Kathy's big adventure

[Jackie C.]

36 minutes ago, KathyLauren said:

Identifying sensations has been a challenge.  All the sensations feel familiar, as they should, since all the tissues are my own.  But they have all been rearranged, so what it feels like isn’t what’s actually happening!  That took some getting used to.  I have identified most of the sensations.  There is still one that puzzles me.  Fortunately, it happens less often these days.  (TMI alert:  What the heck would feel like a wire snare around my penis?)

 

I've got a certain amount of this going on too. My nervous system INSISTS that my urine stream is running from the tip of my penis.

 

37 minutes ago, KathyLauren said:

Whether due to swelling or due to the position of my urethra, peeing is a bit of an adventure.  As I told my doctor recently, I am lucky if I can hit the toilet from a seated position!  I’ll have to see if that improves over the next months.

 

Still? I'm a little off-center (I pull to the left) but everything is going where it's supposed to. My urethra placement is about an eighth of an inch off-center so I figure that's most of the issue. Honestly I think I took more pictures of my new load-out since February than I have of my entire body in the last ten years.

 

40 minutes ago, KathyLauren said:

I stopped icing my bits when I stopped doing the sitz baths, at one month.  That turned out to be a mistake.  I still swell up after any activity, so I am back to icing 1-3 times every day.  I am still fairly swollen as a baseline.  That is to be expected for a year.

 

That's a little surprising. I've still got some swelling, but it's only really noticeable when I'm seated and holding my legs together. My gynecologist spotted it straight away though so maybe it's worse than I think. Still, I can walk a mile and some change without being the worse for wear (presuming I don't step on anything sharp).

 

I was told "no ice" though so maybe that's the difference? It's a pity you don't live closer. We could compare notes. Our spouses would probably think we were loons though. Well, mine already thinks I'm weird, but still... ?

 

Hugs!

[Maddee]

Thanks for the update Kathy.

It is good to know things that can happen.  And in your case you can help dispel assumptions (misinformation?) about limited depth surgery not being a very serious thing, or not  requiring long recovery.

 

Glad for you to have gotten past the pain of hair regrowth stage.

[Jani]

Hi Kathy, I'm sorry to hear you're still having issues with swelling.  Hopefully it will abate in time.  Going back to sitz baths and icing might be a good idea or at least cold compresses after activity.  I know you are happy the regrowth of hair has passed the "Ouch" stage! 

 

Yes @Ms Maddie this surgery like all GRS procedures is very serious and recovery time is not to be taken lightly.  I suppose its the same with some FFS procedures that are considered "easy".   You are so right about dispelling rumors.