Emergency Contact Information#
| Contact | Phone | When to Call |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon's Office | _________________ | Questions, concerns, medication refills |
| Surgeon's Emergency Line | _________________ | After-hours urgent concerns |
| Hospital/Facility | _________________ | Readmission, severe complications |
| Local Emergency | 911 (U.S./Canada); elsewhere: ______ | Life-threatening emergencies in your location |
| Pharmacy | _________________ | Prescription refills, drug interactions |
Call local emergency services now if:#
- Trouble breathing, chest pain, collapse, or a person who is hard to wake.
- Severe uncontrolled bleeding or another immediate threat to life.
CDC guidance on blood-clot symptoms identifies breathing difficulty and chest pain as possible pulmonary-embolism warning signs requiring immediate medical attention. In the U.S. and Canada, call 911; elsewhere use the local emergency number. Do not wait for a surgeon to return a message.
Contact the surgical team promptly if:#
- Fever reaches the threshold in the discharge instructions, or the patient feels acutely unwell.
- Bleeding, wound separation, increasing redness, warmth, pus, or unexpected discharge occurs.
- Pain is worsening despite the prescribed plan, or urination/catheter output changes according to the team's instructions.
- New leg pain or swelling develops; CDC blood-clot guidance says these symptoms need medical assessment. Ask the team where to seek prompt care, and use emergency services if breathing or chest symptoms occur.
If you cannot reach the team and the concern is urgent, use the emergency plan in the discharge packet.
Daily Caregiver Checklist#
Morning#
- Check temperature (record in log)
- Assess surgical site(s) for changes
- Give morning medicines only if scheduled in the patient-specific plan
- Assist with hygiene as needed
- Prepare breakfast and ensure adequate fluids
- Help with mobility/walking if cleared
Midday#
- Give afternoon medicines only if scheduled in the patient-specific plan
- Prepare lunch
- Assist with dilation if applicable (timing per schedule)
- Monitor pain level (1-10 scale)
- Encourage rest
- Empty/measure surgical drains if applicable
Evening#
- Check temperature (record in log)
- Give evening medicines only if scheduled in the patient-specific plan
- Prepare dinner
- Wound care per surgeon instructions
- Assist with evening hygiene
- Prepare comfortable sleeping position
As Needed#
- Refill water bottle
- Assist with bathroom trips
- Use a protected cold pack only if and as the surgical team permits
- Help retrieve items
- Provide emotional support
- Document concerns for next appointment
Medication Schedule Template#
| Medication | Dose | Time(s) | With Food? | Last Given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medication notes:
- Give only the medicines, doses, and timing in the patient-specific plan; record each dose before the next caregiver takes over.
- Ask the prescriber how to change or stop an opioid. CDC patient guidance advises against abruptly stopping opioids after regular use; the plan depends on the person and duration of treatment.
- Agree on a bowel plan with the team if opioids are prescribed; CDC prescribing guidance discusses opioid-related constipation without making a stool softener a universal prescription.
- Check combination products before adding acetaminophen; the FDA explains duplicate-acetaminophen risk.
Surgical Drain Log (if applicable)#
| Date | Time | Drain 1 Output (mL) | Drain 2 Output (mL) | Color/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Report to surgeon: Output amount, color changes, sudden increases
Temperature Log#
| Date | AM Temp | PM Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Dilation Schedule (Vaginoplasty)#
Copy the current dilation plan from the surgical team here. Timing, duration, sizes, and changes are procedure- and patient-specific.
| Start date / review date | Dilator or size | Times per day | Minutes each | Team instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dilation Log:
| Date | Time | Duration | Dilator Size | Notes/Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Food and Hydration Reminders#
Write the patient's discharge instructions here; fluid, diet, fiber, and alcohol guidance can change with the procedure, other conditions, and medicines.
| Fluid goal or restriction | Food or bowel plan | Medicines or interactions to avoid |
|---|---|---|
Caregiver Self-Care#
- Take breaks—you cannot pour from an empty cup
- Sleep when the patient sleeps
- Accept help from others
- Step outside for fresh air daily
- It's okay to feel stressed—this is hard work
- Your wellbeing matters too
Notes Section#
Keep this reference card, a pen, and your phone within reach at all times during the acute recovery period.
Continue exploring#
References#
National 911 Program. (n.d.). National 911 Program. https://www.911.gov/
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Mental health support: Get help. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, March 5). About venous thromboembolism (blood clots). https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/about/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 10). Patients’ frequently asked questions about prescription opioids. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/manage-treat-pain/patients-faqs.html
Dowell, D., Ragan, K. R., Jones, C. M., Baldwin, G. T., & Chou, R. (2022). CDC clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids for pain—United States, 2022. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(3), 1–95. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Acetaminophen. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-use-over-counter-pain-relievers-and-fever-reducers/acetaminophen