Link to my 2 week update here
TLDR: recovery has continued to go smoothly 🎉 I have some wound separation in my perineum, but it’s slowly getting better each day. I’ve been peeing from my penis for the last 5 days with no leaking from the wound separation and no fistulas. The SP catheter was removed 2 days ago at my last post op appointment.
I had my second post op appointment about a week and a half ago (19 days post op). During this appointment, they took some photos, changed my arm bandaging, removed the remaining staples from my arm, and gave me instructions for my voiding trials.
At 24 days post op, I started voiding trials. The first couple tries were difficult - had a hard time getting started and less than half of my bladder was able to be emptied through my penis. But by the of the day, I was able to empty 100% through my penis. It just took some time to remember how to pee and redevelop the mind-muscle connection. After just a few days, it’s already feeling so natural.
I had my third (and last) post op appointment about earlier this week (at 26 days post op). During this appointment, they took some photos, changed my arm bandaging (and switched me to just a dry gauze dressing), and removed the SP catheter. I was worried getting it removed was going to be painful but it wasn’t bad at all, just felt like some pressure. The SP insertion site was really sore that night and the next day, but is hardly noticeable today.
I’ve been in PT for my hand/arm weekly. I’m feeling really good about the strength (probably 80% normal). I’ve made progress with range of motion, but still have a long way to go to get back to normal (probably at 50% right now). That being said, I’m able to cook, clean, type on the computer, text normally, etc now. My hand is still very swollen. I’ve been trying to keep it elevated as much as possible and do lymphatic drainage massaging which seems to be helping some.
The xeroform on my thigh finished peeling off on my 16th day post op. Since then, I’ve been applying aquafor once a day. The skin itches some, but it’s not constant. There’s a couple areas that are blistering now, but nothing too crazy.
Pain level is basically zero now. I’m only taking ibuprofen occasionally. I do have some discomfort and itching sensations around the sutures at the base of my penis, usually when I’ve been walking around and dangling for an extended period of time.