Metoidioplasty releases the tissues that hold the clitoris tighter to the body. After metoidioplasty, the phallus will be longer and erections stand up more. Many people are able to stand to pee after metoidioplasty, especially if urethral lengthening was also done. We provide a more in-depth read in our surgery series and have some tips for physically preparing for bottom surgery here. In this blog, we want to talk about getting ready for your hospital stay and immediate recovery time and we’ll share our metoidioplasty checklist.
Metoidioplasty procedures range from less to more complex, but they are significant surgeries.
Less complex:
Metoidioplasty
- Without urethral lengthening (the opening for urine (pee) will not be moved)
- Without hysterectomy.
- Without vaginectomy.
More complex:
Metoidioplasty
- With urethral lengthening (the opening for urine (pee) will be moved to the tip of the new phallus.)
- With hysterectomy.
- With vaginectomy.
- With implants, scrotoplasty, or monsplasty.
Some of these things can happen independently and some can’t.
If you opt for urethral lengthening, you will most likely need both a hysterectomy and a vaginectomy. Some providers will do UL without vaginectomy, but there aren’t many. The risks for complications are higher if urethral lengthening is done without vaginectomy.
If you opt for a hysterectomy, you don’t have to have a vaginectomy, but if you opt for a vaginectomy, you will have to have a hysterectomy because the uterus needs an outlet for health reasons.
The procedures you choose will impact your hospital stay. See metoidioplasty.net for a discussion of the different types of metoidioplasty. OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) has an excellent informational booklet on metoidioplasty.
After surgery, you will not be on bedrest, so you will be able to get out of bed. It may be a bit of a production, however – you’ll have compression gear on your legs (to help prevent blood clots,) a suprapubic catheter if your urethra was moved, and you may have surgical drains, as well as bandages over your surgical site. You will be encouraged to stay in bed and rest. You are likely to be discharged the second day after your surgery.
As your hospital stay is unlikely to be longer than one overnight, your packing list can be shorter than what you might need for a longer stay. You may want to bring something to keep you occupied while you’re not sleeping or doing in-bed PT, but your body will be doing some hefty healing and you’ll likely be on pain meds, so you might not have a lot of extra energy or focus.
Items for your hospital stay metoidioplasty checklist:
- Your phone
- Headphones for listening to music or phone calls
- Other personal electronics if desired
- Chargers with a long cord – there might not be an open outlet near your bed.
- Earplugs and an eyemask for sleeping, especially if you are a light sleeper
- Moisturizers for hands, face, lips, and body
- A cozy robe, zip-up hoodie, sweater, or blanket
- Staff will need to access your arms for blood pressure readings and blood draws/IV maintenance.
- Loose, soft clothing to go home in. Front-close shirts, bottoms without zippers, and shoes that don’t need to be tied will be easier to get on and off.
- You’ll have access to the hospital cafeteria, but a small supply of some favorite snacks may be enjoyable.
- A back scratcher may come in handy, especially if you’re typically itchy
- A favorite comfort item
Once you are home:
Your activities will be restricted for several weeks:
- Light walking only
- No lifting anything over ten pounds
- No saddle/straddle activities like biking
- No wide leg movements.
- If you had urethral lengthening, you’ll have a catheter for about a month
- No driving for about three weeks
Supplies that may be helpful:
- 4” by 4” gauze pads
- Fluffy rolled gauze
- Medical tape
- Baciatracin Antibiotic ointment
- Mild, hypoallergenic soap
- Ice packs
- Lots of mesh or loose-fitting underwear
- Absorbent pads for underwear
- Extra bath towels – you’ll be instructed to shower twice a day
- Extra toilet paper, wipes, flannels for body cleaning (your urine stream might be unexpected!)
- A peri or squirt bottle for directing water rinses into crevices and folds
- Cleaning supplies for your environment
- Bed pads (“chux” come in disposable and reusable forms!)
- Thermometer
- Non-latex exam gloves
- A donut pillow for sitting
- A reacher/grabber tool
- A hand mirror to better see your new anatomy
- A cart for moving items between rooms
- A stash of prepared meals for your first week or two
- Bendy straws!
OHSU recommends that you have a caretaker on call 24/7 for the first two weeks and someone staying with you for the first four days.
What to Watch Out For While You Are Recovering
This is not a complete list – your surgeon will also go over what to look out for.
- Sudden swelling or pain
- A fever or chills
- Heavy bleeding from incisions that doesn’t stop
- New or sudden bruising near your incisions
- Wound discharge changes that smell bad or look different
Do you have darker skin? Read our blog about differences in surgical complications and hematoma risk for Black or darker-skinned patients.
Do you have sensory or chemical restrictions? Read our blog on preparing for hospital stays when you have allergies or sensitivities!
Download our Metoidioplasty Checklist!
