Take good care of your body

It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. 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.

Everybody recovers at a different pace and it can take several months before you feel like you have all your energy back.

Caring for your incisions

Follow your surgeon’s instructions for how to care for your incisions and donor sites. If you have any questions, don’t be shy to ask. This is a new skill to learn and your surgical team wants to support you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable.

Generally speaking, you should contact your surgeon (or go to the Emergency Room) if you experience the following:

Increased swelling in the penis
Worsening or spreading redness around your incisions
Your incisions become red, swollen or hot to the touch
Foul-smelling yellow or green discharge
Cloudy, smelly urine
Chills or a fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius (101.3 Fahrenheit) by mouth
An increase in pain or pain that does not go away with pain medication
Persistent severe diarrhea

Take care of your catheter

If you had urethral lengthening, you will have a catheter in place to allow urine to drain from your bladder while your new urethra heals. Many people say that having a catheter in place for a prolonged period of time is one of the most challenging aspects of the overall experience. Here are some general tips that can make having a catheter a bit more comfortable:

Drink enough water to have clear, light yellow-colored urine. This will likely mean about eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day. This will help to reduce bladder spasms and dilute your urine.
Avoid spicy, acidic or citrus foods
Avoid alcohol
Avoid caffeine
Follow any other advice from your surgical team

Manage Pain

It is important to manage your pain well so that you can sleep through the night, slowly re-start your usual daily activities, and follow the aftercare instructions from your surgeon.

Stick to a pain medication schedule. Don’t wait to take medication once the pain is overwhelming, as your pain will be harder to control.
You may wish to use the pain medication tracking chart in Workbook for Phalloplasty, Metoidioplasty, and Erectile Tissue Release Surgery in BC.
Avoid rubbing or scratching your incisions as they heal. Itchiness is a normal part of the healing process.

Wash Hands Frequently

Always wash your hands with soap before and after touching your genitals. This will help prevent infection.

Get Lots of Rest

You may feel very tired after your surgery. Plan to do less activity during the day and allow yourself to nap. Your body needs extra sleep while you are healing. Relaxation techniques can help your body heal from surgery, too. They reduce the effects of stress on your body, letting your body’s systems focus on healing.

Many people share that they were surprised by how exhausted and weak they felt after lower surgery. This is a very complex surgery and it can take 6-8 weeks to recover. Remember that your body does its healing while you are resting. Take naps or rest breaks during the day and trust that you will slowly build up your energy and strength again.

Walk

Walking helps to relieve pain, improve blood flow and prevent blood clots. It can also be good for your mood. However, it is important to be gentle and not push yourself. Your surgical team will provide you with instructions about when and how you can start walking. Begin with short walks and slowly increase how far you walk. Many people find that using a walker or a cane at first is helpful. If walking is not an option for you, speak with your health care providers about alternative options, like leg and deep breathing or coughing exercises.

Enjoy foods that promote wound healing

Look for foods with protein (meats, eggs and nuts); zinc (whole grains, spinach, nuts); vitamin A (carrots, broccoli, eggs); & Vitamin C (strawberries, peppers). Your body will need extra calories, proteins and nutrients to heal. If you have questions, you may find it helpful to speak with a dietician. You can contact a dietician by calling 8-1-1 (Health Link BC).

Drink Lots of Water

It is important to drink lots of water (2-3 litres/day) and empty your bladder regularly. This helps to prevent urinary tract infections.

Manage Constipation

Constipation is a common side-effect of pain medication. If you experience this, try increasing the number of walks you take, drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating prunes, or taking a stool softener. Get protein from food sources other than dairy. If constipation continues for several days, speak to your healthcare provider.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco

Avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco. If you have any questions about this, speak with your surgical team.

Attend Your Check-Ups

GSP BC:

You will be given your post-operative follow up plan before you go home. If you traveled to Vancouver, you will be expected to stay in the Lower Mainland for 3-4 weeks after discharge so you can attend in-person follow up appointments with your surgical team. All your follow up care will be completed by the surgical team at GSP BC.

You may want to arrange to see your NP or GP within a week of going home as well. They will review your post-operative baseline and see how you’re feeling.