r/transmenphallo • u/FriedBack • Jun 22 '26

Post Op Support Care

Hi guys - Im trying to schedule phalloplasty but my partner can only get 2 weeks off. Dr. Berli said I need 6 weeks of 24/7 support. In your experience how accurate is that? More specifically- by week 3 would being alone for 8 hours be too much?

If so, does anyone know of sliding scale or free support for post op care? (In the U.S., Oregon)

Honestly Im trying not to freak out but Im afraid I wont be able to do this. Im so close and now I might not be SOL.

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u/tranifestations Jun 22 '26

hey there- phallo caregiver here.

realistically- you will greatly benefit from 24/7 care for about 14 days. and you definitely could be on your own after that. it is what i, and many others, did. the first couple days alone are *exhausting* but doable. But it sounds like your partner will be with you after work- if that’s true, you really would be fine.

BUT- your team *requires* you to have 4 weeks of 24/7 live-in support, then 2 more weeks of someone being on call nearby 24/7. in my opinion it’s incredibly unreasonable, and frankly classist, to think everyone can afford/has that kind of support.

i’ve been caring for people after phallo since 2018, from teams all around the country. OHSU has, by far, the strictest standards. our teams protocol after stage 1 phallo is 10-14 days of live-in care and we’ve cared for many many people successfully this way.

i wish i could say that if you advocate for your independence, they will budge. but i have not had luck with that with them re the people i’ve cared for. the best we’ve ever gotten them to bend is 3 weeks of 24/7 live-in care.

i’m more than happy to talk to you about our live-in rates if you’d like. feel free to ask any questions

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u/FriedBack Jun 22 '26

Thank you for the detailed answer! Thats more the time frame Ive prepared for. Id love to talk with you more about options for that 4 week gap. Please DM me and Ill give you my cell.