9 days post op Vaginoplasty

23
u/Legal-Ad4972
Thu Dec 21 19:50:45 2023 UTC
(10 comments)

It’s been 9 days since surgery. Life is considerably better since getting the packing and the catheter removed. I’m still in a bit of discomfort but I’m starting to get real sleep at night. Dilation isn’t painful but more uncomfortable trying to stretch the skin. When I went in to learn how to dialate we could only get half the depth. The surgeon saw me and thinks the back of the canal is swollen shut and so right now I’m working to dilate to regain depth. I’ve gained 1 dots length back in two days. It’s scary to think the depth could already be gone but it’s trending in the right direction. I think the surgical site looks horrendous but I can tell that the surgeon did a good job and it has the ingredients to heal and look nice.

What I’m having the hardest time with is the depression. I’m happy about the surgery, I’m pleased with the results. I don’t leave the house. I’m laying around all day. I can’t come up with distractions because I just feel sad having been so sedentary for so long now. The depression is hardest part so far. I deal with depression regularly and yes I do have a psychologist I talk to regularly. I don’t even know how to reach out to friends and say how sad I am. It’s a long journey and I don’t regret anything. This is a long and hard process.

all 10 comments


6
u/[deleted]
Thu Dec 21 20:00:45 2023 UTC
(1 child)

I am glad your surgery went well, it is common to have post-surgery depression and its one thing I am worried about for my bottom surgery in 2 weeks. I am brining a small device to play retro video games to help distract me from laying around. If you have people that can come visit you that will help. You got this and before you know it you will be doing much better. Good luck! 🤗

5
OP
Thu Dec 21 20:11:23 2023 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks. I’ve lost the ability to think of things I want to do. I feel disconnected from my life. I don’t know even know what I would do if I wasn’t recovering. I feel lost while simultaneously happy it’s over. It’s weird. I’m glad your date is coming up. You can do this.

5
u/NoShrinkingViolet12
Thu Dec 21 20:33:58 2023 UTC
(0 children)

I’m so proud of you, you’ve gone through major surgery and on the road to recovery, well done!

Try not to give yourself too much of a hard time, your new life is ahead of you, and it’s going to be brilliant, ❤️❤️❤️

3
u/Clean-Bird3449
Thu Dec 21 22:01:29 2023 UTC
(2 children)

I feel you. Post op is a very difficult time.

I almost 4months and and I had to do the whole thing solo, even lied to the hospital that I had someone to pick me up just so they wouldn't cancel my surgery.

Dealt with a bit of wound dehiscence and a fourchette separation and a slow healing process onto of having lost my job while in recovery and watching the credit card debt pile up as I couldn't even pay rent and hey, got a court hearing coming up to look into that cause I couldn't replace the job fast enough...

But inspite all of that the healing has been getting better and I'm starting as a youth mentor for an after school program once the year changes over so I am getting through 🥰 it's just been a hell of a ride.

At 9 days it's OK if you aren't moving much, give your body time to do the Critial parts of the healing without over working it.

In a few weeks you can start to push things a bit, however if you get overzealous to soon that's where you can get things like dehiscence and difficult healing.

If you have help use it, but if you don't, it's OK you can still do this even if you have to be stronger than you should 🥲🤗

1
OP
Thu Dec 21 22:03:16 2023 UTC
(1 child)

My spouse and children have been a wonderful support. They are going on a mini Christmas vacation to my in laws in a few days and I’ll be solo for a week or so. Honestly, i can’t explain the depression, I’m just depressed .

1
Thu Dec 21 22:10:19 2023 UTC
(0 children)

Yeah it makes sense, the inactivity feels counter intuitive. With life we've been taught that if we aren't constantly moving around doing stuff we are being lazy or worst and that we need to be constantly doing something meaningful to justify ourselves. But frankly the body doesn't care much for any of that and even as you lay around you're doing more for yourself than you'd realize.

It takes a lot to heal from something so traumatic so its logically feel that way as your body is in itself in a depressed state just trying to recover.

Definitely acknowledge the feeling but know that you're doing great 🤗

2
u/PuffieF
Fri Dec 22 20:54:00 2023 UTC
(2 children)

The depression absolutely sucks. I found it useful to have a plan, even if that plan was just.. dilate three times a day and eat a meal. It just helped me to look at that stuff as miniature milestones and as a progress tracker. I was still depressed though.

1
OP
Fri Dec 22 23:50:36 2023 UTC
(1 child)

How long did the depression last for you?

2
Sat Dec 23 00:27:20 2023 UTC
(0 children)

Kinda hard to say exactly. The first month was horrid. The second month was pretty bad. The third month was tough. Half way through month four and things are... they're okay

1
u/MarkinaGail
Fri Dec 22 03:18:51 2023 UTC
(0 children)

Best wishes to you during your recovery.