Yeah, insurance covered everything. I called the first week of March, had a consult by phone on March 22nd, and then scheduled for July 31st a few days later. I could have scheduled as early as May, but I needed more time for hair removal. This was right when she left Brownstein&Crane, so the timeline could be different now.

Dr. Wittenberg and her Nurse Practitioner Liz are both amazing. They're big on followup, and both visited me every day while I was in the recovery facility, then there were three weekly post-op visits. Sometimes I had difficulty getting ahold of the office by phone, but emailing Liz usually got a response/call back within an hour. I also had Dr. Wittenberg's personal number, but I never had to call her. If you don't live in the Bay Area and are going to be renting, I would try to pick somewhere close to her office, because driving sucks, especially on San Francisco hills. One thing that was nice was buying a toilet seat like this

Results wise I got 5.5 inches of depth, and I started off with 5 inches, I'm happy with it. While I haven't tried masturbating yet, I can tell that my clit is very much sensate. Aesthetics are great too, something I was worried about because it seems like a gamble, even with the most reputable of surgeons.

Also, I would say my mindset was like yours going in. It wasn't crazy 'I cry every time I have an erection' level dysphoria, but I certainly didn't like the situation. That plus all the reasons you mentioned made it seem like a good idea. It totally was. I don't think I knew how much dysphoria I was feeling because it was always present. That's solved now.

> ..clam shells..

Of everything, I think these helped me the most pre-surgery. Everyone's FAI is different, but these really helped my strength. I recommend doing them with a resistance band above your knees.

> Do you recommend renting a CPM? Would you go with a hip brace looking back?

No, and no. :)

The CPM was a "nice to have," especially in the first week after my surgery when I didn't want to move/do much. However, if you have access to a stationary bike, I much preferred it. I started biking (0 resistance) after my first PT appointment, while I was still on crutches. For me, it got me out of the house (my husband had to drive), back into the gym (my happy place), and felt more productive than lying in a CPM for hours. The bike is a perfect substitute for the CPM. Note that you have to use an upright, not recumbent, bike; the recumbent places too much weight/stress on your hip.

I was so grateful not to have a brace, and I never felt that I need it. I did have to wear a knee brace for the first 24 hours, which forced me to keep my leg 100% straight. It made me want to DIE and the relief of stripping it off was immense.

I did have a set of 'anti-rotational booties.' These were neoprene wraps that went over your feet, fastened with Velcro, and then were velcroed together by a strap. I was supposed to wear them as much as possible, and absolutely while sleeping. These were... weird. I was super grateful to have them, because I did not have the strength to hold my leg straight/keep it from rotating out sideways. But after the two weeks, I was ready to chuck them right through a window. I was so sick of having my feet trapped while I was asleep and couldn't wait to be free of them.

> I used to do a lot of yoga but have scaled back to a handful of times a month (out of pure laziness). Do you do it anymore?

I don't, aside from the occasional warm up stretches before I lift. This was mostly due to laziness, but it also took a very long time for my flexibility to come back. There is a lot of scar tissue to break up, but there's a fine line between working on ROM and pushing a newly repaired joint too far. I found it VERY hard to be patient.

> Thank you again for the information! I really appreciate it!

Do you have any other questions? I'm happy to answer anything you can think of. Here's a few other things off the top of my head:

• Crutch pads. I found these very helpful, especially for my hands. I had these Crutcheze pads
  
• I also bought a toilet seat lift. Incredibly embarrassing, but basically essential. You will NOT be able to bend your hips into a 90 degree seated position after the surgery. I can't imagine going to the bathroom in that first week without something like this. Here's mine
  
• In addition to the anesthesia, I had a nerve block in my operated leg. This took FOREVER to wear off, and it took me a very long time to regain full feeling in my leg. I've heard that a lot of people worry that this is permanent nerve damage, but it absolutely does go away... eventually. I think it took 4-6 weeks to fully wear off!
  
• I had a mild allergic reaction to the adhesive in the dressings the surgeon used. My skin was red, rashy, and even blistered when I took the dressings off. This is probably unique to me, but I recommend having some gauze and medical tape on hand just in case. I couldn't even use bandaids because my skin was already so inflamed.
  
• I had pretty serious painkillers, but got off of them ASAP - about 3 days post-op in my case. They make you crazy constipated, and I did worry about addiction. I started taking tylenol instead and it totally controlled my discomfort. DO take any antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers you are prescribed, though!
  
• A few days/a week after your surgery, you will get cocky. Don't. I tried to go down the stairs a week after my surgery and almost fell... but my favorite sweatshirt was down there and no one was home to help me. Seriously, don't be me :)
  
• My surgeon also had a list of supplements that he wanted me to take post-op. My list included Vitamin C, glucoasmine, and fish oil. If you don't already have a list, ask your surgeon or his team if they have any recommendations.

Here are my suggestions if you are going to do this on your own (or even with help).

1. The first 3 days you will be on meds every 2 hours around the clock. You cannot skip a single dose (even the 2 am ones!) or else you won’t be able to stay on top of the pain and spasms. You need to have an alarm set every 2 hours and have food on hand to take with the meds every time or else you will be nauseous and throwing up - which is the last thing you need. Therefore keep healthy food next to your meds and do it religiously.
   
   
2. Get a raised toilet seat cover (Amazon for like $25). You won’t have someone to help you with the bathroom so this will be a lifesaver. (This is the one I bought - having the higher seat and the arms will make all the difference in the world - trust me!) raised toilet seat . It’s not just for going to the bathroom either, I found it to be the only right height for trying to change my clothes and undergarments so it becomes the only spot you can sit to stand reasonably well the first few days.
   
   
3. If you have stairs to get into your apartment - line up a neighbor to help you get up them the first time after surgery. It’s very hard to do (but doable!) because your leg is braced completely straight - but the main issue is you will still be half out of it from the surgery anesthesia so you will have about 25% of your actual physical control as you do now on crutches. It will be impossible to do alone so ask the Uber driver or a neighbor to help. Trust me, anyone is willing to help if you ask for something like this even if you don’t know them yet.
   
   
4. Talk to the hospital ahead of time - most will not discharge you (legally) unless someone is there with you to take you home. If you absolutely must take an Uber and not have someone you will need to get pre approval from the hospital or else they may not legally allow it.
   
   

Hello versaKT,

In reply to your comment to me...

Your original comment was

"That flat out guarantees you're paying more than if you bought directly from Amazon."

is why I brought up (again) that I paid less on Ebay for the same product sold on Amazon, and through the same vendor too. This is why I sent the links, 'cause you kind of stated that I was a dope and probably paid more. - Nope, not so, I paid less, and those links are proof.

---------------------------------------------

Now to address another question that you directed to me regarding the 'free shipping'.

I disputed their call on violations, stating that my reviews were on full price products and that they should have the AVP banner. I have attached (or rather copied) another email from Amazon to me.

Below the email is a screenshot of the entire invoice in question, for all the products on the order. Please note that after the $17.81 deduction is strictly the 'free freight' that is automatically applied on an amount that exceeds their order minimum (and available to "everyone and their dog's groomer's cousin's septic service gets free shipping every day") - but apparently these rules don't apply to me.

-------------------------------------------------

A Message from Amazon Review Moderation Thu, Feb 16, 2017 5:06 am

review-appeals (review-appeals@amazon.com)To:you Details

Hello,
We removed the Amazon Verified Purchase badge from the reviews for your product because the reviewers received a free or deeply discounted product in exchange for their reviews.
We have noticed that a promotion $$ 17.81 applied towards shipping the product. Hence, the purchase has not been marked as a Verified Purchase.
A Customer Review marked with "Amazon Verified Purchase" means the reviewer purchased the item at Amazon and didn’t receive it at a deep discount.
To learn more about this policy, please search for “Customer Reviews” on our Help page.
Review Moderator Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com

​

------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the screenshot of this particular invoice: Please note the $17.81 (promotion) was the applied free freight. First these were stripped of the AVP banner, than later Amazon decided that these products were all considered promotions, and therefore violations.

Order Details

Ordered on January 29, 2017 Order# 103-3394284-2933035 View or Print invoice

Shipping Address

• XXXX
  
  

  Payment Method
  

  
  📷 **** 6451
  
  

  Order Summary
  

  
  Item(s) Subtotal:$54.13
  
  Shipping & Handling:$17.81
  
  Free Shipping:-$17.81
  
  Total before tax:$54.13
  
  Estimated tax to be collected:$3.15
  
  Grand Total:$57.28
  
  Transactions
  
  

  2 SHIPMENTS
  

  
  📷Royal Pet 10012 Gnawsome Squeak and Light Ball, 4.5-Inch, Multicolor
  
  Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc $11.36
  
  Condition: New Buy it again
  
  ​
  
  📷Holy Stone RC Cartoon Race Car with Music and Lights Electric Radio Control Toy for Baby Toddlers Kids and Children
  
  Sold by: Holy Stone$15.55
  
  Condition: New Buy it again
  
  Write a product review
  
  Archive order
  
  ​
  
  📷Drive Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat with Removable Padded Arms, Standard SeatSold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc $ 27.22
  
  Condition: New Buy it again
  
  Write a product review
  
  Archive order
  
  ​
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  I can send many more and different examples of the same type of issue. Just ask.
  
  Or I would be willing to send you (privately) my password and you could look through my account on your own. I have nothing to hide, and I have changed my charge card accounts since then, (security reasons) and therefore there is no risk for me, as I am no longer active as an Amazon shopper.
  
  No coupons, no promotions, no codes, no discounts, no gift cards and no deals of any kind.
  
  Just full priced products ordered directly from the Amazon website product page.
  
  ​
  
  
  

OMG Men, this kid must be brilliant. He must already have invented this, created the models necessary, contracted with some company to create it, and cut a deal with Amazon and 1000 other companies.

http://www.amazon.com/HomeHelper-Line-Toilet-Seat-Lifter/dp/B000KJZ13C

http://www.magicjohn.com/mj.htm

NAH. Maybe you should look into on of these https://www.amazon.com/FLIPPER-Reliable-Inexpensive-Toilet-Lifter/dp/B0052SVSQ0. Then you don't have to remember to put the seat down, and it's all hands free so it would actually be easier for you to pee.

Going to the toilet: You can purchase a toilet seat riser or something similar. This will prevent you from bending your hip too much after surgery and will make it easier for you to get up. Available online or at durable medical equipment stores.

i've just found this. maybe something like this would help you.
https://www.amazon.com/AquaSense-Portable-Raised-Toilet-Inches/dp/B005IV0DDA/ref=pd_day0_c__4/132-8590526-0798960?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005IV0DDA&pd_rd_r=f507eccd-58b6-11e9-ba44-5b53f8bf2b96&pd_rd_w=Xu470&pd_rd_wg=I6dmc&pf_rd_p=fda7cfe5-3364-4578-ae5e-ac4ab3645932&pf_rd_r=S7J697SBSXT72PE1M8Q4&psc=1&refRID=S7J697SBSXT72PE1M8Q4

Looks like it was a thing at one time

Link

Like this?

Like this?

Sorry, looks like the link from that blog is out of stock: try this one: http://www.amazon.com/FLIPPER-Reliable-Inexpensive-Toilet-Lifter/dp/B0052SVSQ0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_1

http://www.amazon.com/FLIPPER-Reliable-Inexpensive-Toilet-Lifter/dp/B0052SVSQ0

They have this already
http://www.amazon.com/FLIPPER-Reliable-Inexpensive-Toilet-Lifter/dp/B0052SVSQ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372790512&sr=8-2&keywords=toilet+lid+pedal

You mean like this?

They've had these for a while...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KJZ13C?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000KJZ13C

Alredy been done: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KJZ13C?tag=dvdmaailm

how about this?

Here you go

Here you go

ITT: No one has discovered that this exists.

Or this exact thing:
http://www.amazon.com/FLIPPER-Reliable-Inexpensive-Toilet-Lifter/dp/B0052SVSQ0

Seriously, guys pee standing up, why not have a pedal you step on that lifts the seat for you. No hassle, automatic closing.

Not sure if this is sarcasm or not so I'll comment this anyways.

It does exist.

although it has bad reviews

I had a tummy tuck in June. You need a raised toilet seat, I had this. It will make your post tummy tuck life 100% easier. You also need a shower chair. And instead of buying a ton of expensive gauze go ahead and get some of the old school thick ass maxi pads without wings. They are much cheaper and far more absorbent.

To be 100% real... This is about to suck. It's worth it but it is an extremely painful procedure.

I'm here if you have questions or want to talk.