My stage 2 consisted of: UL, glans, scrotoplasty, vagnectomy & a small dog ear revision.

I was asked to come back at 3 weeks to have a urethrogram prior to any voiding trials - the reason for this is that my neo-uretha had closed off previously and I needed a surgery to reopen and reposition it a few months after stage 1, and the revision had also begun to close off. Mr Lee was confident he had sorted it in stage 2 but wanted a urethrogram once things had settled a bit.

The Urethogram

I was told to undress completely into hospital gowns, and given a basket to put all my clothes into - I also had to disconnect my catheter bag (i had a flip flow so just turned it off and removed the bag). My wife wasn’t allowed in due to the radiation, but the whole process took about 15/20 minutes from getting undressed and leaving. It was just the doctor and the technician, both were lovely and very friendly, explained everything clearly and talked me through each step. Process itself: laid on a table, got my bits out, they were wiped with an antiseptic which stung a bit. Then they placed a local anaesthetic gel into my urethra which HURT!! felt like a lot of pressure and a bit of a pop. After a few mins they then put the tracer fluid in whilst they take pictures from different angels - this was also uncomfortable and did sting. I could see the screen and so i just tried to focus on that - it was quite cool to be fair. I was told by the Dr doing it that it looked all good but he would need a bit of time to review in detail.

Check-up with CNS

After about 20 minutes I had an appointment with Charlotte - she confirmed the urethogram was perfect with no issue. Thank GOD. It was my birthday today so she gave me the option to go home and trial voiding, or we could wait around and wee there. She gave me a jug and told me after weeing I needed to open the flip flow and measure the output - 100ml or less, otherwise I would have to wait a week and try again. I decided to wait, did my first wee at the hospital just to make sure everything was ok.

WOOOWEEE I can NOT believe how EXCITING it is to piss !!!!!!!!! No leakage, only a small dribble left in the bladder. Charlotte & Mr Lee wanted me to do at least 3 wees before they’d take the SPC out.

Went back to the hotel, did 4 wees and every one had way under 100ml left. Going to need to practice milking and aim for sure, as it’s a bit hit and miss but honestly couldnt stop smiling.

We went back to the hospital at about 4ish. Charlotte had a look at my scrotum as I had a tiny hole come up a couple days ago that I was worried about. Turns out it was 2 blue stitches working their way out so she clipped these back, took out some other stitches and gave everything a bit of a clean. She said I don’t have to dress with pads/jelonet anymore, just some vaseline on the glans and then honey & alginate on the area under my scrotum until it closes up properly but otherwise I’m healing perfectly.

Having the SPC removed was painful but definitely a lot, lot easier than the Foley catheter I had removed at week 1. The relief was pretty much immediate and I can’t believe how much more comfortable I am with it gone.

I’ve been given the green light to go back to work, drive, do chores - but to take it easy and make sure I’m not overdoing it.

So whilst spending 90% of my birthday at NVH, it was well worth it. I’m on cloud 9 to be honest.

Generally… I am feeling pretty good - the kidney infection I had is all cleared up, I’m only really taking paracetamol/ibuprofen at night to help me sleep. I initially found I was more independent compared to stage 1, but a lot less mobile. I started having a lot of issues over the weekend with the SPC and my whole stomach being in pain, but now that’s gone I feel really good.

I really cannot believe how much of a difference having the glans done makes to the connection I have to my dick. I’d do this all again in a heartbeat.

Picture just because! I took in the hotel room just before leaving to have the SPC removed.

Happy for questions :)

Week 1 post op stage 2 - glans sculpting including full thickness hip graft, scrotoplasty, vaginal ablation and vagnectomy, complete burial of t dick.

Day 1: admitted at 7am, nurse did blood pressure, temp, gave me gown etc to wear, made me do a urine sample (even tho ive had a hysto). Anaesthetist came in to see me, then Mr Lee & one of the fellows. They examined me - not sure if this is normal but it was to check my neo-urethra had healed OK (see post history for more detail). Mr Lee said it had closed up again so they would need to repair it but didn’t think it was too serious. Final chance to ask any last minute questions and then told my surgery was in at 2/3pm, so just a waiting game. Went down at about 1:30, woke up in recovery at 5/5:30. They kept me there for about an hour as my temp was higher than theyd have liked it to be - I made the mistake of telling the anaesthetist and nurses i usually wake up freezing so i had a huge duvet and blanket on lol. Eventually they were happy and wheeled me back to the room. First night is a lot less stressful compared to stage 1 - a nurse came in every 1-2 hours, did blood pressure, temp & checked everything down there - a lot of poking and prodding to make sure the bruising was soft not firm. I was kept topped up with pain relief. You will have a drain in and two catheters, and also have to wear those air pressure boot things overnight.

Day 2: got out of bed - very lowkey. The nurse held my catheter bag and drain, and just watched me get out. I was not expecting to just be allowed up with no physio support or anything. They got me a bowl of hot water (hot water in my room was broken) and i washed myself as best i could at the sink with flannels and body wash. The nurse came in and cleaned the bits i couldnt (bum and back), got me a fresh gown and went back to bed. They basically told me i was free to roam and they wanted me up and moving. I had a couple of naps, was given pain relief every few hours (mix of some sort of codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen, they wanted to give me tramadol but this gives me migraines so i got oramorph instead). Stool softener was started that morning. I got one of the nurses to show me outside as there is a little court yard, very nice out there but a sun trap so only lasted 5 minutes. Wife came to visit and we went for a walk round the ward before dinner.

Mr Lee phoned me and explained everything had been successful with no real complications- he was able to sort the neo-urethra out but said I need to come back in 3 weeks to have a urethragram before they can give me the all clear to use my penis to urinate.

Day 3: in the morning had my drain removed (swore at the nurse and apologised lol), two of the fellows that work with Mr Lee came by in the morning, both checked everything themselves and went through the issue with the neo-urethra in a bit more detail. They seemed happy and gave me the green light to be discharged. The discharge was very overwhelming as i had several nurses coming in and out and asking me questions that someone else had just asked so i asked if they could leave me alone until my wife turned up which they did ti be fair to them😂 Caroline & Phillipa (new CNS) came in and went through each surgical site (hip graft, glans, scrotum), what to expect and what to change/when, went through my appointments that I’d need and sent me home with 3!!! Goody bags

Bag 1: day and night catheter bags only

Bag 2: jelonet, pads, swabs, scissors

Bag 3: tena pants, jelonet, plasters and more pads/swabs/catheters

You’ll also get a delivery from a company that New Vic work with that will have disposable bags, dry and wet body wipes, more catheter bags and a stand (also got a free pen, if that interests anyone).

Being home felt good - fell asleep pretty much straight away.

First shower was a bit overwhelming but SO much easier compared to stage 1. I did have my wife help just to make it easier but could have easily done everything i needed to myself.

Day 4-6: felt very very sick all day on days 4/5 - in a lot of pain trying to swallow too much food and/or water, felt like medication was getting stuck making me feel nauseous. It felt like it was getting worse instead of better, so went to the GP and they think its a mix of irritation from breathing tube and acid reflux (i did have the hiccups the whole time i was in hospital and travelling home), but theyve referred me to have an ECG just to be 100% certain there’s nothing going on as he said my heart rate is also higher than he’d like it to be which is fun!

Sick of feeling useless and restless so tried to do a few bits round the house (just general folding/putting a few bits away so nothing crazy), very sore afterwards. The stool softeners are working, maybe a bit too much. Feeling very uncomfortable with the sensation at my original plumbing which feels constantly like I need to wee. No real sickness since starting the med from the GP.

Day 7: district nurse came out first thing to remove the foley/phallus catheter - super sore but manageable. She changed my glans dressing and it looks crazy 😭 i know it will flatten but i dont think i was expecting it to look like that. She also removed the dressing off my hip incision and said it looks perfect so i dont need to cover this anymore. Having the foley removed has definitely helped with the sensation at my original plumbing thank god.

Penis was bleeding a bit so called the hospital and they said its normal for it to bleed a little bit for 48 hours, just need to put some gauze on it.

Also noticed they have changed the shape of the hole at the tip of my penis which i really wasnt expecting

Overall this week has been not great in terms of how my body feels but day 7/8 now and feeling a lot better in myself so hopefully up from here.

Any questions please let me know 😁

Pictures: day 5, day 6, glans with no dressings (mid shower), tip of penis, hip incision with no dressing