Vaginoplasty Experience

Some background; I had my first daughter when I was 20 y/o. A training physician had me push before I was 10cm dilated. My first daughter was 10lb 3oz and I had extensive damage and hemorrhaging, in and out of the hospital for a month. My second daughter was 9lbs 15oz. My husband and I have a very active sex life but he would occasionally make comments about me not being as tight as before I had my first child. I thought "well obviously because I'm not a teenager anymore." But I started to notice it as well. I would "[RS bleep]" a lot during sex, I would start out well lubricated but my natural lubrication would go away due to the constant air being pulled in and out, I can orgasm through clitoral stimulation but there was basically no friction involved. I've been thinking about this procedure for a few years now. I did my research. I did so much research that I freaked myself out.
I met with Dr. Palmer in his office. I was nervous because I was basically asking someone to judge my genitalia. Dr. Palmer came in and answered ALL of my questions, explained the procedure, and showed me pictures first. Then he asked if he could examine me. So I changed and he came back in and began. He told me that he would give his opinion about everything "down there" and I could decide what I wanted. Right away he told me that I did not need a labiaplasty, that he wouldn't change a thing on the "outside." The inside was another matter. He was able to fit 4 fingers, almost 5 in just the opening. He explained that when aroused, you open up MORE. He said he thought he could get me down to about 1 1/2-tight 2. After the exam, he let me get dressed and spent more time answering my questions. In all, he sat with me for almost one and a half hour during a FREE consultation to answer all of my questions. Three things made me decide to go with him, the fact that he spent so much time talking to me, the fact that he was realistic and wanted me to be as well "no surgery is a guarantee", and the fact that he didn't try to sell me on extra procedures that I didn't need and I KNEW that I didn't need. So I scheduled the surgery for about 5-6weeks out.
Well that surgery was today. Prep was an enema and a first urine sample the morning of and no food/drink after midnight. I got nervous last night that I was about to have a "cosmetic" surgery or that I was being vain. My husband told me that it was my decision and I could back out. But I didn't want to back out, just having jitters. So this morning I went to the surgery center in Middleburg Heights. The staff was SUPER friendly and the facility was clean and inviting. I was taken into the pre-op area and put in a comfy recliner for my IV start, meeting with the anesthesiologist, and meeting again with Dr. Palmer. Every member of the staff took the time to ask questions and answer my questions. Dr. Palmer could tell that I was nervous and I told him I was afraid of the recovery, I was afraid that it wouldn't be "tight" enough, and that something would go wrong. He said he knew I read online horror stories but hes not sure what those doctors did to mangle their patients so badly and he normally doesn't have a patient taking more than two doses of pain meds (TWO!). He took the time to reassure my husband and I over and over. He told me he would be available for me to call him whenever I needed and he would always be the one answering that number. So they walked me over to the OR. The staff there was amazing too and joked around with me before. The bubbly anesthesiologist told me to "enjoy my glasses of wine" and relax lol and that I could trust them. So I fell asleep and had the surgery.
The surgery took almost a hour and 15minutes. I was pretty groggy when I first woke up and it took me a little longer to come out of it than when I've been under before. They immediately asked about my pain and gave me an injection into my IV. That took the edge off but I was still uncomfortable. I was in the recovering bay for about 30 minutes when I told them I REALLY had to pee. They said that was great and two nurses assisted me to the bathroom. Then they walked me directly into another room with recliners. Sitting in the recliner was much more comfortable than laying in the bed. They asked about my pain again and gave me percocet, a drink, and crackers. The staff was very attentive. They brought my husband back at this time too. I started to perk up. The pain wasn't PAIN, it was just uncomfortable. Nothing intolerable though. Dr. Palmer came back to speak with me again. He said that he was basically able to fit his whole first in me while I was under (OMG lol) and that I definitely needed this surgery. He said the difference is "night and day" already and he thinks that I'm going to be very pleased. In total, I was at the surgery center about 5 1/2-6 hours.
Its about 6pm now, so 7ish hours post op. I havent taken any of my prescribed pain meds yet. Im maybe 2-3 on a pain scale of 10. The most uncomfortable thing is when I pee, it burns a little from all of the irritation and I kind of lean forward so that the urine pee doesn't run towards the back and onto the site. Im being pretty careful when getting in and out of bed too, like the old person slowly put one leg in and then bring the other instead of just hopping in like I normally would. If the pain never gets worse than this (knock on wood) then I will be in awe of his skill. I'm not regretty this at all (YET).
I didn't take any of my own pics but I know that the doctor did so I'll see if I can have them sent or ask my husband to take some tomorrow. I hope this helps anyone thinking of having this procedure.

The past week hasn't been bad. I've taken it easy more out of KNOWING I should, not NEEDING to. I was able to go to the grocery store on day 4, it was sore and tired when I got home but it was doable. I haven't really needed pain meds since day 2. I had my college classes yesterday and took a pillow to sit on haha. There are a few uncomfortable parts though. I developed a rash from my my labia all the way to the top of my butt crack. Super uncomfortable and itchy. I initially thought it was a yeast infection but my dr. thinks it was a reaction to the Bacitracin ointment being in a "moist" environment and he recommended switching to just a tiny bit of Vaseline on the actual stitch site. Also, the stitches on my perineum, closest to my vagina have kind of "balled" up and are poking me and slightly uncomfortable in certain areas. I still havent gotten a good look down there because I dont want to see too much until I'm more healed. Im done taking my antibiotics today. Still taking stool softeners just to be safe.

Doing really well. I have to say that this hasn't been anywhere near some of the horror stories I read. Sometimes when I sit weird or swing my legs out of my car too fast, my peri area will get a sharp pain but it goes away quickly. My weird rash is going away. Dr Palmer (seriously amazing at returning my calls multiple times a week with questions) told me to stop using the Vaseline too bc it got so bad that it hurt to walk. This isn't abnormal reaction so don't let it scare you, I have pretty sensitive skin. The knot of the stitch can still be annoying but nothing I can't deal with. I have some watery discharge but I think that's normal bc of the stitches dissolving. One of the worst parts is not being able to shave lol. I meet w dr palmer in a week for my 3 week check so I will post an update then!