The good news about Stage 2? You have both arms back! You don’t have to support your penis while you wash, which makes showering feel like a massive luxury compared to Stage 1. The Reality Check: • The Shower: It is completely normal to see some blood drip from your penis when you’re drying off. Since you aren't propped, gravity is doing its thing. Just pat dry and get back into your propping setup. • The Toilet (BMs): This is the tricky part. The vaginectomy stitches are very close to the...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Wound care in Stage 2 is less about massive grafts and more about precision. Your main job is protecting the glans and managing the vaginectomy and scrotum sites. The Tactical Glans Setup: When you wrap your glans with Xeroform, here is the pro tip most people miss: Tuck the Xeroform underneath the ridge. You can use a clean butter knife to gently guide it. This helps maintain the shape and prevents the glans from flattening as it heals. The Vaginectomy Site: No bandages here, but plenty of...
26 days ago • 1 min read
If there’s one thing that defines Stage 2, it’s the SP catheter. Most surgeons send you home with a heavy bag and long tubing. It’s heavy, it’s awkward, and if you drop it, it pulls. But there is a better way. Ask your team about the Flip-Flow Valve. It replaces the bag and long tubing entirely. It’s a small valve attached directly to the catheter that you open and close to empty your bladder every 2–3 hours. • The Pro: Total freedom of movement. No heavy bag to carry around. • The Reality:...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Let's do a reality check on Stage 2 pain. Some people actually find Stage 2 more painful than Stage 1. The Glans: Usually numb or just "sensitive" at first. The discomfort usually kicks in during those first few bandage changes at home. The Scrotum: Expect significant soreness here, sometimes one side will be more sore. Walking will feel like a "waddle" for a while. The Vaginectomy Site: This is often the most painful part initially. It’s a deep, internal soreness that makes sitting upright...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
In Stage 1, you were likely in the hospital for a week. Stage 2 is usually a 2-3 day stay, but it’s packed with activity. What if you could navigate the hospital room like a pro? Expect to be on bed rest for the first 24–48 hours with "booties" on your legs for blood flow and an abductor pillow between your legs. You’ll have two catheters, one in your penis and one in your pubic area (the SP). The Tactical Tip: Sometimes your team might apply nitric paste on your scrotum. It helps with blood...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Leading up to surgery, your body is in high-gear. There’s adrenaline, intense focus, and the singular mission of getting to the hospital. But then, you get home. The initial rush wears off. You’re less mobile. You’re dependent on others for basic things like showering. This is where the "Adrenaline Drop" hits. If you find yourself feeling irritable or down around Week 3, hear this: It does not mean you made the wrong decision. It means your nervous system is finally decompressing from the...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
If your surgeon splits phalloplasty into stages, you’ll likely spend a few months with both your new penis and your natal anatomy. This can be an incredibly distressing time. Your natal anatomy will look different. There might be an "exit hole" near your natal anatomy for your new urethra and/or stitches where a nerve was taken. It's common to feel distressed over this. How to stay grounded: Validate the feeling: It is okay to feel relief and distress at the same time. Stay Busy: We often...
2 months ago • 1 min read
When I was heading into surgery, I spent so much time thinking about the hospital that I didn't think much about the spaces I’d be living in afterward. First, there was the recovery stay. My parents and I got to our recovery apartment, and I realized we made a classic mistake: We packed like we were moving in forever. We had so much stuff it took multiple elevator trips to get to the 7th floor. At one point, I was stuck in the elevator alone, trying to hold the door open while unloading a...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Complications are the single biggest source of anxiety in phalloplasty. But here is the truth: Most complications are manageable if you catch them early. What if a complication didn't mean failure, but just a pivot in your care? The most common hurdle is wound separation, especially under the penis. It’s usually caused by moisture or propping the penis too high, which pulls on delicate new skin. The Red Flags: Spreading redness, foul odors, or fever. The "Gross But Normal": Slough. The Fix:...
2 months ago • 1 min read