Part 3: Penile preservation vaginoplasty, 1 week follow-up appointment

134
u/TransThrowAway482618
Tue Dec 21 07:50:52 2021 UTC
*
(45 comments)

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/revtj4/part_1_penile_preservation_vaginoplasty/

Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/rhvm2w/part_2_penile_preservation_vaginoplasty_two_days/

Hi again. I had my first follow-up appointment today, with Dr Megan McCaleb. She took off the wound vac (which was a relief -- that thing is bulky and constrictive), and removed the packing.

Removing the packing was painful and really uncomfortable and disconcerting. I felt like a floss dispenser.

After I recovered from that experience, Dr McCaleb showed me how to dilate, and I did it myself a couple times. She gave lots of instructions about medications, cleaning, getting up, etc. All stuff they've given me before in the surgical packet, but good to hear it again. She suggested I start the ibuprofen and reevaluate whether and how much I still need the oxycodone. Lucky me, I actually stopped using the oxycodone on Friday, and my bowels were rewarded on Saturday...and Sunday...and Monday.

I dilated for half an hour after the appointment and took a shower (finally!), and before going to bed now I dilated again for half an hour.

Here I am dilating. I got all the dots but one inside me: https://files.catbox.moe/9wk9gs.jpg

Two weeks post-op: https://www.reddit.com/r/Transgender_Surgeries/comments/rtqc44/two_weeks_postop_penile_preservation_vaginoplasty/

all 45 comments


19
u/ThePerksOfBeingAlive
Tue Dec 21 16:46:32 2021 UTC
(3 children)

Omg I didnt know this type of surgery was possible! It’s my dream!

10
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:28:10 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I'm so glad you saw my post then! Follow your dream! ✨💜

5
Sun Jan 2 08:05:12 2022 UTC
(1 child)

Me neither!! I’m amazed that something like this exist. So good!

3
OP
Fri Jan 14 22:59:05 2022 UTC
(0 children)

Glad I could introduce you to this option!

10
u/HiddenStill
Tue Dec 21 10:40:20 2021 UTC
(4 children)

Who is Dr Megan McCaleb?

7
Tue Dec 21 17:48:49 2021 UTC
(3 children)

She’s another surgeon who works with Heidi Wittenberg at the MoZaic Care practice.

10
Tue Dec 21 18:49:50 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Just a heads up, Megan McCabe is a physicians assistant for Mozaic care, not a surgeon. She is also amazing! Congrats on your surgery! ❤️

4
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:10:40 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks!!

4
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:11:35 2021 UTC
(0 children)

This ^ (just not a surgeon actually)

She does prescriptions and post-op appointments.

9
u/butchbagelbutch
Tue Dec 21 13:03:34 2021 UTC
(2 children)

You mentioned insurance covered this?! What insurance company was it?

5
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:19:32 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Indeed! I was very persistent. I got Oscar to sign a single case agreement, although I think Cigna also would have done the same. Maybe I'll share my letters later.

6
Tue Dec 21 22:21:30 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks for sharing! Best of luck

6
u/LadyBulldog7
Tue Dec 21 18:50:31 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Wow, this is literally the best pic I’ve seen of a PPV result. Really happy for you!

3
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:31:45 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks! I followed the surgeon's advice to wait a year and not try for a labiaplasty at the same time as the vaginoplasty.

7
u/Avign0n252
Tue Dec 21 15:53:54 2021 UTC
(3 children)

Did they leave your testicles (looks like the scrotum is filled), and if so, I assume you will need to take AA or monotherapy E rest of your life?

9
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:27:03 2021 UTC
(2 children)

They removed them, although it is an option to keep them with this surgery.

2
u/qt_bea
Mon Dec 27 11:15:39 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Oh that's so cool that's an option! Did you hear whether one was still able to keep their testes AND do the labiaplasty? I have always seen the scrotum being used for constructing the labia and I assumed almost or actually all of it was used. Thanks for being so open and sharing your journey 🥰🥰

3
OP
Mon Dec 27 17:56:40 2021 UTC
(0 children)

As far as I know, the scrotum is the only tissue available for labiaplasty with this surgery, but I have no idea if there are more creative things they can do to stash your testes somewhere else. If you schedule a consultation with Dr Wittenberg, she'll answer all your questions. Good luck!

30
u/ExcitedGirl
Tue Dec 21 13:29:45 2021 UTC
(3 children)

I absolutely want this! If girls now coming out can be happy being "a girl with a dick" (which I completely, fully support, btw), then I can be happy with being "a girl with a vagina and a dick". Or something. But it just seems so right, at least for Me.

2
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:24:56 2021 UTC
(2 children)

I'm so glad you found my post then! I hope you get what you're looking for! 💜✨

3
Wed Dec 22 17:03:36 2021 UTC
(1 child)

TY so much; you made me feel... like, almost Normal! Or something close....

3
OP
Wed Dec 22 22:08:45 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Aww 💜✨

6
u/pandapaii
Tue Dec 21 19:11:08 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Im just mind blown by this,wow!

I hope recovery is smooth for you! 💕

1
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:32:10 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks!!

3
u/Snail_Fashion
Tue Dec 21 17:15:36 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Hey congratulations! I hope your recovery goes smoothly and quickly!

2
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:29:46 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thank you!

4
u/MotorSuccotash1825
Wed Dec 22 02:34:29 2021 UTC
(1 child)

🤯🤯🤯🤯 never thought this was a thing!

3
OP
Wed Dec 22 04:36:30 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Glad you saw this then! Best of luck!

3
u/suddenalchemyforu
Tue Dec 21 19:29:22 2021 UTC
(1 child)

If the testicles are still there does this mean they will have to take a T blocker indefinitely?

3
OP
Tue Dec 21 22:33:08 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I had my testes removed actually, but if I had chosen to keep them (which is an option), then I'd have to be on a T blocker indefinitely.

3
u/throw-away33333
Mon Dec 27 12:11:55 2021 UTC
(1 child)

How does this work in regards to orgasms? Can you orgasm vaginally?

2
OP
Mon Dec 27 17:59:45 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I will let you know! I'm still only about two weeks out from surgery though so I'm not supposed to do any sexual activity for quite some time (plus the swelling ruins the mood).

9
u/Amy_JUSH_Winehouse
Tue Dec 21 09:26:12 2021 UTC
(4 children)

Why don’t the surgeons position the canal like this for a standard srs, it’s usually high up this is where I’d want mine

13
Tue Dec 21 12:02:27 2021 UTC
(3 children)

I'm not sure what you're referring to. I've seen people make mention of their canals being too high up but mine certainly isn't. Mine is in the exact same place where op's except I don't have the phallus anymore.

7
Tue Dec 21 13:09:24 2021 UTC
(2 children)

Same here.

When they did mine I think they just detached the tissue at the base of the shaft from the flesh underneath and pulled the whole lot towards the anus. This makes the entrance in the correct position. I know they did this because I have before and after pics and my pubes and a tiny mole are now further down.

Maybe the ones that are too high have not done this property ?

7
Tue Dec 21 13:11:58 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I'm sure it can occur but from what I've read it seems to be a myth that the canal opening is too high in relation to cis vaginas. I don't think they can actually do that though because of the placement of the bladder and prostate. I think it's more than likely, mostly just myth.

1
Wed Dec 22 18:44:22 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Advances in surgery, the old way was stroght back and in, newer techniques move it.

2
u/HeckinMew
Wed Dec 22 00:59:59 2021 UTC
(1 child)

What kind of costs were involved, was this something handled by insurance or privately funded?

2
OP
Wed Dec 22 04:35:01 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I went through my insurance. I got them to come to a single case agreement. I haven't gotten the EOBs yet but I should end up paying my max out of pocket, around $2000 total on my plan.

2
u/[deleted]
Wed Dec 22 02:35:54 2021 UTC
(1 child)

Wow that’s so cool!! I’ve heard of this but never seen it or even heard of it actually being performed. Happy for you, congrats!

1
OP
Wed Dec 22 04:36:49 2021 UTC
(0 children)

Thanks!

2
u/Aussieninja08
Wed Dec 22 15:07:03 2021 UTC
(2 children)

This is something I'm genuinely considering in the future, but nothing of research says if i can still get an erection after having it done.

6
OP
Wed Dec 22 22:07:09 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I'll make sure to test this when I can, but everything I've read suggests that I should be able to, at least with help from Viagra or whatever. I've never had an easy time getting/maintaining erections personally though so I'm not sure if that will change for me.

5
Wed Dec 22 18:45:24 2021 UTC
(0 children)

I dunno about naturally but viagra will give you one regardless.