Life after top surgery and rib problems

[wolf739]

I've been searching google for an answer to some of these questions, but I haven't quite found any, so I'll ask here.

Should consultation go well, I'm planning to have top surgery within the next month. I've been wearing velcro binders and underworks light compression shirts, and I have the feeling that I've had a lot of rib damage from it, and my ribs are starting to bend down more. I've been having breathing issues and often difficulty even thinking clearly, and weirdly enough, some nose and sinus pressure, which hadn't happened before I was quite a few months into binding. When I bend over slightly, I can also notice my ribs poking into my gut a little bit. I feel a bit better a few days after not wearing them, but since I don't have full weeks off from work, I'm worried that I'll always be in this kind of state where I can't think clearly because of breathing issues and whatnot. I have IBS and bloating issues, and this only further diminishes by breath support.

Onto my questions. First off, in general, does back and rib pain go away after extended periods of time without binding, and does breathing get better? (by itself) Secondly, has anyone had luck with chiropractors in this area? And thirdly, I don't exercise, and I'm quite thin, but I'm seriously considering exercising. Are there any areas I could work on (shoulders, chest, etc) when it comes to muscles that would help heal my ribcage after I get surgery?

[Alexthecat]

About 2 months after surgery I went to the chiro. They took xrays of the whole spine for free with 20$ consultation. Then they work on a plan to get you realigned. It really helped get my back straight again. My problem was back, shoulders, and neck. If I were you I wouldn't exercise until you have an xray if your ribs are that bad. You might hurt them worse. Chiro is an expensive commitment but at least go once to learn if your ribs are safe to exercise on.

If you didn't bind and worked on forcing your shoulders to go back to normal position it would help on its own but probably not that noticeable since it is hard to remember to keep them back.

[sam1234]

It takes a long time and very tight binding to permanately change the shape of your ribs. If you were still growing and were binding tightly, it would be more apt to happen.

Breathing can be an issue if you were binding. It doesn't allow you to take normal deep breaths that you would ordinarily. That can set you up for infection in your lungs. When people break a couple of ribs, they tend to take shallow breaths because normal breathing causes pain. Binding, if done tightly, might mirror that condition.

Try doing some deep breathing exercises and stretching. If you feel like there is a problem and are getting worried that you might have done some damage, get it checked out by your Dr.

sam1234

[wolf739]

About 2 months after surgery I went to the chiro. They took xrays of the whole spine for free with 20$ consultation. Then they work on a plan to get you realigned. It really helped get my back straight again. My problem was back, shoulders, and neck. If I were you I wouldn't exercise until you have an xray if your ribs are that bad. You might hurt them worse. Chiro is an expensive commitment but at least go once to learn if your ribs are safe to exercise on.

If you didn't bind and worked on forcing your shoulders to go back to normal position it would help on its own but probably not that noticeable since it is hard to remember to keep them back.

Thanks for that advice. And the shoulder thing helps, I'm surprised at how much binding has lowered them.

It takes a long time and very tight binding to permanately change the shape of your ribs. If you were still growing and were binding tightly, it would be more apt to happen.

Breathing can be an issue if you were binding. It doesn't allow you to take normal deep breaths that you would ordinarily. That can set you up for infection in your lungs. When people break a couple of ribs, they tend to take shallow breaths because normal breathing causes pain. Binding, if done tightly, might mirror that condition.

Try doing some deep breathing exercises and stretching. If you feel like there is a problem and are getting worried that you might have done some damage, get it checked out by your Dr.

sam1234

I've only been binding for about a year and a half now, but there are some noticeable deformities in my ribs, and pains across random places. I think the thing is, I didn't realize I was binding too tight, and now I'm paying for it, even with an adjustable velcro binder.

Does anyone else have any stories about recovery after they stopped binding?

[mooncab]

Yeah, I developed serious back problems from binding, and I saw a chiropractor for several months. He actually did fix my issues and help some with the daily pain. Each time anyone felt my back they told me how much tension there was... Two months post-surgery and the pain level is probably at a zero. A masseuse told me that there was very minimal tension. It's still not totally back to normal, and I can feel my back muscles tingle and such because they are able to heal now. If you can see a chiropractor, try to find a trans-aware one. My chiropractor himself was trans and it really helped to have someone who understood.