Arrange help

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

Important: You may want someone to travel with you.

Keep in mind that this person’s travel and accommodations will not be covered by MSP. For air travel, Hope Air does provide limited exceptions. See their Travel Request Help page.

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

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.

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

You’ll find an activity in the Workbook for Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty Surgery to make a plan around asking for help.

Support Checklist

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

The checklist is included in the Workbook for Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty Surgery.

You can also send people to the Tips for Family and Friends page, in the Resource 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.

Select the centre below where you will be having surgery.

• GSP BC (Vancouver)
• GRS Montreal

GSP BC (Vancouver)

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

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• 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.
  • HOT TIP: The team at GSP BC will work 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.

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• You will be given some privacy to wash and change into a hospital gown.
• A nurse will talk to 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 and check your blood pressure and assist you into the hospital bed.
• The surgeons may visit you and make some drawings on your body to guide the procedure.
• The anesthesiologist may visit you to talk about the anesthetic and answer questions.

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• You will be taken to the Operating Room in your hospital bed.
• The nurse 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 take you through going under anesthesia.
• Once the anesthesia has made you fall asleep, the surgeon(s) will begin the procedure. The procedure will take 9-12 hours. Your friends and family can wait for you in the waiting room.

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• 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.
• You will then be discharged home or to your local temporary accommodations.

GRS Montreal

Below is description of what generally happens when you arrive in Montreal.

• Have an in-person consult with your surgeon 1-2 days before your surgery.
  
• Follow the instructions for the night before your surgery related to enemas, showering, hair removal, and removing make-up and jewelry. 
  
• Follow the instructions from your surgeon for when to stop eating and drinking.

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• Arrive at the surgical centre on the day of surgery. Some people are advised to come the night before.
• 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. If this is different from the name you use and your gender, you can ask for an extra “Name Alert” wristband with your correct name and pronouns.

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• The staff will show you to your room. There will be a vault to store your valuables.
  
• A nurse will talk with you about what to expect. You’ll be given a hospital gown to change into. You’ll be reminded to remove your jewelry. You can ask any questions you have.
  
• The nurse will start an IV and check your blood pressure.
  
• The surgeon may make some drawings on your skin to guide the procedure. 
  
• The anesthesiologist may visit you to talk about the anesthetic and answer questions.

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• 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 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 two hours.

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• 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.
  
• After your surgery, you will stay at GRS Montreal’s surgical centre (called the CMC) for 2-3 days.
• The nurses will typically have you stand completely upright, the first night of your surgery. The next day, they will have you walk around a small amount. This improves blood flow and the speed of healing.
• You will then move to GRS Montreal’s post-operative centre called the Asclépiade for about 1 week. This building is next door to the clinic, and a nurse will usually bring you over in a wheelchair. Nurses are on-site to provide 24-hour post-operative care, support, and education.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you are having surgery at GRS Montreal and have any questions about vaginoplasty or vulvoplasty at their centre, we recommend that you read the Frequently Asked Questions page on the GRS Montreal website.