Post-Operative Care Instructions for Hymenoplasty

1. Post-operative processes after the Hymenoplasty

• After the Hymenoplasty, you may experience dizziness caused by the Intravenous (IV) Sedation, so you should take a rest until recovery.
• You will be monitored for 1-2 hours at recovery room. When you are conscious with no abnormal bleeding, you can urinate by yourself, and you are asked to review post-operative care instructions, Dr. Vitasna will allow you to return home.
• 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, Dr. Vitasna will allow you to continue being monitored in the Inpatient Building.
• In the Inpatient Building, you will get an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory, an acetaminophen, and laxative, as prescribed by Dr. Vitasna. If the acetaminophen tablet does not work, you will be injected analgesic medicine for pain relief. You should take a rest to monitor and reduce pain and inflammation around the surgical wound.
• For the Hymenoplasty with mini-Perineoplasty, difficulty in urination may be noted due to the tension in the vaginal opening. 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, the urinary catheter will be removed, you can have movement around. Dr. Vitasna will ensure that no abnormal bleeding from the surgical wound occurs, you can urinate by yourself after the catheter removal, and you are asked to review post-operative care instructions. Then Dr. Vitasna will allow you to return home.

2. Water contact & Post-operative care instructions at home for 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.
• Within the first 1-2 days after the surgery, you should not take a shower, which may potentially cause infection–perhaps rub the body dry.
• 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, pickled food, and smoking for about 2 weeks.
• 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.

3. Recovery period for Hymenoplasty

• Recovery varies individually. You may return to work after 2-3 days of the surgery. Moreover, you should adhere to the physician’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 6-8 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.

4. Suture removal after the Hymenoplasty

• The material (s) used is the suture which dissolves slowly (within 6-12 weeks). However, for some women, the suture takes longer than 6-12 weeks to completely dissolve, consequently irritation. For the women with itching caused by the dissolving sutures and the process of healing, you will be prescribed antihistamine to control the itching.

5. Appointment after the Hymenoplasty

• Dr. Vitasna will have a post-operative appointment in 1-2 weeks after the Hymenoplasty or as appropriate. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.