Post top surgery aftercare (FtM)

[littleprince]

This is my first post, so sorry if I am in the wrong section - but I need some advice regarding top surgery.
I had my top surgery with Megan Hassall on the 14th of November, so I'm 6 weeks post-op. I didnt get any aftercare brochures or information besides the fact that I need to change the tape on my incisions once a week, and the pads on my nipples once a week.
I've stopped using the medical tape on my incisions because they are healing very well and not raw anymore; but I still use the silver pads on my nipples and change them once a week.
My areolas have pretty much scabbed off.. but my actual nipples are still basically an entire scab and it hasnt fallen off yet after 6 weeks.
It's kinda hard to contact the surgeon because they dont really reply to our emails or phone calls because they are so busy (I guess).
So my question is, when should I stop using the silver pads on my nipples and when does the scabbing of the nipple finally fall off? Is it normal for it to still be scabbed at 6 weeks?

Thank you if anyone can help me <3

[aleon515]

Dr Garramone gives instructions but they kind of go up to 6 weeks and are more specific to about 3 weeks.

6 weeks the incision(s) should be pretty well healed up. Obviously you would still have a scar but I only had to keep the tape on the incision for a couple weeks. The scar can be cared for using something like Scarguard or silicone sheets (follow directions on package). Do not use Scarguard if there is any soreness, but I think you can use the sheets.

The nipples should be pretty well healed by 6 weeks. You should not have to even wear bandages on them, but I don't know if there is another scar to come off. Mine somewhat look like that (7 weeks) or else the nipple is just not as soft as one you are born with.

You can post a picture by using imgur (must make an acct first but it's easy). OTOH, you should be able to contact your doctor. Perhaps you need to be a bit more persistent. I contacted Dr. G (and several other guys here have too) and I would think he is much more busy than anybody else in the known universe.

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

This is my first post, so sorry if I am in the wrong section - but I need some advice regarding top surgery.
I had my top surgery with Megan Hassall on the 14th of November, so I'm 6 weeks post-op. I didnt get any aftercare brochures or information besides the fact that I need to change the tape on my incisions once a week, and the pads on my nipples once a week.
I've stopped using the medical tape on my incisions because they are healing very well and not raw anymore; but I still use the silver pads on my nipples and change them once a week.
My areolas have pretty much scabbed off.. but my actual nipples are still basically an entire scab and it hasnt fallen off yet after 6 weeks.
It's kinda hard to contact the surgeon because they dont really reply to our emails or phone calls because they are so busy (I guess).
So my question is, when should I stop using the silver pads on my nipples and when does the scabbing of the nipple finally fall off? Is it normal for it to still be scabbed at 6 weeks?

Thank you if anyone can help me <3

I think you should push to talk to your doctor.  It does seem unusual to me that your nipples are still an entire scab.  However, Dr. Hassall does not do the typical double incision that most people get (I forget the name of her method) , so you really, really need to ask her directly and not this board.  It is certainly possible what you are experiencing is normal.  Only she would know the answer to that.  I would suggest not changing the care she suggested until you talk with her.

[Kreuzfidel]

This is my first post, so sorry if I am in the wrong section - but I need some advice regarding top surgery.
I had my top surgery with Megan Hassall on the 14th of November, so I'm 6 weeks post-op. I didnt get any aftercare brochures or information besides the fact that I need to change the tape on my incisions once a week, and the pads on my nipples once a week.
I've stopped using the medical tape on my incisions because they are healing very well and not raw anymore; but I still use the silver pads on my nipples and change them once a week.
My areolas have pretty much scabbed off.. but my actual nipples are still basically an entire scab and it hasnt fallen off yet after 6 weeks.
It's kinda hard to contact the surgeon because they dont really reply to our emails or phone calls because they are so busy (I guess).
So my question is, when should I stop using the silver pads on my nipples and when does the scabbing of the nipple finally fall off? Is it normal for it to still be scabbed at 6 weeks?

Thank you if anyone can help me <3

Congrats on your surgery.  I'm having my surgery with Dr. Hassall on 24 January.

Regarding contacting her office, I don't understand why you aren't getting responses.  I have emailed them, phoned them and generally pestered them for all manner or silly things and they always promptly reply to my queries.  I can tell you that they are now closed for the holiday season since 20 December - which is why you are probably not getting responses.  They will be back in the office from 20 January.  So my advice to you is that you should contact your GP as they may have at least a suggestion for you.

I have to say that I am honestly a bit disappointed at the lack of information Dr. Hassall's office gives us.  I received no instructions for my surgery - just told to come to Sydney and ring the hospital the day before my surgery.  I thought that I may have at least received a brochure or something to inform me of what medications or supplements to avoid, etc.  I suppose that now you've posted this, we won't receive any detailed aftercare information either. 

The general rule is that, if there is still a scab there, then you're still healing.  If you are not experiencing any redness, swelling, oozing, etc. then you are doing well. 

[aleon515]

I found this info on top surgery from Dr Hassal. http://ftmtopsurgery.tumblr.com/post/67498154148/ftm-top-surgery-australia-hassall

Looks like he got some post op info. She requires keeping the micropore on the incision longer, and more details. But you are going to have to push to get some info on the nipples. Sounds like she uses the pedicle technique (?), so I don't know how that heals. Different doctors require different things, no telling but they seem to get to the same point so...

--Jay

[littleprince]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all of your comments.. it has helped me a lot and helped me research more. I haven't tried calling or emailing after what Kreuzfidel said (they seem to be on holiday) - so my mum helped me research further and we found that I wasnt completely alone with my nipples still being scabbed after 7 weeks.
The problem is, we didnt receive any aftercare information.. and we couldn't completely trust aftercare information found on the internet from other doctors (e.g. Garramone). Also, the aftercare information that we did find had barely any information on nipple aftercare.
So.. my mum suggested I try putting some vaseline on my nipples to moisten and soften up the scab so it would be easier for it to come off. THIS WORKED! I applied vaseline for only a couple days, and the scab was completely ready to fall off. I woke up one morning and it had fallen off completely.
I do not know why this was not included in aftercare information because it seemed to be the complete solution to the scabs falling off easier. Maybe this was just a given and was expected to be done? Still, I am annoyed that we received no aftercare information and the staff don't reply to your emails unless you are pre-op. Once you are post-op.. they really don't care about you anymore. (In my situation, anyway).

Here is a picture of my nipples and incisions just incase anyone is curious. I am so extremely happy with my results.. and it feels a lot better for the scabs to have gone. (I have a weird tummy... my ribs stick out a lot so don't judge pls)

[Alexthecat]

prince it looks kind of a wavy scar, or is that just the picture angle?

[Bimmer Guy]

littleprince, this looks really great.  Glad the nipple issue worked out!  I know that part of what is on the bandages Garramone has his patients change daily has Vaseline in it. 

I know everyone appreciates seeing pictures.  How about posting your picture, with a brief description of your recovery in the stickied Top Surgery Recovery Updates thread at the top of this section?  This way your experience/pictures won't fall off the front page and in the future others who are planning on top surgery will be able to see your results.  Your chest looks great for only 7 weeks!  Congrats!

[littleprince]

The scars are a little wavy, but I much prefer it to having rounded scars (where it looks like the shape of a breast). I really love my scars.
And I might post it on that thread too! Thanks for the suggestion.

[Kreuzfidel]

Your chest looks really great, littleprince!

Is there any particular reason she did the incisions under the nipple versus across (on either side of the nipple) like I usually see her results?

[littleprince]

Your chest looks really great, littleprince!

Is there any particular reason she did the incisions under the nipple versus across (on either side of the nipple) like I usually see her results?

I didnt really ask her about the incisions prior to the surgery.. so I kinda just got what I got. She did say that my ribs protrude a lot so she had to tailor it specifically to my body. Maybe this is why? I dont know though.. it doesnt bother me very much. I am an androgynous, gay transboy so my chest does not have to be perfectly aesthetically pleasing and manly looking to me. lol

[Bimmer Guy]

Your chest looks really great, littleprince!

Is there any particular reason she did the incisions under the nipple versus across (on either side of the nipple) like I usually see her results?

I was curious when I saw littleprince's DI, as well (since I thought she only did pedicle) .  I looked up Dr. Hassall and saw a number of picture where she did DI.  I think it is based on the person and what she thinks would look best?  That makes sense and it is nice she has an arsenal of choices to choose from!  I read an account where she made a recommendation of DI and the person requested she still try pedicle.  I didn't see a picture, but he said it worked out.