Stopping T for top surgery?

[blackcat]

So the appointment I have booked in which I can ask the appropriate professionals all of these questions is not until the end of July. So I was wondering................

What's up with stopping T and top surgery? How long do you have to stop T for? Does the method of administration matter (like I read gel leaves the system very quickly)?

My original plan was to not start T until after top surgery... a year from now. I'm not keen on the idea of starting, only to stop again. But I also have to consider starting T before surgery if I lose all of my marbles and can't get out from underneath the dysphoria bus.

Because if there's one wish I could have granted while recovering from surgery, it would definitely be to experience a horrible period. Said no one ever. 

I'd love to have a hysto and top surgery at the same time, but that would involve somehow finding a way to get hit by the money bus.

Thanks

[Kylo]

My surgeon never required stopping it. There's no actual need to stop it, and I've no idea why people do. After all cis men can't stop taking their natural testosterone whenever they have surgery.

But if you did stop it it would probably only be for a couple of weeks beforehand. It would be manageable.

[blackcat]

The instances I've read about people being told to stop were all anecdotal, so maybe it's only recommended to stop with certain other risk factors (something about blood/clotting/not sure?). Hmmmm...

Anyway, that's good to know. Thanks.

[Dex]

Exogenous testosterone (any sex hormone, really) does carry an increased risk of blood clots from what I've heard.

I have had top surgery, complete hysterectomy/oophorectomy, plus a hip surgery due to injury since I've been on T. The only time I was asked to hold injecting was with my hysterectomy, she recommended I hold my injection 2 days longer than I was due (I was due to inject the day of surgery). I haven't been asked to hold or abstain from my injections any other time.

I am due to have metoidioplasty with scrotoplasty and Vaginectomy 6/15 and haven't received my full pre op instructions packet yet but I'm not sure if they will require it or not. As mentioned, worst case scenario would be you'd be asked to hold a week or two pre-surgery and/or a week or two after. It wouldn't be for any substantial time period.

It does depend on the surgeon, from what I've heard, though.