hospital to clean around the areas (all) with a cotton bud which I have been doing. However the other day I have a bleed from under the inner labia which freaked me out. It stopped fairly soon after but is still weeping but I am still cleaning the area with a cotton but dipped in hibiscrub.

Healing is a long process and care is essential. Scrupulous cleansing things like your dilators, hands, etc, in hibicrub is also essential.

Stardust

Thanks Renate and Stardust.  This blood clot thing has me a bit freaked out, but sounds like it's pretty common.  I recall Valerie talking about the same thing.  What exactly is it?  Is it like a scab which eventually falls off or what?

It's a scab, just like you get on a skinned knee.
Like any scab, it protects what's underneath.
You want to let it stay on there as long as you can.

It's funny, initially with the scab on you are kind of hygenic.
As time goes by and scabs fall off and stitches start to disintegrate things become more "ooky".

Hi Kristyn

Ya I think it's a scab.Mine fell of one day while I was taking a shower.Your getting close girl I'm excited for you, I just had a flash back to the day we met Take care of yourself and enjoy I truly do miss that place kind of like a second home. He's good at what he does very good.

Ashley

Quote from: Renate on August 25, 2010, 07:12:37 AM
It's a scab, just like you get on a skinned knee.
Like any scab, it protects what's underneath.
You want to let it stay on there as long as you can.

It's funny, initially with the scab on you are kind of hygenic.
As time goes by and scabs fall off and stitches start to disintegrate things become more "ooky".

OK, starting to get a little less scary.  How long does it take before it falls off?  30 days or more?

Quote from: juststarting on August 25, 2010, 07:17:25 AM
Hi Kristyn

Ya I think it's a scab.Mine fell of one day while I was taking a shower.Your getting close girl I'm excited for you, I just had a flash back to the day we met Take care of yourself and enjoy I truly do miss that place kind of like a second home. He's good at what he does very good.

Ashley

The idea of things "falling off" kinda makes me squeamish.   Yes, I recall meeting way back in January--I've lost 40lbs. since then.  I'm glad to hear all is going well for you Ashley, please stay in touch.   

40 pounds! I'm impressed don't know where you could have lost it from!What's your secret girl? Come on share, please! please! please!

Quote from: juststarting on August 25, 2010, 08:16:04 AM
40 pounds! I'm impressed don't know where you could have lost it from!What's your secret girl? Come on share, please! please! please!

Actually, I had quite a bit of body fat, it was just evenly distributed around my body.  There was also considerable muscle loss around the upper chest and back area.  No secret, really, just high intensity interval training--strength and cardio--along with diet--high protein and low fat.  I'll probably do another ten pounds before surgery because I'll probably put that back on after surgery.  Believe me, it's been more of a burden in some ways than it has a benefit.  The benefits being clothes--I really don't have to hunt around for anything as most everything fits right.  I feel great!  Tons of energy, etc. Plus, I've saved the cost of a face lift (for now) as I have lost the jowliness I was telling you about.  The burden is that, when you are in good shape and it shows, people tend to be intimidated by you and don't treat you very well.

Quote from: Kristyn on August 25, 2010, 08:49:28 AM
The burden is that, when you are in good shape and it shows, people tend to be intimidated by you and don't treat you very well.

Ah to Hell with them your a very beautiful woman!

Quote from: juststarting on August 25, 2010, 09:26:34 AM

Ah to Hell with them your a very beautiful woman!

Thanks!  I'm glad someone thinks so.   

The amount of clotting and when it falls off varies from person to person. For the most part you really just want to leave it alone until 6 weeks or so, I didn't pull back on anything until about 8 weeks, just let things heal away. It's nothing to be scared or worried about. This is major surgery, and healing times are long, so don't get concerned if things take time. The best thing you can do is just relax and heal. The only things you have to worry about are any of the things your surgeon tells you to call on if they develop, usually bleeding, fever, etc, but these are rare. You'll be fine!
    Be careful about losing any more weight before surgery, you certainly don't want to try and lose 10 pounds in 20 days, you will lose weight in the hospital. Many doctors discourage against weight loss with two weeks or so before a surgery and six weeks or so afterwards.

Quote from: katgirl74 on August 25, 2010, 09:17:53 PM
The amount of clotting and when it falls off varies from person to person. For the most part you really just want to leave it alone until 6 weeks or so, I didn't pull back on anything until about 8 weeks, just let things heal away. It's nothing to be scared or worried about. This is major surgery, and healing times are long, so don't get concerned if things take time. The best thing you can do is just relax and heal. The only things you have to worry about are any of the things your surgeon tells you to call on if they develop, usually bleeding, fever, etc, but these are rare. You'll be fine!
    Be careful about losing any more weight before surgery, you certainly don't want to try and lose 10 pounds in 20 days, you will lose weight in the hospital. Many doctors discourage against weight loss with two weeks or so before a surgery and six weeks or so afterwards.

Great advice Kat!  Thanks!  And thanks for the vote of confidence!   

Quote from: juststarting on August 25, 2010, 09:26:34 AM

Ah to Hell with them your a very beautiful woman!

I second that!

Quote from: Kristyn on August 25, 2010, 09:31:15 AM
Thanks!  I'm glad someone thinks so.   

Well more than someone, us and a certian guy who works at the local supermarket where you shop.  hehe

I had swelling over my clitoris so it took a while before I could see it, but when I finally did I didn't have any kind of scab at all just a healthy pink. At 9 1/2 weeks it's still hyper-sensitive if I try to touch it directly, but it feels nice just pressing the mound area directly above it, so I'm thinking this might be a normal reaction too. There seems to be a lot of variation in healing, but you really can't tell anything for quite a few weeks as katgirl mentioned and healing can take 6 months to a year or so I've heard.

Quote from: Jessica.C on August 25, 2010, 11:48:44 PM
I second that!

Well more than someone, us and a certian guy who works at the local supermarket where you shop.  hehe

  Thanks!

Quote from: FairyGirl on August 26, 2010, 12:11:48 AM
I had swelling over my clitoris so it took a while before I could see it, but when I finally did I didn't have any kind of scab at all just a healthy pink. At 9 1/2 weeks it's still hyper-sensitive if I try to touch it directly, but it feels nice just pressing the mound area directly above it, so I'm thinking this might be a normal reaction too. There seems to be a lot of variation in healing, but you really can't tell anything for quite a few weeks as katgirl mentioned and healing can take 6 months to a year or so I've heard.

Thanks Cloe 

OMG! Kristen im so excited i feel like its me lol i wish you the best and i really need the secret to the weight lost im trying toi lose 20 lbs before my date ,,,,,, I so loVE this forum ,  ive learned so much and continue to do so thanx ladies for this and alll the other threads

I am sure everything will be fine, Kristyn.. like any other surgery, the incision sites etc... might look very disturbing at first, but when it heals its mucho nice!