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Thinking about dilation, most surgeons will provide three dilators, in my case the first two sizes were a breeze while the third as extremely painful. So when at the larger size I would first use the medium size one for the first five minutes then move to the larger size, still was painful for the first several days but much more manageable then not starting with the medium size one. What I really like is Trojan lubricants H2O lube, more expensive then KY but well worth it and less messy.

Thanks for that information! The timing matches up pretty well with mine - surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning, I was told to be at the hospital at 10:30 (originally 6 a.m., but it got moved). Then I should be out on Friday, with a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rumer next Tuesday, then home on Wednesday. They suggested staying overnight after the visit to make sure there are no issues with dilation. I'll be staying at Homes2 Suite (or Home 2 Suites) tomorrow night and then after the surgery - the rooms all have kitchen facilities and it's pretty close to the hospital (an 8 minute walk - obviously I won't be walking back, but I can walk to the hospital on Tuesday). I got some unscented feminine wipes, but they didn't mention the KY - that is something I should probably get, and the donut pillow is a great idea! I'll try to get one in Philly when I get down there tomorrow. My train ride back next week is about 2 hours, that's probably comparable to what you had in terms of your return flight? I don't know if I ever mentioned that I saw Marci Bowers speak when I went to the Transgender Health Conference last year? It was a full room and a good presentation! The fullness of the room was partly because they only gave her 1 time slot this year, not the usual 2, so she had to cover M2F and F2M in the same session.

In regards to stay in the hospital, surgery was on a Tuesday, 6 AM in the morning, I left the hospital on Friday afternoon of the same week. Went in for post op appointment the following Monday morning. Macri Bowers suggest staying close by for one week so I did and made sure I got the best hotel possible which included a full kitchen, living room and bedroom. I spent time on the computer and television between Friday and Sunday then started venturing out after my Monday appointment, went shopping, got my nails done and socialized with a member from this site and a old friend from 30 years ago. They week stay is optional but felt if was a good idea too yet there were no problems other than me sleeping more than usual. I was very happy that I purchased a good donut seat which was very handy on the flight back to Oregon. BTW not sure what you were told but it's good to have plenty of wet wipes and sanitary pads for the first few weeks and KY jelly.

I'll make every effort :-) My surgery is Tuesday and I'm in Philly until the following Wednesday morning - hopefully I'll have the appetite by then! If I can ask, did you have to stay in the hospital for any period of time after surgery? I'll be in for 3 days which is probably the thing that makes me the most nervous as I've never had to stay in a hospital (past surgeries were all outpatient). Just wondering what your experience was like? It is sometimes an awkward fit - the "T" in the "LGBTQ" - particularly if you're transgender and straight (I have some bisexual inclinations, but in terms of an actual relationship I could only see that happening with a man). For lesbian, gay and bi individuals (cis or trans) the community represents political, social, and relationship connections. Being straight and trans I feel the political connection, but I know that if I want a relationship (and I do), I need to be outside of that. I'm certainly not cutting all ties - right now I'm probably focusing more on straight things, but that's to compensate for years of being away from that.

Hi Chrissy, I think it's wonderful that you are defining your path now, we are all different and unique so why should any of us approach life the same way. Indeed I know about the clear diet, was thinking you could try cheese steaks the second week post surgery. I was back to my regular eating habits on week two. For week one I was eating solid food four days after surgery but not much of an appetite prior to that. In regards to after surgery the journey is how one changes overall with society and not physical. I've noticed many changes in my mannerism without even trying at this point and that also goes for emotions and slightly different thinking patterns. Thinking about moving more towards cisgender community, that is me at this point the majority of the time but have not disassociated myself completely from the LGBT community either. Where I work I'm seen as a cisgender female, the majority of friends are cisgender. Now with relationships I favor woman and the best place to meet them is in LGBT clubs. During the past year or so I've been very fortunate with dating females while have dated a few men they don't really give me pleasure or feelings like woman do.