Vaginoplasty: Pre and Post-Operative Instructions 

 

Before Your Surgery (Pre-Operative) Instructions

 

Eight (8) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Do not smoke or use any nicotine products (nicotine patches, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, etc.) Nicotine use can increase your risk of infection and delay healing.
• You will be required to take a urine nicotine test. It can be with your provider or at your local lab. We will send you a prescription. This is a mandatory test. Nicotine use can increase your risk of infection and delay healing.

 

Four (4) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Stop taking estrogen and progesterone 4 weeks before surgery, if applicable.

 

Two (2) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Stop taking aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or Vitamin C and E products unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are on an aspirin or anti-coagulant regimen, please let your surgeon know. This is very important!        
• Complete and send back to our office any labs, tests, EKG and medical clearances, if needed. Our fax number is 212-263-8492. Our email is [email protected]

 

One (1) Week Before Your Surgery

• Return to the office for your pre-operative visit.
• Stop taking Spironolactone 5 days before surgery.
• Make sure that you have completed pre-op photos and our office has all of your pre-surgical testing. 

 

The Day Before Your Surgery

• Expect a call from the OR staff regarding the time of arrival for your procedure.
• Do not drink or eat anything after midnight. This includes water and gum. We will instruct you if there is any medication related exception.
• Arrange for a person (18 years or older) to escort you home from the hospital.
• Shower with the CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) wash the night before surgery and the morning of surgery. Follow the instructions in the handout for pre-operative CHG washes.

 

The Day of Your Surgery

• Follow the instructions for showering the morning of your surgery with the CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) wash. Focus on your genital area.
• Do not wear any nail polish, makeup or hair products.
• Remove all jewelry (including body piercings).
• Wear loose fitting clothing that is easy to get on and off.
• Take all medications as directed.
• Keep your legs elevated. Also, move your knees and ankles often in bed to help circulation and prevent blood clots.

 

After Your Surgery (Post-Operative) Instructions

 

Daily/Physical Activities

• After surgery, slowly help yourself from a lying to a sitting position. You are encouraged to walk.
• Increase your activity slowly. You may walk or use stairs as tolerated (some people are able to move about quicker than others).
• Do not exercise or engage in any strenuous physical activity for at least a month after surgery.
• Remember that obvious bruises and most of the swelling will go away in 2-3 weeks.

• No strenuous activity of any type during the first 6 weeks after surgery (no bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, straining, bike riding, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, etc.).
• You may shower after surgery. Pat yourself dry. Do not rub your incisions (cuts). Do not soak in baths or pools.
• Douche every day for the first 2 months following surgery with half water/half vinegar solution.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Maintain a regular diet. 
• Dilate every day. This is the key to maintaining vaginal depth.  See attached sheet for dilation instructions.

 

Precautions

• Have someone help you at home for several days after your surgery.

• Do not have intercourse (vaginal or anal) for at least 3 months.

• Do not smoke or use nicotine products for at least 8 weeks after surgery.
• Do not drive until 2 weeks after your procedure. Do not drive at all while taking any opioid pain medications as you may feel drowsy. You can take Ibuprofen in between your prescribed pain medication doses, if needed.
• Do not travel by plane until 3 weeks after your surgery.

 

Medications

• Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing products or Vitamin E for 2 weeks before and after surgery.
• Try to wean from opioid pain medication and transition to Tylenol® and Ibuprofen. Take a stool softener while taking opioid pain medication.

 

Follow Up

• Schedule an appointment with your hormone provider 1-2 weeks after surgery. Your hormone levels may need to be adjusted. Wait to start taking hormones again until discussing these with your provider.

 

Contact your surgeon right away for any unusual or special problems (such as excessive pain, swelling, bleeding, fever, not being able to urinate).

 

Call our office right away if you have the following: Sudden swelling, redness, bleeding and/or foul drainage from incision site Sudden increased pain that cannot be relieved by prescribed pain medication Severe headache Oral (taken by mouth) fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher Nausea and/or vomiting that does not go away Calf pain or tenderness, palpitations, shortness of breath

 

Medications you will need at home after surgery:

• Colace®
• Senokot®
• Tylenol®
• Ibuprofen
• Oxycodone (we will give you a prescription)

 

Supplies you will be need at home after surgery:

• Lubricant for dilation (either K-Y® Jelly or Surgilube®). It must be water-based not silicone-based.
• Thin maxi pads (unscented). You will need 4-6 a day.
• Inflatable pillow
• Bed pads to protect bed sheets
• Small hand mirror
• Antibacterial hand soap to clean dilators and hands (do not use alcohol wipes)
• Clear liquids

 

Please contact us with any medical questions:

• Call our office at 646-501-4449
• Or email your Nurse Practitioner (NP) at [email protected]
• After normal business hours, call 212-263-3030, then press 0. Ask for the doctor on call who will call you as soon as possible. 

 

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.

Vaginoplasty: Pre and Post-Operative Instructions 

 

Before Your Surgery (Pre-Operative) Instructions

 

Eight (8) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Do not smoke or use any nicotine products (nicotine patches, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, etc.) Nicotine use can increase your risk of infection and delay healing.
• You will be required to take a urine nicotine test. It can be with your provider or at your local lab. We will send you a prescription. This is a mandatory test. Nicotine use can increase your risk of infection and delay healing.

 

Four (4) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Stop taking estrogen and progesterone 4 weeks before surgery, if applicable.

 

Two (2) Weeks Before Your Surgery

• Stop taking aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or Vitamin C and E products unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are on an aspirin or anti-coagulant regimen, please let your surgeon know. This is very important!        
• Complete and send back to our office any labs, tests, EKG and medical clearances, if needed. Our fax number is 212-263-8492. Our email is [email protected]

 

One (1) Week Before Your Surgery

• Return to the office for your pre-operative visit.
• Stop taking Spironolactone 5 days before surgery.
• Make sure that you have completed pre-op photos and our office has all of your pre-surgical testing. 

 

The Day Before Your Surgery

• Expect a call from the OR staff regarding the time of arrival for your procedure.
• Do not drink or eat anything after midnight. This includes water and gum. We will instruct you if there is any medication related exception.
• Arrange for a person (18 years or older) to escort you home from the hospital.
• Shower with the CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) wash the night before surgery and the morning of surgery. Follow the instructions in the handout for pre-operative CHG washes.

 

The Day of Your Surgery

• Follow the instructions for showering the morning of your surgery with the CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) wash. Focus on your genital area.
• Do not wear any nail polish, makeup or hair products.
• Remove all jewelry (including body piercings).
• Wear loose fitting clothing that is easy to get on and off.
• Take all medications as directed.
• Keep your legs elevated. Also, move your knees and ankles often in bed to help circulation and prevent blood clots.

 

After Your Surgery (Post-Operative) Instructions

 

Daily/Physical Activities

• After surgery, slowly help yourself from a lying to a sitting position. You are encouraged to walk.
• Increase your activity slowly. You may walk or use stairs as tolerated (some people are able to move about quicker than others).
• Do not exercise or engage in any strenuous physical activity for at least a month after surgery.
• Remember that obvious bruises and most of the swelling will go away in 2-3 weeks.

• No strenuous activity of any type during the first 6 weeks after surgery (no bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, straining, bike riding, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, etc.).
• You may shower after surgery. Pat yourself dry. Do not rub your incisions (cuts). Do not soak in baths or pools.
• Douche every day for the first 2 months following surgery with half water/half vinegar solution.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Maintain a regular diet. 
• Dilate every day. This is the key to maintaining vaginal depth.  See attached sheet for dilation instructions.

 

Precautions

• Have someone help you at home for several days after your surgery.

• Do not have intercourse (vaginal or anal) for at least 3 months.

• Do not smoke or use nicotine products for at least 8 weeks after surgery.
• Do not drive until 2 weeks after your procedure. Do not drive at all while taking any opioid pain medications as you may feel drowsy. You can take Ibuprofen in between your prescribed pain medication doses, if needed.
• Do not travel by plane until 3 weeks after your surgery.

 

Medications

• Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing products or Vitamin E for 2 weeks before and after surgery.
• Try to wean from opioid pain medication and transition to Tylenol® and Ibuprofen. Take a stool softener while taking opioid pain medication.

 

Follow Up

• Schedule an appointment with your hormone provider 1-2 weeks after surgery. Your hormone levels may need to be adjusted. Wait to start taking hormones again until discussing these with your provider.

 

Contact your surgeon right away for any unusual or special problems (such as excessive pain, swelling, bleeding, fever, not being able to urinate).

 

Call our office right away if you have the following: Sudden swelling, redness, bleeding and/or foul drainage from incision site Sudden increased pain that cannot be relieved by prescribed pain medication Severe headache Oral (taken by mouth) fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher Nausea and/or vomiting that does not go away Calf pain or tenderness, palpitations, shortness of breath

 

Medications you will need at home after surgery:

• Colace®
• Senokot®
• Tylenol®
• Ibuprofen
• Oxycodone (we will give you a prescription)

 

Supplies you will be need at home after surgery:

• Lubricant for dilation (either K-Y® Jelly or Surgilube®). It must be water-based not silicone-based.
• Thin maxi pads (unscented). You will need 4-6 a day.
• Inflatable pillow
• Bed pads to protect bed sheets
• Small hand mirror
• Antibacterial hand soap to clean dilators and hands (do not use alcohol wipes)
• Clear liquids

 

Please contact us with any medical questions:

• Call our office at 646-501-4449
• Or email your Nurse Practitioner (NP) at [email protected]
• After normal business hours, call 212-263-3030, then press 0. Ask for the doctor on call who will call you as soon as possible. 

 

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.