This page is a comprehensive list of everything I have found helpful in my gender transition. Here you will find everything from information about being transgender, support and advice on trans issues, cross sex hormones and surgical aspects of transition
Some of the following links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission. This is of no extra cost to you and you can rest assured that I only ever recommend something which has been useful to me.
This is an organic list which I continually add to and expand on. To stay up to date with my recommendations, there is also a free Newsletter which you can subscribe to here. You can also stay up to date with all my recommended products and tools by following my Amazon page here.
Transgender Resources
Gender Transition Information and Advice
Working through gender questioning, coming out as trans, and undergoing transition is a tough journey. Its also not easy for friends and family to come to terms with. The following links are for various support and advice agencies and also links to further information on trans issues.
Websites
Mermaids: an incredible charity helping to provide information, support and advice around transgender issues. There have a helpline, available to use for those up to 19 years of age
Gires: lots of info and resources about transgengender issues
Gendered Intelligence : a service offering comprehensive information on trans issues and support for transgender teens
Transgender YouTubers
Finntheinfinncible: This is my own YouTube channel. Here, I have documented my changes since beginning hormone therapy. I have also documented my top surgery and lower surgery experiences
Its A Mans World : Although this channel is no longer active, it is full of lots of fantastic first hand experiences of older trans people
Phalloplasty Resources
What To Take To Hospital - Surgery Kit List
The first stage of phallo invlves the longers hospital stay and is the one where you will be the most reliant on others. Forward thinking, and preparing ahead of time, will help to make the hospital stay a little easier and more comfortable
Bag and Organisers
Suitcase: It’s vital to think ahead in terms of the bag you take to the hospital. You will be limited in what you can carry after surgery. If you have a friend or partner coming with you this is not too much of an issue, as they can kindly carry it! However, if you are traveling back alone, or even to be prepared just in case, it’s wise to take something you can manage to carry by yourself. The best thing is a small suitcase with 4 spinner wheels as this will enable you to drag it or to just push it, whilst avoiding straining yourself. They are also so much easier to organize your hospital essentials in.
Packing Cubes: These are wonderful, versatile and a real bonus in surgery packing ans you can easily separate everything, pants in one, t shirts in another and daily essentials in another one. Then, when you need to ask someone to get something from your bag, its easily found rather than having to rummage!
Things to keep you entertained and distracted
You will be bored and uncomfortable so make sure to take your phone, tablet, kindle, book or whichever medium you prefer. As most entertainment devices are now electronic, make sure to remember the following:
Long power lead: You wont be able to get up and down to plug in your electronic device charger so having a long lead, to stretch from your bed to the socket, is a very welcome piece of surgery kit
Power Bank: an even better option is a power bank as you can keep this handy beside your bed. You charge these up and then you can run your electronic devices off it and keep them topped up. I’ve used it for festivals as well as surgeries and even after 5 days heavy use there is still a bit of charge left over. If you prefer something smaller, this is the other one I use. This is great for a couple of charges, making it perfect fr short hospital stays.
One Handed Book Holder: For those among you that prefer non electronic entertainment and the smell of a good book (who doesnt!) this one handed book holder is fantastic for when your donor site arm is out of action!
Kindle Paperwhite: I love books and for a long while I refused to use a eBook reader. However, I realise now that it doesn’t have to be one or the other, each have their own merits. I love my Kindle, it makes it so easy to take lots of books with me wherever I go and buy new ones. Its back-lit , making it easy to read in the early hours of the morning when its still dark but you cant sleep! Plus, you can sign up to Audible and have your favourite books read to you instead.
Home Recovery Kit List Post Lower Surgery
Trying to negotiate lots of sore areas is hard. Forward planning can make personal hygiene easier and make sure your home is comfortable and accessible for you post op
Shower sleeve: this is a must if you have forearm phalloplasty. You need to keep that arm dry and this allows you to shower and use the arm, whilst protecting it from getting wet.
Bed protectors: these are great to lie on in bed and sit on in chairs. They help to protect and keep things hygienic, especially when you just want to sit or lie naked and let the air get to everything to aid healing.
Over bed tray: you will not be able to have anything on your lap after lower surgery. This lap tray is the perfect solution as it has adjustable legs, meaning it can go over your lap at a comfortable height, protecting your precious new equipment!
Wet wipes : showering every day is exhausting, so for those times i between, and to keep things fresh, wet wipes will be your best friend! Make sure to chose ones that are fragrance and gentle. Water wipes are my go to brand.
Dry wipes: these are fantastic for many different things. Much more hygienic than flannels to wash with and can be used to hygienically dry areas after showering too.
Antibacterial Hand Gel : hygiene is absolutely vital for good recovery and to prevent infection. Make sure to have a few bottles of these dotted about your home, in the bathroom, beside your bed and where you sit during the day. Don’t be afraid to insist your visitors use it too! Pump bottles are the easiest to use with one hand.
Wet toilet tissue: Trying to wipe your bum successfully with one had is very difficult! Using wet, flush-able toilet tissue makes it easier and keeps things clean and hygienic
Soft Toilet Seat & Raiser: negotiating the toilet after lower surgery is a painful nightmare. Investing in a soft toilet seat, which also adds some height, makes the whole thing so much easier. This has been a great investment throughout all my surgery stages.
Memory foam cushion: this was a blessing! A memory foam cushion helps to make sitting on those bum staples much less uncomfortable. It is great to use in cars when travelling home from the hospital or to appointments and to use in a wheel chair if you hire one to help you get out and about.
Basic Medical First-Aid Kit Post Lower Surgery
You should always seek medical help with any wound issues you have post surgery. However, its also a good idea to keep a basic first aid kit at home, so that you can help yourself temporarily until you can get to your local nurse or GP
Sterile Water: its common for wounds and suture sites to get infected. Its a god idea to have some sterile water to hand to clean up areas before redressing them
Non Adherent Dressings: its a good idea to keep a few of these in different sizes at home in case you need to cover or patch something up until you can get it looked at.
Adhesive Remover Wipes: these have been my best friend for years! The downside to being a hairy man is getting dressings off without giving yourself a wax. Zoff wipes are amazing, simply run them over the top of the sticky part of the dressing or against your skin on an opening of a dressing and then you can easily remove it pain-free!
Top Surgery Resources
Recovery at home
V Pillow: these make it so much easier to sit upright, supported and prevent pillows from slipping to one side. These are also really handy to use to protect your chest from the seatbelt in cars.
Adjustable folding bed rest: this is one of the best investments I made and has had a ton of use throughout all my surgeries. Its lightweight, easy to clean, simple to fold and store and makes it so much more comfortable to sit up in bed or to sleep at a raised angle.
Loose front button shirts: you will find it hard to raise your arms for a while so its a good idea to invest in some loose casual button down shirts which are easier to put on.
Scar treatment Post-Surgery
An inevitable part of any surgical procedure is scarring. However, with the right treatment, including massage and nutrition, you can achieve a good scar outcome.
Tips for scar healing : a detailed blog sharing all my tips and tricks to make scars heal and fade.
Massage oils: massage is a vital part of scar healing. I have used Tamanu oil and rose-hip seed oil on all my scars. Both are really lovely thick oils to use and the Tamanu oil is especially known for its scar healing properties.
Silicone scar treatment: silicone is widely known for its abilities to improve the appearance of scars. I used Kelo-cote along the incisions from top surgery and also on the edges of my arm graft scar. It really helps to keep the scar mist, which aid healing.
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Finlay Games is the founder of The Recovery Writer and the host of Finntheinfinncible. He is a freelance writer and speaker for hire, who advocates, informs and inspires on topics of mental health, recovery, gender transition, and sexuality.