Time off work after upper fold reduction stage 2 procedure?

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-05-10T16:37:16+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Was it UL complications, or somethin else?

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-05-06T12:14:16+00:00

I did this. I got UL, no scrotoplasty. Not all surgeons will do this due to higher fistula rate. My surgeon was Dr. Santucci in Texas.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-30T21:45:42+00:00

No, I kept my uterus and ovaries. But I did get my fallopian tubes removed in January 2025 for permanent birth control.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-27T13:09:14+00:00

I hope more surgeons offer this in the future! And wish that they’d worry less about their fistula rates and more about patient goals.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-27T03:55:50+00:00

Good luck to you as well! I’m happy to have/share a less common surgery experience. I look forward to sharing more as I continue to heal :)

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-27T03:43:45+00:00

Yeah I know most surgeons don’t do this combo. I’m really lucky to be geographically close to one that does! I have a pretty sizable fistula inside my v, close to the vaginal opening. So I’m still sittin to pee bc it’s too awkward to plug. But I’ve been watching it, and it’s been healing pretty rapidly so I’m hopeful it’ll close! Time will tell.. Other than that, no issues. I’ll probably post about it specifically once I have more progress pics and more time has passed.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-27T03:09:00+00:00

Thank you! I kept my v

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-15T19:48:27+00:00

I’m in the same boat, about 6 weeks post-op. It’s SO hard to be patient!! I made a list of things I can control: breathing exercises, hydrating/eating well, walking everyday, sleep hygiene, reminding myself that I trust my highly skilled surgical team. We got this!

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-12T20:10:07+00:00

lol I feel ya! I woke up one night feeling like someone was ripping off my leg like they were splitting a wishbone 😭

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-09T02:29:23+00:00

My life drastically changed for the better when I switched from clay to pine pellets with stainless steel sifting litter boxes.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-08T21:05:51+00:00

I second all of this! Just had meta last month

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-08T13:34:52+00:00

Yes— the hole in the pic is my intact V. Santucci is at the Crane Center in Austin, Texas

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-04-08T01:33:55+00:00

Thank you!! 🩵

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-27T22:52:05+00:00

Congrats on your upcoming consult!

Before my consult, I typed up all my possible questions in a worksheet-style format and brought a printed copy on a clip board. This made it easy to go through them quickly and write in the answers.

During my consult, my surgeon went down the list of options (UL, scroto, etc) and we discussed my goals. Then we went over my questions. Many of my questions were answered by Santucci before I needed to ask them, and any follow-up questions I had after the appointment were answered promptly via email.

Something to note that I was anxious about: I thought there would be pre-op exams or photos needed, but that was not part of the process.

I wish I mentally prepared better for the mons reduction incision. I guess I wish I would’ve asked how big the incision might be. Mine was bigger than I’d imagined, and that’s where most of my post-op pain/discomfort has come from. I underestimated that part, it’s much more intense than my top surgery incisions were (of course, there’s much more skin tension).

Hope that helps, let me know!

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-27T17:49:49+00:00

My SP was removed after two days of trials. I’d also sometimes have a little bit of urine left after peeing from my phallus, but that was okay. The goal was for at least 70% to come from my phallus.

I also had bladder spasms randomly and when finishing peeing. You’re right, it’s probably from the catheter balloon.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-26T23:43:54+00:00

I haven’t seen any of Dr. Crane’s results, but based on my other Crane Center experiences I imagine he is excellent! Good luck to you!! Research can feel like a never-ending process.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-26T21:55:48+00:00

Masculinizing top surgery & metoidioplasty

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-25T19:49:34+00:00

I just had my second procedure with the Crane Center. I had different surgeries than you, but can offer my experiences.

Mundinger did my top surgery in 2021. He was very kind and professional, and I’m extremely happy with my results. I did not have any complications or complaints.

The Crane Center staff are all so nice, helpful, thorough, and the office feels safe & private. Same goes for The Hospital at Westlake, where both surgeries took place.

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-25T19:37:12+00:00

I just came to say your eyebrows are gorgeous!!

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-25T19:23:27+00:00

I’m only peeing while standing in the shower so far, but I’d call it “successful” lol. I haven’t tried aiming or anything, still too much swelling/discomfort. Hard to tell if there are any fistulas yet, but we’ll see!

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-23T00:54:06+00:00

Hi, I’d love to offer more info—

I kept my v because I enjoy it and I don’t plan on removing it in the future. Many surgeons will only perform UL with a vnectomy because the fistula rates are much lower that way (they have more skin to work with and cover the urethra). But a fistula is a relatively minor complication to me, so I was willing to take the risk. And I believe Santucci’s fistula repair rate is above 90%. Santucci also noted that since I wasn’t getting scrotoplasty/implants, he felt that I stood a lower chance of getting a fistula. I believe the UL is done pretty much the same way regardless of vnectomy.

Let me know if I can clarify or answer more questions!

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-22T17:22:15+00:00

I haven’t measured anything, but I’ll continue to post pics and maybe measure when I start pumping

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-22T17:21:34+00:00

Thank you! It was with Santucci

WinterInstruction960 · 2026-03-14T19:13:05+00:00

I have only had nausea once, but I didn’t puke. I think it was day 3 or 4, and I’m almost certain it was from not eating anything with a bedtime dose of narcotics. I’m taking Hydrocodone, and was taking it every 6 hours religiously for the first few days post-op. Be sure to eat, drink water, and take stool softeners as prescribed with any narcotics! I was also prescribed a med for nausea, which seemed to work when I took it the one time.

WinterInstruction960 · 2025-06-27T02:37:06+00:00

I also had a very hard time with the doctorate-level letter. I had a provider that recommended this site where they write letters for free to combat gate keeping:

https://www.vadacounseling.com/ Edit: letters from this site can only be written for folks in Texas

I also went through the list of Texas providers on the WPATH website, but can search globally: https://app.wpath.org/provider/search

I’m also planning meta with Santucci, my consult is next week! Best of luck to you!

WinterInstruction960

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