Arrange help

You’ll likely need some support after surgery. For example, you might need someone to help with meal preparation, child care, elder care, laundry, pet care, or garbage and recycling.

Important: If you have erectile tissue release surgery at the GSP BC, you will need someone 18 years or older to escort you back to your home or accommodations. You won’t be able to drive. You will also need someone to supervise you for 24 hours following surgery.

If you find it hard to ask for help, you aren’t alone. Many people have a hard time with this.

People often feel flattered and happy to pitch in, especially if you ask for help with something specific.

Fortunately, lots of people like to help.It gives the helper a chance to feel good about themselves and a way to show they care.

To make a plan around asking for help, try out this activity in the Workbook for Phalloplasty, Metoidioplasty, and Erectile Tissue Release Surgery in BC.

Support Checklist

Here is a checklist that you can give people looking for ways to support you before and after surgery.

This checklist is included in the Workbook for Phalloplasty, Metoidioplasty, and Erectile Tissue Release Surgery in BC.

You can also send people to the Supporting Someone Having Surgery handout, in the Resources section.

Make travel arrangements

If your surgery is taking place outside your home community, you will need to arrange transportation and accommodations.

If you plan to have gender-affirming surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, prepare with pandemic safety in mind. Take time to review the pandemic checklist that is right for your situation with your GP or NP and the people who will be supporting you after surgery. You can find the checklists on the home page of this guide.

GSP BC (Vancouver)

Transportation

Book your mode of transportation (bus, air, rail, or ferry). You will need someone else to drive you from the hospital to your accommodations and later on, back home.

If you qualify for the First National Health Authority’s Health Benefits Program, you may be able to access Medical Transportation Benefits.

If travel costs are a barrier, you might qualify for the Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC). To access the program:

1. Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to fill out a Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC) form.
2. Two weeks before surgery, call TAP BC to get your confirmation number. Write it on your form.
3. Show your form at the time you make air, rail, or ferry reservations.

If you are approved for TAP BC, you may also qualify for Non-Local Medical Transportation Assistance to help with food and accommodation costs. Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to fill out a Request for Non-Local Medical Transportation Assistance form.

If you are flying, find out if you qualify for Hope Air, a Canadian charity that arranges free flights for low-income Canadians who must fly to get healthcare. 

Otherwise, book your flight early to get the best deal.

Accommodations

Find out how long your surgeon requires you to stay nearby. This will differ based on which procedure you had. Book your accommodations early to get the best deal. Some hotels provide lower rates for people travelling for medical reasons. You can contact hotels directly or search the Government of BC’s Medical Travel Accommodation Listings. 

If you qualify for Hope Air, you may also qualify for their Hope Air Accommodations Program- details are available on the Hope Air Frequently Asked Questions page, in the Accommodations section.

You can also check out this page from Vancouver Coastal Health that has information on places to stay.

Frequently Asked Questions (GSP BC)

Frequently Asked Questions (General)

Make a self-care plan

It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions for how to prepare for surgery. The information below is a brief summary and does not replace the information you receive from your surgeon. If there are any differences, you should follow your surgeon’s instructions.

You can reduce complications from surgery by starting the healing process beforehand. Below are some steps you can take before surgery to help your body recover. For most of us, these strategies are easier said than done. Remember that self-care includes doing what is manageable and trying to love ourselves no matter what. 

• Enjoy foods that promote wound healing. Look for foods with protein (meats and nuts); zinc (whole grains, spinach, nuts); vitamin A (carrots, broccoli, eggs); & Vitamin C (citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers).
• Do simple and fun exercises to build strength and support your heart and lung health, like dog walking, dancing, hiking, stretching or weight training.
• Drink enough water to have clear, light yellow-coloured urine.
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you have any trouble sleeping, speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner about strategies for better sleeping.
• Take time to slow down and relax before your surgery. Practice the deep breathing or coughing exercises, since this can help with relaxing and will speed up your recovery after surgery.
• Work towards your personal health goals- this might include controlling blood sugar or improving anemia (low iron). Good iron stores allow you to heal better and have more energy when you go home. Maintaining blood sugar helps with wound healing after surgery.
• Quit smoking. We know – it’s a big ask. Lung health is an important helper in healing, and smoking cigarettes can disrupt the healing process. This is why surgeons and healthcare providers recommend avoiding cigarettes before and after surgery. Smoking cessation supplies are provided at no-cost to people with MSP at any pharmacy in BC. If avoiding smoking for 2-3 months will be hard for you, call Trans Care BC for more information on your options.
• If you smoke marijuana and going 2-3 months without it will be hard for you, consider switching to edibles, concentrates, or tinctures.
• Other substances like methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin and alcohol also disrupt the healing process. It is recommended to avoid these substances before and after surgery. If you need help with this, your healthcare provider can help you make a plan.

Self-care planning exercises

Here are some holistic self-care planning exercises to help you prepare for before and after surgery. These exercises are also included in the Surgery Workbook.

Know what to expect before surgery

It can be helpful to have an idea of what to expect on the days before your surgery. You can ask your surgical team about this and connect with others who have had this procedure. Here is some general information about what you might expect on the days before your surgery.

This information does not replace the information you receive from your surgical team. If there are any differences, you should follow the guidance of your surgical team.

GSP BC (Vancouver)

Below is a description of what generally happens when you access surgery at the Gender Surgery Program BC. This information is provided to help you start imagining what the hospital experience could be like- you will be given more detailed and up-to-date information once you meet the GSP BC surgical team and receive your Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guide.

• The GSP BC nurse and Health Navigator will provide you with instructions on any preparations you need to do before your surgery.
• The day before surgery, a nurse from the hospital’s Admitting Department will call to confirm the time of your surgery and the time you need to arrive at the hospital.
• The night before your surgery, follow the instructions from your surgeon for when to stop eating and drinking.

• The day of your surgery, arrive at the hospital’s Admitting Department at the time advised by the surgeon’s office.
• Check in with the Admissions Desk. Get a wristband with your name, date of birth, PHN and the gender that is listed on your BC Services Card.
  1. HOT TIP: The team at GSP BC works with other hospital departments to ensure that your correct name and pronoun are used during your hospital stay. Hospital Admission staff will write the name you go by on your wristband ID.

• You will be given some privacy to wash and change into a hospital gown.
• A nurse will talk with you about what to expect. You’ll be reminded to remove your jewelry. You can ask any questions you have.You may be given some medications.
• The nurse may start an IV, check your blood pressure, and assist you into the hospital bed.
• The surgeons may visit you, do some assessments on the blood vessels in your arms and legs, and make some drawings on your body to guide the procedure. 
• The anesthesiologist may visit you to talk about the anesthetic and answer questions.

• You will be taken to the Operating Room in your hospital bed.
• The nurses will assist you onto the surgical table and put on a blood pressure cuff and some monitors.
• The Operating Room team will confirm with you the name that you go by, the name on your BC Services Card (if different), and the type of surgery you are having.
• The anesthesiologist will talk you through going under anesthesia.
• Once the anesthesia has made you fall asleep, the surgeon will begin the procedure. The procedure usually takes about 9-12 hours for phalloplasty and 5-6 hours for metoidioplasty. Your friends and family can wait for you in the waiting room.
  

• When the surgery is over, you will be taken to a recovery area. Nurses will monitor you closely until the anesthesia wears off.
• You will be taken back to your hospital room and the nurses will help you get settled. They will continue to monitor you, help you with pain management, and talk to you about your bandages and drains. Once you are settled, your friends and family can visit you.
• After your surgery, you will stay in the hospital for 6-7 days if you have had phalloplasty and 2-3 days if you have had metoidioplasty.
• You will then be discharged home or to your local temporary accommodations.