#donor sites
As I didn’t find any information about this topic, I figured you could find interest in this post !
As far as I’m aware, 5 out of the 7 surgeons performing phalloplasty inFranceoffer this technique. It’s broken down into 6 stages to reduce operating times and risks as much as possible. The final scar is similar to the one you get from a tummy tuck (look it up on google): discreet and easily hidable.
1st stage : Tissue expansion is accomplished by placing 2 balloons like expanders underneath the skin between your belly button and your pubic area. Over the next 3 months, the expander is filled with saline solution (saltwater) causing the skin around it to stretch and grow. Once the balloons have reached 800 mL (28-30 fl oz) each, the tissue expander is ready to be removed, which leads to the second surgery.
2nd stage : Tubing consists in the removal of the skin expanders and the creation of a penis thanks to the newly generated skin. The neo-penis is attached on both sides (your belly button and your pubic area), allowing a good vascularization and good healing (the complication rate drops)
3rd stage : Flap removal is undergone which allows your penis to hang and not be attached to your belly still.
4th stage : Urethroplasty (½) is performed in two stages to reduce the complications rate drastically. The neo-urethra is created with thin layers of skin removed from your thigh.
5th stage : Urethra connection (2/2) ; glansplasty, vaginal closing and clitoris burial can be performed if desired.
6th stage : Erectile device & testicular implants
Theoretically, 3 months are to be waited between stages 1 and 2, stages 2 and 3, and stages 3 and 4. The time between stages 4 and 5 varies a lot depending mainly on complications. Overall, the whole process is completed in 18-24 months (with urethroplasty)
I know it can be hard to picture the process, here is an illustration (TW: surgery illustration)
