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Chest Problems

Started by Ryan B., April 15, 2013, 10:16:04 PM

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Ryan B.

So, my therapist suggested I should work towards top surgery or even a reduction before I go on hormones.  As my chest appears to be too big to really pass at the given moment.

Does anyone know if getting a reduction would hinder me in later getting top surgery?  My chest is so big that my insurance would likely cover a reduction... with some documentation (I'm a 44 g or h). 

Also, I decided to take some pictures... Does anyone know of anything that would help me better hide my chest?  I'm going to go off a limb here and say there's probably not much I can do at this point.  But considering that documentation for a reduction (if that would even be a safe route) could take up to 6 months to a year I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask around first.


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Nygeel

I actually don't see much wrong in terms of a chest in these pictures. One of the plus sides of being big in the chest and stomach vs just big in the chest is that when you wear a binder, everything kinda smooths out.

I know one person who had a reduction then top surgery, he ended up fine. It shouldn't be much trouble...you'd probably be less likely to maintain nipple sensation and might have slightly more chances of scarring but that's about it.
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Ryan B.

Yeah.. I didn't really think much of my chest to be honest until she brought it up.  I think I can see some issues in the first set of pictures, but don't think I look as bad in the second set.  She mentioned I may have issues this summer when it's too hot to wear a jacket.  This will be my first summer where I'll be binding whenever I go out, so I'm not sure how that will go or what I should do.

As far as the reduction and issues I might run into in the long run... not really sure if I would care much about scarring.  Don't really see myself running around shirtless all the time after top surgery... would just be nice to be able to wear a tank top or muscle shirt.

On a side note, I've started exercising and dieting... so maybe that will help even things out in the mean time. :P
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Jack_M

I think if it were me, I'd see what happens with exercising and dieting first before I did anything.  Obviously our unfortunate compositions put a lot of fat there and some of us are lucky in that exercise and diet sheds the pounds off there nice and quick and brings us right down a few sizes.  Sometimes it just all happens and you still stay big, maybe not as big, but still a lot more than we'd like.  The former is more common, but some of us (like me) aren't so lucky.

I also agree in that I think you can see it more with the first set of photos but I wouldn't say it's much of an issue in the 2nd set at all.  I think it looks okay actually!  I think with binders it could end up working out fine.  It might be worth a try if you can be bothered.  It's just that exercise and diet will be a longer process so in the end it's up to your patience and commitment.

As someone who has issues with a bigger chest myself, there are options for you at summer.  Wearing a comfortable (not tight but not overly baggy) tee with a short sleeve shirt left open on top really hides those puppies.  If it's windy or you're walking, just do up the 3rd or 4th button and then undo it when you're at your destination (or not, depending on what you want).  Also, I've recently discovered that with a good binder, polos can work well!  Over shirts also work well for hiding bigger butts.  I have a big build and I'm in the process of losing some weight myself, nothing too drastic but I think another 10-15lbs would be nice.  A shirt hides my chest and hides my butt and I very often get confirmed passes, so I'd say there are options, you just need to work on using some simple tricks to hide what might give you away :).
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Ryan B.

Yeah, I think the diet and exercise route is the way to go.  I've been meaning to shed some weight, in general, anyways.

Thank you for the tips.  I will definitely look into getting some polos.  I have some short sleeve button ups that I was going to try out once it warmed up a bit more.  I hope they're not anything like the long sleeved one I had in the first set of pictures though.

I'm really hoping I can bind well enough during summer that chest surgery won't be such an immediate concern.  I really just want to start hrt. ><  Then worry about chest surgery... or even a reduction later.  Either route I go with those will take time.
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Robert Scott

I  am just as big ... And have been on t for a year and half - I pass 95% of the time.

However, I do know that Buckley in mn will do a chest reduction for insurance purposes but will give you a chest reconstruction - she says how much she takes off is between you & she
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Ryan B.

My therapist actually gave me a doctor's name from Ohio.  Said I should email him and ask about chest reconstruction in place of a reduction.  Haven't emailed him yet.  Haven't been able to concentrate long enough to write one up.  Either way though, with my insurance I would need documentation first, and I was told that could take anywhere from 6 months to a year.
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Darrin Scott

Quote from: Robert Scott on April 16, 2013, 12:20:29 PM
I  am just as big ... And have been on t for a year and half - I pass 95% of the time.

However, I do know that Buckley in mn will do a chest reduction for insurance purposes but will give you a chest reconstruction - she says how much she takes off is between you & she


This. I'm mega big and also pass 95% of the time. It isn't a huge deal. I don't understand why your chest size should determine whether or not you go on T right now.





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Ryan B.

Well, I didn't really see my chest as a huge issue until my therapist brought it up.  I'm starting to see that it probably isn't as big of an issue as she made it out to be.  And here I've been worrying about nothing, probably. xP

My concern was that I would start T and wouldn't be able to hide my chest well enough with binding and I wouldn't be able to pass. 
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Joanna Dark

Hope you don't mind a bit of experience from an MTF but here it goes: since I was like 17 I've had pretty severe gynecomastia that is extremely noticeable and the only way I could hide is if I binded them and I passed as male easily even though I'm pretty andro. Most people just assume you have man boobs if you are presenting as a guy and act sufficiently male which is, IMO, a pretty wide range of behaviors.

BTW, I don't think your chest is all that noticeable.
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Ryan B.

Don't mind at all.

Yeah, I can see this not being much of a problem now.  I think I carry myself pretty well when it comes to mannerisms and behavior.  Yeah, I don't think I'm really worried anymore.  Thank you for sharing your experience.   :)
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Darrin Scott

Quote from: Shobo on April 16, 2013, 03:14:00 PM
Don't mind at all.

Yeah, I can see this not being much of a problem now.  I think I carry myself pretty well when it comes to mannerisms and behavior.  Yeah, I don't think I'm really worried anymore.  Thank you for sharing your experience.   :)

I would maybe talk to your therapist again about T if you really want to start because you can pass. It is possible.





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Blaine

Quote from: Joanna Dark on April 16, 2013, 12:53:16 PM
Most people just assume you have man boobs if you are presenting as a guy and act sufficiently male which is, IMO, a pretty wide range of behaviors.

BTW, I don't think your chest is all that noticeable.

I agree. It really isn't that noticeable. I have pretty much the same body style as you, except I got lucky with a small B chest. I don't have the money for a binder, so I just bought two three-packs of really tight sports bras two sizes smaller than I should wear and use those to bind. In the end, you wouldn't be able to tell our pictures apart. I pass 90% of the time or more because everyone just assumes I'm a guy with extra fat up there. The fact that most overweight guys my age have larger ridges up there than I do certainly doesn't hurt, either.

I think you should tell your therapist how you feel about this. It doesn't seem to give you away right off, and if you wanted to start T, the masculinizing effects would definitely help you pass.
I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In [my head!] Azkaban!
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geek

youre going to be binding anyway, so whats the difference if you're on t for it or not? go ahead with your T, work at your weight while transitioning, your chest is not going to change overnight and the T wont change the rest of you over night, youll just look like a regular bigger guy :)





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