![[shopping-list.jpg]] ## Introduction This list covers the essential supplies and medications commonly needed for any type of bottom surgery recovery. It is designed to help you prepare for the practical aspects of post-operative care, including wound cleaning, pain management, hygiene, and comfort. However, individual needs can vary widely depending on the specific procedure, your surgeon’s protocols, and your personal circumstances. This list represents many months of ongoing community effort and contribution. Many people have road-tested these recommendations and found them to be highly accurate and helpful in real-world recovery situations. It reflects collective experience and practical wisdom from those who have been through the process. At the very end of the list, there is a dedicated section specifically for items related to vaginoplasty recovery. While the main part of the list covers essential supplies and medications commonly needed for any type of bottom surgery recovery—such as wound care, pain management, hygiene, and comfort—the vaginoplasty section addresses the unique needs and protocols that apply only to that procedure. >[!important] >It is crucial to carefully document and strictly follow all instructions provided by your surgeon both before and after surgery. This list is meant to complement, not replace, your surgeon’s guidance. Always consult your healthcare team if you have any questions or concerns about your aftercare. Anything without a URL should be easy to find at your local pharmacy, Target, or Walmart. ## Cleaning Supplies | Name | URL | Notes | | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Dye-free, scent-free soap | https://a.co/d/77laSgv | for washing around wound site (or very minimally dyed-scented; it’s annoyingly hard to find completely dye-scent free now). Dr Bronners goes well in a foaming dispenser e.g. [https://a.co/d/bUnf1Cz](https://a.co/d/bUnf1Cz) | | Lots of soft paper towel for cleanup | | "Don't forget to bring a towel!" ~ Towelie | | Oxyclean stain remover spray | | Incidental stains on non-disposable items. | | Puppy Pads | | Managing fluid discharge and accidental urination | | Rubber gloves of appropriate size | | Applying ointment and taking care of your incisions | ## OTC Medications >[!warning] >Always discuss any and all supplements and over-the-counter medications with your surgeon. | Name | URL | Notes | | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Acetaminophen (extra strength, large bottle) | | TRACK YOUR INTAKE, including other meds also containing acetaminophen like Vicodin. Your surgeon will tell you the daily maximum dose, DO NOT EXCEED IT. | | Emergen-C Sachets | https://a.co/d/gnQMqgA | Recommended by the nurses at SF Memorial | | Hibiclens surgical soap | | Pre-surgery only. Vaginoplasty patients will also use this for dilator cleaning. | | Metamucil-equivalent (2 bottles) | | Antibiotics make it hard to poop. - Axl | | Naproxen (Aleve) | | NSAID to help reduce swelling when needed; like Ibuprofen but is easier on your stomach lining | | Stool softener tablets (1 bottle) | | | | Triple antibiotic ointment (giant tube) | | Daily incision care | ## Personal Care | Name | URL | Notes | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Absorbent pads | https://a.co/d/je8zqpK | Lighter weight alternative to menstrual pads. Larger ones good for first couple weeks, smaller ones good after. | | Aquaphor | https://a.co/d/ak5WXjz | Good skincare is part of your pain management routine. | | Cheap cotton underwear | https://www.carewell.com/product/medline-premium-knit-incontinence-underpants/ | The time for buying fun new nullo underwear will come after you stop having to throw this kind of underwear away. - Axl | | Diapers | e.g. Depends Briefs | For heavy flow surgical drainage days. If you’re out-and-about or traveling and can’t change immediately, these are very helpful (doing #1 or #2 is discouraged to avoid contaminating your surgical site). | | Donut Pillow | https://a.co/d/1lIxtvi | This will be your new best friend anytime you sit in your bed, chair, Uber, or airplane for a while. ⚠️ BRING IT WITH YOU TO SURGERY. - Axl | | Fleet Enemas 2-pack | This applies for nulloplasty, but not vaginoplasty, which requires a longer process. | Cleaning out the night before your surgery so that you don’t have to poo the first day you have a catheter. - Axl | | Grabber tool | https://a.co/d/1DGgmqF | Blanket Fort. Squatting and reaching are not good for you. | | Hand mirror | https://a.co/d/a4K8EbB | You have to look and check every day that your crotch is healthy. | | Hand moisturizer | | You will be washing your hands a LOT and using your fists to maneuver yourself around bed (friction burns) - your hands will dry out FAST | | Hot pack (most gel ice packs can also be used as hot packs) | | Sometimes a warm compress is needed to help break up blood in a hematoma | | Ice bags that do not leak ice water into your bed. Many choices out there. Have at least two of them | | early recovery most importantly, but ice helps to manage pain flares at any stage, especially during post-op travel home | | Lap desk | https://a.co/d/9dFYBFp | Keep your breakable electronics a degree of separation from your blanket fortress so that you don’t inadvertently smash them or drop them on the floor in the middle of the night. Very convenient for eating meals but not directly on top of your vulnerable region. - Axl | | Menstrual pads | | Option for managing post-surgical fluid discharge. | | Mobile Entertainment choices (if doing initial recovery away from home) | | I forgot my Nintendo Switch and was bummed about it the whole time -Axl | | Moist butt wipes | https://www.target.com/p/cottonelle-flushable-wet-wipes/-/A-79834288 | You won’t be able to use a bidet right way; your butt will thank you. Cottonelle FreshCare (not fortified with anything; not “gentle plus”) wipes are the only ones that are legitimately flushable, I’ve verified myself -Bright | | Protein shakes (pre-mixed) | https://a.co/d/267fnZn | Recommended by nurses, also useful for preventing nausea with meds | | Pubic Hair Trimmer-Shaver | https://a.co/d/3HFiTZS | Being nice and trimmed without ingrown hairs or cuts going into surgery makes early aftercare easier - Axl. | | Scar Tape | https://a.co/d/doMtr70 | | | Silicone scar treatment | | Start use AFTER all wounds in the area have fully healed and scabs have fallen off; can be started indefinitely into the future. Helps reduce long-term appearance of scars. | | Sterile gauze sponges | https://a.co/d/bw9slnT | Daily wound care | | Thermometer | | It’s helpful to have this handy to check if you’re getting a fever, which is a sign of infection. | | Vitamin E Oil | | Start use AFTER all wounds in the area have fully healed and scabs have fallen off. Also useful for restoring anus skin health - it will be sore and chapped after antibiotic poops. | ## Shopping | Name | URL | Notes | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Bidet (≈ $20) | https://a.co/d/9lPWsyy | The most important recovery tool, no earlier than after the catheter’s been out for a few days. No matter what keep the water pressure super gentle. Axl | | Consider getting a kit for casting a glow-in-the-dark mold of your 🍆 for posterity. You can’t do it later. - Axl 👻 | https://www.adameve.com/adult-sex-toys/dildo-sex-toys/clone-a-willy-c-1508.aspx | ED medication can help keep you hard enough to get through the process. We know that you’re not a fan of it. ✂️ - versasspunk | | Giant comfy blanket and pillow of choice | https://a.co/d/83x1yg2 | Especially if you’re not recovering at your actual home, bring low-value personal items you need to help you feel comfortable. It helps a lot. | | Play Sheets (under puppy pads) | and/or moisture-proof mattress cover | Mattress insurance | | Second pair of bedsheets | | Laundry | ## Vaginoplasty Necessities | Name | URL | Notes | | ----------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Hydrocortisone cream | | For basic granulation treatment | | Silver Nitrate Wooden Caustic Sticks Applicator 10/PS | https://a.co/d/97Zr4Mb | Pre-coated silver nitrate applicator sticks for advanced granulation treatment | | SoulSource Pelvic Trainers (Dilation) | https://www.soulsource.com/products/soul-source-grs-pelvic-trainers-large-set | Dilators | | Surgilube | https://a.co/d/c5C4YPR | Expect to go through about a tube a week. |