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

[Kreuzfidel]

Yeah, Brett - I think it's just a time thing really.  Like you said, you can't just wave a magick wand and do away with the years of dysphoria.  I'm just getting used to looking at myself topless now - touching is going to take some time for sure.

[Darrin Scott]

Though Id post my 1 month post op. I love my new chest

[Bimmer Guy]

Hey, Darrin.  You look GREAT!  Thanks for posting.

[Bimmer Guy]

Hey, Elijah, you look great!  Are you/did you use any kind of scar treatment?  They are fading well.

[Elijah3291]

I did use some generic silicone strips for about a month or more once the scars were healed but it seemed that they actually widened my scars, it did seem to flatten them though, but it could be coincidence, I stopped using them though because the few inches of scar that I never covered with strips were thinner then the strip covered bits.

I think its you that mentioned massaging your scars right? How is that working out for you? I had been massaging mine (but stopped) with circular motions and lotion, how about you? I feel like massaging would be really helpful in breaking down scar tissue.

[Bimmer Guy]

I did use some generic silicone strips for about a month or more once the scars were healed but it seemed that they actually widened my scars, it did seem to flatten them though, but it could be coincidence, I stopped using them though because the few inches of scar that I never covered with strips were thinner then the strip covered bits.

I think its you that mentioned massaging your scars right? How is that working out for you? I had been massaging mine (but stopped) with circular motions and lotion, how about you? I feel like massaging would be really helpful in breaking down scar tissue.

I think the massaging is definitely helping some.  I am using circular motions.  I don't think it matters what type of oil/lotion you use (I used Jojoba oil, it lasts longer than lotion), it is the massage itself that breaks up the scar tissue.

Some say olive oil works just as well as anything else, so if you have some in your kitchen, grab that!

Garramone did do a really good job shaping your chest.

[Kreuzfidel]

Darrin and Elijah - your chests look amazing!   

[aleon515]

Hey everyone, well I'm nearly a year post op. I'm at 11 months today, time flies!

DI (obviously) Garramone

Well *obviously*! Nice results and healing little clone brother. LOL!


--Jay

[lost.cowboy]

I really recommend Bio Oil.

this is with just 6 months of daily use:

[Elijah3291]

Ryanronald, does the bio oil stain clothing, cotton, sheets?

[grownupteeth]

I went to Dr. Rockmore of Albany, New York last Friday (February 28th, 2014) for a "bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy with free nipple grafts for gender transformation." Yesterday, I had my first post-op visit and got to check out my bod, bandage free, for the first time. I am now able to shower but my drains will unfortunately remain in until next Thursday because I'm still producing a significant amount of fluid...so the drains will be in for 13 days total. Aside from that unfortunate setback, the whole process has been awesome. I had some intubation difficultiess during the surgery itself, but everything has been handled wonderfully. My chest feels awesome and looks incredible. Above is a picture from yesterday's appointment- 6 days post-op.

Chipper, I'm getting a consult with Rockmore next Tuesday - can you tell me anything else about the experience?  I'm kinda hesitant to go to him because he's not as well known as some, but all the results I've seen so far have been great and he's in my area (I'm in NYC). Feel free to send me a message! Hope you're healing well!

[grownupteeth]

Thanks - that's awesome to hear. I just recently moved from the west coast and always planned on having surgery with Brownstein/Crane so I don't really have a lot of info about people out here. Checked out your tumblr, the results look great and it seems like the experience was awesome, it's definitely making me feel more confident about choosing him I might message you if I have any more specific questions...

[aleon515]

Brownstein doesn't do top surgery anymore. The whole practice is Dr Crane.

--Jay

[lost.cowboy]

Elijah - it doesn't stain sheets but it is best to get it rubbed in properly and not still be feeling wet when you get into bed or put a top on if that makes sense, i sort of wipe off anything that hasn't absorbed after a good massaging

[ZanBuck]

Hello everyone! New person here, and my top surgery was March 12 so I'm about 7 weeks out. I went to Dr Mangubat in Renton WA (I live in Seattle so it was a short trip, and a few guys in my support group recommended him). He and his staff were excellent, and I had been working my upper body muscles enough that he was able to draw a good line for incision around the pecs. I'm really happy so far, though my nipples look a bit weird to me and I'm still a bit swollen. I'm looking forward to getting back into my workout schedule next week, I hate being inactive.

I'm 10 months into being on T and 11 months since my decision. Its really great having this resource, and I'd like to thank everyone for sharing pictures especially so I don't feel quite so nervous about everything.

~Alex

(P.s. surgery was "bilateral simple mastectomy with nipple grafts")

[Bimmer Guy]

Hello everyone! New person here, and my top surgery was March 12 so I'm about 7 weeks out. I went to Dr Mangubat in Renton WA (I live in Seattle so it was a short trip, and a few guys in my support group recommended him). He and his staff were excellent, and I had been working my upper body muscles enough that he was able to draw a good line for incision around the pecs. I'm really happy so far, though my nipples look a bit weird to me and I'm still a bit swollen. I'm looking forward to getting back into my workout schedule next week, I hate being inactive.

I'm 10 months into being on T and 11 months since my decision. Its really great having this resource, and I'd like to thank everyone for sharing pictures especially so I don't feel quite so nervous about everything.

~Alex

(P.s. surgery was "bilateral simple mastectomy with nipple grafts")

Alex, so glad you posted!  I think it is great when people post who have gone to less well known surgeons.  Would you be willing to post a picture?  Congrats on your surgery!

[Darrin Scott]

Hello everyone! New person here, and my top surgery was March 12 so I'm about 7 weeks out. I went to Dr Mangubat in Renton WA (I live in Seattle so it was a short trip, and a few guys in my support group recommended him). He and his staff were excellent, and I had been working my upper body muscles enough that he was able to draw a good line for incision around the pecs. I'm really happy so far, though my nipples look a bit weird to me and I'm still a bit swollen. I'm looking forward to getting back into my workout schedule next week, I hate being inactive.

I'm 10 months into being on T and 11 months since my decision. Its really great having this resource, and I'd like to thank everyone for sharing pictures especially so I don't feel quite so nervous about everything.

~Alex

(P.s. surgery was "bilateral simple mastectomy with nipple grafts")

Congrats! My surgery was also March 12th!!

[Bimmer Guy]

And March 12th was my birthday!  ha!

Hey, Darrin.  How about an update pic when you get a chance?

[ZanBuck]

Thanks all! Here's a few pics... Sorry about the poor quality, my camera (phone) hates up close pics. Lets see if this works, I wasn't sure where best to host images.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-tpGRn/

March 15th:

April 22nd:

Overall I'm really happy with the progress, and I just started working out again yesterday so I'm even happier now.

Quick question: is there anything I can do to help my nipples along? They have a little extra scarring around the edges from the sutures that held the stents in place, but I'm not sure whether I should use the scar strips etc on them?


p.s. Happy birthday Brent!

[Bimmer Guy]

You look great, Zanbuck!  Your surgeon did a great job.

Don't put anything on the nipples.  They need to move along at their own pace.  I am 7 months out and they are still shifting shape on the edges.  Never use scar products on them at any point.  A big no.