Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => FTM Top Surgery => Topic started by: assorted_human on December 21, 2015, 09:14:38 PM Return to Full Version
Title: DI: swelling, distortion, irritation (Pics)
Post by: assorted_human on December 21, 2015, 09:14:38 PM
Post by: assorted_human on December 21, 2015, 09:14:38 PM
So I had DI with Dr. Medalie a couple of weeks ago. I think everything looks pretty good so far when I look in the mirror. However, when I look down I can't help but notice that in the center of my chest the right pec has a tiny flap that's a little pudged out. The center (sternum) is stiffer between the incisions than it is further up the sternum. The (center chest) left pec seems a little swollen in the same way as the right. However, when I put on a shirt I can feel the right sides bulge and it gets irritated when the fabric rubs up against it. I'm even considering putting a bandage on it if I have to wear a shirt, just because how irritated it can get (although usually numb).
Another thing is that my right pec looks deflated compared to my left pec. In fact everything with my left pec is going great; Not really any bruising, very little noticeable swelling, looks great and feels fantastic, but I digress. Above the center portion of the incision on outward for the right pec is indented. It feels extremely tight in the muscle and is hard to the touch. The stiffness in the muscle makes it difficult it sit straight, or at least the left doesn't feel bothered.
I also had some issues with the drain on the right side as well. On the third day I noticed that the vacuum bulb wasn't staying deflated. Turns out it had tried to come out on it's own and my dad had to push it back in, as instructed by a doctor at Dr. Medalie's office (at 2 a.m., who called to check up on my later in the morning). I felt fine in the morning, but in the afternoon, my right pec ->-bleeped-<-ing hurt. And even though the vacuum bulb was staying depressed it wasn't vacuuming anything up. Come evening, I finally get some blood and it's so coagulated it'd dad can't clear the bulb out. Another call, we had to put peroxide into the bulb to dissolve the glub.
It seems to be the most bruised where the stiff/depressed area is. The center of my chest isn't too bruised. Basically, are these things normal? Could it just be extra trauma from the drain issue? Or might I need a revision...too soon to tell?
I'm not too bothered by the indent if that were permanent (aside from stiffness) , but this squishy flap thing is annoying.
I have been taking it easy, but making the most of my range of motion.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_24242_zps4waddn8p.jpg&hash=9caa29d4e2f4e9621f12fe8e54ea819d0eb0bb49) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2424_zpscqmxhacf.jpg&hash=566c774d577c057eced6e400ff5be4fd44e345a5)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_24412_zpspc5teyfn.jpg&hash=543836c981a9db0ced62d83f95c189531671da31) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2441_zpsarpvjzqv.jpg&hash=839dc295a147105be3320430f4c11701531d7838) Right (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2442_zpslvwwu11i.jpg&hash=91c9c19bcfa4ca331ddfd0a505c7c26d21a3a759) Left (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2439_zps3y5un0ua.jpg&hash=a7de1778e0174b91680a250ad755e9c51e8284dd) Weird angle
Another thing is that my right pec looks deflated compared to my left pec. In fact everything with my left pec is going great; Not really any bruising, very little noticeable swelling, looks great and feels fantastic, but I digress. Above the center portion of the incision on outward for the right pec is indented. It feels extremely tight in the muscle and is hard to the touch. The stiffness in the muscle makes it difficult it sit straight, or at least the left doesn't feel bothered.
I also had some issues with the drain on the right side as well. On the third day I noticed that the vacuum bulb wasn't staying deflated. Turns out it had tried to come out on it's own and my dad had to push it back in, as instructed by a doctor at Dr. Medalie's office (at 2 a.m., who called to check up on my later in the morning). I felt fine in the morning, but in the afternoon, my right pec ->-bleeped-<-ing hurt. And even though the vacuum bulb was staying depressed it wasn't vacuuming anything up. Come evening, I finally get some blood and it's so coagulated it'd dad can't clear the bulb out. Another call, we had to put peroxide into the bulb to dissolve the glub.
It seems to be the most bruised where the stiff/depressed area is. The center of my chest isn't too bruised. Basically, are these things normal? Could it just be extra trauma from the drain issue? Or might I need a revision...too soon to tell?
I'm not too bothered by the indent if that were permanent (aside from stiffness) , but this squishy flap thing is annoying.
I have been taking it easy, but making the most of my range of motion.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_24242_zps4waddn8p.jpg&hash=9caa29d4e2f4e9621f12fe8e54ea819d0eb0bb49) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2424_zpscqmxhacf.jpg&hash=566c774d577c057eced6e400ff5be4fd44e345a5)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_24412_zpspc5teyfn.jpg&hash=543836c981a9db0ced62d83f95c189531671da31) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2441_zpsarpvjzqv.jpg&hash=839dc295a147105be3320430f4c11701531d7838) Right (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2442_zpslvwwu11i.jpg&hash=91c9c19bcfa4ca331ddfd0a505c7c26d21a3a759) Left (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1379.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah130%2Fassortedhuman%2FIMG_2439_zps3y5un0ua.jpg&hash=a7de1778e0174b91680a250ad755e9c51e8284dd) Weird angle
Title: Re: DI: swelling, distortion, irritation
Post by: Alexthecat on December 21, 2015, 09:45:11 PM
Post by: Alexthecat on December 21, 2015, 09:45:11 PM
We need a picture to see the extent of the issue.
Title: Re: DI: swelling, distortion, irritation
Post by: FTMax on December 21, 2015, 09:52:54 PM
Post by: FTMax on December 21, 2015, 09:52:54 PM
Post some pics if you can. I think I'm following everything you're saying, but I'm hesitant to give specific advice sight unseen.
General advice - If surgery was only a few weeks ago, you're still pretty fresh. I was told not to think about a revision until around the 6 month mark. By then, things will have had a chance to settle out. Swelling should be very minimal. The only things still changing at this point are likely coloration and shape in the nips. I'm still noticing things changing in small ways even now at 8 months post-op. So I'd say somewhere between 6-10 months is where you'll want to make a decision about a revision.
I had a lot of minor cosmetic issues early on (I think under 8 weeks) that healed on their own or with very little effort on my part. I had issues with the drains while they were in, with the holes once they were out, and I had a lot of irritation from the compression vest. All very minor things in my mind.
You could also send pics to Medalie's office for them to look at. If there's something wrong, they'd let you know.
General advice - If surgery was only a few weeks ago, you're still pretty fresh. I was told not to think about a revision until around the 6 month mark. By then, things will have had a chance to settle out. Swelling should be very minimal. The only things still changing at this point are likely coloration and shape in the nips. I'm still noticing things changing in small ways even now at 8 months post-op. So I'd say somewhere between 6-10 months is where you'll want to make a decision about a revision.
I had a lot of minor cosmetic issues early on (I think under 8 weeks) that healed on their own or with very little effort on my part. I had issues with the drains while they were in, with the holes once they were out, and I had a lot of irritation from the compression vest. All very minor things in my mind.
You could also send pics to Medalie's office for them to look at. If there's something wrong, they'd let you know.