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

[Bimmer Guy]

Congrats, JayDawg and Henri!  You both got great results.



I put this in another thread, but here's my healing update. Picture is my chest at 17 weeks postop after DI with Garramone. I may get a revision for the little bulge of tissue under my right armpit, not sure yet

I have had total scar care ADHD so I don't really know what has helped and what hasn't. Right now I am annoyed with the little buggers because they seem to be doing whatever they want (including a couple hypertrophic patches and really widening under myleft armpit where I had a couple internal sutures poke through).

Thanks for the updated pictures.  It is looking really great!

I just looked back at your old pictures and that bulge of skin has gone down considerably.  It may go completely away.

I have significant hypertrophic scaring.  The whole length of both scars, unfortunately.  At some point I will go see a plastic surgeon to get cortisone shots.  Some areas have flattened now at 14 months out from surgery.  I am very pleased with my chest otherwise.  I love the Garramone shape.  It has always reminded me of Superman.

[newyorker75]

Hi guys,

I just had my surgery with Garramone on Wednesday. Still all wrapped up and this Ace bandage is killing my back, especially in the mornings. I know they said I could loosen it a little but I'm so afraid that it might mess something else up. I'm still in a bit of pain, but cut the vicodins down a little bit.

Did you guys loosen the ace bandage after the first few days? Is there any reason I should just try to stick it out until my post-op on Monday?

I'm so surprised that so many people didn't have pain -- this stuff hurts quite a bit! Then again, I'm 39, so maybe age has something to do with it...

Also, I'm flying on Tuesday. What are your experiences with going through airport security with an ace bandage on? Did anyone give you trouble?

Thanks,
Mel

[Bimmer Guy]

Hi guys,

I just had my surgery with Garramone on Wednesday. Still all wrapped up and this Ace bandage is killing my back, especially in the mornings. I know they said I could loosen it a little but I'm so afraid that it might mess something else up. I'm still in a bit of pain, but cut the vicodins down a little bit.

Did you guys loosen the ace bandage after the first few days? Is there any reason I should just try to stick it out until my post-op on Monday?

I'm so surprised that so many people didn't have pain -- this stuff hurts quite a bit! Then again, I'm 39, so maybe age has something to do with it...

Also, I'm flying on Tuesday. What are your experiences with going through airport security with an ace bandage on? Did anyone give you trouble?

Thanks,
Mel

One of the things I often mention as a big pro of staying at New Beginnings in FL was that the owner/nurse there knew exactly how much it could be loosened. I would say that he unwrapped the bandage the length of two times around the body (if that makes sense), and then rewrapped it back up, just not as tight.  Maybe aleon will come into the thread and tell us if the owner did the same for him and what he remembers.  That is what got rid of the pain. 

I wonder if you call Garramone's office they could give you some sort of direction as to how you can know that you have not loosened it too much.  You don't want to suffer needlessly, but you don't want to screw it up, either.  I completely get that.  That is why I was glad I had someone there who knew the deal.

I don't see why you would have a problem with airport security with a bandage.  It has no metal on it.  Remember, the only purpose of the bandage is to remind your brain that you shouldn't be lifting your arms.  There is no medical reason/need to wear the bandage.  I didn't.  I figured I was bright enough to remember to not lift my arms.

[AleksiJason]

Congrats, JayDawg and Henri!  You both got great results.



I put this in another thread, but here's my healing update. Picture is my chest at 17 weeks postop after DI with Garramone. I may get a revision for the little bulge of tissue under my right armpit, not sure yet

I have had total scar care ADHD so I don't really know what has helped and what hasn't. Right now I am annoyed with the little buggers because they seem to be doing whatever they want (including a couple hypertrophic patches and really widening under myleft armpit where I had a couple internal sutures poke through).

I think your chest came out great, the bulge is super small and barely noticeable.  Do you have a mirror shot of your chest? sometimes those are more accurate and shows your chest better

[aleon515]

That'll go away. I imagine that's swelling, which is common early on.

--Jay

I think your chest came out great, the bulge is super small and barely noticeable.  Do you have a mirror shot of your chest? sometimes those are more accurate and shows your chest better

[JayDawg]

4 weeks post-op. Dr. Parker, Athens, GA, USA



Doc is happy with my healing thus far and I got permission today to leave off the nipple bandages, and to do anything I want to physically. Next follow-up is in 3 weeks.

I started using bioCorneum+ on the incision scars 2 weeks ago, applying every 12 hours.

Nipples are still a bit gooey since I've been applying antibiotic ointment twice a day and keeping them covered for the most part. Hopefully, they will dry out today and I can stop wearing the tight a-shirt under my work clothes (to hold the nipple bandages in place).

I also asked about the skin irritation, and he's pretty sure it's just nerves reconnecting. He suggested 600-800mg of ibuprofin 3 times a day, with food, to reduce that and some swelling. I should see a difference in a few days.

-Jay

[AleksiJason]

Hi everyone! It's been an insane amount of time since I've been here, but a lot of life has happened and it's been a great adventure. I recently got top surgery! My surgeon was Dr. Garramone, and I'm really happy with the results so far and had a great experience. I'm healing fairly well as far as I can tell.

I have some swelling on the left side (side with the shoulder tattoo) near the side which is fairly visible. I've been wearing the ace compression bandage as instructed and soon will be taking it off for good. The swelling on the left has been pretty consistent throughout healing and I'm guessing it will probably take months to disappear. Did most of you have swelling of this sort even after you no longer had to wear the ace bandage (or other sort of compression) and it went away with time? I'm very eager to finally let my incisions breathe haha. Just wondering if this type of swelling is fairly normal to have for some months or so.

17 Days Post Op:

Hey dude, do you have an updated chest pic?

[AleksiJason]

I'm 2 days away from being 1 month post op and this is what it's currently looking like...
I feel as if the stitches weren't still there, my areolas would be almost invisible I was hoping they would be more healed at this stage. Also on my left side (right in the picture) I am experiencing some swelling and now bruising. Before it was a lump, I could feel my muscle or something twitching in that area (around 2 weeks post op). The lump formed after I accidentally coughed pretty hard at around 2 and half weeks. Just recently in the last week it's gotten the bruising colour. I'm not sure what to do, even wearing the compression bandage isn't making it smaller. Any advice? 

Hi, who was your surgeon?

[AleksiJason]

I read most of the thread, as far as body rejecting sutures, my surgeon used dissolvable stitches but I am exactly 11 months post op today and still have rejecting stitches popping out.....it gets infected and forms a big yellow or green pus bubble on either my nipples or scarline....then when i go to pop it not only does the pus come out but the whole stitch comes out with it.....i haveto pop them and immediately shower to get rid of the infection.....so far ive had at least a dozen rejected stitches on nipples and scar line.....started at about a month post op and my last one was just a few days ago and i feel another one in my nipple trying to push its way out.....1/2 my nipple is red and swollen and hurts right now, next phase is the pus bubble should be within the next few days....then the stitch comes out when i pop it....it hasnt effected my results i dont think so at least

[aleon515]

Yeah it's nasty. I have a friend who that happened to. It didn't affect his results but it was painful and unpleasant.

--Jay

I read most of the thread, as far as body rejecting sutures, my surgeon used dissolvable stitches but I am exactly 11 months post op today and still have rejecting stitches popping out.....it gets infected and forms a big yellow or green pus bubble on either my nipples or scarline....then when i go to pop it not only does the pus come out but the whole stitch comes out with it.....i haveto pop them and immediately shower to get rid of the infection.....so far ive had at least a dozen rejected stitches on nipples and scar line.....started at about a month post op and my last one was just a few days ago and i feel another one in my nipple trying to push its way out.....1/2 my nipple is red and swollen and hurts right now, next phase is the pus bubble should be within the next few days....then the stitch comes out when i pop it....it hasnt effected my results i dont think so at least

[Henri]

1 month 1 week

Things are looking really good and healing really well for the most part. Still got a stitch poking out of the center of my nipple, and probably some more hiding. A couple of days ago my left nipple had a few hidden stitches that came out along with some pus/lymph and that was gross. The idea of the little holes in my nips kinda squicks me out. Other than that, I've had some ingrown hairs along my incision that are causing trouble. Where I can I try to delicately free them so they don't become infected.

My range of motion is pretty much back to normal at this point, I can lift my arms without feeling any stretching. Still avoiding working out but returning to most normal activities. I haven't been putting on any kind of scar guard, honestly I kind of like the scars and at this point I'm just letting them do their thing and heal. I will probably massage them when they're healed enough where it's okay to start doing that, as my main concern is just maintaining a great range of motion and not having the scars get "stuck" and not want to move with my body.

Does anyone know how long one should wait before it's okay to lightly massage the scars?

[mm]

Henri, you really look great.  What size were you before; who was your surgeon?

[Henri]

Henri, you really look great.  What size were you before; who was your surgeon?

Thanks! My surgeon was Dr. Garramone, and I was probably an A cup before. I opted for DI as I was worried about the possibility of needing a revision and also just liked the placement and general results from that particular surgery. :3

[AleksiJason]

I was also very small pre-op going into surgery with Garramone.....just a short back story....ive been diagnosed with schizophrenia since i was 7 years old.....i came out as trans when i was 11.....i was not given my psychiatrists permission to start Testosterone until the age of 24....he admitted it was because my history of psychiatric illness.....although he approved hormones he did not approve top surgery yet but i was desperate.....i was only a very small B cup naturally.....but for a trans man i felt like i was a EE.....so since my psych wouldnt give me an approval letter for top surgery yet i came up with the idea to get a breast reduction and try to convince the surgeon to take all the tissue out.....i went to about 6 different reduction surgeons for consulations......they all said they could take an extreme amount out because i could lose my nipples (even though i told them i dont care if i lose my nipples that was not the way they practiced)......so i went with the one who promised to make me the smallest (a SMALL A cup)  he promised me he would make me a small A cup....i came out of surgery nearly the same size i went into it.....all he did was lift them....they were the same size only perkier.....i was enraged.....when my psych finally gave me approval for top surgery at the age of 26 i went for dr Garramone.....he said i had to have double incision to remove the scar tissue from my prior reduction......so i regret having a reduction cause i probably woulda been a candidate for keyhole......on top of it all i am not happy with my results.....i have excess tissue on my chest that makes it look like i have man boobs.....i am working on losing fat through dieting and lifting weights to gain muscle......i am hoping within a years time i will be slim and muscular and hopefully my chest will look better......if not i definitely need a revision for loose skin and excess tissue......not sure whether i would take the chance and go back to Dr. G or go with another surgeon ....ive thought about it and it's between Crane, Medalie and Raphael

[harlee]

Henri, your nipples are perfect! 

[AleksiJason]

Henri i was told you can start lightly massaging the scars in circular motions when u feel comfortable, listen to your body, if it causes pain dont do it.....if u have pain i was told to try and massage the area (lightly) above the scar and below the scar to start.  Then further along u get with healing you can apply more pressure to the scar.

[aleon515]

Henri, I think you actually look great. I won't comment and say I think so unless you do. There is going to be swelling until up to a year post-op. Nobody should even think about revision until then. You are just way too early on to think about it. I actually had swelling on one side that made me look I was uneven, until almost 6-8 months later. Everything looks completely natural now. Just concentrate on getting better, not pulling stitches overly, not lifting too much, and so on. Trust me that you will look better, and everything you are seeing now looks completely normal and not as you say like he left too much breast tissue. Yes, you had to have a DI due to the revision, but it should not affect the results otherwise, and doesn't look like it has. Also nipples look great, esp so early on.

You should NOT be doing weights yet. Way too early and can make scarring more visible by stretching scars. Dr G says 8 weights but it wouldn't really hurt to wait longer.


--Jay

[Henri]

Henri, I think you actually look great. I won't comment and say I think so unless you do. There is going to be swelling until up to a year post-op. Nobody should even think about revision until then. You are just way too early on to think about it. I actually had swelling on one side that made me look I was uneven, until almost 6-8 months later. Everything looks completely natural now. Just concentrate on getting better, not pulling stitches overly, not lifting too much, and so on. Trust me that you will look better, and everything you are seeing now looks completely normal and not as you say like he left too much breast tissue. Yes, you had to have a DI due to the revision, but it should not affect the results otherwise, and doesn't look like it has. Also nipples look great, esp so early on.

You should NOT be doing weights yet. Way too early and can make scarring more visible by stretching scars. Dr G says 8 weights but it wouldn't really hurt to wait longer.


--Jay

Ah, wait, I might have written my previous post a little confusingly. I'm super happy the the results and not worried about needing a revision at all! The swelling has already gone down a lot and I know it'll take quite some time for it to settle down :3 My post might have gotten confused with AleksiJason's story? Either way, I've been taking it really easy and still haven't started working out. I'll probably wait more until 3 months to do anything really strenuous.

@AleksiJason Good to know! Also, I hope you're able to get the results you want soon, I'm so sorry you had to go through that!

@harlee Thanks! Hehe, they're looking a lot cuter than originally.

[aleon515]

Glad you're happy Henri, because you should be.

--Jay

[harlee]

I'm almost 5 months post-op now, time went so quick! I'm happy with the scars but not 100% on my nipples just yet. The right one is a little raised around the edges (I think its scaring?) but it might only be so noticeable because it is a different colour? Also, when I go swimming my nipples and areola seem to turn white and the skin looks like it wants to peel off. I haven't heard anyone talk about this  The colouring is pretty off altogether so I might consider tattooing after 2 years post op if I'm still not happy. Did anyone have the edges of their areola flatten over time? 

The red marks and white lines near the scar are because I've just taken off the micropore paper tape that I use. That will go away after 10 minutes or so. I havent used any scar creams, silicon, or massaging, just the  tape 24/7

Left


Right