HRT after SRS

[Valerie Elizabeth]

So, I almost posted this in post-op life but I felt like it was a little more suited for here.  If it needs to be moved please feel free.

So, I need to preface this question a little bit.

I started HRT on February 25th, 2009.  I had FFS about 4 months later, but was off hormones about 1.5 weeks before the surgery and about 2-3 weeks after for a total of about a month.  After that I was on hormones again till two weeks before my SRS which was on February 25th, 2010.  I was off them again for about 2.5 weeks after that again for about a month total.

When I started back up on hormones after my FFS I had realized that I had lost everything I had gained (wasn't much because of the time I was on them).  The same thing happened with my SRS, except this time I lost a lot more.  I went from a small a cup to basically a flat chest again (the breast tissue itself is still there, but it feels way smaller).  My Estrogen doses were lowered (just a tiny bit) after SRS, but I remain on spiro at my pre-op levels.  My surgeon (and some info on the internet) recommend this because of the short time I was on HRT to begin with.

My question is, has anyone had this happen before, or had a similar experience?  How long after SRS did you notice any breast development (anyone)?  I know my time line was a little fast tracked, but I was hoping someone could weigh in with some relevant experiences.

I have to say, I have some really amazing drag friends and sometimes I am jealous of the cleavage they attain.  I'm about ready to explode.  The gain and loss and gain and loss is murder!

[AmySmiles]

I self medicated a couple times before I started HRT officially.  Each time I stopped, I experienced exactly what you describe.  When I started again, the growth was faster than it was before because I already had some tissue.  It takes a little time (maybe a month?) for the breast tissue to enlarge again, but after that I think you should be growing as normal.

[blackMamba]

My question is, has anyone had this happen before, or had a similar experience?  How long after SRS did you notice any breast development (anyone)?  I know my time line was a little fast tracked, but I was hoping someone could weigh in with some relevant experiences.

Hi Valerie,

I had a very similar experience.  I felt like I lost some breast tissue after SRS and not sure I really gained it back, maybe a little.  I keep hearing about post-ops that experience additional breast growth after surgery, but I haven't seen that myself yet (I'm about 8 months post-op).   

I had been on hormones for a few years before surgery, and my hormonal levels were all out of whack after surgery.  I'm currently a half a tablet of spiro every day in addition to about the same dosage of estradiol pre-op.  Plus I'm cycling progesterone.  I think the progesterone has stimulated some breast growth, maybe not so much visible but I can feel it.  But I can't be positive that's what did it.  Also, my T level is next to non-existent.  I take some T now and then, but really have a hard time with the side effects (real and psychological).

So, I wish I could offer you some hope, but I'm still holding out for some myself.  I'm probably about the same size I was pre-op, but sometimes it feels like less.  Maybe someone else can share a more positive outcome. 

((hugs))

[gothique11]

it can take months -- it's 'cause your body is still healing  and spends more energy on that. After a few months -- almost 6, I started to get regrowth back.