Recovery Toolkit

Appendix A: Complete Shopping Lists#

Essential Recovery Supplies#

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Pain Management#

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Bedding and Protection#

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Comfort and Positioning#

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Clothing#

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Bathroom and Hygiene#

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Bedside Station#

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Nutrition and Hydration#

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Entertainment#

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Procedure-Specific: Vaginoplasty#

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Procedure-Specific: Top Surgery#

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Procedure-Specific: Phalloplasty#

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Procedure-Specific: Facial Surgery#

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Procedure-Specific: Nulloplasty#

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Scar Care (Start When Cleared by the Surgical Team)#

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Budget Priority Guide#

If funds are limited, prioritize in this order:

1. Stool softeners (prevents dangerous constipation with opioids)
2. Wound care basics (gauze, gentle soap, saline)
3. Bedding protection (mattress cover, disposable pads)
4. Pain management supplies
5. Bidet attachment
6. Procedure-specific critical items (dilators, compression garments)
7. Comfort items (can improvise with what you have)

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Where to Buy#

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Print this appendix and check off items as you acquire them. Start gathering supplies 2-4 weeks before surgery.

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Appendix F: Recovery Milestone Tracker#

Patient Information#

Name: _______________________ Surgery: _______________________ Surgery Date: _______________________ Surgeon: _______________________

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Week 1: Acute Recovery#

Date range: _______ to _______

Week 1 Milestones#

• Catheter removed (date: _______)
• First bowel movement (date: _______)
• Able to walk to bathroom independently
• Transitioned from bed to chair
• Eating solid foods
• Sleeping 4+ hours at a stretch

Concerns to Report at Follow-Up:#

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Week 2#

Date range: _______ to _______

Week 2 Milestones#

• Reviewed opioid or pain-medicine changes with the prescriber, if applicable
• Showering independently
• Walking around home regularly
• Drains removed (if applicable, date: _______)
• Swelling noticeably reduced
• Wound healing without signs of infection

Concerns to Report:#

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Week 3-4#

Date range: _______ to _______

Week 3-4 Milestones#

• Reviewed continuing or changing prescription pain medicine with the prescriber
• Able to prepare simple meals
• Walking outside (short distances)
• Sitting comfortably for 30+ minutes
• Returned to light desk work (if applicable)
• Sutures dissolved or removed

Concerns to Report:#

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Month 2#

Date range: _______ to _______

Month 2 Milestones#

• Returned to work/normal activities
• Light exercise resumed (walking, stretching)
• Driving (if cleared by surgeon)
• Swelling significantly reduced
• Scars beginning to mature
• Energy levels improving

Activity log:

Concerns to Report:#

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Month 3#

Date range: _______ to _______

Month 3 Milestones#

• Most normal activities resumed
• Exercise increasing (per surgeon guidance)
• Sexual activity resumed (if cleared and desired)
• Sensation returning (note areas)
• Final swelling resolving
• Scar care begun (silicone products)

Sensation Notes:#

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Concerns to Report:#

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Months 4-6#

Progress Notes#

6-Month Milestones#

• Full activity resumed (including strenuous exercise)
• Sensation continuing to develop
• Scars maturing and fading
• Emotional adjustment progressing
• Any revisions scheduled/completed
• Long-term care routine established

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Procedure-Specific Tracking#

Vaginoplasty: Dilation Log#

Dilation concerns:

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Top Surgery: Chest Healing#

Phalloplasty: Multi-Stage Tracking#

Urinary function notes:

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Sensation development:

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Follow-Up Appointments#

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Questions for Next Appointment#

1. ---

2. ---

3. ---

4. ---

5. ---

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Photo Documentation#

Taking regular photos helps track healing and can be useful for follow-up appointments.

Recommended photo schedule:

• Pre-op (for comparison)
• Week 1 (or as soon as able)
• Week 2
• Week 4
• Week 8
• Month 3
• Month 6
• Year 1

Photo storage location: _______________________

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Long-Term Notes#

6-Month Reflection#

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1-Year Reflection#

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This tracker is for your personal use. Bring it to appointments to help communicate your progress and concerns clearly.

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Medication Tracker#

Patient Information#

Name: _______________________ Surgery Date: _______________________ Allergies: _______________________

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Medication List#

Fill in your prescribed medications. Your surgical team will provide specific instructions.

Pain Medications#

Antibiotics#

Bowel Plan (If Opioids Are Prescribed)#

Other Medications#

Continuing Home Medications#

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Daily Medication Log#

Week 1#

Day 1 (Surgery Day): Date _______

Day 2: Date _______

Day 3: Date _______

Day 4: Date _______

Day 5: Date _______

Day 6: Date _______

Day 7: Date _______

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Week 2#

Day 8: Date _______

Day 9: Date _______

Day 10: Date _______

Day 11: Date _______

Day 12: Date _______

Day 13: Date _______

Day 14: Date _______

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Pain Management Guidelines#

Pain Scale Reference#

Key Principles#

1. Record pain, medicine doses, bowel movements, and questions for the surgical team.
2. Follow the patient-specific prescription and discharge instructions. Contact the team if pain is not controlled or new symptoms appear.
3. Ask the prescriber for an individual plan before changing an opioid; CDC patient guidance warns against abrupt discontinuation after regular use.
4. Before adding an over-the-counter pain reliever, check with the team. The FDA explains acetaminophen duplication and NSAID risks.

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Opioid and Bowel Safety Notes#

• Take only the prescribed dose. Avoid alcohol and driving while impaired. Store medicines securely.
• Opioids can cause constipation. Agree on a bowel plan and an escalation threshold with the team; the CDC prescribing guideline discusses bowel regimens and notes that stool softeners alone may be insufficient.

Bowel Movement Tracker#

No bowel movement or worsening symptoms? Follow the discharge plan’s threshold or contact the surgical team for instructions; do not add a laxative or enema solely from this checklist.

Individual Medication-Change Log#

Record the plan agreed with the prescriber. This table does not set a taper rate or add an OTC medicine.

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Pharmacy Information#

Prescription refill notes:

• Opioids typically require new prescription (no refills)
• Call surgeon's office 2-3 business days before running out
• Some states have quantity limits

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Notes#

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Keep this tracker at your bedside along with your medications. Update it every time you take anything.

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Introduction#

This list offers patient-suggested supplies and a place to check what your particular recovery requires. 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.

Anything without a URL should be easy to find at your local pharmacy, Target, or Walmart.

Cleaning Supplies#

OTC Medications#

Personal Care#

Shopping#

Vaginoplasty Necessities#

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References#

Coleman, E., Radix, A. E., Bouman, W. P., Brown, G. R., de Vries, A. L. C., Deutsch, M. B., Ettner, R., Fraser, L., Goodman, M., Green, J., Hancock, A. B., Johnson, T. W., Karasic, D. H., Knudson, G. A., Leibowitz, S. F., Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F. L., Monstrey, S. J., Motmans, J., Nahata, L., ... Arcelus, J. (2022). Standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people, version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23(sup1), S1–S259. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644

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

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-use-over-counter-pain-relievers-and-fever-reducers/best-way-take-your-over-counter-pain-reliever-seriously-four-panel-brochure

Continue exploring#

• Recovery Essentials
• Documenting Healing
• Planning Documents