Stained rugs and wet shirts: The stuff they don't put in the brochures.


If we don't laugh during recovery, we’ll cry. So let’s laugh at my expense for a minute.

Story 1: The Orange Disaster. I had a shy bladder during voiding trials, so I was prescribed FlowMax to help. FlowMax creates urgency. I also ended up with a UTI as well. So I took AZO for the UTI pain. AZO turns your urine bright neon orange! So because of this urgency from the medication, I didn't make it to the toilet one night. My nice cream-colored area rug in my bedroom? Permanently stained safety-cone orange from the AZO!!

Story 2: The Gas Station Leak. I was using a flip-flow valve instead of a catheter bag to empty my bladder before I started voiding trials. I used the bathroom at a gas station, got back in the car, and realized my shirt and pants were soaking wet. I forgot to close the valve! I spent the rest of the drive to Boston soaking up urine with paper towels and rubbing alcohol. Thankfully I was well hydrated, so my urine was diluted and didn't smell.

You will mess up. You will have "accidents." It’s part of the human side of healing.

Stay Steady,

Brett Lighthouse Transitions

P.S. I’m putting the finishing touches on Deep Water: The Phalloplasty Recovery System. When we launch in September, I’ll be offering a special "Founding Member" price for one week only. If you want to make sure you're the first to get the invite before that window closes, hop on the waitlist below.

​[Click To Join The Deep Water Waitlist]​

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Lighthouse Transitions

The Weekly Beacon is your weekly guide to the mechanics of transition. Join our growing community of folks navigating phalloplasty, top surgery, HRT, and social transitioning with confidence.

Read more from Lighthouse Transitions

You survived your final phalloplasty surgery but now you’re itching to get back to normal life. You need to pace yourself during this recovery. You will likely have the energy to do more things than you should be doing. Let’s go over when it’s safe to resume normal activities. Please remember this is only a general guide. This is not a replacement for specific instructions given to you by your surgeon. Household Chores: You will need help for the first week or 2 with general cleaning. I was...

Today we are going to talk about wound care, propping, and personal hygiene after having an erection device and testicular implants placed. Wound care is pretty simple compared to other stages of phalloplasty. There are usually just 2 incisions on the sides of your scrotum. Most surgeons just have you apply an antibacterial ointment like Bacitracin twice per day and keep the area uncovered. That’s it! Some surgeons recommend propping your penis after this surgery but others do not. My surgeon...

Waking up after surgery with new hardware in your body can bring some unfamiliar sensations. Here is what to expect: Your penis will be semi-pumped up after surgery. It will feel hard, which is so euphoric! It will most likely be a little sensitive, especially while milking. Your scrotum will be very swollen initially. Making it feel hard. This is temporary. As the swelling goes down, it will soften up. You will most likely be able to feel both the cylinder in your penis and the pump in your...