The Asclepiade convalescent home is 15 years old! The Asclepiade (french word for milkeweed) convalescent home, founded in 2007, offers care and accommodation to our trans clientele who have had genital gender affirmation surgery. Why did we choose this name? Because milkweed is the only plant that welcomes the monarch caterpillar to allow it to turn into a beautiful butterfly. It is an inspiring metaphor for what the convalescent home means to our patients. We have also set up a garden there that has obtained the certification Oasis for monarchs in order to offer butterflies, and the people who enjoy the garden, a rejuvenating and peaceful place.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Link

L’article The Asclepiade convalescent home celebrates its 15th anniversary! est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

Franches

Franches is a former patient of GrS Montréal et of Dr. Pierre Brassard. She is a strong proponent of self empowerment through knowledge and experimentation. Franches is also the author and publisher of HolaSoyYo.com (‘Hello, it’s me’ in Spanish), a blog where she shares her experiences and thoughts on changing gender expression.

www.HolaSoyYo.com

Not long ago, a close friend of mine asked me how to have a natural relationship with a neo-vagina? She was considering genital reconstruction surgery, but she felt uncertain about it. Hence her question to me. She had heard from a few friends that it took them up to 2 years to be ok with their post-op anatomy. That lag from her friends in becoming comfortable with their results made her doubtful.

After thinking hard about her question, I had an answer. I am sure that I have a healthy – good relationship with my neo-vulva (I had a vaginoplasty without cavity) because of my preparation for surgery.

When I say “preparation for surgery” I don’t mean packing my suitcase with everything I needed for the trip. I mean everything that lead me to consider the surgery and live with myself afterwards. Looking back, I can break up this preparation into 3 major phases. They are mostly sequential, but not necessarily. A consistent element through these major phases was making sure I’d answer each and every question I had about the process.

When I was offered to write this article, my first full draft was 7,000+ words long! As you can imagine, that would be too long for a single post. I decided to rewrite this more condensed version. Then I broke up my original long draft into 3 separate posts and linked to them from here. If you want to know more, at the end of each section in this article you’ll find a link to the longer, more detailed version on my blog.

First Phase: Unheeding From My Old Ways of Thinking

Where I Was Coming From

Let’s start from the beginning, a time before I even started considering surgery seriously. All my life I believed that changing my gender expression was not in the cards for me. Despite this I always wondered what it would be like to grow up and live in a girl’s body. Cut to 2015 when I started HRT along with changing my gender presentation. At that time, I simply wasn’t interested in genital surgery. I still kept that view after going full time, after having facial feminization surgery (FFS) and after my breast augmentation. It was sometime in 2017, while I was making arrangements for my mammaplasty, that I started thinking about a vulvoplasty or maybe a vaginoplasty. Yet every time I thought about surgery, there was something in my head stopping me from seriously considering it. It felt like I had a lot of questions but wasn’t even sure if I wanted to know what those questions were.

Wondering What Would Life be After Surgery

I could not clearly visualize how my life would change after surgery. This was one of the first mental blocks preventing me from considering surgery. Yeah, there were some changes that I was keen on, like not having to tuck anymore, but there were others I wasn’t sure.

An early question I had to answer was if I’d be able to pee sitting down for the rest of my life. Gee, even just writing this makes me see how basic the question was, but I didn’t see it like that then. Though I’d been peeing sitting for several years, I didn’t do it always. I’d pee standing if I felt a situation was too unsanitary.

To get the answer I was looking for I forced myself to pee sitting or squatting for about a year. I did it every time, no exception. Of course, it was possible, just the way 50% of the population has done it all their lives, but I had to experience it. I also wondered how my (scarce) sex life may change. For this one I was already satisfied without getting an accurate answer before surgery. Speaking with Dr. Brassard beforehand, he explained the procedure and how the glans would very likely still be erogenous. At the end I was happy with not knowing for sure but understanding my chances.

Rethinking my Relationship With my Genitalia

Here I get really personal, but I feel it’s important to open up. Though I don’t expect everyone to see my point of view, probably someone might relate a little. At the very least opening up helps explain a major hurtle I had before considering surgery. I clearly see now that this was my hardest mental block but then I wasn’t even aware of this. As mentioned above, most of my life I never thought I’d change my gender expression. Part of it was that I was happy with my body and the genitalia I was born with. It never caused me dysphoria or unease. If anything, I was ok with it and had lots of fun with it. Maybe that’s why it took me so long to start considering getting a vulvoplasty.

Digging Deep

Every time I thought about surgery, I felt there was something that wasn’t adding up. So I dug deep to find out what didn’t add up. After a lot of soul searching, I found I was allowing my penis to define me. This was a breakthrough because I could finally see what my main mental barrier was. If anything, this speaks a lot about how the patriarchal environment I grew up in affected me.

There was a tug of war in my mind. I wanted to consider surgery but how would I even think of getting rid of what defined me. Again, digging even deeper I questioned why I thought the genitalia I was borne with defined me. As soon as the question was asked the answer appeared: it clearly didn’t.

At that point my relationship with my penis switched from an element that defined me to something that didn’t add much value. I saw that after living full time it kind of got on the way more than anything. From that point on I could seriously consider having genital reconstruction surgery. If that mind shift hadn’t happened, most certainly I would have had a hard time developing a healthy relationship with my post-op physiognomy. You can read more details on some other mental barriers I had and how I dare to consider surgery on HolaSoyYo.com

Second Phase: Serenity Through Knowledge (Pre-op)

Once my primordial questions were answered it was time I’d get into the details. I wanted to get to know as much as I could about the surgical procedure. By doing so I could understand better what to expect aesthetically and during recovery. Then and only then I felt I’d be able to make a decision to either go ahead or not. At the end, all this knowledge helped me evolve a natural relationship with my results after surgery. Post-op it helped me get an intimate understanding what was done and how that influences my daily life.

Considering Surgeons

When it came to looking at surgeons and/or surgical centres, luck was on my side. My medical insurance covered surgery at GRS Montreal.

However, cost or insurance coverage was not the only or the main factor. The aesthetics of their results, my ability to have low friction communication, and their experience were the other important points I considered. The idea was to have all those elements ensured to feel at ease with the surgery, and more importantly with myself long term.

The patient coordinator at GRS Montreal helped me arrange a consultation with Dr. Brassard. A number of weeks prior to my surgery I spoke with him over the phone. At that time, he answered my long list of questions. This also gave me a small insight into the surgeon’s personality and philosophy. On top of this, knowing that they perform hundreds of genital surgeries a year, both male and female, added to my confidence in them.

Thoroughly Understanding the Procedure

As I’ve mentioned a few times, I did not decide on having surgery until I understood the procedure, risks, and recovery protocols. I spent countless hours reading and learning about the different feminizing genital surgery options. Personally, I rather get medical facts opposite to personal accounts from other patients. The main reason is that anecdotal information is always coloured by the speaker. On the other hand, medical documentation is often based on years of impartial clinical observations, for the most part.

I based my understanding of the procedure mostly from the package that GrS Montreal sends its patients. Also, by reading about the procedures on the websites of multiple surgeons/surgical centres helped me grasp the concepts. The information package from GRS Montréal contained invaluable details about pre-op preparations, the procedure itself, and aftercare protocols.

I strongly advise anyone considering genital surgery to read the official documentation. Parts A,B, and postoperative care (Part C) of GRS Montréal’s patient information package are linked off their website. Look for the links at the end of their respective webpages, which are also quite insightful:

• Vaginoplasty
• Vaginoplasty without vaginal cavity (vulvoplasty)

I too relied heavily on my discussions with the psychologists during each of my two surgical assessments. Before deciding on having surgery, I went through the assessment process to get medical information, not to get approved. I believe this gave me some clarity because during the assessments I was not rushing ‘to get accepted’. Rather my interest was to learn as much as I could and then make an informed decision.

Recognizing and Accepting the Risks

If understanding the procedure and recovery was important, recognizing the possible risks was paramount for my peace of mind. My first opportunity to ask someone qualified about the risks was during the surgical assessment process. The next big chance to enquire about risks and complications was during my phone consultation with Dr. Brassard.

Reading through the GrS Montreal information package and multiple surgeons’ websites I got a fairly clear perspective on the risks and aftercare. I also met with a registered nurse at my local gender clinic before surgery. Chatting with her, plus my conversations with the surgeon and psychologists, and the reading materials I studied, all helped me see and accept the risks.

As a PSA (Public Service Announcement) I want you to be aware of the most common risks and complications in vaginoplasties (with or without cavity). It’s a good idea to familiarize with some of these if you or someone you know is considering surgery:

• Infection/Abscesses.
• Hypergranulation
• UTIs (urinary track infections).
• Recto-vaginal Fistula (does not apply to vulvoplasties).
• Prolapse of the neovagina (does not apply to vulvoplasties).
• Hair growth inside the neovagina (or inside the dimple vestibule in a vulvoplasty).
• Loss of sensation and inability to orgasm.

Download the TRS Surgical summary sheets from Rainbow Health Ontario and look for the Vaginoplasty sheet for concise clinical information.

You can find more details of how I gathered knowledge and made the decision to have surgery on my blog. Many of those details relate to the pre and post-op planning documentation GrS Montréal provided as well as other sources of factual information.

Last Phase: Confidence in Recovery (Post-op)

In my opinion recovery is the Holy Grail. Surgery is just a point in time, a quick methodical controlled trauma. Then recovery starts. All my prior mind shifting regarding my genitals, the learning, questioning, and understanding was to prepare for recovery and life beyond. The first few weeks and months post-op are crucial. From past surgeries I learnt that the more support one can get during early recovery, the easier, or rather less complicated it would be.

By going through my mental shift that allowed me to consider surgery, and learning as much as I could, I was able to increase my confidence in my decision. Following a consistent theme, all these later contributed to my natural relationship with my neo-vulva. All even before I left home to Montréal. However, my recovery’s contribution to the satisfaction with my results built up as it happened. Meaning that for the most part my confidence grew during recovery, and not prior.

Not Bothering with Things Outside my Control

Are you happy with your results? How much it hurts? What is sex like? How does it look? How does it feel? These are examples of some of the questions people get post-op. At first, I had similar questions though I realized that the answers didn’t matter. They were really not important because there was no way to know. Someone may tell you their perspective, but creating a personal expectation based on someone else’s subjective narrative, in my opinion, is not a good idea. A very simple example: If you ask me if I’m happy with my results, the answer is yes. Though that answer should be meaningless to you unless you knew what my expectations were.

When it came to things outside of my control, I did not spend much time thinking about them before I had to face them. Another example: I knew I would be uncomfortable and most likely in pain the first few days. How much? The only way to know was to go through recovery and see how much it’d hurt at the time. The way I prepared was by expecting the most painful experience ever, though chances were that it wouldn’t reach that point. Instead of mulling over it before surgery, I’d deal with pain once I felt it.

My Past Surgical Experience as Reference

While I was preparing for this surgery I looked back at my past surgical experiences and noted the similarities. Though there are massive differences between the kinds of surgeries, there’s a lot that is shared. In all my surgeries I developed similar relationships with the surgeons and nursing staff. The way I healed was fairly similar between surgeries. How I dealt with pain and my reaction to anesthesia were comparable. Based on all these common elements I could picture in my mind how I’d do for my vulvoplasty.

Asclépiade

GrS Montreal includes a few nights at the recovery home, Asclépiade, before discharging their patients to return home. That stay at Asclépiade made the first few days after surgery much easier than all other options. To give you an idea of the impact that Asclépiade had imagine being in a home with other trans patients that went through genital reconstruction. Then add being under the care of nurses that specifically work with these patients, and all your basic necessities (boarding, medication management, wound and patient care) are overseen by the staff. And then compare that package to recovering at home, at a hospital, or a hotel room.

As I went through the experience at Asclépiade it was easy to predict that if I were to have any complication, that it would be minimal. And that peace of mind also boosted my confidence in my relationship with my surgical results.

Recovery at Home

I made every effort to make my flight home as comfortable as possible. In general flying after surgery can be tough, specially on long flights and furthermore when the surgical site could make sitting uncomfortable or painful. Also, I had made arrangements at my local gender clinic to see a nurse a few days after my return. The nurse would be monitoring my recovery and aftercare once I returned home. So, even before leaving for Montréal I already felt a certain sense of ease knowing someone could take care of me locally. BTW, this is the same nurse that gave me some insider pointers weeks before flying for surgery.

You can find more details on how I prepared for recovery on HolaSoyYo.com and even how I dealt with an issue I encountered after I got home.

Conclusion

As I said at the beginning of this article. I was able to develop a natural relationship with my neo-vulva by answering every single question, even if the answer was “I don’t have a definite answer yet”. This included changing my relationship and understanding of my original born organs before I could contemplate surgery. If I hadn’t done that most likely I would have left doubts in my head that would have undermined my appreciation of my new physiognomy.

Once I was able to seriously consider surgery, knowledge about the procedure, and specifically its risks, possible complications, and recovery were the most important aspects of being happy with my results. If you or someone you know is considering surgery, any surgery, but more importantly a vaginoplasty, please make sure you or they know the commitment it takes.

Once I was able to seriously consider surgery, knowledge about the procedure, and specifically its risks, possible complications, and recovery were the most important aspects of being happy with my results.

If you or someone you know is considering surgery, any surgery, but more importantly a vaginoplasty, please make sure you or they know the commitment it takes. The first few months of recovery from a vaginoplasty can be intense. Any and all support that one can get during that time, should help develop a natural relationship with the neo-vagina.

L’article My complex mental process to prepare for surgery est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

In addition to the standard codes of ethics enacted by the professional orders to which most GrS Montreal employees belong, a very personal way of doing things is added, aligned with the desire to provide superior service to respond in the best possible way to the specific needs of each patient, always with the utmost respect.

“Not all of our employees are members of a professional order, but essentially, our internal code of ethics stipulates that we must behave impartially towards everyone, have a non-discriminatory attitude, and not place ourselves in a conflict of interest,” explains Mélanie Dupuis, Executive Director of the Complexe chirurgical CMC, of which GrS Montréal is a subsidiary.

Of course, GrS Montreal’s official and legal code of ethics exists and is followed carefully. This is what is most basic in a hospital center.

However, the intrinsic values of GrS Montreal, which are those of all employees, are found in what could be called an “emotional code of ethics”.

‘’The most important qualification we look for when we hire our employees,” she says, “is the ability to make our patients feel at home, that they don’t feel judged or misunderstood. That’s really at the heart of how we see and do things.”

EXCELLENCE

Excellence, and its constant pursuit, is one of the variables conveyed in the manual given to new GrS Montréal employees. We encourage everyone who works in the center to strive for perfection and the highest possible level of quality.

In the employee manual, we can read that “excellence is an essential value that motivates the decisions and actions of all members of the organization.”

ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability also plays a key role. It implies that each employee must take responsibility for his or her actions and foster employee commitment to the organization’s goals.

HUMANISM

At GRS Montréal, care is provided in a real spirit of client support. Confidentiality, listening, respect, and the client’s satisfaction are constant concerns for the entire team.

QUALITY

First of all, the challenge for the entire team is to meet the performance standards of quality care and client safety while respecting Accreditation Canada‘s standards.

Then come the values of the code of ethics based on human nature which, implicitly and naturally, lead each employee to constantly take actions based on the human being behind the patient. In this sense, the quality of care offered is not only found in the respect of standards, however important they may be, but also in the “way” in which it is given

L’article What is the code of ethics of GrS Montreal? est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

On site, everything has been designed to promote rest, tranquility, and self-care education. A beautifully landscaped exterior allows you to read, rest, or chat with others in a calm and inspiring country setting.

Delicious meals to remember

People who have stayed at Asclépiade will tell you the meals offered are not only balanced, but delicious.

“The menu is highly varied, the dishes are plentiful, and the meals succulent. They have nothing to do with those served in traditional hospitals: they are concocted meticulously by the chef,” confirms an employee.

“The food is scrumptious. It’s no wonder that in our cafeteria, the employees eat exactly the same food served to our patients!” he says with a smile.

As if that wasn’t enough, Asclépiade’s food is offered in the form of a buffet. In this way, each person designs their own plate. For example, they can replace beef with trout or take a little more (or a little less) of a food offered. Soups, complete meals, desserts, and what else? The menu always contains surprising proposals.

Note that no specific menu is imposed before or after an operation. Thus, each person is free to choose the foods that will be on his or her plate.

‘’Our meal service meets all allergy standards,” says a nurse at the CMC, who is also a fan of the meals served at Asclépiade. Definitely, people with food allergies need not fear.”

Asclépiade: a renewed and shared pleasure

Typically, CMC patients reside at Asclépiade for six to eight days.

Fortunately for the people who stay there, the atmosphere is very pleasant and serene. The reason is simple: at Asclépiade, as is the case throughout the CMC, employees have a lot of fun working together and this can be both seen and felt.

The atmosphere is tinged with this lightness and there are many quiet places. Moreover, when the weather allows it, many people gather on the nearby outdoor terrace to savor the succulent dishes. With nature as a backdrop and calm as a prevailing gift, this is an experience that…tastes like heaven!

Quiet atmosphere, nature, and good food. What could be better?

Despite the high quality of this offer, however, it is important to note that patients who wish to do so can also order food in one of the many restaurants located near the CMC.

But of course, when they discover the peaceful atmosphere of Asclépiade as well as its balanced, tasty, and meticulously prepared meals, the temporary residents of Asclépiade often realize that they are among the lucky ones who will remember fondly their time in this inviting and warm place. So they opt for…the buffet!

One thing is certain — Asclépiade is the only convalescent home in the world dedicated to trans people with such a food service. A truly unique experience.

L’article What will you eat at Asclépiade? est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

It is in an intimate and warm environment that you can rest and take the time to get back on your feet before going home.

A recovery at l’Asclépiade takes approximately seven to ten days, depending on the type of surgery. As this house is adjacent to the Centre Métropolitain de Chirurgie, the transfer from one facility to another is easily done from the inside, most often by walking.

Once you have settled at l’Asclépiade, a treatment schedule will be established with you. The staff is on duty seven days a week, day and night, and available to assist you, answer your questions, your concerns and provide care. Your medical follow-ups with the surgeon are also easily made, thanks to the proximity of the facilities.

If you have had a vaginoplasty with a vaginal cavity, it is during your stay at l’Asclépiade that the vaginal mold and the urinary catheter will be removed if the healing goes as planned. The nursing staff will take care of your surgical wounds as well as your dilations, if necessary. You should know that depending on the surgery you underwent, the length of your postoperative care will vary. The staff will take advantage of your presence at l’Asclépiade to teach you how to do your own care. This is a very important step that will lead to your complete healing. You will need to dilate the vaginal cavity up to four times a day for the first month. The frequency of dilations will decrease over time, but will still need to be continued for the rest of your life. The staff of l’Asclépiade will guide you in the familiarization of this crucial step for the success of your operation.

The healing process takes about a year. During this period, you will first notice discharge from your wound, regardless of the surgery you underwent. It’s normal. You will need to learn how to clean the wound and do it carefully every day. You will also notice swelling. This, too, is normal. It could even last beyond six months. As for the colour of your organs, it can take up to a year to stabilize.

If you have undergone phalloplasty, you will learn not only how to care for and clean your wounds, but how to do exercises needed to restore the suppleness of the skin of the arm or leg on which a flap of skin was taken.

Your recovery at l’Asclépiade will also be a time to learn how to manage pain. Please be aware that it varies greatly from one person to another. Thanks to the presence of doctors and nursing staff, the medication will be adjusted according to the level of your pain. Taking your medication regularly, applying ice, and resting are the keys to fast and successful healing.

Without being necessarily complex, the postoperative care that you will learn to master during your recovery at l’Asclépiade is of the greatest importance. Some people even compare the first month of care to a full-time job!

L’article Your recovery at Asclepiade est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

Normal Recovery

Whether it is surgery on the genitals or the torso, feeling pain during recovery is to be expected, especially in the beginning. Of course, each person will experience pain differently and doctors will help with pain management. In addition to the pain caused by incision sites, the patient may also have a sore throat if intubated during surgery.

Patients are generally offered anti-inflammatory medicine and analgesics. If this is not enough, the surgeon can prescribe narcotic analgesics. The pain should decrease with time. If it’s a genital surgery, you will be staying for a few days at the Maison de convalescence Asclépiade, the recovery center, adjacent to the Centre Métropolitain de Chirurgie, where you can rely on the nurses to help you manage the pain and learn how to treat your wounds. Depending on the kind of surgeries, recovery varies between 10 days and 8 weeks. In any case, do not hesitate to ask for help when the pain is too intense.

Healing Well

Always make sure you understand and follow the surgeon’s recommendations for maximizing your chances of healing well with minimal pain. Taking narcotic analgesics could affect the motor and cognitive functioning of the patient.

No matter what type, any surgery carries a risk of complications; therefore, you must discuss your concerns with your surgeon, and follow his recommendations precisely to give your body all the chances for an effective healing.

Psychological Pain

The decision to make a transition is usually made while on a difficult psychological path already well underway. Because mores change slowly, acceptance of oneself and acceptance of others can be a source of pain that warrants recognition. Do not hesitate to use the psychosocial services available in your area and to reach out to the professionals involved in your transition process (family doctor, psychologist, social worker, community resources, self-help and support groups, etc.). In the event that you feel psychological distress during your stay at Asclépiade, we can provide you with appropriate resources.

To conclude, if the transition process can be painful, it is also an important moment during which you will need to be well supported. You will be able to rely on the professionals of GrS Montréal for attentive and personalized service. Do not hesitate to share your concerns with them.

L’article Pain Management After Trans Surgery est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.

For a long time and across cultures, healing properties have been attributed to nature. Gardens for the sick people first appeared in the Middle Ages, in monastic hospitals across Europe. British nurse, Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in modern nursing, identified the therapeutic effects of nature on the improvement of patient healing. According to her, visual connections with nature, such as having flowers at bedside or seeing nature through a window, contribute to patient recovery. She has described it in her notes that were published in 1860 (Notes on Nursing).

Since 1970, many studies have been conducted on the subject. It is now known that trees, plants, and flowers positively affect the immune system. We know that proximity of nature in everyday life makes the whole body better. Fewer cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, psychological, and respiratory disorders are being observed.

Of course, nothing feels better than being wrapped in nature; a walk in the forest undoubtedly has a regenerating effect. However, even without being in total immersion, it is now proven that the simple fact of having some trees or flowers around, a few plants inside the house, or even a view of nature brings a positive effect on health.

In light of this research, it can be said that the Asclepiade recovery center is ideally located to promote patient recovery. The house is adjoined by a large garden that includes several mature trees, many species of flowers, and spaces designed for relaxation. In front of the house, you can enjoy the pleasant view of the Rivière des Prairies and Parc de la Merci. If your condition allows, you will be able to walk the 64,000 m2 of Parc De la Merci, and the 28,000 m2 of Perry Island. These parks are flat and furrowed with trails. You will meet many walkers, but also people who come for a picnic or a nap by the shore. Depending on the season, you may also see geese — they also seem to love the place!

Over the years, many researchers, urban planners, landscape architects, and engineers have explored ways to integrate nature into hospital complexes in aid of patient healing and well-being. They try their best to recreate what exists naturally at Asclepiade: a soothing home, surrounded by a healing garden, an island of nature within the city, a place where it feels good to unwind.

L’article The rustic setting of Maison de convalescence Asclépiade for recovery support est apparu en premier sur TransAvenue.