As of tomorrow I will be 49 weeks post bottom surgery. And lemme tell you...it's pretty great.
There was a level of constant dysphoria from having a dick that I didn't even know I had until it was gone.
Vaginoplasty is pretty amazing. I'm very, VERY happy about having gotten it.
Some things to keep in mind:
The first year can be rough at times, because it takes approximately 48-52 weeks to fully heal, but the further you get into that year, the easier it gets.
Healing time also depends on if you get the surgery with or without cavity. Be realistic going in and make sure to read all the literature your clinic sends you.
I say this because a lot of the negative shit around bottom surgery hinges on people NOT knowing about the healing time and using the shock value of not-yet-healed surgical wounds. Bottom surgery is FUCKING AMAZING, but yeah, it can be gross and painful at first.
I had my surgery done at GRS Montreal. The staff there are AMAZING. They were kind, patient, and helpful.
Here's some bottom surgery facts:
Yeah, it'll be gross at first. The first 90 days is when all the surface-level healing happens. As with any major surgery, healing is gross. It gets a lot less gross once the surgical wounds heal, the swelling goes down, and the packed gauze in your clitoris comes out (it's there to maintain the shape while healing).
There is scarring, but it fades. Rub silicon gel into it 3-4 times a day for several months once the wounds close. After a year the scarring is minimal, and it will keep fading. I don't even notice it anymore.
Everything WORKS. Stuff feels good. Orgasms are AMAZING.
It has absolutely made me feel more confident as a woman. It is INCREDIBLY gender affirming.
Dilation is a pain in the ass for the first 4-5 months. Not because it hurts, but because you have to do it so often. After that it becomes more like "here is an hour a day that I set aside for me time". At the end of the first year you will only have to do it once or twice a week, at which point it definitely becomes more like just setting aside a bit of time to get in touch with your womanhood, just to relax.
Dilation doesn't hurt (though it can be uncomfortable in the first month or so while the swelling comes down). Your new vagina is a part of your body and your body takes care of it. It is honestly pretty neat!
Bottom surgery is legitimately AMAZING. It has been practiced for almost 100 years. It is established medical practice. Do not let transphobes dissuade you from it!
