The Surgery AFTER Care project
*
The Surgery AFTER Care project *
Welcome to the Surgery After Care Project!
We’re here to support trans, non-binary and cis individuals on their journey toward gender-affirming care. This program is designed to ease the recovery process after surgeries like breast reduction, augmentation, mastectomy, or vaginoplasty. Through personalized post-surgery care packages, we aim to provide essential tools, comfort items, and self-care products to help you heal safely and comfortably.
You deserve care that affirms your identity, supports your well-being, and centers your needs. We're honoured to be part of your journey.
What is the project?
The purpose of this project is to support trans, non-binary and cis individuals who are seeking gender-affirming surgeries by helping alleviate some of the financial and post-surgical burdens they face. Many gender-affirming procedures, while essential for mental and physical well-being, can be cost-prohibitive and are not always fully covered by insurance. Additionally, the recovery process can be challenging, requiring various medical supplies, comfort items, and self-care products that can add to the financial strain.
This program aims to bridge that gap by providing personalized post-surgery care packages designed specifically for individuals undergoing surgeries such as breast reduction, breast augmentation, double mastectomy, and vaginoplasty. By offering essential recovery tools and products tailored to each surgery, we hope to ease the recovery process and ensure that individuals have access to the items they need for a safe and comfortable healing experience.
Breast reduction
Breast augmentation
Mastectomy (Top surgery)
Vaginoplasty
Hysterectomy
Fibroid removal
and more!
What does the project provide?
Care Packages
Each package is customized with essential post-surgical items to ease recovery. While items can be removed upon request, nothing can be added due to limited inventory. Packages may include medical supplies, comfort items, and self-care products tailored to your surgery
Custom Surgery Booklet
A resource booklet containing preparation tips, recovery guidance, and additional resources for your specific surgery.
How to Support the Program?
Are you a practitioner interested in donating a service or collaborating with us?
📩 Email us at info@coalitionjeunesse.org
Want to donate self-care products or activity items?
📩 Email us at info@coalitionjeunesse.org
Scarwork Massages for BIPOC Youth
Scarwork massage sessions are available for those who receive a care package, provided by Manna.
Top Surgery & Post-Surgery Movement Class
El will be offering a movement class specifically designed for post-top surgery and other recovery needs.
Donations Needed!
L’Asterisk is currently accepting donations of:
Top surgery pillows with removable covers
Self-care products (face masks, bubble bath, shower products)
Low-energy activity items (puzzles, books by local 2SLGBTQIA+ authors)
Soft movement classes designed for rehabilitation post-surgery
Your support helps make recovery easier for 2slgbtqia+ youth
How to Access the Project?
Sign up on the website.
Wait for confirmation that you’ve been selected to receive a package.
Pick up your package at our office (delivery available by request).
Note: This is a small, first-come, first-served project . Inventory is limited.
The packages
Each package is customized with essential post-surgical items to ease recovery. While items can be removed upon request, nothing can be added due to limited inventory. Packages may include medical supplies, comfort items, and self-care products tailored to your surgery.
Pickup & Delivery
Packages must be picked up at our office. Delivery is available only upon request. You will receive an email with pickup details once your request is confirmed.
TOP SURGERY PACKAGE
Top surgery is a gender-affirming surgery for, cis, transgender and non-binary individuals who may be seeking chest masculinization or removal of the breast tissue. . Cisgender women might have top surgery if they carry the BRCA gene to prevent breast cancer or they have breast cancer, some people who decide to have top surgery because they carry the BRCA gene might reconstruct their chest and some choose to keep their chest flat. You can be a cis woman and receive top surgery even if you do not have the BRCA gene, having your breast tissue removed is a personal choice and you do not need to be a trans person or non-binary to receive it.
Care package
2 packs of body wipes - When you get top surgery you are unable to shower for a few days or weeks. The body wipes are to help with cleaning your body during that time.
5 bendy straws- Low upper body mobility. The bendy straws help with drinking liquids
40 dollar Uber gift card. To help with transportation, food , groceries and more
10 hydration packets. It is common to be dehydrated after receiving surgery and hydration packets helps with hydration.
1 silicone gel or scar tape. To help with healing your scars. You can only choose one type.
Top surgery pillow- A pillow to help with being upright while recovering.
Anti-bacterial soap- The soap you need to use before surgery.
Flexible ice packs- For after surgery and to help with swelling.
Pamphlet about top surgery and top surgery resources locally- Resource guide to help guide you and prepare you before, during and after.
Tension bandages / compression vest (10cm and 15cm bandages) to help with chest recovery.
Scarwork Massages for BIPOC Youth
Scarwork massage sessions are available for those who receive a care package, provided by Manna. You can sign up for this in the signup form.
About Manna
Manna(she/her) is a queer racialized, trans-allied massage & scar work therapist who specializes in scar healing post-top surgery. Her practice supports the physical and emotional body, through gentle hands-on touch, holistic scar care education & a trauma-informed consent-led approach that honours the pace and permission of the body. ScarWork can support scar tissue mobility, sensitivity, and tightness, reduce numbness and improve the appearance of scars from 6 weeks post-op to scars that are decades old.
As a community weaver, Manna is passionate about coordinating accessible healing spaces for queer, trans and BIPOC communities and you can find her offering low cost care through the Community Healing Days clinics.
Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty is a gender-affirming surgical procedure that involves the construction or reconstruction of the vagina. This surgery can be sought by trans women, intersex and non-binary individuals as part of their gender affirmation process. The procedure typically involves creating a neovagina using existing tissue or graft, which may include the removal of the penile and scrotal tissue.
The goals of vaginoplasty are to create a functional and aesthetically congruent vagina that aligns with the individual's gender identity. The surgery can help improve sexual function and satisfaction and is often accompanied by additional procedures such as labiaplasty (creation of labia) and clitoroplasty (creation of a clitoris).
Recovery from vaginoplasty involves several weeks of healing, during which people use dilators to maintain vaginal depth and flexibility, manage post-surgical care, and adjust to the changes.
Care package
Dilators (individual or full set) – Used to maintain vaginal depth and flexibility, starting with smaller sizes and gradually increasing over time.
10 tubes of water-based lubricant (KY Jelly or similar, ~50g/day) – Essential for dilation to reduce friction and prevent tissue damage.
Thin maxi pads (non-deodorant) – Absorbs post-surgical discharge and helps manage bleeding during healing.
Liquid antibacterial soap (mini bottle)– Used for gentle cleansing to prevent infections around the surgical site.
Disposable, unscented baby wipes – Helps with hygiene, especially when mobility is limited.
Doughnut ring cushion or neck pillow – Provides comfort when sitting, reducing pressure on healing areas.
Icepack- to help with swelling and bruising
40 dollar Uber gift card. To help with transportation, food , groceries and more
Pamphlet about surgery & aftercare – Provides guidance on post-op care, dilation schedules, and tips for healing.
Optional Items (Available Upon Request)
Bed pads – Protects bedding from post-surgical discharge and reduces the need for frequent linen
Scarwork Massages for BIPOC Youth
Scarwork massage sessions are available for those who receive a care package, provided by Manna. You can sign up for this in the signup form.
About Manna
Manna(she/her) is a queer racialized, trans-allied massage & scar work therapist who specializes in scar healing post-top surgery. Her practice supports the physical and emotional body, through gentle hands-on touch, holistic scar care education & a trauma-informed consent-led approach that honours the pace and permission of the body. ScarWork can support scar tissue mobility, sensitivity, and tightness, reduce numbness and improve the appearance of scars from 6 weeks post-op to scars that are decades old.
As a community weaver, Manna is passionate about coordinating accessible healing spaces for queer, trans and BIPOC communities and you can find her offering low cost care through the Community Healing Days clinics.
BREAST REDUCTION
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts. People with large breasts can receive a breast reduction surgery, and it can ease discomfort and improve appearance. Breast reduction surgery is sometimes covered by the Quebec government
Recovery takes about 1-3 weeks, and the results will show right away. The swelling of the breast takes about 6 months to go down.
Care package
Liquid antibacterial soap (mini bottle)– Used for gentle cleansing to prevent infections around the surgical site.
Disposable, unscented baby wipes – Helps with hygiene, especially when mobility is limited.
Icepack- to help with swelling and bruising
40-dollar Uber gift card. To help with transportation, food, groceries and more
Pamphlet about surgery & aftercare – Provides guidance on post-op care, dilation schedules, and tips for healing.
Silicone gel or scar sheets
Bendy straw
Gauze and tape (if needed)
Optional Items (Available Upon Request)
Pillow - to help with sleeping and sitting up
Scarwork Massages for BIPOC Youth
Scarwork massage sessions are available for those who receive a care package, provided by Manna. You can sign up for this in the signup form.
About Manna
Manna(she/her) is a queer racialized, trans-allied massage & scar work therapist who specializes in scar healing post-top surgery. Her practice supports the physical and emotional body, through gentle hands-on touch, holistic scar care education & a trauma-informed consent-led approach that honours the pace and permission of the body. ScarWork can support scar tissue mobility, sensitivity, and tightness, reduce numbness and improve the appearance of scars from 6 weeks post-op to scars that are decades old.
As a community weaver, Manna is passionate about coordinating accessible healing spaces for queer, trans and BIPOC communities and you can find her offering low cost care through the Community Healing Days clinics.
bREAST aUGMENTATION
Breast enlargement surgery is a surgery that makes the breasts larger by putting an implant under the breast tissue or the chest muscle. An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution or a gel. Recovery takes about 2 weeks.
Care package
Disposable, unscented baby wipes – Helps with hygiene, especially when mobility is limited.
Icepack- to help with swelling and bruising - by request
40-dollar Uber gift card. To help with transportation, food, groceries and more
Pamphlet about surgery & aftercare – Guides post-op care, dilation schedules, and tips for healing.
Silicone gel or scar sheets
Bendy straw
Scarwork Massages for BIPOC Youth
Scarwork massage sessions are available for those who receive a care package, provided by Manna. You can sign up for this in the signup form.
About Manna
Manna(she/her) is a queer racialized, trans-allied massage & scar work therapist who specializes in scar healing post-top surgery. Her practice supports the physical and emotional body, through gentle hands-on touch, holistic scar care education & a trauma-informed consent-led approach that honours the pace and permission of the body. ScarWork can support scar tissue mobility, sensitivity, and tightness, reduce numbness and improve the appearance of scars from 6 weeks post-op to scars that are decades old.
As a community weaver, Manna is passionate about coordinating accessible healing spaces for queer, trans and BIPOC communities and you can find her offering low cost care through the Community Healing Days clinics.
