5 Things to Help Your Recovery After Transgender GRS Surgery
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When you come out of hospital and begin your recovery from Transgender GRS Surgery, you want things to be as easy and worry free as possible. Here’s a few bits that I have found helpful, that may make your recovery that little bit easier.
Sanitary pads
Although the hospital may provide you with a few pads for when you leave, it’s a good idea to grab some in ahead of your return home. It’s good practice to change them often to make sure you are hygienic and your wounds have the best chance to heal after your GRS surgery. In the first few days you may need pads which can absorb more liquid, but as time moves on, the bigger ones become more of a hindrance due to the discomfort they create.
Bearing in mind you will probably not have a constant flow down there, thinner pads are more appropriate. Dailies are good for this, and most brands including supermarket own brands stock their own versions for a reasonable price. Stick with long ones to ensure you get full protection.
Although some people advise to not get pads with wings, I found them no problem so I guess it’s something you need to just figure out yourself.
You’ll be dilating 3 times a day for the first ten weeks or so and it’s good practice to change pads after each dilation session as well as a couple of extra times per day as required. This would mean you should plan for at least 5 pads per day (in my opinion). Now this is an ‘at least’ so over prepare so you don’t find yourself with too few.
Here’s a few options including reusable pads and pants, but feel free to shop around and try different ones to suit you;
- Flo Organic Bamboo Sanitary Pads
- Always Ultra Day and Night Pads
- Reusable Sanitary Pads
- Washable Period Pants
Manuka Honey
Now my hospital advised Medical grade manuka honey to help if there were any open wounds during healing and I was surprised at how inexpensive it was. You use a pea sized amount on any wounds and the heat of the body warms it and makes it go a long way.
I was also advised by others who have been through the surgery that you can get manuka in an edible form which you can use up to three times a day (a teaspoon per time) either in your drink, on toast etc to help prevent any infections and give the body more tools to combat anything that may develop. I bought a pot and made use of it but couldn’t vouch either way whether it helped. I didn’t experience any infection, but was that because I used the manuka? Who knows?
I’ll leave it to you to decide if it is something you would like to try, here’s a couple of options for you to consider;
Puppy Pads/Inco Sheets
When you dilate, especially in the early days, it’s going to be a little messy and you will want to do it on your bed. To protect your bed from lots of staining, get some disposable waterproof sheets like puppy pads or incontinence sheets. These don’t have to cost the earth, but means that at least your bed stays clean and you don’t need to worry about stripping and cleaning your bedding so much whilst you are trying to recover from your transgender GRS surgery.
Check out some of these and see if you can find something you will be able to make use of;
Cotton Pants
Simple full brief cotton pants are best for when you are recovering from your transgender GRS surgery. Not only will they wash better, but you don’t want the discomfort whilst you are swollen and healing from lacy or tight knickers.
You can pick up multi-packs of simple briefs from most supermarkets with a clothing department, but feel free to have a look at some of these too if you are unable to get anywhere;
Body Pillow
When you first get home you will probably be looking forward to getting back into your own bed. If (like me) you aren’t the biggest fan of sleeping on your back, you’ll find that trying to sleep on your side when you are swollen and sore is really not comfortable. Using a body pillow between your legs can allow you to lay more on your side and hopefully get a better sleep.
Obviously you can use a pillow or two if you have spares, but there’s a reason body pillows exist and are suggested for pregnant folk! They give you the support you need as well as the comfort of something to hug when you are feeling a bit ropey.
Have a little look at these and make your own decision based on what you need;
Understand that you are unique. Your experience will be yours and yours alone. Take advice from as many places as you can and tailor it to suit your lifestyle, financial situation and particular needs. If any of this is of any help to you, please share among others and let me know your thoughts on instagram, facebook or tiktok.
Thank you for reading this post. Why not check out some of my other posts like 5 Things to Help Ahead of Your Transgender GRS Surgery you can also access more info on my Resources Page. If you found it useful, you can buy a coffee or perhaps treat yourself to some KelZo Jewellery to say thanks! Don’t forget to follow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and you can also donate to Zoey’s fundraiser.
