Weighing the consequences--my social comfort with my identity

[FtMitch]

I want to have top surgery, badly, but the way some people are "trans" or "gay" or whatever as part of their identity?  That's how I am about horseback riding.  I am an equestrian.  It's my main hobby, most of my income goes to it, and I'm pretty dang good.  Top surgery takes people out of things like exercising for at least a month, but horse back riding uses all your muscles AND is highly dangerous (I ride English and jump horses) with a high risk of falling, so I assume they are would probably want me to wait beyond a month.  I already had to go almost a month without riding when I got pneumonia and it SUCKED.  I have to get top surgery--I want these boobies gone--but I just don't know how to deal with having to take so much time away from what I love!  My other hobby is SCUBA diving, which obviously is not something you want to do anytime after surgery!  Most of my social interaction is at the barn, and I will miss so much being away for two months!  How did you guys deal with this stuff mentally?  Logically I know it worth it, but emotionally I want to ride!

[WorkingOnThomas]

I'm extremely caught up in my work and my research. The thought of being out of it for even two weeks makes me anxious. But then I think, well, even if I'm not up to a lot for even a month, what's a month compared to the rest of my life?

[groudon18]

I understand the frustration... but as said above a few months of rest is so worth being comfortable with your body for the rest of your life and including during those activities once you've healed. how about this: is there a time of year, such as winter, where you are less active in your sports? you could try to plan surgery around that time for healing. it's not really the same, but i could have scheduled my surgery for a few weeks earlier than it was, but i didn't want to miss out on my boyfriend's senior prom and other events. thankfully the timing of other events i go to align with my surgery recovery time with not much scheduled until at least a few weeks after. and just remember that there will always be time to ride and dive, etc... missing a little bit of time to better yourself and your body, becoming more comfortable, is important. but all of those things will still be there for you once you're better!

[Tysilio]

Prepare for surgery by coming up with ways to stay involved and stay active. It's true that you wouldn't want to be doing the kind of riding you normally do for a while -- I'd guess a couple of months is a pretty accurate estimate -- but you don't have to give up everything related, do you?  You can still hang out at the barn, maybe coach younger/less experienced riders, and have the social part of being there. I'm also guessing that you could take a calm, sensible horse out for some trail rides or whatever without too much risk well before you'd be able to resume more hard-core riding.

You can also find types of exercise that will let you keep your fitness up -- walking, riding a stationary bike, doing lower-body strength work (especially if you have access to weight machines).

Be creative, man! You know you want that surgery. 

[FTMax]

I think you have to think about the relative impact of everything on your overall quality of life in the present and in the future. Sure, it will leave you less active for several weeks now, but think about how much more comfortable you will be in the future.

[FtMitch]

Prepare for surgery by coming up with ways to stay involved and stay active. It's true that you wouldn't want to be doing the kind of riding you normally do for a while -- I'd guess a couple of months is a pretty accurate estimate -- but you don't have to give up everything related, do you?  You can still hang out at the barn, maybe coach younger/less experienced riders, and have the social part of being there. I'm also guessing that you could take a calm, sensible horse out for some trail rides or whatever without too much risk well before you'd be able to resume more hard-core riding.

You can also find types of exercise that will let you keep your fitness up -- walking, riding a stationary bike, doing lower-body strength work (especially if you have access to weight machines).

Be creative, man! You know you want that surgery. 

That is a really great idea, man!  I hadn't really thought about it like that.  At the very least I can watch my friends ride--it's always fun to watch people jump.