Quote from: RedSoxMichael on January 20, 2018, 11:14:58 AM
How was your recovering from having the skin removed from your back? How long were you out of work? Did you need assistance at home? How much did it hurt?
It would be hard to actually compare to having skin used from the thigh or forearm since I haven't experienced both of course! But, I must admit it was pretty painful after the first surgery because since it is from the back, it was hard to find a way to sit without pain since I couldn't lean back on stuff without it hurting, and everytime you move to walk or anything you're moving your torso, whereas I'd imagine for the other 2 (moreso the arm) you can move around without moving those parts so much. I do recall my back being the most painful part of the first surgery. Even though they did the scrotoplasty and vaginectomy and my crotch area was sore, my back was definitely worse.
I am in university so I wasn't working, but I took the semester off since I definitely had to spend 1 month in Texas where the surgeon is. It took several weeks for me to be able to walk without slouching over because of my back. They didn't want me lifting stuff for a good 2 months or so, and while I may have been able to go back to school after the first month or 5 weeks, I definitely wouldn't have felt like it and it was nice to have the semester off. Any kind of physical job, you'd want more time off than just the 1 month. For an office job it would be easier to go back sooner, but probably at least 6 weeks of time off I'd guesstimate.
I had someone helping me at home, (surgeon wanted someone to stay with me for 1 month after we got back home, in case something happened, etc.) but I could pretty much manage on my own.
Quote from: SaerJoe on January 21, 2018, 05:42:58 AM
Thanks for responding—i am just seeing this. I am on day 5 post-op from Stage 1 MLD w Miro (phallo, UL, vnectomy, scroto, hysto) and was on my feet 3x yesterday and twice thus far today marching around the room. My God is it wonderful to be vertical!! I am not big on laying around and wow—was this a tough-go. But here we are, looking at the other side. Let's both pray (and I'm not religious) for full and healthful recoveries.
I am encouraged to hear your positive experience with Crane, as I've been following some FB groups, one in which a fairly serious issue with a Crane patient (post stage 1) resulted in loss of the phallus and near loss of life. The malpractice suits piling up of late on him are a concern to me. I am certain that he is prioritizing his existing clients like yourself (who know how difficult this recovery is and how to get there)—-and that is smart! While I have concerns about this, I do recognize his talent and wouldn't rule him out for later stages as time goes on. I'm going to give the body a good time to heal on this before I even dive back in to what the next stage will be. I do have some good options though, with Bluebond-Langner 5 hrs from me in NYC. We'll see.
Thanks so much for reaching back, and —-best wishes for a speedy and full recovery to you. While the care here has been outstanding (despite the few English speakers; pack google translator) and I've another week or so (depending on need) to go beginning tomorrow at a nearby apartment, I cannot tell you how ready I am to be back stateside in my own home for the lion's share of the recovery. If you wish, we could keep up more directly by email—just give a holler.
Grats on your surgery! Glad to hear your recovery seems to be going well!
I also have heard some not so good cases happening to patients of Crane, but honestly I've had such a good experience. When I had questions I was able to text him and he'd reply promptly. I ended up in the ER because of catheter problems, (Everytime I get a catheter I end up in ER apparently, I just have bad luck with catheters!) and I texted him from the ER cause the ER doctor didn't know what they were doing. He wasn't on call and didn't answer my texts right away as he did not have his phone with him, but one of the doctors on his team was a huge help and even phoned the ER to tell them what to do. Doctor Crane phoned me the next day to make sure everything was okay.
He definitely seems to care about his patients, and I literally have nothing negative to say about him.
I hope your recovery continues to go well and hopefully you don't have any complications! I just got home a few hours ago after being away for the surgery for several weeks and am glad to finally be back. All this is exhausting but very much worth it!
I thank you for keeping me updated as well, and if you rather e-mail, I'm all for it, just let me know if that's the case!
Best of luck to you! (and sorry for the longggg post. Thanks for the picture by the way! Looks nice and sunny!)