Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Approaching GCS!


Kylie

Recommended Posts

Hello All!

 

Haven’t been posting much as of late, but I have been following all the posts and smiling. I’m glad so many are having successful roads despite all the hiccups along the way. 
 

As the title states, my GCS is approaching quickly; March 25! I am having my procedure done at The Hospital at Westlake by Dr. Ashley DeLeon with Crane Center for Trans Health. 
 

exciting!

 

For those that have went through the surgery, any pointers to have a speedy recovery? I’m planning to stay out of work 8 weeks, if needed more. I have applied for my FMLA and for Short-Term Disability (still nervous about the approval of it?). My coworkers are having a ‘Taco Tuesday’ party for me and asked me to create a registry at Target for items I need. Any recommendations on things I should ask for? So far I put some bed sheets, cleaning supplies, bleach, lube and an assortment of pads, shirts and loose fitting bottoms. 
 

Thank you all for any pointers!

 

Kylie❤️

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Congratulations!

 

Your GCS is the day after my birthday! So happy birthday from me to you!

 

I'm going in next week. Things I've already gathered include:

 

Bed pads in case of leaks.

Depends for the same reason.

Laxatives, because you mustn't strain... and they want you on a high protein diet.

Topical antibiotics (Hibicleanse) to ward off infections.

I'm also starting on an anti-scarring protocol... tomorrow, yikes! ...with Arnica tablets.

A donut to sit on. I'm told the one they give you at the hospital is... in a word... crap.

 

I'll be wearing my long shirt style pajamas for much of my recovery, so I've got that down. Loose fitting clothing for the actual hospital visit. I'm thinking my dark skirt and a nice top. Sweatpants, but you already probably have those. I still need to buy... and probably buy stock in... lube. I bet I can set up a monthly delivery service with Amazon once I figure out how fast I go through it.

 

It's a brave new world for me too. I'm looking forward to seeing what the girls that have already been there have to offer.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

@Jackie C. how awesome! I have been stocking up on stuff as well such as anything and everything to prevent an infection. I am an RN, so I know how things can go bad if not cared for properly. I didn’t think about just wearing PJs. I’ll be in Austin Texas for about 2-3 weeks before I can come back home to N.C.  so praying this all goes well! 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I figured I'd be confined to the hotel room for most of a week, so why NOT just live in my comfy PJs? No clue how I'm going to be navigating much of anything with the catheter/bag attached but I imagine I'll be able to work something out. I've gotten so used to being active, because, "as close as you can get to the best shape of your life," I've no idea what I'm going to do with myself during the recovery period. My morning has included a three-hour plus gym session for almost a year now... What else am I going to do in the morning? Sleep? I mean we're only allowed to even sit up for "short periods to take meals."

 

They're only keeping me for a week though. We're leaving Sunday and I start the trip home on Wednesday. Then regular Skype consults with the doctor to make sure everything is healing properly. I am both excited and terrified.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

How cool! My surgeon has me staying locally in TX for 2-3 weeks pending an issue with recovery. I’ll be in the hospital 3 days then hotel for the remainder. So look forward to this. Please post your experience so I can gain some perspective!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I will absolutely do that as soon as I'm able. I plan to have my tablet with me, but I'm not sure how much typing I'll be able to do from my nest. If anything breaks me, it'll be not being able to sit up or missing friends.

 

Or Susan smothering me with a pillow because I asked for "just a glass of water" one too many times.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
  • Admin

Maybe not at Target, but at Sams Club or Costco get a large package of "hospitality grade" (ie' motel) white washcloth's (about 24 count).  They are kinder to the wound area than Kleenex and some other paper products and washing them out is easy enough.  They also give your nice towels and washcloths a safety break.  You won't feel bad about getting rid of the heavily stained ones although they do last pretty well.

 

Get a couple of bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide for cleaning the washcloths and your underwear, it is a miracle cleaner for blood stains on them.  Plain cotton underwear at least one and possibly two sizes bigger than you currently wear.

 

Word of caution on the Antibiotic stuff is that you have good and helpful bacteria on your skin naturally which keeps a balance with good and natural fungi (yeasts).  Even following my doctors orders on a prescription antibiotic gel that I used my first two weeks, the balance went to snot and I had a YEAST infection that turned dilation into AGONY.  I saw my new gynecologist at 21 days post to get that taken care of which she did quickly.  Later on, about 6 weeks the two, then cooperating micro life forms will help your new genital arrangement progress and be happy.

 

Get a few ordinary plastic shoe boxes with lids that are dishwasher safe and use them for keeping your care supplies.  I say dishwasher safe with the idea they can be easily kept clean.  Two of the wash rags kept in the box with your current "boy friend" as I called my dilators, make clean up a breeze.  The process is messy.

 

At first you will be going through a lot of lube, so I recommend getting the pump bottle type of stuff that Wall Mart has.  At first I went through about a bottle a week or less, so having a good supply on hand keeps panic away.  It is a dream of some people to buy lube in a 55 gallon drum which from time to time is on the internet, but you need the exercise of going out and buying the stuff, so don't go that whole hog on getting it.  

 

Index my posts from January 2013 in the Post Op Forum for some fun about my adventure, I think they begin on page 6 over there.  DO be ready for one negative experience a few months in to your healing process.  Now you are very excited and under stress to get this done and its a high of sorts.  I would say about June or July when this stuff becomes dull and boring routine you will feel a let-down or some actual depression come in then, it is part of healing, but not the fun part.  I cover that in a couple of my posts there and did it to help others. 

Link to comment

Good luck to you both. I imagine waiting to be rolled up to the ER will seen forever, then getting moved around and IV'ed will be a distraction, your doc will drop by to say hi, and you will wake up in a recovery room with a whole new set of challenges before you, but finally healing in the right direction. You go, Grrls.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I'm following this thread with interest, since I will be going for my surgery in about five weeks.  Great information so far.

 

Good luck to both of you, Kylie and Jackie!

 

Regards,

Kathy

Link to comment

Congratulations and good luck to both of you, Kylie and Jackie. 

 

My own GCS is scheduled for February 21, so I am reading threads like this with great interest.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

So.....

The month of March is here! Begins the count down to the 25th for surgery! My Friends and Co-Workers planned and hosted a party/shower for me and have given me so many gifts and essentials as my surgery date is now close. This was such a tremendous surprise and blessing!

 

I have now completed all the necessary intake w/ my surgeon and all appropriate stuff is done. :)

 

Can't wait to follow along with everyone else as they go thru this journey as well!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Congratulations!

 

Also, the day after my birthday. I shall raise a slice of cheesecake in honor of your day of fasting and bowel purge.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

Awe I will be thinking of your Birthday while I suffer the bowel prep!

 

I am ready to be done, yet so nervous!

 

Kylie

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Once you start the bowel prep... well, you won't be thinking of much else. ?

 

The bowel prep was just the worst. Probably better than the nausea I had after surgery (my body does not care for being confined to a 30 degree angle or less. May your digestive system be more forgiving), but it's not going to be one of my cherished memories.

 

I'm ready to be done too. ? Happy I did it, but so ready to be done with the healing. May you heal faster than I am as well.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

I followed your journey very closely and only thing I noticed differs is my surgeon is getting me out of bed post op day 1. With me being an RN I am very much aware of everything that can occur and want to prevent anything! I am not letting the staff know that I nor the friend with me are Nurses, don't want them to worry all the time about wondering if we are judging. My surgeon has giggled at me for keeping it hush hush.  

 

I am patiently waiting, today marks 20 days until I go under the knife!

 

as my friends have said, "snip snap, its a trap!"

 

 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Oh, that'll be fun. I'm only just starting to walk like a human being again. My surgeon was more concerned with everything setting in before I was allowed to move. If I might ask, what flavor procedure are you having? I'm curious about differences based on procedure.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
40 minutes ago, Kylie said:

I am patiently waiting, today marks 20 days until I go under the knife!

 

 

Patiently, my #$%^!  :)  Take deep breaths: you'll be fine.  I go in six days.  I'll be home in time to give you a proper send-off.

 

Kathy

Link to comment

@Jackie C. I am having the one step inversion procedure.Possibility in needing a graft, but will not know until in the procedure. She has said depending on what she encounters will determine where she uses a graft from (colon or skin).  Hopefully nothing extra needed!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Huh, same procedure I had. My surgeon said, "Lie there like a dead fish so everything has time to attach." I'm curious as to the difference in reasoning.

 

I can walk about a half hour at this point. Susan wanted wanted to go antiquing today. I got through the short store and about one aisle of the the clothing resale before I was holding onto shelves for support. Fortunately, Susan was perceptive enough to call the death march short when she realized I was going pale. Usually I enjoy browsing the resale clothing shop but something in my undercarriage was screaming at me and I desperately needed a break. Not healed yet. ?

 

Maybe to keep your legs from swelling up? I got these automatic leg massage things. They actually felt really nice.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   9 Members, 1 Anonymous, 117 Guests (See full list)

    • Abigail Genevieve
    • MaryEllen
    • RaineOnYourParade
    • MAN8791
    • Betty K
    • missyjo
    • Ivy
    • Mmindy
    • Lydia_R
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      769k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,049
    • Most Online
      8,356

    LostAndForgotten
    Newest Member
    LostAndForgotten
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Adamtoeve
      Adamtoeve
      (38 years old)
    2. Andy C.
      Andy C.
      (22 years old)
    3. Asher the Enby Goddex
      Asher the Enby Goddex
      (23 years old)
    4. camerashy
      camerashy
      (52 years old)
    5. Stacy S.
      Stacy S.
      (55 years old)
  • Posts

    • Vidanjali
      Have you considered the research that has been done substantiating overpopulation problem as a myth? For example, here is an article by a regional population economics researcher and agricultural economist. https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/12/12/16766872/overpopulation-exaggerated-concern-climate-change-world-population   Moreover, legal limits on childbirth have had unfortunate consequences for China which go well beyond being scary or controversial, but affecting the economy, workforce, and intellectual and creative wealth of the nation. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/02/china-population-control-two-child-policy   And noting that such an idea is scary and controversial, I think, is an understatement. We are seeing many unfortunate (that word, also, an understatement) consequences of illegal abortion in the US. A websearch reveals article after article about people who have suffered tremendously from being denied fertility healthcare overtly and technically related to abortion. Below is an overview. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/04/18/human-rights-crisis-abortion-united-states-after-dobbs#:~:text=Abortion bans also harm women's,are exposed to abusive relationships.   Not to mention the fact that Black people are STILL disproportionately harmed and abused by the medical community. Legalized limits on childbirth would likewise be  disproportionately harmful to Black people and other disenfranchised populations. An overview: https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/how-present-day-health-disparities-for-black-people-are-linked-to-past-policies-and-events/   And certainly the legal limit on childbirth was enforced discriminatorily in China as well. https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-international-news-weekend-reads-china-health-269b3de1af34e17c1941a514f78d764c   One must consider that a dynamic issue such a global sustainability is not solved by addressing only one variable. Instead, a dynamic solution is required. Such a solution would entail, in my opinion, addressing inequities and manifesting progress rather than enforcing restrictions on people's bodies.    
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      I think your biggest issue in campaigning is going to be funding.  It simply takes great buckets of money to get into state office, let alone federal.    As for population, I think you're barking up the wrong tree when it comes to America.  Our population is only increasing by immigration. It is 3rd-world nations who have kids like crazy, and then lots of their extra people come to the USA.  Lets look at Nigeria for an example.  Nigeria has a land area of 366k square miles (equivalent to 5 or 6 US midwest states).  They have 218 million people crammed in that space, and most of them want to leave and go elsewhere.  In 1950, Nigeria's population was 32 million - 7x less than today.  In 1950, the population of the USA was 158 million, around half of the 333 million we have today.  And that doesn't take immigration into account.   Our population would mostly be stable or even decline if it wasn't for immigration.  So if you want to decrease our domestic population, you'd be looking at a moratorium on immigration....and you wouldn't be running as a Democrat to get that one done.  As for "one kid for every two women," how to you propose to do that?  Chinese-style "one child policy" or government license to have a kid?  China ended up with a demographic collapse, and they have removed the policy.  Then there's 1st Amendment issues.  In Christianity, children are considered to be a good thing.  My area is predominantly Christian, and it is not uncommon to see a woman with 5 or 6 kids.  To accomplish a population reduction goal in the USA, you'd be looking to add a new Amendment to the Constitution, and also have years of litigation regarding infringement on religious freedom.    My own faith community permits plural marriage, and we have "exponential reproduction" as a central principle.  The goal being to increase the size of our community, partly for security and political influence.  At our current reproductive rate (along with shorter generations), we hope to go from a population in the low hundreds to a population of hundreds of thousands by the 22nd century.    Honestly, what I'd like to see (assuming the world stays intact and we don't see the End Times / Apocalypse) is space colonization.  Imagine if we had new planets for people to go to?  We wouldn't have to worry anymore.  Perhaps push for funding for space exploration?  Research to create usable long-distance space ships? 
    • Birdie
      Maybelline has an online app where you can upload an image or use your face real-time to try on makeup before you buy it.    I used the app on my teenage face and it works great.   
    • Mirrabooka
      We love udon noodles here! Sometimes we have the skinny Singaporean ones, sometimes we have rice, but those fat buggers are simply devine! 😍
    • Lydia_R
      My Gen Z transwoman roommate and my Gen X drummer roommate and I made two wonderful stir fry in the traditional wok on the high power propane burner on the back deck.  We splurged both times and had udon noodles in them with brussel sprouts, pepper and onions with a peanut and sesame sauce.   Been having them with seasoned white rice lately too.  I've been enjoying putting dill in them with the toasted sesame oil, turmeric and white pepper.
    • Mmindy
      Good morning everyone,   It's grass cutting day here on our little corner lot. The sidewalk that goes along the south side of our house, leads to a city park so we get a ton of foot traffic on it. I keep the lawn mowed and the sidewalk edged for the best street appeal. Several in the neighborhood have said its the slowest part of the walk because they have to stop to look at the flowers or watch a bird at the feeder. All of the dogs know they have fun hugs coming from me if I'm in the yard, and the conversations with the neighbors also give their hearts a chance to reach a resting beat.   @April Marie while you're working on your tan, please don't forget sunscreen. @KymmieLgood luck with the job search, it's so stressful to be the punching bag at work. @WillowI've never sold a car to a friend or someone I knew. Buyer beware, sold as is.   Hugs,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mirrabooka
      We pulled a leftover beef stir-fry out of the freezer. With Asian greens, noodles, cashews, all in a honey/sesame sauce.
    • Mirrabooka
      Oh @April Marie, sssstop it!!! 😍
    • Mirrabooka
      Whether it is Sunday or not - may I ask, how long does the whole process take?    My every-morning basic 'beauty routine' - shave face/wash/hair/other grooming already takes over 10 minutes. My wife is basically beating down the door, lol! 
    • Ivy
      We did pretty well for almost 40 years.   But by then we were kinda moving in different directions spiritually and on some other things.  I might have moved the most significantly.  I think my trans woman was trying to assert herself, although it still took a little more time for the egg to crack.     I was the one who moved out (although we had been sleeping in separate rooms for about a year).  I was satisfied to just be separated, but after a bit she filed for divorce.  I didn't contest it - our kids were all adults by then.  She remarried, I haven't.  Now her husband has died and she is back in this area.   Yeah, we are still friends, but sometimes it's hard for me if I've been around her.  I do miss her.  She uses my now name and gender for me.   I am lonely.  I think I could remarry, maybe, if I found the right person, but I don't see much chance of that.  I'm in my 70's, this is a pretty conservative area, and I am a transgender woman.  So this is how it is - at least for me.
    • missyjo
      daisy nightie..soon to be bike shorts n t for alpaca sheering day..then shower b something cute for dinner   all the hair ideas..I started biotin..thought him was just ed..interesting..did you pick hims for a reason?   hugs to all    
    • Lorelei
      That is am what I planning on. Take the defensive driving class after the conviction and all goes away aside from the fine I pay. My vehicle is a commercial vehicle (10,000+ pound diesel pickup truck with commercial plates), but since I exclusively use it for personal use so I do not need or have a CDL.
    • KymmieL
      I seems like I am dreading going to my job more each day. So, I take it as a sign to jump ship. All the time I expect to be chastised. It is not a good way to have a job. I am on the hunt for a new one, however nothing has surfaced.   Kymmie
    • EasyE
      yes yes yes!
    • Ladypcnj
      Hi Heather, thank you for the welcome 
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...