Top Surgery Recovery Updates (a place for all members to update after surgery)

[Kreuzfidel]

Brett, I think that Garramone is a real blessing for guys like us.  Because of his experience, he is able to produce results that are just above and beyond.  I think that more surgeons will begin to offer these surgeries, too - and Garramone is really "getting it out there" and making a name for himself, so he will be an inspiration to other doctors.  I like the fact that he will do surgery for guys not yet on T without judging them, too. 

I think it's really good that you're putting the fact that you're not yet on T in your updates - I came across a couple of pre-T guys' videos and pics online, but few and far between for sure. 

I'm hoping to post another couple of photos when I get everything sussed out tomorrow.  I saw the nurse on Monday and she took out most of the sutures, but my grafted right nipple is looking nasty so I didn't want to see it (yes, I'm a chicken) so I didn't take a photo then lol  Good results, Brett - looking forward to keeping up with your progress. 

*PS Regarding scar treatment, not sure yet.  I plan on talking to her on Wednesday about it, I know that they suggest silicone, but I want more specifics.  Right now all I have is them telling me that micropore tape will be my best friend.

[Alexthecat]

I'm pre T also.

[Kreuzfidel]

Alex, I honestly can't say that I remembered you were!  Good on you, guys.  Your posts will definitely be helpful to those looking for info - considering it's scant elsewhere on the Net.

[Bimmer Guy]

*PS Regarding scar treatment, not sure yet.  I plan on talking to her on Wednesday about it, I know that they suggest silicone, but I want more specifics.  Right now all I have is them telling me that micropore tape will be my best friend.

Kreuzfidel, I appreciate all your comments!

In reference to what I quoted above:  I have a friend who is weird and detail oriented like me.  He knew I was researching scar treatments and took it upon himself to look up some things.  Silicone has long been acknowledged by the medical community as the prescribed method for reducing scars (lighten and flatten them).  Anyway, the below is part of an email he sent me:

-----------------------------
Start of email <


This one:  Silicone occlusive treatment of hypertrophic scar in the rabbit model.     http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19331964  gives a good summary in the results section.


This one: The effects of topically applied silicone gel and its silver derivative on the prevention of hypertrophic scarring in two rabbit ear-scarring models is a short self-explanatory abstract.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21665562


This may interest you the most: The Efficacy of Silicone Gel for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids points A-D of the introduction gives a set up. Then I think you will want to pay particular attention to the whole discussion section at the bottom, specifically the last two paragraphs pertaining to application.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918339/


I don't think this next one is applicable at this time but it is a discussion of various treatments of both hypertrophic and keloid scars via a variety of methods. If you get a year or two down the line and feel the need for something else, this is a review. I don't think you will need anything other than what you are doing now.

http://www.theaaams.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Kelloids-rx.pdf

Something else I found of interest is the new use of Botox for managing muscular movement on facial trauma as a mechanical scar reduction tool.

> End of email

---------------------

Anyway, just thought I would post this in case you are interested in research type stuff.  I can't remember if I read it in the above links or somewhere else, but I can tell you that the serum had just as good outcome as the strips.  I recall reading that people who were using the serum were more likely to finish the treatment than those who were using the strips.

ETA:  SaerJoe read that polyurethane works well too.  This is the article he posted a bit ago.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19440173  Until I see replication(s) of this study, I am going to stick with the tried and true method of silicone.

[Alexthecat]

Ok I have the end of a stitch right under my skin poking straight out. HELP.

[aleon515]

Ok I have the end of a stitch right under my skin poking straight out. HELP.

Do not pull. I think you would be safe to cut it, if you are able. If you can't cut it, for instance if it is too short, you could take a bandage and cover it up. Eventually it should dissolve but meanwhile sounds unpleasant.

Yeah I'll do an update in a bit. It's looking pretty nice. I've been on T, but you wouldn't know it to look at my pecs. It's a shame as Brett's clone, that I couldn't at least have gotten his pecs. But NO, what's wrong with this?

--Jay

[Jeatyn]

So I pulled this outta my nipple:



This is after I had been trimming it for several days as it poked itself out more and more, it finally came out with no resistance and I am still in shock at how long it is xD seriously, what the hell?

[Alexthecat]

Now off comes the nipple.

[aleon515]

Now off comes the nipple.

Well I think it's been a few weeks, hasn't it been? I wouldn't think it would come off at this point.

--Jay

[Alexthecat]

Well I think it's been a few weeks, hasn't it been? I wouldn't think it would come off at this point.

--Jay

Oh that was a reply to Jeatyn since he pulled out the whole nipple stitch.

[SX0877]

Ok I have the end of a stitch right under my skin poking straight out. HELP.

I don't think it matters. The part under your skin will dissolve and the outside part will fall off. I noticed a few bits of stitch poked out and they just fell off when I rubbed the aera in shower (But actually you probably should not rub).

[SX0877]

Day 14 - 2 Weeks post op

Nipples be peeling like crazy. The edge of the tape has started to come off also.

lol our chests do look identical.

[Bimmer Guy]

So I pulled this outta my nipple:



This is after I had been trimming it for several days as it poked itself out more and more, it finally came out with no resistance and I am still in shock at how long it is xD seriously, what the hell?

You just couldn't help yourself, could you, Jeatyn?  Damn crazy kids!!

It IS wicked cool.  Thanks for posting the picture!  So much time has passed, I'm sure it is fine.  I'd call my surgeon, but that's me.

Alex, your response to Jeatyn cracked me up!

[Bimmer Guy]

lol our chests do look identical.

Did you go to Medalie too (that is who Alex used)?  Mind telling us about your surgery/recovery and maybe even add a picture to the thread?

[SX0877]

Did you go to Medalie too (that is who Alex used)?  Mind telling us about your surgery/recovery and maybe even add a picture to the thread?

Yes I had my surgery with Dr.Medalie and the recovery went extremely well--pain was minimal if any and no complication. My result is just a typical "manufactured by Dr.Medalie"; the only difference was that my nipples were grafted together with areolae, rather than separately.
I am 100% happy with my results even though my nipples were placed slightly lower than I preferred (but still normal). I did not discuss any question, expectation or preference with the surgeon prior to surgery. After seeing so many results I think Medalie generally places the nipples a little bit lower than Garramone does, so if anyone has any preference they should probably bring it up when the surgeon is marking on the chest before surgery.
Sensations are coming back gradually.
I was stupidly concerned that if I gained weight after surgery, I would have fat stored on my chest or even some development of the remaining breast tissue, and have "boobs" again, as seen in some overweight cis-males. However I have gained around 10 lbs since recovery and nothing is growing on my chest .
I will post my result soon, when I get a chance to take a picture.

[Alexthecat]

Yeah there isn't much space between the nipple and incision line. My bandaids go over the line. I was like SX, didn't care exactly where anything went as long as I was flat and both sides matched.

[Kreuzfidel]

Anyway, just thought I would post this in case you are interested in research type stuff.  I can't remember if I read it in the above links or somewhere else, but I can tell you that the serum had just as good outcome as the strips.  I recall reading that people who were using the serum were more likely to finish the treatment than those who were using the strips.

ETA:  SaerJoe read that polyurethane works well too.  This is the article he posted a bit ago.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19440173  Until I see replication(s) of this study, I am going to stick with the tried and true method of silicone.

Thanks for the info, Brett!  I'll defo look into these things.   By the way, how soon after surgery can you start applying scar treatments?  I'm sure I can ask Dr. Hassall, but I honestly don't know if I've ever read when it's safe to start. 

Update: 

Tomorrow is 2 weeks post-op.  I saw Dr. Hassall today and she looked at my nipple graft after I saw the nurse on Monday who said it looked sad but okay.  Dr. Hassall said it still has a lot of healing to do, but that it looks fine - so if the surgeon is happy, then I'm happy.  This was my last appointment with her as I'll be going back home to Adelaide on Saturday.

She removed the last of the stitches out of the graft and changed the tape and waterproof dressing on my skin.  The left side of my chest looks amazing - healing perfectly.  It's just that I managed to actually look at the graft today and it looked horrific to my eyes.  It was almost bloody and just like an open wound - it's a bit concave as the top layer has sloughed off.  Apparently that's okay according to Dr. Hassall.  I just hope that it continues to heal without issue as I'd really hate to lose the graft and have to have another surgery.

But all in all, I'm quite happy with the way it looks.  I'll take a photo and post it next week when we change the dressing at home.

[Jeatyn]

I'm certain my nipple won't fall off at this point the thing poking out was preventing it from healing properly at the top, I had a hole. I no longer have a hole, all sealed up!

[Alexthecat]

Day 21 - 3 weeks post op. Little late to posting

I haz perdy nipples.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thanks for the info, Brett!  I'll defo look into these things.   By the way, how soon after surgery can you start applying scar treatments?  I'm sure I can ask Dr. Hassall, but I honestly don't know if I've ever read when it's safe to start. 

Update: 

Tomorrow is 2 weeks post-op.  I saw Dr. Hassall today and she looked at my nipple graft after I saw the nurse on Monday who said it looked sad but okay.  Dr. Hassall said it still has a lot of healing to do, but that it looks fine - so if the surgeon is happy, then I'm happy.  This was my last appointment with her as I'll be going back home to Adelaide on Saturday.

She removed the last of the stitches out of the graft and changed the tape and waterproof dressing on my skin.  The left side of my chest looks amazing - healing perfectly.  It's just that I managed to actually look at the graft today and it looked horrific to my eyes.  It was almost bloody and just like an open wound - it's a bit concave as the top layer has sloughed off.  Apparently that's okay according to Dr. Hassall.  I just hope that it continues to heal without issue as I'd really hate to lose the graft and have to have another surgery.

But all in all, I'm quite happy with the way it looks.  I'll take a photo and post it next week when we change the dressing at home.

Hey, KZ (your name is so long!), you can start using scar treatment after it is completely closed. 

Don't sweat how your grafted nipple looks.  Most look like ->-bleeped-<- at first.

Yes, please post pics next time you have the dressings off!

Alex,  your chest is looking good.  It looks as though all of your pictures is you holding the camera down low pointing up towards your chest.  Any way you can get someone to take it straight on?  Chests look different based on where you are holding the camera/ the angle.

You incision lines look really great...now DON'T MOVE and they will stay Just. Like. That. lol