Losing weight before top surgery

[lionheart]

I'm always reading about building up your pec muscles or whatever it is before top surgery so the doctor has a better idea of where to put the incision lines, but does it help to lose weight too? I'm not obese or anything, but I'm definitely chubby enough that I'd probably have some extent of moobs if I were cis. I don't know if the pec muscles are easier to locate or whatever if you're skinnier, I know they definitely appear more prominent on the outside but I just wanna know if it make any more of a difference to the surgeon. I really want to do everything in my power to make sure I get the best results I can.

[Mackan]

It might be good to loose weight because that will help the surgeon since he wont have to deal with fat tissue over the pec muscle so it will be easier to separate the breast tissue from the muscle. Just make sure not to loose weight to fast so that you're skin can keep up and not get to saggy

[sam1234]

When I started, I was told that its easier for the surgeons if there is less body fat. Fat looks different from mammary tissue though. Any surgeon could tell the difference.

When you do have the surgery, and this may not happen to everyone, for about a year after the top surgery, if I tried to sleep on my stomach, it felt like I was sleeping on two rings, one around each surgical area. That went away in time.

Regardless of the surgery, being of average weight gives you the best odds for a good outcome.

Sam1234

[Dante]

I've wondered about this, actually. I've been working at losing weight for awhile now (I've just passed the 20 lb mark! ), but I'm still overweight. The thing is, my chest area has basically no fat except in my actual breasts. Most of my fat concentrates in my thighs/butt and on the front and sides of my stomach, leaving that whole area mostly fat free. It's not super muscular or anything, but it's skinny. Personally, I just wanted to get in shape, but I'm looking to have top surgery this summer, so should I still be worried about it? I assume it would be better to have some muscle tone...

When you do have the surgery, and this may not happen to everyone, for about a year after the top surgery, if I tried to sleep on my stomach, it felt like I was sleeping on two rings, one around each surgical area. That went away in time.

Could you explain this? I'm a stomach sleeper, which seems to be fairly rare so any info is appreciated. Were you able to sleep that way or was it too uncomfortable?

[sam1234]

I've wondered about this, actually. I've been working at losing weight for awhile now (I've just passed the 20 lb mark! ), but I'm still overweight. The
Could you explain this? I'm a stomach sleeper, which seems to be fairly rare so any info is appreciated. Were you able to sleep that way or was it too uncomfortable?
[/quote]

I guess the best way to explain it is that it felt like there were two thin wooden rings, about 3 inches in diameter around each surgical site. i'm not sure why, because when i felt the areas with my hand, I couldn't feel any hard tissue. You may not experience this though. Even though mine was done by a Dr. who routinely did mastectomies and had done other F to Ms, it was done over twenty years ago.

sam1234

[ridleysw]

I am currently in the process of losing weight and building my upper body muscles in preparation for top surgery (end of this year).  My doctor is encouraging both, and explained why:  Getting to a healthy weight for your size will help in overall recovery.  The healthier you are, the more energy gets spent on the healing process, making it go quicker and easier.  Building the muscles provides even more support for the healing process (more muscle=more blood flow, which is what feeds and cleanses the area that is healing), but it also provides a canvas for the surgeon to work with.  Everyone's muscles are shaped a little differently and bulk up in different ways.  With well-developed muscles, the surgeon knows where best to make incisions, place nipples, and contour to create the most realistic male chest.

Some surgeons also have two options for the facility used.  For example, one surgeon I know of can perform the DI mastectomy in his surgery center as an outpatient procedure (saving money, even for those of us who are lucky and have health insurance helping cover the costs), but only if you have a BMI of 32 or less.  Larger (like I currently am!), and you have to be admitted to the big hospital.