Managing the "In-Between" Anatomy.

Published 16 days 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 hyper focus on things when we sit still.
Eye on the Prize: These changes are temporary. It is done to avoid complications and to ensure a successful Stage 2.

You aren't alone in this feeling. My goal with these weekly emails is to build a space where we can talk about these gaps in the process openly. Eventually, I’ll be opening up a dedicated space for "The Crew" to connect and support each other in real-time, but for now, know that having these questions is a normal part of the journey.

Stay Steady,

Brett Lighthouse Transitions

P.S. Recovery is a mental marathon. I’m building Deep Water: The Phalloplasty Recovery to be the "Safe Harbor" you need when the spirals hit. If you want the system that keeps you grounded from Day 1 to the finish line, get on the waitlist below.

[Click Here To Join The Deep Water Waitlist]

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

48 Hours: Your Stage 2 Hospital Roadmap.

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...

2 days ago • 1 min read

The "Adrenaline Drop" and the 24-Hour Rule

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...

9 days ago • 1 min read

Why my home toilet was “different” than the hospital (and other logistics)

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...

23 days ago • 1 min read