A Step by Step Guide to Losing Your D**k
I recently wrote a series of messages to my aunt talking about all the steps I need to do to get bottom surgery, a penile inversion vaginoplasty at Mt. Sinai, in the next year or two. Its a long list. And everytime I added something she had a sort of “wow thats rough” reaction, but to me its just the to do list. So I decided to write them all out.
Start transition DONE
Most insurance companies and surgeons require you to have socially transitioned and have done HRT for at least 1 year at the time of operation
For social transition, this was March of 2024
For HRT it will be January of 2025
Get a referral to a surgeon (I am here)
In my case, Mt. Sinai in Manhattan
My Doctor referred me, but Mt. Sinai takes self referrals
Start laser hair removal
Book a consultation (I am here)
Go to laser frequently enough to satisfy surgeon
Convince Mom and Dad to help out DONE
Get 2 letters
Social Worker (1)
PCP's Office
Social Worker (2)
Mt. Sinai
Consultation with Mt. Sinai’s team
Wait 3-6 months (I’m here)
Bring letters
My insurance only requires 2, less than Mt. Sinai thinks insurance will need, and Mt. Sinai provides 1 of them. Meaning the other is through IHS Behavioral
Schedule Social Work pre surgical consult appt
Schedule Mental Health and Medical Clearance with Registrar
Go to NYC for 1-2 nights, maybe for each, hopefully just once
Maybe also for Social Work thing
Consult with Surgeon
Wait until I’ve worked about 12 months to get short term disability
Probably summer (ASAP) and when Mom has time off
Do logistics
Book an airbnb, hotel, etc for recovery
Starting a few days after OR date and lasting a little over a month
Within a 90 minute drive of Mt. Sinai
Rural enough that Mom is comfortable to help and can go home if someone else shows up
Probably New Jersey, maybe Hudson Valley
Has at least 1, preferably 2, separate bedrooms
Has 2 beds
Has ADA accessible entry
Has a kitchen
Has a full bath, preferably and a half
Has internet and preferably a TV
Lodging for Mom + Dad/care team while I’m in OR
Probably 5-7 days
Preferably with a 1-2 day buffer period before OR date (included in the 7 day estimate) so I can enjoy the city
Either within a short walk from Mt. Sinai or on the same subway line as Mt. Sinai
RW, 1, or ACE
Someone to help me get from recovery location to Mt. Sinai while not in NYC
Develop and get list of items needed for recovery
Dilator
Pads
Gowns/loose clothing
Comfort food
Coordinate missing 8-9 weeks of work
Take care with who knows what before I leave
Inform HR, department manager, and work friends whats up
Get cleared for surgery and get an OR date
Probably a 6-12 month date from clearance
Get pre clearance testing through PCP or a lab in hometown
Go to NYC for that if need be
Week Before Surgery
No alcohol, no aspirin, NSAIDs, herbal supplements, or fish oil
Consult for other non aspirin blood thinners (which I am not on)
No alcohol for 3 weeks after as well
Tylenol/Acetaminophen is okay
Go downstate
See friends from NYC?
Bring Mom/Dad?
Do something fun in Manhattan
Get a COVID test
Take an anti-bacterial bath
Day before surgery
Breakfast before 9am
Last meal
Drink Golytely bowel solution around noon
Chemically induced diarrhea
Clear fluids only after golytely
(includes coffee, tea, water, broth, some juices)
Nothing goes in the stomach after midnight
Some medication okay with a sip of water
HRT??? (switched to injections)
Get surgery (a penile inversion vaginoplasty)
1 to 1+½ days
I’ve heard of as long as three
3-5 day hospital stay
Mom and Dad probably stay in Manhattan then
Go to recovery location
Drive with seat reclined
Stay for 4 weeks, pretty much bedridden
Go to follow ups
Dilate
Go home
Continue recovery for another 2-4 weeks at home
Follow up with PCP
Return to life














