The Processes of the Hymenoplasty
2) After the Hymenoplasty
After the Hymenoplasty, you are assured to be well taken care of in a safe and professional way, by our highly trained and educated staff. You will be monitored for 1-2 hours at recovery room. Nausea and vomiting may be experienced, as a side effect of the Intravenous (IV) Sedation Anesthesia, which is noted to be relieved as soon as its effect wears off. When you are conscious, with no abnormal bleeding, able to urinate, and have reviewed the post-operative care instructions, Dr. Vitasna will allow you to return home.
After the surgery, Dr. Vitasna may suggest some women to stay overnight at the hospital. A Foley catheter may be inserted to avoid the retention of urine especially in the first day after the surgery. You will be monitored for 1-2 hours at recovery room. When you are conscious, anesthesiologist will allow you to continue being monitored in Inpatient Building, where you will get an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory drug, an acetaminophen, and a laxative drug, as prescribed by Dr. Vitasna.
Pain levels depend on an individual’s pain tolerance. Pain varies from person to person. If the pain cannot be relieved from the acetaminophen, the nurse will administer an analgesic by injection as ordered by Dr. Vitasna. In our hospital, clients can choose to pay for a “pain-free program”, where you will be given a machine that you can control and enables you to give yourself appropriate levels of pain relief.
For the Hymenoplasty with mini-Perineoplasty, difficulty in urination may be noted due to the tension in the vaginal opening. A Foley catheter may be inserted to avoid the retention of urine especially during the first 1-2 days after the surgery. You may experience an urge to pass stool (straining), and a sense of incomplete emptying, even after the enema before surgery. This is caused by the sutured posterior vaginal wall between rectum and vagina. Taking a rest is recommended to reduce this symptom. Laxatives will be given to prevent constipation.
Within the first 1-2 days after the surgery, you will be able to have movement and walk around. You should not take a shower, which may potentially cause infection–perhaps rub the body dry.Dr. Vitasna will ensure that no abnormal bleeding from the surgical wound occurs, and you can urinate by yourself after the catheter removals as well as you are asked to review post-operative care instructions. Then Dr. Vitasna will allow you to return home.
3) Post Operative Care Instructions at home after the Hymenoplasty
At home, you must take an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory drug, a laxative, and an acetaminophen, especially the antibiotic should be wholly completed.
After 1-2 days of the surgery, you are allowed to take a shower. You should clean the perineum area with soap daily, when you are taking a shower in the morning or before bedtime. Do not put anything or clean inside of the vagina.
Within the first 2-3 days after the surgery, you should take a rest (refrain from work) and be still to enable the wound to heal faster, and have little movement as possible to avoid wound disruption.
You may experience light reddish bleeding out of the vagina in around 1-2 weeks after the surgery, and you should use a sanitary napkin to monitor the bleeding. In case of excessive bleeding or reddish blood clot, swollen wound and high fever, please contact the Center for suggestions or come to see Dr. Vitasna for the surgical wound examination.
Within the first 2 weeks after the surgery, cleaning the perineum area after urinary excretion may be done with sanitary wipes, and after fecal excretion done using water and toweling gently. You should try to avoid moisture around the surgical wound to keep the area dry to let it heal faster.
After the surgery, you may have all kinds of food, with the exceptions of alcohol drinks and smoking for about 2 weeks.
The material used for the surgery is the sutures which dissolve slowly (within 6-12 weeks). However, for some women, the sutures take longer than 6-12 weeks to completely dissolve, consequently causing irritation. For women who experience itching caused by the dissolving sutures and the process of healing, Dr. Vitasna may prescribe antihistamine to control the itching.
For the Hymenoplasty with mini-Perineoplasty, green-yellowish discharge may be expected after the surgery, because the vagina is full of secretion fluid and various kinds of bacteria. This can cause reaction to the surgical wound and sutures. Complete absorption of the sutures will usually occur within 6-8 weeks. Green-yellowish discharge may also persist during this time.
Itching and curd like discharge may be caused by vaginal yeast infection, after a prolonged use of antibiotic. In case of smelly vaginal discharge or vaginal fungal infection, additional medications may be prescribed.
4) Recovery period after the Hymenoplasty
You may return to work after 2-3 days of the surgery. Within 1-2 weeks after the surgery, Dr. Vitasna will have a post-operative appointment with you, you should follow Dr. Vitasna’s appointment for follow up examination or treatment.
Within the first 2 weeks after the surgery tissues are beginning to produce and form new blood capillaries, and the surgical wound is expected to start healing. You may start your daily activities gradually.
After the first 2 weeks to 4 weeks after the surgery, the surgical wound is expected to heal appropriately, you may start your usual activities gradually. Strenuous physical activities should be limited.
After 4 weeks to 6 weeks after the surgery, you may do your usual activities, yet avoiding heavy activities and exercises.
After 6 weeks of the surgery, relaxing exercises and lifting light weights are permitted. However, you should refrain from running, soaking in the bathtub, swimming, heavy lifting, cycling, other heavy activities, and sexual intercourse for at least 8-12 weeks after the surgery.
If you decide to have a consultation with Dr. Vitasna, please call or e-mail a member of staff to make an appointment date for the surgery.