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...

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...

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...