Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi. I've only posted here once or twice. I'm not the big forum type. But I do have some concerns on my top surgery. I finally had my top surgery on Wednesday. I find that when I sleep, I wake up feeling like someone laid a textbook across my chest. This feeling might be numbness that subsides when I start moving around. I'm wondering if there is too much pressure from the compression vest, or if I might not be sleeping elevated enough. I am worried that I might suffer from some tissue death from lack of blood to the area. I might be paranoid because as far as I can tell everything looks normal. I also have a strange pulling sensation in my nipples, mostly the right one sometimes when I do something as simple as scratch my face.
I get the nipple gauze removed next Wednesday, and I have an appointment that I can either go to or skip tomorrow. I think that because of my concern I should go to it, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice or insight on what is going on so I'm not sitting here chewing my nails over it. Is this normal? 

I don't about normal but definitely talk to your surgeon about it. They'll know more than a bunch of people on the internet, anyway.

Quote from: FTMKyle on June 29, 2014, 08:22:08 PM
Hi. I've only posted here once or twice. I'm not the big forum type. But I do have some concerns on my top surgery. I finally had my top surgery on Wednesday. I find that when I sleep, I wake up feeling like someone laid a textbook across my chest. This feeling might be numbness that subsides when I start moving around. I'm wondering if there is too much pressure from the compression vest, or if I might not be sleeping elevated enough. I am worried that I might suffer from some tissue death from lack of blood to the area. I might be paranoid because as far as I can tell everything looks normal. I also have a strange pulling sensation in my nipples, mostly the right one sometimes when I do something as simple as scratch my face.
I get the nipple gauze removed next Wednesday, and I have an appointment that I can either go to or skip tomorrow. I think that because of my concern I should go to it, but I was wondering if anyone has any advice or insight on what is going on so I'm not sitting here chewing my nails over it. Is this normal?

Definitely go to your appointment tomorrow.  I personally slept sitting up for weeks.

Never lose the opportunity to see your doctor. Sometimes, something is wrong and you don't even realize it.

With that said, I had numbness for quite some time; I suppose I might have compared it to having a heavy book on my chest for an extended period. In fact, I still have a few small numb spots that never quite sorted themselves out. And I did experience that tugging feeling you described. I rarely stressed the stitches in that way, though.

But definitely ask your doctor.

ok. thanks guys. Glad I'm not the only one who has experienced this. I will definitely talk to my surgeon. I went out and bought two new pillows so I could have better elevation when I sleep. See if that helps with the heavy book feeling. Now if there were only a way to deal with the annoying itching. No body ever talks about that part. It will all be worth it after I heal though.

So I am going to my appointment today. I talked to the surgical nurse, and she said the sensations I am feeling are normal. I slept a little more propped up last night. It helped a little with the heavy book feeling, but not completely. But again, that was something the nurse said was going to happen and that I should try to sleep as propped as I can. Other than that, it is nice and hot, I have no idea if I can wear deodorant, and I smell like a monkey's butt. Happy almost summer everyone! :P

Oh boy, who doesn't mention the itching. It's much worse than the pain. Dr Garramone recommends Benadryl or Zyrtec. I read about Zyrtec and found it only works if you have been taking it awhile. So I started earlish, since I take something like this year round. Benadryl or Zyrtec will take the edge off, but since you haven't (I assumed taken Zyrtec I'd recommend the Benadryl). It doesn't really solve the problem.

After surgery I did use the baby wipes and deodorant. It's not going to interact with anything. Go ahead for whoever is with, geeze, buddy!!! (I heard that Dr G started telling guys to wash as some of them were coming into the post ops fairly ripe. :)  )

--Jay

Yeah I asked my doc if I could use deodorant and he replied "Oh yes, please!" Funny guy. The nurse said I didn't stink. I also double checked the funny sensations with my doctor and he explained them to me, so I'm not really worried anymore. Next step is the removal of the nipple blankets, dubbed so by my sister. Then I can shower. Yay!

I don't remember being itchy. If I was, it couldn't have been very dramatic.