Susan's Place Logo

News:

Visit our Discord server  and Wiki

Main Menu

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

Started by Bimmer Guy, December 28, 2013, 10:42:57 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

NathanExplosion

Brett, if I'm understanding you correctly, ours are stitched on the same way. I believe they're dissolved now but you can see where there were little tiny visible stitches all the way around the areola and some redness from it. It should be fairly easy to shave down the nipple, if you mean it is too long? Or is it too big the other direction(s) if that makes sense?

Looking good by the way, chipper!
  •  

aleon515

Quote from: Brett on March 07, 2014, 09:19:05 PM

Anyway, today I noticed that my left nipple is too large for my areola.  A couple months back I spoke about how my areolas look stitched on... little red pieces of areola pulled away from the base and stitched against my pale skin, all the way around.  Well, as those "pulled" pieces get absorbed (as expected), the actual size of the areola is more apparent.  It is smaller than it first appeared.  Subsequently, the nipples look larger.  The left one looks too large for the size of the areola, in my opinion.  The nipple also looks like it has "plumped up" recently or something.

I am not unhappy with size of the areolas, I love their size.  I just wish the size of the nipple was a bit smaller.

I wonder if you can get a revision on a nipple?  Could Garramone just do a simple cutting down of it?

Jay, what is up with your areolas/nipples?  Are yours stitched on like mine?  It is very hard to explain, so I am not sure I am making in clear.  In looking at the close ups of other guys on here, it seems as though their areolas have smooth edges right out of the gare. Mine, on the other hand, are growing into being smooth.  How are yours?

Congrats again, chipper!


I am not surprised that guys are so critical of their chest results. Makes sense that dysphoria doesn't go away totally. I know a guy whose results look darn good, he is so depressed with them. Everybody thinks that they look wonderful, but he can't be convinced. Finally folks just started telling him to get a revision. Strange thing.

I am personally critical that I have no pecs. Also the right nipple, I think what is that it takes some amount of time, but it looks like there is no nipple, just areola. I know nothing happened to it, so I am guessing maybe it has yet to come out. Odd. Also I am still swollen under the right arm, which is odd because the right one was where I had more trouble with the drain and all.

BTW, chipper , better out of the drains for sure, even though they are a pita.

Also I was talking with a cis male friend of mine. He is about my age. He never goes anywhere without a shirt.
It sounds like I am happier with my chest than he is?


--Jay
  •  

Kreuzfidel

Quote from: aleon515 on March 08, 2014, 02:08:31 AM

I am not surprised that guys are so critical of their chest results. Makes sense that dysphoria doesn't go away totally.

Yeah I've been stopping myself lately from being so upset over the little things like the creases in my incisions - but then I think back and reckon "anything is better than before".  I can live with creases, but not with moobs!
  •  

Bimmer Guy

Hi, guys.

Nathan, I looked back at pictures on this thread and realized that I must not have paid as good attention to the nipples as I thought.  However, if you notice Kreuzfidel's areola on post #323, the edges do look very smooth.  That, and my memory of the first pictures posted of Alexthecat is where I got the thinking from.  You're right, though, eveyone's appears to be stitched.

I stood in front of my mirror this morning and realized that the nipple I have issue with looks fine from far away.  Someone would have to get up in my areola's face to see that it isn't great.  I am just being picky.

I took some pictures of the two of them.  The first one is areola/nipple I am talking about (left side of chest).  The nipple is too large for the size of the areola (not meaning length, Nathan).  As an aside, you can see at the top of the areola, that there is a still a bit of exess tissue that will be absorbed making the areola a bit smaller.

The second one is blurry, but is my other (right) nipple.  To me, the nipple/areola are in good proportion to each other.  To be honest with you, what the hell do I know, I have never been up close to a cis guys's (or trans guy's) areola!

(5 months and 1 week)




What do you all think?
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



  •  

aleon515

My understanding is that it really takes a long time for top surgery results to completely settle in and heal. Actually Brett your nipples look a lot better than mine at this point, and I see what you mean by farther away vs nearer.

Also just remember, "all those ripples and wrinkles will smooth out".  :D
I'm sure Brett will recognize where the quote comes from.

I like my incision line better than the moobs.

--Jay
  •  

FlightyBrood

so...theres a hole in my chest....

the incisions were completely healed up and i got the OK to stop cleaning them with peroxide and...

i was changing my tapes today and my incision started leaking puss and i put peroxide on it and squeezed it out, and now theres a hole in my incision??? its small but deep. i emailed the surgeon but of course their office is closed.

sigh...why do things always go wrong for us on the weekends??






  •  

Bimmer Guy

Quote from: FlightyBrood on March 08, 2014, 05:52:16 PM
so...theres a hole in my chest....

the incisions were completely healed up and i got the OK to stop cleaning them with peroxide and...

i was changing my tapes today and my incision started leaking puss and i put peroxide on it and squeezed it out, and now theres a hole in my incision??? its small but deep. i emailed the surgeon but of course their office is closed.

sigh...why do things always go wrong for us on the weekends??

Could be the "spitting sutures" I experienced (just one).  Jeatyn had a time with it, as well.  They fill in.  Try not to stress until you hear from your surgeon.
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



  •  

Bimmer Guy

Quote from: aleon515 on March 08, 2014, 03:06:14 PM
My understanding is that it really takes a long time for top surgery results to completely settle in and heal. Actually Brett your nipples look a lot better than mine at this point, and I see what you mean by farther away vs nearer.

Also just remember, "all those ripples and wrinkles will smooth out".  :D
I'm sure Brett will recognize where the quote comes from.

I like my incision line better than the moobs.

--Jay


Well, I am wondering if you think that the nipple is too large for the areola in the first picture (my left side)?  What is your nipple to areola ratio like?  To me the second picture (my right side) is more balanced. 
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



  •  

FlightyBrood

Quote from: Brett on March 08, 2014, 08:35:40 PM
Could be the "spitting sutures" I experienced (just one).  Jeatyn had a time with it, as well.  They fill in.  Try not to stress until you hear from your surgeon.

its weird because i have multiple spitting sutures....at least i thought i did? ive got these little clear strings poking out (i think im down to just three left) and the doctor said everything was fine and i could cut them off and itll be fine. are those...not spitting sutures?? or maybe this one is a suture that spit and i didnt realize it?

anyways, the whole thing drained completely empty. if i remember anything from my (very basic) medical classes its that if something starts draining on its own, drain the heck out of it.

the little thing LOOKED like a flat zit just under my incision. i took the tape off and made the most minor of stretches and it exploded. i cleaned it up and put some peroxide on it and then it drained until it became a hollow hole.

its really hard for me to calm down about things, because i have some pretty serious anxiety issues so if one little thing looks moderately worriesome i cant stop stressing out about it. the surgeons office is closed sundays i believe so im pretty much not sleeping until monday, unless by some miracle the surgeons assisstant gets back to me tonight or tomarrow. until then ill keep it clean, drained and covered.

i just dont know what happened...i was really diligent with cleaning until i was told i dont have to anymore...the moment i stopped cleaning this happens...ugh...






  •  

Kreuzfidel

Quote from: FlightyBrood on March 08, 2014, 08:54:22 PM
its weird because i have multiple spitting sutures....at least i thought i did? ive got these little clear strings poking out (i think im down to just three left) and the doctor said everything was fine and i could cut them off and itll be fine. are those...not spitting sutures?? or maybe this one is a suture that spit and i didnt realize it?

anyways, the whole thing drained completely empty. if i remember anything from my (very basic) medical classes its that if something starts draining on its own, drain the heck out of it.

the little thing LOOKED like a flat zit just under my incision. i took the tape off and made the most minor of stretches and it exploded. i cleaned it up and put some peroxide on it and then it drained until it became a hollow hole.

its really hard for me to calm down about things, because i have some pretty serious anxiety issues so if one little thing looks moderately worriesome i cant stop stressing out about it. the surgeons office is closed sundays i believe so im pretty much not sleeping until monday, unless by some miracle the surgeons assisstant gets back to me tonight or tomarrow. until then ill keep it clean, drained and covered.

i just dont know what happened...i was really diligent with cleaning until i was told i dont have to anymore...the moment i stopped cleaning this happens...ugh...

Did your surgeon actually advise you to use peroxide to clean your wounds???  Considering the fact that medical literature actually now advises against it as it can slow healing and destroy granulating tissue, I find that a bit odd.

Regarding the oozing hole - like the others have commented, probably a suture.  I wouldn't be putting peroxide on it, mate.  Just use saline solution to flush the area - then dry it and cover it with a sterile dressing until your surgeon returns to work. 
  •  

NathanExplosion

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on March 08, 2014, 09:29:48 PM
Did your surgeon actually advise you to use peroxide to clean your wounds???  Considering the fact that medical literature actually now advises against it as it can slow healing and destroy granulating tissue, I find that a bit odd.

Regarding the oozing hole - like the others have commented, probably a suture.  I wouldn't be putting peroxide on it, mate.  Just use saline solution to flush the area - then dry it and cover it with a sterile dressing until your surgeon returns to work.

No kidding? I hadn't heard that! He advised a 50% peroxide and 50% water mixture, so we've been using that. Should we put some antibiotic ointment on the hole?
  •  

Alexthecat

Here's week 7 nipples. I think my right nipple has more nipple compared to the left nipple.



  •  

FlightyBrood

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on March 08, 2014, 09:29:48 PM
Did your surgeon actually advise you to use peroxide to clean your wounds???  Considering the fact that medical literature actually now advises against it as it can slow healing and destroy granulating tissue, I find that a bit odd.

Regarding the oozing hole - like the others have commented, probably a suture.  I wouldn't be putting peroxide on it, mate.  Just use saline solution to flush the area - then dry it and cover it with a sterile dressing until your surgeon returns to work.

50% peroxide 50% water is what they had us using.

i wasnt planning on putting peroxide on it any more actually, since the stuff would get inside the hole and something about peroxide internally doesnt strike me as a good idea. im showering soon so ill take a look at it then. until the dr gets back to me ive got a bandaid over it and some micropore tape over that






  •  

Kreuzfidel

Quote from: NathanExplosion on March 08, 2014, 09:36:38 PM
No kidding? I hadn't heard that! He advised a 50% peroxide and 50% water mixture, so we've been using that. Should we put some antibiotic ointment on the hole?

It probably wouldn't hurt, would be better than peroxide IMHO. 

Quote from: FlightyBrood on March 08, 2014, 10:41:46 PMi wasnt planning on putting peroxide on it any more actually, since the stuff would get inside the hole and something about peroxide internally doesnt strike me as a good idea.

Yep, it's not a good idea.  Just keep it flushed with the saline until you speak with your surgeon.  50% peroxide dilution is typically okay for surface abrasions, etc., but I wouldn't recommend it for an open wound.
  •  

aleon515

@FB- this is a useful site: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/wound-care-10/
I think basically it's clean it gently and use the antibiotic cream. I don't think the hydrogen peroxide is recommended.

@Brett- I'll try to do a close up on my nipples today for your viewing amusement. LOL.


--Jay
  •  

Jeatyn

Quote from: FlightyBrood on March 08, 2014, 05:52:16 PM
so...theres a hole in my chest....

the incisions were completely healed up and i got the OK to stop cleaning them with peroxide and...

i was changing my tapes today and my incision started leaking puss and i put peroxide on it and squeezed it out, and now theres a hole in my incision??? its small but deep. i emailed the surgeon but of course their office is closed.

sigh...why do things always go wrong for us on the weekends??

As Brett mentioned this sounds very similar to what happened to me and it was not pleasant. Defo go see your surgeon as soon as possible to see if you need antibiotics, did you have antibiotics straight after surgery?
  •  

Bimmer Guy

FB, I agree with Kreuzfidel about the peroxide.  I took pause at that when you first mentioned that was part of your routine, but I have learned that different surgeons do things differently, so I figured it best not to comment.

I will tell you that Garramone told me to just cover the hole with triple antibiotic ointment for a couple of days and then just leave it alone.  However, I had no stuff coming out of my hole, no infection.  I saw a second white string peeking it's way out a day or so later and I just covered it with a tiny band aid, and it never came out.  Both of mine were just soft white string, neither of them were that clear fishing line type stuff.  It took a month, but filled in, just as Garramone said it would (he told me 2 weeks, though).

I remember you said you had some serious anxiety problems, but just try to hang in there.  Jeatlyn may be helpful in this regard since he had an infection.

As an aside, "spitting sutures" is not abnormal.  I posted some links earlier in this thread when Jeatlyn was talking about this.  There was quite a bit of discussion about it all with others chiming in.  I would suggest searching mine or Jeatlyn's name in order to find those posts.  It will be informative and may relieve some of your anxiety.

Alexthecat, those are some beautiful areolas/nipples there!  Yes, a bit more nipple on the one than the other.  I think they both look great! 
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



  •  

FlightyBrood

Quote from: Jeatyn on March 09, 2014, 07:22:17 AM
As Brett mentioned this sounds very similar to what happened to me and it was not pleasant. Defo go see your surgeon as soon as possible to see if you need antibiotics, did you have antibiotics straight after surgery?

i didnt have any antibiotics after surgery.

Quote from: Brett on March 09, 2014, 10:35:16 AM
FB, I agree with Kreuzfidel about the peroxide.  I took pause at that when you first mentioned that was part of your routine, but I have learned that different surgeons do things differently, so I figured it best not to comment.

I will tell you that Garramone told me to just cover the hole with triple antibiotic ointment for a couple of days and then just leave it alone.  However, I had no stuff coming out of my hole, no infection.  I saw a second white string peeking it's way out a day or so later and I just covered it with a tiny band aid, and it never came out.  Both of mine were just soft white string, neither of them were that clear fishing line type stuff.  It took a month, but filled in, just as Garramone said it would (he told me 2 weeks, though).

I remember you said you had some serious anxiety problems, but just try to hang in there.  Jeatlyn may be helpful in this regard since he had an infection.

As an aside, "spitting sutures" is not abnormal.  I posted some links earlier in this thread when Jeatlyn was talking about this.  There was quite a bit of discussion about it all with others chiming in.  I would suggest searching mine or Jeatlyn's name in order to find those posts.  It will be informative and may relieve some of your anxiety.

Alexthecat, those are some beautiful areolas/nipples there!  Yes, a bit more nipple on the one than the other.  I think they both look great! 

im not worried about the clear string spitting sutures. theyeve been there since i got my foam off one week in. Im used to them by now, ive just been cutting them as they come out.  seeing my surgeon isnt an option until at least tuesday, so hopefully they get back to me and tell me its nothing big.






  •  

Bimmer Guy

Garramone automatically gives you an antibiotic to start taking immediately after your surgery. 

Maybe he will call you in a prescription for an antibiotic on Monday when you call his office.  Tell them about the pus.  It is as easy as his nurse making the call to the pharmacy where you can pick it up/send someone to pick it up.
Top Surgery: 10/10/13 (Garramone)
Testosterone: 9/9/14
Hysto: 10/1/15
Stage 1 Meta: 3/2/16 (including UL, Vaginectomy, Scrotoplasty), (Crane, CA)
Stage 2 Meta: 11/11/16 Testicular implants, phallus and scrotum repositioning, v-nectomy revision.  Additional: Lipo on sides of chest. (Crane, TX)
Fistula Repair 12/21/17 (UPenn Hospital,unsuccessful)
Fistula Repair 6/7/18 (Nikolavsky, successful)
Revision: 1/11/19 Replacement of eroded testicle,  mons resection, cosmetic work on scrotum (Crane, TX)



  •  

aleon515

My experience is that pus is almost always treated internally. It's usually a sign of infection that's not so superficial. Not sure if everyone would treat it that way.

--Jay
  •