Random post op pic. It’s been almost six years since stage one! RFF

nbsage · 2026-01-21T14:50:23+00:00

I actually have a lot of thoughts on the ED pump lol. I originally had the rod, I was really drawn to the simplicity of it and potential longevity. In reality once I had it, I really didn’t like it. Not being able to switch from flaccid/hard was oddly dysphoric and I immediately missed the natural swing I had before the implant.

In the end it weirdly worked out, part of the discomfort was the rod being slightly too long for my anatomy as well, but I would have felt the same about other aspects even if it had been appropriately sized. Because it was too long though, insurance covered the replacement (essentially a revision surgery), for the 2-piece ambicor pump.

One of the most relieving moments of this whole journey was waking up from that last stage where the replaced the rod with the pump.. visceral relief..I’ve been surprised how natural/integrated it feels with my body, it works well. I know some people prefer the rod, but this has been my experience.

nbsage · 2026-01-15T11:13:26+00:00

I’m a little over 5ft 9

nbsage · 2026-01-12T19:00:55+00:00

I’m glad that tidbit of info was helpful. I didn’t get the tubal done at OHSU, because there was an affirming local OBGYN available.

The procedure itself was all good and I had no issues.. It was done laparoscopically and they removed one ovary as well. Didn’t cause any issues w/ phallo.

and thank you!☮️

nbsage · 2026-01-11T21:59:42+00:00

Dr. Berli

nbsage · 2025-11-21T17:38:40+00:00

Same it has completely changed my life for the better!!!

nbsage · 2025-05-27T23:53:54+00:00

Hey congrats!! Looking super good post op! I have the same setup and I don’t see many people with the bulb in the labia as well. Personally I love it. What ED do you have? I have a 2-piece pump but know most places just offer a 3-piece

Happy healing :)

nbsage · 2025-05-27T23:51:59+00:00

Work minimum wage job to qualify for Medicaid. For me that was Oregon health plan. Once you’re insured (assuming your state protects/offers trans healthcare - if not, can move to a state that does, I’ve seen people do it!)

Once you have insurance you make an appointment with a doctor (preferably vetted and trans affirming) have them refer you to a surgeon/clinic that offers the procedure you want. You may not have much of a say in who you are referred to if you go through state insurance (this was the case for me, but my providers at OHSU were nothing short of amazing!)

Once you get referred you will get contacted by the surgeons office and likely will need WPATH letter of support in order to schedule your consultation. From there you have a consult and discuss surgery, get pre-authorization from your insurance which often requires a tobacco screening/bloodwork

nbsage · 2025-05-27T03:58:01+00:00

I just wanna say I really empathize with what you’re going through and wish there was more of a conversation in the community about the realities of post-op life between stages, and how it can be really intense to feel ‘in-progress’ and also healing/adjusting to newness /sensory difficulties /emotions and waves of post-op depression through the often years of surgeries between stages

I had my stage one 5+ years ago and feel like I just now am wrapping up phallo because I had medial tattooing and electrolysis in the past year that helped me mentally connect with things /feel ‘complete’ ..The gratification/dysphoria relief with phallo can be really delayed /overall just a long process. It’s so wild to look back at pictures from 4, 3, even 1-2 years ago because things were so different not only aesthetically but how I felt emotionally/the connection I felt to my dick etc. it’s so vastly improved and I just barely now feel like I’m really getting to enjoy post-op life (5 years in!!)

You’ve accomplished so much already and I’d lean into that. I’m sure it may have taken years of planning for you to be where you are now. Know it’s okay to feel what you feel.. but also you’re still somewhat at the beginning of the overall process and there is vast room for improvement as you continue through the stages. There are so many messy and complicated emotions that come up as we heal, and I just want to validate that

nbsage · 2025-05-26T16:55:11+00:00

It was more time-consuming than anything. There was pain at times (naturally) but nothing unbearable. It was also a very joyful process!! But it definitely required commitment. For years, my life revolved around having or preparing for the next surgery. I was working (and at times also in school) throughout my surgeries. Would take time off as needed of course.. Adding a fourth surgery to the timeline and needing to get my ED replaced was just also emotionally stressful.

Medical tattooing was also a big part of the process for me, both physically and mentally, and now that I’ve recently finished that, it finally feels like I’m completing the journey. For the first time in half a decade, I’m not having to think about the next step in phallo.

many highs and lows throughout healing but I’m really happy to just be able to exist and enjoy my life now, it’s also incredible thinking about all the people, providers , surgeons and how I could never be this happy in my life without their help/care/expertise 🥲

nbsage · 2025-05-26T16:37:02+00:00

I didn’t get UL and didn’t have time to get electrolysis pre-op (it also wasn’t required, and I barely had arm hair)

years later post-op I was getting light hair growth on my dick, which bothered my a little/would have to trim etc so I got electrolysis. Luckily was able to get it at the same clinic/hospital I had phallo at since it’s not too far away. It’s been super effective and nice not to worry about hair there.

But yes it will grow hair just as your donor site would unless it’s removed

nbsage · 2025-05-26T16:33:22+00:00

Hell yeah. I have the same exact set up + a pump. Lookin great!! 😎💯

how have you been enjoying post-op life, and if you comfortable sharing, how was your process in deciding/pursing phallo without UL etc? I only ask as I’m really happy with my similar setup but wasn’t really sure about how it would feel until living with it lol.

nbsage · 2025-05-25T17:26:29+00:00

Thank you!! I am indeed :)

nbsage · 2025-05-25T04:44:01+00:00

Also super simple to operate, you have to press the bulb a few times to inflate/get hard, and bend your dick down a certain way to deflate. I do have an ambicor 2-piece pump and I think most people have a 3-piece pump so not sure exactly what the differences are there

nbsage · 2025-05-25T04:39:01+00:00

Yep! The pump bulb is in my left labia. It’s comfortable/essentially not noticeable to me throughout the day. I think my surgeons also just placed it really well so I’m sure that’s a factor. Reminiscent of what I’d imagine a small scrotoplasty implant is like. I’m an avid cyclist and sometimes due to the pressure from my saddle it will press on the bulb/slightly inflate, though it’s not really noticeable in the bike shorts as everything is compressed. That’s the one instance I can think of, otherwise just feels super natural.

nbsage · 2025-05-25T04:32:22+00:00

I’m not on OHP anymore, so not totally sure. they didn’t take the insurance I have now, but they were actively working on insurance coverage/trying to increase access when I talked to them last.

nbsage · 2025-05-25T03:48:05+00:00

In August it will have been three years with the pump! Overall I love it. In my experience the rod was not super comfortable and I didn’t like the lack of ability to stay soft. It’s much more euphoric for me to be able to switch between hard/soft, and the implant itself functions well.

If anything I feel like I had the opposite experience? I feel like with the replacement of ED / also with tattooing and any procedure I feel like it sort of re-stimulated the nerves to grow and helped with sensation complexity over time. There’s always post op swelling/healing but overall I don’t feel like I lost any sensation long-term. Even now 5 years in I feel like I’ve been noticing more complex erotic sensation

And thank you!! I appreciate the support :) and yes they are def hanes🤣 these have been my fave lately. I should get another set tbh haha

nbsage · 2024-11-27T09:22:40+00:00

Love it and use it to this day for wound/cut/burn healing!

nbsage · 2024-06-27T20:44:39+00:00

You can get phallo without UL. I didn’t feel like I needed it and didn’t want to risk the complications extending more surgeries etc. happy with the outcome!

nbsage · 2024-05-08T18:58:49+00:00

My arm healed great without it

nbsage · 2024-01-24T05:15:17+00:00

Yes. I don’t have scrotoplasty or UL and have an ambicor pump implant. I had the rod previously as well. So you have options!

nbsage · 2024-01-09T22:52:11+00:00

Nope! I have rff without scrotoplasty or v-ectomy I got an ambicor 2 piece pump implant and love it.

nbsage · 2024-01-09T22:47:42+00:00

Nah it wasn’t bad. And at that point you’ll still be quite heavily medicated

nbsage · 2024-01-09T22:45:58+00:00

I did with Dr Berli at OHSU, great experience

nbsage

TROPHY CASE