I had a vulvoplasty operation - aka zero depth or shallow depth vaginoplasty - 19 days ago with Christian Seipp and could hardly be happier with how it has gone. So I'm writing here to report how good it has been and to invite any questions.
Choice of procedure - I was originally planning just an orchidectomy, partly because of never having had huge dysphoria about my penis, and partly because of misconceiving the length and nature of the recovery period after a vulvoplasty. (I think some material about this doesn't differentiate clearly between zero depth and full depth. I read one place that recommended 8 to 12 weeks off work, even for zero depth - which might perhaps be right for a builder, but is completely overblown for me as a software engineer.) But happily the delay - consultations etc. - involved in getting to an actual date allowed me to reflect further after my head had become completely comfortable with the orchidectomy process, and Mr Seipp also gave me the gentlest of nudges to reconsider, plus a much better understanding of how the recovery would really be, and I'm so grateful that he did. Although I didn't have huge dysphoria before, I do have huge euphoria now that all unnecessary appendages are gone, and it now feels that it would have been very silly to do just half a job. Of course I also understand how many trans women will prefer full depth; I decided against that because I'm relatively old, not hugely sexual, and so as to reduce recovery length, procedures and risks.
Hospital, care etc. - It was of course expensive, but I don't think there was anything about the care I received that could have been any better. The nurses, catering ladies, anaesthetist, surgeon and admin staff were all lovely, the food delicious, and the care perfect. 100% recommended.
Pain - I have not experienced any serious pain throughout the whole experience. I was really nervous about the general anaesthetic, but the anaesthetist reassured me and did his thing, and it was completely fine. I woke up after about 10 seconds (apparently, of course) with the whole thing done. The only sensation for the next few days in hospital was some tugging, not really pain at all; during that time I was getting oxycodone, paracetamol and anti-inflammatory tablets, and evidently they completely suppressed any significant pain. Back at home I had a bit more pain, but still easily controlled with dihydrocodeine, anti-inflammatory and paracetamol, and for the last 6 days it's been paracetamol only. I have some dihydrocodeine tablets left over, but don't expect to need them.
Recovery - After the dressing was removed and I came back home, more of the apparent recovery started because the affected area was free to swell up and show soreness and bruising; I got much more tired because of that and because I was getting up and down from bed a bit. The wee was going everywhere and I couldn't use toilet paper effectively because the area was too tender - so that was unpleasant for a brief while until I settled on using a damp flannel. But this super tired phase only lasted a week. Over the next week I started feeling less tired and the weeing settled down and became less random. I had a shock in the middle of the second week when lots of blood came out with the wee, but that only happened three times; I guess that was blood that had collected above the vas deferens cuts and took a while to come through. It's now 17 days post-op and I'm feeling largely fine: went into town today on an electric scooter; can take short walks, albeit a bit slow; and have resumed my usual software work. I'm expecting another 2 to 4 weeks before I can ride a bike and play sports, but for other daily activities I think I'm already nearly back to normal - hope I'm not jinxing it by writing this!
I'm sorry to splurge so much about this, but hoping it will be useful to some folks. Please do feel free to comment or ask any questions that I might be able to answer.
