Frankenpussy, Ink on Bristol, 9 x 12”

An illustrated compliment to Chapter 8 of my upcoming book, Transsexual Odyssey. Frankenpussy is a term within the trans community that refers to the initial swelling and coloration after Vaginoplasty bottom surgery where the penis is inverted and reconstructed as a Neo-vagina. The bruising and swelling can be extremely overwhelming along with needing to dilate 4 times a day to keep the vaginal canal open. The pressurized wound vacuum is removed along with the gauze after about four days in the hospital and dilation is a practice of using a dilator to prevent your body from healing the vaginal canal shut along with your surgery recovery. Over time, it becomes less of a burden and you’re more likely to be ok with how it looks after about 6 months to a year when the swelling has settled. Good surgeons are always willing to do revisions if you’re unhappy with the results, at least at NYU Langone where I went. Vaginoplasty is an extreme commitment that such never be taken lightly and takes about two years of constant preparation from hair removal to official psychiatric letters, and conversations with insurance. If you’re able to stay committed for years that’s what I considered proof I wanted this more than anything. I’ve included a colored variant below inspired by the bruising, colors of the dilators, and a piss yellow for the catheter which I considered the worst part of my recovery. I got my surgery on 12/07/2023 with Dr. Rachel Bluebond-Langner.