Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Wanted to post sooner, but with the traveling and pride weekend haven't had a chance.  Got back from Phoenix where I had my top surgery on Thursday July 10.  I'm very pleased with it.  I was expecting lots more pain than I had.  Only hit the pain pump once, mainly cuz I was curious about it.  The drain tubes came out on Monday July 14.  The next day my mom and I went to the Grand Canyon. 

One funny thing happened down in Phoenix.  I knew my breasts were on the large size, but didn't realise just how large they were until surgery.  Meltzer removed 9 and a half pounds of breast tissue.  When Mom heard this, she said 'those were're breasts, they were udders.'

Alex

I have multiple questions for you! If you don't mind...

What type of incisions were made?
Does it hurt where the breast tissue used to be?
How are your nipples doing?
Is there excess baggy skin?
If there is/was some, will/did it tighten over the healing period?
What are the draining tubes for?
Did you have to wear a chest brace during early recovery?

Sorry, I just want to know some of this, even though top surgery won't happen for me for a few years...

I'm glad things have worked out for you!

Quote from: Alex509 on July 20, 2008, 11:13:10 PM
One funny thing happened down in Phoenix.  I knew my breasts were on the large size, but didn't realise just how large they were until surgery.  Meltzer removed 9 and a half pounds of breast tissue.  When Mom heard this, she said 'those were're breasts, they were udders.'

LMAO that's funny, but 9 and a half pounds?! Damn, your mother was right.

And lol at the attack of questions from Elwood!! ...but if you don't mind answering I'd be glad to hear the answers too. I heard us guys with the smaller chest sizes don't have to have the incisions under the breast for chest surgery, that there's some other way to do it...

Congrats on your chest surgery, hope you're still feeling awesome since you were well enough to go to the Grand canyon afterward  :D

Lol.
That's gotta make your weight go down.

Congrats man!

Congrates. I am glad it went well and those were huge. When I woke up my surgeons asked me if there was anything I wanted to know and I asked if they were gone. She said yes and I told her thats all I needed to know.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Quote from: Elwood on July 20, 2008, 11:16:46 PM
I have multiple questions for you! If you don't mind...

What type of incisions were made?
Does it hurt where the breast tissue used to be?
How are your nipples doing?
Is there excess baggy skin?
If there is/was some, will/did it tighten over the healing period?
What are the draining tubes for?
Did you have to wear a chest brace during early recovery?

Sorry, I just want to know some of this, even though top surgery won't happen for me for a few years...

I'm glad things have worked out for you!

I don't mind questions.  Here are my answers:

Obviously cuz of the size I had the double incison.
No, it doesn't hurt where the breast tissue used to be.  Right now the pain is mostly on the side near my armpits.
The nipples are doing great.  I'm following post-op instructions and applying antibiotic ointment and xeroform guaze.
I haven't noticed any excess baggy skin.
The drain tubes are to collect excess fluid and blood from the tissue. 
Yes, I'm wearing a binder currently and will continue to do so for another couple of weeks.

Thanks, Alex! You've helped ease a lot of my anxiety!  ;D Good to hear about your experiences.

Posted on: July 21, 2008, 08:26:58 AM

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Quote from: trapthavok on July 20, 2008, 11:50:05 PMAnd lol at the attack of questions from Elwood!! ...but if you don't mind answering I'd be glad to hear the answers too. I heard us guys with the smaller chest sizes don't have to have the incisions under the breast for chest surgery, that there's some other way to do it...

Keyhole. It's the kind I'll work with if my breasts don't suddenly inflate over the next couple years.

It's a tiny incision by the nipple. It's goddamn seamless and beautiful work. The chest pretty much looks natural (unless the doctor was a moron and ->-bleeped-<-ed up the nipples, which might be able to be fixed during a second phase).

i can only image how
relieved, excited, thrilled
you must be...

congratulations to you
with hopes for continuing
success in your recovery!

Quote from: Elwood on July 21, 2008, 10:28:34 AM
Thanks, Alex! You've helped ease a lot of my anxiety!  ;D Good to hear about your experiences.

Posted on: July 21, 2008, 08:26:58 AM

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Quote from: trapthavok on July 20, 2008, 11:50:05 PMAnd lol at the attack of questions from Elwood!! ...but if you don't mind answering I'd be glad to hear the answers too. I heard us guys with the smaller chest sizes don't have to have the incisions under the breast for chest surgery, that there's some other way to do it...

Keyhole. It's the kind I'll work with if my breasts don't suddenly inflate over the next couple years.

It's a tiny incision by the nipple. It's goddamn seamless and beautiful work. The chest pretty much looks natural (unless the doctor was a moron and ->-bleeped-<-ed up the nipples, which might be able to be fixed during a second phase).

SWEET. And this is for guys with B cups and smaller? Cause now I'll be grateful for my B cup.

Alex, does the binder you have to wear now cause additional pain to the pain in your chest? Or is it that your chest doesn't hurt bad enough for the binder to make a difference/ the binder is not uncomfortable? Great answers for us curious guys, thanks.

Congrats Alex! 9 lbs, whoa!  Bet that feels a lot better on your back now. Glad it went well and no complications.

Traphovack:

From what I hear, they do perform keyhole on b-cups but it also depends on the shape and elasticity of your breasts. You can send pics to a surgeon and he'll tell you if you're a candidate for keyhole.

Also, I haven't really looked into this as I'm not a candidate for keyhole anyhow, but a lot of guys who've had it told me it almost always requires revisions.

Woo! I'm only an A so I could probably get keyhole, right?

As long as they aren't saggy, Monty.

Then it looks like I'm a good candidate. I suppose I wont know until I talk to the doctor about it though because you never know.

The bigger issue is actually finding someone to do it I guess... who does it well and isn't really far away. I can't deal with planes anymore.

I think most top surgeons who cater to ftms do it.

If you want keyhole be careful how you bind, most methods or doing it too long can stretch the skin too much to allow for it. Everyone I know has had revisions with this surgery. Just don't go for the liposuction.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Yeah. Even though I hate having breasts, I work hard to maintain breast healthy for keyhole. They're flexible and perky. I think I have the ideal set for keyhole. Lol.

This is one of the reasons I don't bind. I do wear tank tops underneath to smooth things down, but I don't put any stress on my chest (in essence, crushing it). I tried it for a short time and it looked good but it was very uncomfortable. So I settle with something in between, which is better than nothing and it causes no harm to the tissue.

congrats on the surgery dude... i'm currently researching right now.

how helpless have you been after?  i don't really have anyone to help me out so this is my main concern.

Any surgery will make you tired for a few days after. Most surgeries take a few weeks to a month to fully regain strength, mobility, and awareness. It takes a big toll on your body, even if it's a small procedure.

Since this is a fairly major procedure, I'd say that you'd be pretty hopeless for at least a few days. And still not able to lift refrigerators for a few weeks.

well duh... but i'm wondering how helpless.  like when you can dress yourself etc.

HMMM... I'm not sure sure. The brace/binder looks pretty bulky and you're on that for a couple weeks, I think. I'd imagine that makes mobility somewhat difficult. But I'll stop answering these questions because I'm just speculating!  :-X Make it easier with a button down shirt post surgery.

I dressed with help to leave the hospital the same day with double incisions. The next day I dressed myself. Button up shirts help but realistically you just can't lift your arms or anything over 5lbs for a week or two. Plan to have help, the community is usually good about helping out. Make sure meals in advance and you are golden.

->-bleeped-<-boy

Quote from: ->-bleeped-<-boy link=topic=39490.msg258292#msg258292 date=1216707571Button up shirts help but realistically you just can't lift your arms or anything over 5lbs for a week or two.

Which is why button up is easier. It does not require lifting your arms over your head to get on.

I speak from experience. My father had shoulder surgery.

Quote from: J.T. on July 21, 2008, 10:10:04 PM
well duh... but i'm wondering how helpless.  like when you can dress yourself etc.

I was up walking around same day as surgery, but was tired. The second day, I walked for hours. I could dress myself with sweats or shorts and button down shirts. I couldn't wash my own hair or wipe my own butt for four or five days. I was able to empty my own drains right away.

Had to wait a few days to carry light objects. The binder doesn't come off, so that's not a problem. I was able to sponge bath everything below the binder on the third day.

I actually had someone there with me to help me. Turned out all I needed her for was to get me some food and beer the first day and to wash my hair the third day. Fortunately surgery constipates, so I didn't have to ask her to wipe my butt!

Overall, it was a pretty easy recovery. The main part for me was having people who could carry things for me, like my suitcases when I was headed home. I probably could've just tipped a cabdriver well for it though.

Dennis

I agree with Dennis (as always!). The pain is pretty minimal on a DM. The worst part is having the drains out and it's over quickly. By the time it hurts it's over...I didn't like the binder because it was so tight, it was a little hard to breath deep, but I got used to it. I actually wore the binder longer than I had to just because it felt better when I would get tired or if I was sitting alot. I started back to Taekwondo and motocross at 6 weeks. I was able to use the bathroom without help. Button-up shirts are the way to go. Although bring a soft t-shirt with sleves to put under the binder once the stitches come out. It's much more confortable because the binder is itchy. I would have somebody there to help you. If you use Brownstein they have a service if you need help. I think it's on their web-site. If not just e-mail and ask him.
I can tell you it is the SINGLE GREATEST EVENT in my life. It was worth every penny and I wish I would have done it years ago. I don't regret it for a moment. When I'm bummed about something I still think "it could only be worse If I still had those things!" I pass 99.999% of the time now. I couldn't be happier w/ Dr. Brownstein's work! Camden

Yeh, though I wonder if I would even be allowed to have removal or how would look as am in a different situation as had surgery in past.  I was a triple d - e  and because of it causing problems to the back and had reduction.  Wish could of had it removed right then, grrr... but knew they wouldn;t allow it.   Problem is they did T incisions, and I ended up heavily scarred from it.  And kind of pissed off because the doctor who was supposed to do it was out with girl scouts and had another doctor step in to do it who hadn't met.

Anyways, wish had it as easy as you guys back then.  It took me 2-3 months to recover enough to be active enough to get back to school.  I had gotten in infection, and well the weight of the remaining breasts tended to cause a lot more discomfort.

Quote from: Aiden on July 29, 2008, 01:49:02 AM
Yeh, though I wonder if I would even be allowed to have removal or how would look as am in a different situation as had surgery in past.  I was a triple d - e  and because of it causing problems to the back and had reduction.  Wish could of had it removed right then, grrr... but knew they wouldn;t allow it.   Problem is they did T incisions, and I ended up heavily scarred from it.  And kind of pissed off because the doctor who was supposed to do it was out with girl scouts and had another doctor step in to do it who hadn't met.

Anyways, wish had it as easy as you guys back then.  It took me 2-3 months to recover enough to be active enough to get back to school.  I had gotten in infection, and well the weight of the remaining breasts tended to cause a lot more discomfort.

I know quite a few folks who have had top surgery after having had reductions.  No problems there, sir.  And if you had the inverted-T incisions, most of the skin you're talking about being scarred from your previous surgery will be removed based on the size of your breasts. 

Thats good :)  Umm what about dog ears?

Depends.  Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.  I have one that's been decreasing drastically with a few more months on T and some working out.  Dog ear revisions are among the simplest sort.

I just mean I still have them.   They didn't offer revisions :(   Then again my medical insurence might not of covered it. 

Well, I'm sure your surgeon could take care of the existing dog ears no problem.  There are a few surgeons who seem to do better with folks who have bigger chests.  Be sure to check before AND after photos when researching surgeons.  I went to Brownstein because of his reputation of doing well with larger chests as well as his long standing history of performing top surgeries.