Here are some basic facts:

  • method was penile inversion
  • I opted for full-depth rather than a vulvoplasty
  • surgery took 3 hours, though recovery took another hour
  • I went under general anaesthesia and had to be intubated and put on a ventilator
  • I'm currently admitted in the hospital and bed bound, discharge is scheduled for Friday
  • so far pain is between 1 and 3 for me, most of the time it's between a 0 and 1.

Ask me anything!

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[–] 9 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Thank you for even thinking about these questions! Remember that trans patients are patients, and while some things can be due to medical transition, not everything is. Unless it's specifically transition-related care, most of us are just there for a stomach bug, or a headache, or the same procedures everyone else is getting. Ask our pronouns, ask our preferred names, make us feel like all of your other patients. This goes such a long way to making it a good experience. When it does come down to gender expression or transition-related things, ask about preferences and goals. Not everyone is binary. Even the binary among us have different options and plans. And sometimes, we can change our minds about things! Don't stop being an inquisitive person. Learning gives you options and understanding and empathy, and those are the best tools you can have as a caregiver. Thank you for doing what you do!

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  • [+] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)
  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Feel free to send DMs if you want to have a longer chat about this. I'm headed for general anesthesia tomorrow for an unrelated procedure (see, we have normal human things like everyone else!) so I'm sure I'll be meeting another nice surgical technician like you before I go under. I've been through a whirlwind lately, and my post history isn't even half of it, so I am sure there's much to discuss. Thanks again for remembering the human part of healthcare!

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