Swelling after Surgery [Updated Oct]

[joeybrogue]

Hey!

[Post-Op DI Day 8]

I notice in viewing lots of guys YouTube videos or photos, most times the swelling appears quite minor and you mostly just see "gross" nipples in the first few weeks and the scar.  However, very few actually show "chest" swelling.  I just had top surgery done and for some reason it almost looks as though I still have small breasts-- not so much that they have any sag, but that they are there. 

I had a severe allergic reaction, so my doctor told me a little extra swelling is expected, and she said I had pectoral muscles.   I have worked on them pretty hard the last few months-- but I didn't think they'd have gotten that big that she'd have to "work with them," etc.  It has me rather worried that I'll need a revision.  (I went with Dr. Kathy Rumer.)  I had seen 5 other photos, all her work was well and "flat."  I'm not so flat. 

I really think I'm just impatient and high anxiety, but anyone else WHO IS NOW FLAT have this kind of swelling?  I refuse to believe 3 months of working out left me with this much muscle! Lol  They say pecs. are the hardest thing to make!  I even went through ALL the images of Transbucket seeking out someone who still had some breast tissue left and wanted revisions, I couldn't find this instance, nor found one with pecs. >.<

So, I'm just following her routine of keeping ace bandaged up to help things move along. ALSO:  To the touch I can't say much, it isn't mushy, but isn't rock hard.  In fact, it's uncomfortable to touch since I guess it's healing, lol.  Numb, but uncomfortable.  Like I can feel the incision or something-- so the idea of it being fluid is a little too early to tell.

Any of you post-op or know of any other guys having swelling as such?

Thanks for any experiences. =)

[joeybrogue]

No, absolutely no bruising nor hematomas. 

I had a very bad allergic reaction to the ...everything (post: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,97579.0.html) and the skin underneath my sides is really STILL swollen, like my upper arms bump into it, and it's not fluid, it's just pretty thick, I assume heavily irritated skin and then scar tissue.  At this time she still keeps telling me to be patient with the swelling, but I really just feel she didn't remove enough tissue.  (I'm super self-conscious so that doesn't help!)

I have lightly applied pressure to my chest in various spots, the side (think left of the left nipple, right of the right nipple) and that's the only area that "smushy," the rest is fairly hard, but not like that of which is under my arms.  I kind of want to take photos and ask someone, but a wee-bit too shy to show the possibly botched production and the allergic reaction still  thrives.  Hopefully this goes down, if not... revision I suppose! 

Thanks for replying!  I just have yet to see anyone with this, and that leaves me a little uncomfortable. [Maybe I'll try and take a photo and manipulate it so I'm more comfortable posting it... ]

[Miniar]

The tissue would be "smushy" if that were the problem..
It's likely just swelling and lingering allergic reaction.

Don't worry, not yet.

If it's still swollen in a month, then pester the doc to have a look.

[joeybrogue]

Thanks for the input!  The tissue is less and less smushy it seems, now it's almost nearing a month.  I still have these chesticle things going on, but I guess maybe the swelling on the sides, plus maybe some actual pec. muscles this could be happening.  I just read how much work it took to create pecs. it seems unrealistic, but 3 months of only doing chest work maybe did pay off.  If so, once I'm healed out I just need to work on the top of them and this could be a project to clean the rest of my pathetic physique up, haha!

Grats on your top surgery, as long as that counter is correct. =)

Below are links to, covered (yes, still lots of allergic reaction leftovers leaving me camera shy of shirtlessness) me at a little over 3 weeks post-op. 

http://img269.imageshack.us/i/img0108cr.jpg/ { side view
http://img716.imageshack.us/i/img01012.jpg/ { 7/8 view -- best showing what I'm talking about. when i use my arm it goes flat in that one area like that, lol.  I suppose this is normal!?

Will post as anything changes to help out that one loner down the line who also goes into panic mode! =P Of course, any input still appreciated about the subject matter.

[Miniar]

Looks good to me...
I doubt that any tissue that's left is glandular, doesn't "look" that way to me, though ofcourse I can't really tell all that well by sight.
If there's anything left there that isn't swelling/allergic reaction, I'd suspect it'd be fat tissue, which will dissipate as you keep working on your body and will make your chest look more natural if anything.

And yes, that counter's correct. Thanks

I'm itching to know when I can expect the most of the swelling to be gone so I can get a general idea of my own result.
Got reveal later on today. First bandage change.

[mm]

joeybrogue you look great to me, nice male chest profile in those pics. Your Dr did a great job for what I can see.  What were you before for size?

[Janet_Girl]

Ohhh some many men so little time.  Looking good there, Joey

[joeybrogue]

Thanks everyone! 

@mm I was a large B, small C prior.  I didn't bind like most, so my skin was still pretty firm and she did mention that-- not sure why... But anyway, thanks for the input.

@Miniar Woot!  I hope the revealing went well!  I remember mine, it was Day 3, a day or two early so she could remove those cursed strips.  Oh it was so weird to be standing with no shirt on and being like, "omg.  They are gone."  It was a great moment, but it was also awkward.  Like, all those years they were just there... living off of you.. causing you so much angst.  And now, they are off in some medical waste bin or something.  Almost feel sorry for 'um. 

I'm still quite conscious about this because when I wear a t-shirt it's like, these bumps are there and it's awkward.  Again, I'm perhaps one of the most body conscious people and although I didn't demand perfection of the surgery, my goal was "Never to mind or bra-up again!"  And it's like, with this swelling (er, whatever it is...) it feels like I really need to still wear something to get flat.  >.<

And too, as these "dissolving" stitches are "dissolving" I have discovered that I'm also allergic to them.  Boy I never want surgery again! Lol 

@Janet...  Say wha?   =P /hug

[joeybrogue]

No, she just wanted me to wear a wide ace-wrap for the following weeks.  I actually had one of my binding-compression vests on a few times too.  It didn't seem to make a drastic change, though.  I do keep the ace wrap on everyday though, however once in a while I give it a rest.  My body wants air! lol.   Right now the color is still changing, and I have found I'm also allergic to the stupid dissolving stitches! AHH!

So more grossness.  It's like, all my incision opened up these tiny holes and pushed them right to the surface.  Not the most attractive site, but also nothing worrisome, fortunately!  She said it will probably increase the scar visibility, but that's not my concern.

Hopefully more "puffiness" subsides.  July 4th she said I can return to activities!  Thank god, I'm going crazy with all these halts. 

[bojangles]

I'm not flat yet at 6 months, despite being a very small size before surgery. Had a lot of swelling that has been slow to shrink...maybe due to my age. But it has definitely improved.
Something that has helped is keeping a photo diary. Without that, I would not be able to see the progress.
Surgeon said it can take a year for everything to settle in, so that's how long I need to give it before freaking out.
If it matters, my procedure was more of the keyhole type.

[joeybrogue]

I'm not sure if anyone will view this since it is old, but here are new photos:

Notes:
I still have this "swelling" (puffiness? extra tissue? who knows!) by my armpits, which is actually very firm.  On the bottom right of my right nipple, an the bottom left of my left nipple, it's a little puffy.  I see my doctor in October and  I'm going to guess she'll say keep up with the exercise, etc.  The only time it really bothers me is when I lean over because it's... quite a bit much. 

Other than that I've always slow to lose scars.  I use Bio Oil at night, Mederma in the morning.  Not as often as I should, but I also use other things for weird skin scarring issues that deal with the hair follicle, but body acne (gross gross gross).   

I only started working out much later since I had those cursed stitches popping out of my incision up until a few weeks ago, and I think one more spot wants out, but isn't making it.   Maybe the doctor will get it out, I will update again at that time. 

lol @ My very puny arms.  I guess time to work on the biceps!  XD

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/img0166sr.jpg/ - front view

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/31/img0168uc.jpg/ - side view

My nipples are kinda "bumpy" at that is just weird.  I hope that they flatten over time!

[Miniar]

From where I'm sitting, it looks ->-bleeped-<-ing awesome.
I see the puffiness you're referring to though, probably because you pointed it out and therefore I was looking for it.
It's not enough to be clearly noticeable, at least to me, unless it's already pointed out.

If it's numb/sore ish to poke, then it's likely swelling, and not leftover tissue.
At least, that's what my doc's given me for feedback.
I might be getting a small lipo as "correction" depending on how much poofyness is left on my chest in November. Cause I've got a fair bit there myself.

[Ender]

It looks like the swelling has gone down, compared to the earlier set of photos.  It can take a loong time for things to fully settle.  I had a peri and, while I didn't have an allergic reaction and only minor swelling issues, there was definitely still 'weirdness' that persisted for >1 year.  One side was worse than the other and I could feel lumpy, fibrous swelling under the skin.  By the texture, I thought it was leftover breast tissue and that I was going to need a revision for it.  I know it was still there at a year post-op, but at some point during the second year (I stopped paying attention to it) it went away.  My nerves and sensation continue to improve and the pleating/bumpiness of the areolae is still improving.  My surgeon said that I could have a fairly good idea of my final results at 9 months but honestly, things have continued to improve since then.  It's a very slight, slow improvement, but it's something I can see and I'm liking it.

I can definitely commiserate on the scary feeling of having something happen after surgery that you've never seen photos of.  I just had a meta and I have an unevenly swollen penis.  I have never seen photos of something like this.  Granted, there aren't very many early photos of metas, anyways--they're usually completely healed by the time that people feel OK with posting photos.  I can see why. 

The first time I saw things, before the swelling set in, I thought my results were awesome.  The second time I saw things, my scrotum was purple (I was expecting that, but still--yikes) and everything was very swollen.  I was freaked out and worried, but my surgeon was not the least bit shocked to see the swelling.  He said he was pleased with the results.  He said to give it 6 months and from the talk online, it sounds like improvements can continue long after that.

[Ender]

This is good to hear because I have a couple of spots like that. It has very slowly gotten better, -hopefully time will see more improvements yet.

There are a lot of reports of what happens during and soon after surgery, but I often think there isn't enough discussion of what happens in the long(er) term post-op.  I also think there's a lack of discussion of some of the more 'negative' things: nerve damage, lumps or leftover tissue, pleating or other contour oddities at scar lines, some of which might only appear when one is slouching over.  About that last part: my peri looks good when standing up straight (tight skin, well-contoured, no obvious pleating), but when I slouch the skin appears looser and pleating becomes more visible.  I'm still overall very happy with my results, but that is one lingering oddity.

Kvall, I believe you were the one who had a comma-shaped incision to take up extra skin with your peri?  Please keep us updated; I for one am interested in how that extra incision might reduce the appearance of extra skin or pleating.  Had I known that was an option, I might have had that done.

[Arch]

Joey, it looks very good to me, but I'm not sure what happens when you bend over. Would it be possible to post pics of that? If you're not comfortable with that, it's fine. But it might give us a better idea of what you're concerned about.

I think your scars look great--mine aren't very good and don't follow the pec line--and you seem to have nicely developed pecs. But the other guys are right, it can take months and months for things to settle down completely. Definitely bring up your concerns when you see your doctor, but she might feel that six months is too soon to tell.

[justmeinoz]

Ny son is FtM (normal families are sooo boring  ) ) and your chest looks okay to me, compared to his post-surgery.
It looks as though the gym work really paid off in the pec dept.  If your arms and shoulders develop the same way you will have no problem passing as a pretty fit guy.

Karen.

[joeybrogue]

@Miniar

Thanks again for the feedback.  I'm super self-conscious, one of those "shut up" kind I suppose.  The puffy spot is completely numb, so that made me think just how it may just need more time.  Which, is a nice relief.  I hope it just pans out that way! 

I hope your situation works out well.  I sought out your thread and you look good and have very little scarring!  Amazing!  Lipo doesn't sound too bad, and I have heard some didn't have to get completely knocked out for it as long as they "could tolerate the sucking noise" since it is so minimal.

@Ender

I actually had to view my old photos to compare, since I hadn't.  Good observation! lol  It does feel weird, actually.  Like "pads" of round spots under there, they don't move or anything, not very noticable, but if I take my first two fingers and gently push in that area, they are just there. I noticed them a very long time ago and tey haven't changed much and don't hurt.  They are not the same on each side either, so I'm certain they aren't breast tissue, or whatever that "would be." 

I wish you lots of luck with your meta healing!  That has to be worrisome, esp. for many since they have surgeries performed cross country or over seas and geting to your doctor is not the easiest, or quickest, task. 

@Arch

I'm going to give this another month with the "bend over" awkwardness, if it doesn't subside some, I'll surely post a photo for others to relate to or, learn of.  I have a feeling she will say, "just give it time," but that bugs me knowing I'll only have 6 more months of keeping an eye out to utilize those "Free revision."  (1 year expiration!)  And living far away makes the trip a pain in the butt. 

@Justmeinoz

Thanks!  I want to workout, and although I realize it might help make me feel better physicall and mentally, I'm in a sour down mood lately and haven't been at it.  Hopefully I will soon. 

[Miniar]

^^ Thanks.
I don't scar that bad usually and I'm a fast healer in general, so having this thick, firm-ish, numb, swollen area under the skin is irritating to me, but your thread makes it a little less bothersome cause, yaknow, it's not just me who's dealing with it.

[Arch]

I had pretty large numb area that took over a year to sort out (it's gone now), but swelling is a different matter. And texture, too...don't know what to say to y'all.

If you have a one-year window for the free revision, then that complicates matters. Some surgeons don't want to do revisions until a year has passed. Not being a surgeon, I honestly don't know what should be considered good practice.

I had my dog tags taken in about six months after my surgery, but I don't think dog tags are quite the same as the actual chest!

[joeybrogue]

Well, this month I had my first in-office check-up with Dr. Rumer and discussed:

- Bumpy nipples
- "Puffiness"
- Scars

She said the nipples will flatten over time, and right prior to my 1 year mark, for me to make an appointment and she can "touch-up" any possible spots which are still dis-pleasurable to my very self-conscious eyes.  As far as the puffiness, she didn't see it as problematic, but I did show her when I lean how it looks, and she said give it, again, more time-- and if that doesn't subside she can do a little lipo, also in office, when I visit again in early April! 

So far, so good.  I haven't been exercises lately, just a bit down and not feeling it right now.  I noticed my fur is really filling in though, haha.  Otherwise, I haven't been really using any of the scar treatments, and she said as long as I'm fine with that-- hey!  That's my deal.  I'm just awful at regimens, and scar treatment is a regimen for sure. My aunt, who has had several surgeries with hefty incisions, said that in the winter months she noticed her scars sometimes hurt-- perhaps from the weather, and that I may want to start oiling up to prepare.  Not sure if it does happen to many, or even me, but we'll see!  I'll maybe post update photos soon.  Right now I'm kinda puffy and not up for a photo op! 

Also found this article > http://everybodysgood.com/blogs/guest/322/your-guide-ftm-gender-reassignment-surgery-dr-kath/ featuring Dr. Rumer recently, check her out if you're browsing docs. =)