hey all

i've been avidly following this message board for the past few months while making my decision to go through with the surgery - thanks to everyone for their honest and comprehensive posts - i feel like i'm going into my surgery armed with knowledge!

Surgery is next thursday with Les Blackstock. God i hope it goes ok! i am really nervous about the pain and the swelling, i've never had any kind of surgery before... but i guess everyone heals differently.

IF anyone could elaborate on a checklist of all the things i'll need to have ready for my recovery that would be so helpful, i'm very likely to forget something.

I work a desk job, roughly 9 hour days - do you think it's realistic for me to consider returning to work 4-5 days after surgery??

also, in addition to removing my big flappy labia, Dr Blackstock is removing what he calls "wing extensions" - basically where the top of my labia come up to the front of my clitoris. he didn't call it a "clitoral un-hooding" - but is that actually what it is??

kx

Good luck, kazzauk!!!

My Pre-surgery checklist:

Benedryl (for itching)
Dermoplast (with the red top - also for itching)
bag for ice (mine was provided by my doc)
water bottle with top that sprays up for washing yourself with warm water after using the restroom (mine was provided by my doc)
magazines to read
books to read
movies to watch

prescriptions:
Vicodin (ended up only taking 2)
Antibiotic to take before surgery
Estrace cream (starting 3 days after surgery for 3x/week, depends on doc whether or not prescribed, supposed to help in healing)

Stayed off my feet as much as possible for the first 2 days, but the longer the better.

kazzauk wrote:hey all

i've been avidly following this message board for the past few months while making my decision to go through with the surgery - thanks to everyone for their honest and comprehensive posts - i feel like i'm going into my surgery armed with knowledge!

Surgery is next thursday with Les Blackstock. God i hope it goes ok! i am really nervous about the pain and the swelling, i've never had any kind of surgery before... but i guess everyone heals differently.

IF anyone could elaborate on a checklist of all the things i'll need to have ready for my recovery that would be so helpful, i'm very likely to forget something.

I work a desk job, roughly 9 hour days - do you think it's realistic for me to consider returning to work 4-5 days after surgery??

also, in addition to removing my big flappy labia, Dr Blackstock is removing what he calls "wing extensions" - basically where the top of my labia come up to the front of my clitoris. he didn't call it a "clitoral un-hooding" - but is that actually what it is??

kx

Congratulations! I am hoping to see Dr Blackstock in the future for a revision.

Can't really answer re the 4-5 days as everyone is so different. However as you will be having the trim method..I would expect you will still be pretty sore and swollen and wanting to ice. Could you have your feet up at work? You could come up with some excuse?

Not sure about your last ?.....it sounds diiferent to unhooding?

My preop tip is to start some gentle laxatives the day before your surgery so you dont have to deal with that issue.

Ask Dr Blackstock when you can start ibuprofen (advil, neorofen etc) as it really is a great thing for this surgery.

Please let me know how you get on? Which state are you in, Dr Blackstock seems to be operating now in 3 states?

rebecca

Hi Kazz...

I had my surgery w/ Dr Blackstock back in June, he's really great! The post op instructions they give are pretty good... make sure you take the arnica tablets, they help, and be prepared for the worst... if you heal fast then you're covered, but if you're slow (like me) you won't feel pressured to push it. I took a good full week to feel any amount of decency, and I would say that I really did need the full 2 weeks that I had off uni. by about day 10, when i started my thread on my healing experience here, I was feeling significantly better. Better to be over prepared than underprepared and shocked at your recovery time.

my best advise is also to get some good books... i blew through the twilight series in a matter of 3 days while recovering.

And never ever underestimate the power of salt baths... good ol plain epsom salts (even table salt works, violet will go over it with you)... it really helps with the swelling. And the ice, while i didn't think to do it, would certainly help.

And don't forget to take your own PRE-OP pics... that's the one thing that I regret the most! he does them, but I wanted them from MY point of view, you know?

best of luck!!!

thanks for the replies everyone, your advice on this forum has been second to none!

i am soooooo nervous about the surgery, but excited at the same time. I live in sydney so will be getting this done at his Haymarket surgery.

So - one thing i'm confused about is the technique that Dr Blackstock will be using. Everyone here says he does the trim method.... but when i had my consultation he drew a diagram for me showing me how the labia is a pyramid shape - and that to reduce its size he will take a triangle portion of flesh out of the pyramid... definitely looked like what i thought the wedge method would look like? didn't look like trim to me?

has anyone had 'wedge' method from Dr Blackstock?

The main thing i'm worried about is that he'll be cutting right up close to my clitoris and i really do not want to be messing with that super sensitive area!! i guess i'll just talk through that with him before my op next thursday.

Ugh i wish work wasn't so busy and i could just take 2 whole weeks off! I'm sure i could get quite used to my dear boyfriend running around for me and bringing me whatever i need.

ANd damnit i wish i hadn't already read the Twilight series!! that would have been so perfect to while the hours away

sorry - last question, so with the bath thing - can you start taking salt baths from the day after surgery? and do you have to wash down there after every single visit to the loo?

I plan on icing A LOT so hopefully that is OK to do - some people say don't ice much but instead put compression on the area?? what do you guys think?

thanks so much for all your support

k

Well if he is doing the wedge method (which is what it sounds like you have dscribed) then I am doing a happy dance!!!!!

I didn't do the salt baths, so someone else will chip in...but usually you do not bath until day 2 at least.

cheers

rebecca

My Doc told not to do salt bath for at list 3 weeks.
I'm one week post up and still very swelling and sensitive. I went outside for the first time yesterday i wore Silidea shorts and big pad that gives a lot compression and i felt like it was protecting me from some pain. Still it's painful to walk and be active and no way i would be able to come back to work in a week. At home i don't use compression, just a lot of icing, i feel like she need to breeze...
I'm 100% agree with rebecca67 advise about laxative before your surgery, constipation would be an issue and it's better to prevent it.
I'm keeping my self busy during this recovery by cleaning out my closets and auctioning on Ebay. Nice feeling to clean up space and make money

well my guess is that it sounds like the wedge technique. I'm sure he probably looks at it on an individual basis... if you need the trim he suggests that, and vice versa with the wedge. my labia were thick and long, so even if he wedged them, they'd still be very thick... perhaps he thinks your results will be more ideal with the wedge. I know he said he doesn't do it as often as he does the trim, but I'd assume that each situation is evaluated on it's own

Get the salt baths ready, I'm not sure why some people have been told to wait, but I'm sure their surgeons have a good reason. Dr. Blackstock doesn't make you wait and they really really do feel good when everything is just aching down there. Just follow his post op instructions and you'll be all right!

Im 2 days post op and the icing has been the best for me.
My doc gave me celabrex for the swelling, so I really dont have that much swelling. Could be the combo, drugs/icing.
I cant even imagine getting up to take a bath, still in bed sleeping mostly all day.
I had tons of work done and was under for over 5 hours. My vision is still blurry but I got to pull out my own foley catheter. Ill be getting up in a bit to see if i can pee on my own.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery! You'll do great! ANd really, the pain is not all that bad, just lots of pressure for me. They tightend up all my muscles down there.
XO

Hi kazza,

Welcome and congrats on your upcoming surgery! Your doc sounds great. And it does sound like he'll be doing the wedge technique on you. Each person based on individual preferences and needs... as it should be. The pre-op checklist looks pretty comprehensive. To add anything, I'd suggest an antibacterial soap like Dial or Hibiclens. Also agree about asking your doc about salt/sitz baths and if/when you're able to do it. My doc said "no" and didn't want me doing them when I asked during my pre-op.

Take care!

Hi Everyone
I am booked in with doctor Les Blackstock in sth yarra Vic, For 20th Jan 2010
I am Having a vaginoplasty and Labia majora reduction after having 5 kids boy has there been some damage!! LOL anyway i am soooo nervous and thought i would try to find out more about dr blackstock before my op. For piece of mind Has anyone else had the same op with Les Blackstock? If so Are you happy with the final result?
Any information would be good !!!!
Im also woried about not being fully sedated during the procedure any info about that would be great also.
Thanks Regards
Tan

Thanks to sweedee79 I am going to make an appt to see Dr Blackstock early next year for Labiaplasty. I have been piss-farting around for so long about it and I've had enough now. I am interested to read in this thread about the thick AND long labia - this is how I would describe mine but I always thought I would get the wedge method. I am terrified If I get the trim he will cut too much off! I don't want NO labia, I wouldnt even mind a little poking out, I just don't want what I've got now - a long, thick mess of skin HANGING down. I'm going to be 25 next Feb and would like to do this for my birthday as a gift to myself.

Sweedee79 informed me that she was able to get some of this covered by Medicare. I have e-mailed Dr Blackstock and hope to have an initial consultation so I can kick this into gear.

Would the OP be as so kind as to share how her procedure went?

I am Pleased to say that in regards To Dr Les Blackstock in Vic, I have done some research into him for piece of mind. He actualy was traind in America by dr red Alinsod, you can look up dr red Alinsod by google he has a great websight and realy great before and after pics, I actualy e maild him to confirm That Dr Blackstock was traind by him. He has reasured me that i am in good caring hands. I emaild him some pics for a second opinion as he is a specialist in this field and he said if i could come to california and he would love to do my surgery. Daymmmmn!!!! To much$$$$$$ I will be going ahead with surgery on the 20th but am thinking about just having the vaginoplasty, See how it looks after that, then i can go back for majora and or minora reduction after, Cos once it's gone theres no going back, will keep you all posted
Regards Tan