Restoring Hope: Reconstructive Surgery for Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Treatment

Consultation

Consultation For Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction Treatment

During your consultation, you will discuss your medical health as well your expectations with the surgeon. Your complete health evaluation will be done, and the doctor may also take image of the area to be operated to match with the results. Once you are found a candidate for this surgery, the surgery will go ahead as planned. In some cases, the doctor may not advise the surgery altogether if there are some health concerns to you.

The doctor will also consult you about the procedure details, the level of risks involved and the likely outcome. There will be certain guidelines as well for you to follow before a week or two prior to the surgery such as stop smoking/drinking, stop taking the medications that might interfere with the outcome of the surgery.

Surgery

Procedure For Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction Treatment

The surgery takes about two-to-three hours in the operating room. It is performed under general anesthesia, and you will go home the same day of the operation.

You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and provide assistance for a few days. Plan to be at the outpatient surgical center for about four-to-six hours’ total, including operation time and time before and after the procedure.

Post Surgery

Post Surgery Recovery For Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction Treatment

The time required recovery depends on several things and two of the mains factors include your general health before the surgery and the difficulty of the procedure. If you have undergone a minor restorative procedure can hope to heal within a week time, in case of extensive reconstructive surgery you may need some four to six weeks of healing. The procedure is largely safe, and risks are minimal, though some patients may experience infection, scarring or bleeding.

After Care

After-Care Protocols For Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction Treatment

In order to have successful long-lasting results it is important to follow the below:

• Take medications as prescribed by the surgeon.
• You are advised to avoid sex for at least 4-6 weeks post the surgery.
• Stay away from swimming, avoid rubbing the area using tampons or wearing tight clothes for two weeks.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects for at least two weeks.
• Take it easy in the first week after the surgery and give the body time to heal and rest.