Things you don't realize or aren't told about top surgery

[androidnick]

I am just curious to hear about things from others who have already gone through the experience. I'm getting it done with Garramone. And even after years and years of research and watching videos it didn't hit me that even after getting drains removed, I'll still have to have the ace bandages for 2 more weeks after that.

Are there any other things that surprised you after surgery?

Also, I'm seeing a lot of things people do before surgery. But on Garramone's list of things to do, I don't see any prescriptions he told us to get or whatever. The only prescription he gave us is for the labs to be done.

[sam1234]

I'm not familiar with Garramone, but i had mine done with a local. The things that surprised me was that after surgery, I had very little pain and didn't even take the meds. prescribed for post op pain. The other thing I wasn't ready for was not being able to lay on my stomach. I slept that way, but for a long period, about a year, when i tried to sleep on my stomach, it felt like there were two hard rings around the area each breast had occupied. I don't know if that is something that happens to everyone or not. I was small, an A cup, so everything else was pretty easy. When I would try to feel my chest for the hard rings, I couldn't find what was causing them. Considering the freedom and well being the surgery gave me, I considered that a minor inconvienience.

sam1234

[MacG]

I was surprised by needing pain meds for over two weeks. It seems like everywhere I asked and read, people didn't use even pain meds or maybe only for a few days. So I was feeling really guilty and weak.

But my surgeon's resident said some patients do experience a lot of pain and do use pain meds for even three or four weeks.

I was surprised because I've had six previous surgeries and recovered at a very average rate, not requiring more than usual pain meds.

Also, post-surgical depression is a thing. I am absolutely pleased with my results, but am experiencing major depression.

[FTMax]

Three things that caught me by surprise.

(1) My surgeon required a pregnancy test. It didn't bother me at all, as they just did it while they were doing the rest of my pre-op blood work, but it was a curious addition to the list of tests.

(2) I wasn't allowed to resume testosterone until my drains were out. I was already pretty upset about having to go off for 2 weeks pre-op. I was positive that in that span of time, my period would come back. They told me the day after surgery that I wasn't to resume until I came back the following week to have my drains out. I was not a happy camper, but nothing bad happened.

(3) It was not nearly as painful for me as people online had described. I honestly had no pain. I took the sleeping pills I was prescribed, but that was it. The worst I felt the entire time was from sleeping in a recliner. I had no trouble getting up and about everyday post-op, and went back to work as soon as my drains were out (1 week post-op).

[Kreuzfidel]

I was surprised by needing pain meds for over two weeks. It seems like everywhere I asked and read, people didn't use even pain meds or maybe only for a few days. So I was feeling really guilty and weak.

But my surgeon's resident said some patients do experience a lot of pain and do use pain meds for even three or four weeks.

I was surprised because I've had six previous surgeries and recovered at a very average rate, not requiring more than usual pain meds.

Also, post-surgical depression is a thing. I am absolutely pleased with my results, but am experiencing major depression.

I was the same - super painful.  Some people on here kept harping on and on about how pain-free theirs was and they didn't need any meds, so I felt like a weakling, too. 

But that's the thing - everyone's pain threshold is different, so you can't judge what your experience will be by someone else's.

One thing I wish I would have better been prepared for was the need for laxatives. TMI perhaps, but I certainly needed them afterwards.

[Bimmer Guy]

I was the same - super painful.  Some people on here kept harping on and on about how pain-free theirs was and they didn't need any meds, so I felt like a weakling, too. 

But that's the thing - everyone's pain threshold is different, so you can't judge what your experience will be by someone else's.

One thing I wish I would have better been prepared for was the need for laxatives. TMI perhaps, but I certainly needed them afterwards.

It's true that the whole pain thing is different for everybody.

In terms of constipation, drinking a lot of water can help with that.

[HeyTrace19]

I was truly surprised at how absolutely 'normal' my body felt without that excess baggage on my chest.  The level of happiness and contentment I felt immediately post surgery was nothing short of amazing.  I was one of those people who had very little pain.  I did not use any of the pain medication, just a few ibuprofen to minimize the swelling.  Since I am fairly active, I was not really prepared for the sense of immobility I felt and for how long lasting it was.  Although I was able to resume work (i.e. heavy lifting) and physical activity 4 weeks post op, I really had limited range of motion for many months.  Sleeping in an upright position for those first few weeks was pretty uncomfortable, and something I did not think about beforehand. 

The most interesting thing I have come to realize is that despite my enthusiasm post-op, the surgery did not give me a masculine chest, it gave me a FLAT chest.  I was so excited to have the breast material gone that it took me some time to realize that my chest did not look at all like that of other men.  Now, five years post op, I am finally seeing more pec development and broadening (lots of push-ups!) which gives me a more satisfying appearance.

[harlee]

When I went for my surgery they made you wear just your underwear underneath the medical gown. One of the guys I was staying with had his top surgery done a day or two before me and said that when he woke up from surgery he was no longer wearing underwear! I don't mean to scare anyone, but that really scared me to think of that (I dont know if he was lying and just trying to scare or trick me tho). Fortunately, I woke up with mine still on but who knows if they removed it and put it back on while I was unconscious 

Otherwise I was extremely exhausted for the first few days after surgery. I struggled to find the energy to get out of bed or even a couch! Walking on the beach or at the mall was tiring and I think I actually experienced how old people feel everyday.

[sam1234]

There is no need to feel weak for needing pain meds after surgery. Even though its the same procedure, there are differences that make the experience vary from person to person. I was a small A cup, so there wasn't a whole lot to remove. The more tissue has to be removed, the longer it takes and the larger the incision. Some of it is also due to tissue handling. There are gentle surgeons and more aggressive ones. That makes a big difference as to how much pain there will be afterwards.

Not all people have the same sensitivity to pain that others do. For some, they can endure a great amount of pain that would put others on the floor. I can take pain well in most of my body, but in my head, it can floor me. We tend to think of humans as having the same inner build as far as nerves and vessels, but that just isn't true. Both nerves and vessels can be where we expect them to be, or off to the side, closer together or missing altogether. Don't be ashamed because you needed pain meds for longer.

sam1234

[jumpthenexttrain]

When I went for my surgery they made you wear just your underwear underneath the medical gown. One of the guys I was staying with had his top surgery done a day or two before me and said that when he woke up from surgery he was no longer wearing underwear! I don't mean to scare anyone, but that really scared me to think of that (I dont know if he was lying and just trying to scare or trick me tho). Fortunately, I woke up with mine still on but who knows if they removed it and put it back on while I was unconscious  :-/

I think it depends on whether they insert a catheter or not. For my surgery I was allowed to keep my underwear on because they said they probably didn't need to cath me. They warned me however that if they did have to cath me, they'd have to remove them. So your friend probably got a catheter at some point in surgery.

[androidnick]

I think it depends on whether they insert a catheter or not. For my surgery I was allowed to keep my underwear on because they said they probably didn't need to cath me. They warned me however that if they did have to cath me, they'd have to remove them. So your friend probably got a catheter at some point in surgery.

LOL I woke up without underwear. But was so happy it didn't even matter.

As for pain, my grandmother had total shoulder replacement and not once took pain killers. And my mother after having a C-section was up and about no problem. So my family itself definitely has a high pain threshold. Not saying I'm not sore and feel like if I stand up straight, things will rip lol but nothing really hurts. And I have a friend who just had top surgery and was in misery so really, everyone is different! And there is no shame in it. I just feel bad that he had to hurt that much.

[Laura_7]

I think it depends on whether they insert a catheter or not. For my surgery I was allowed to keep my underwear on because they said they probably didn't need to cath me. They warned me however that if they did have to cath me, they'd have to remove them. So your friend probably got a catheter at some point in surgery.

Another possibility is that some body liquids find their way out while people are unconscious.
So its possible someone just removed it.


hugs

[caliyr]

I was surprised by the fact that I had almost no pain at all. Not during my hospital stay, not after going home. I did not take any prescribed painkillers and to my surprise, all my pain was mostly on my back or ribs from the binder and nerves recovering, none from the actual surgery scars.

[sam1234]

I wouldn't worry about waking up without underwear. If they took them off while you were under, there was probably a reason like needing to cath you. The body relaxes under anesthesia and you may have urinated and needed to have them taken off. I don't think it was for anything but medical necessity.

sam1234

[Laura_7]

Also, I'm seeing a lot of things people do before surgery.

This is from another posting:

Bruising can be reduced (many believe) with Bromelain 500 mg twice a day, Arnica montana (Boiron brand) dose 30C (take 4 small tablets sublingually, 4 times a day), vitamin C 500 mg (3 times a day) starting 1 week before surgery.
bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following physical injuries and surgery.

All at your own risk... talk this all exactly through with your doctor and endo. Some say to start bromelain after the operation.

hugs

[lost._.at._.sea]

This is from another posting:

Bruising can be reduced (many believe) with Bromelain 500 mg twice a day, Arnica montana (Boiron brand) dose 30C (take 4 small tablets sublingually, 4 times a day), vitamin C 500 mg (3 times a day) starting 1 week before surgery.
bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following physical injuries and surgery.

All at your own risk... talk this all exactly through with your doctor and endo. Some say to start bromelain after the operation.

Thanks for that information I'll have to ask about that when I have my consultation in August.