So just realized neither of my doctors advised me on this. Both of them said to stop doing testosterone injections two weeks before top surgery, which I had on the 18th, but NEITHER of them told me when to start taking it again.
That leads me to believe I was allowed to resume immediately but I wanted to double check first. How soon after surgery can/did you start doing your T shots again?
Yep, you should be fine to start right away, that's what I did.
i never had to stop lol
I never stopped injecting, but I heard that a guy from my neck of the woods injected as soon as he got out of surgery--I think his girlfriend did it for him. Or maybe it's just an urban legend. Ask your doctor? You can always call and leave a message.
Hmm they said to wait till 2 weeks after my surgery date since I am still healing. I guess because T has a slight effect to lower your immune system, and it can do a little damage to your liver, and I'm on all those other meds from surgery.
Thank you for the answers guys, I am gonna follow doc's advice and wait it out. I did have irritation from the tubing of the drains so I guess my case may be a little different. Ah well, good things come to those who wait! :)
Congrats on surgery man!
Quote from: ChaoticTribe on October 24, 2012, 01:10:14 PM
Hmm they said to wait till 2 weeks after my surgery date since I am still healing. I guess because T has a slight effect to lower your immune system, and it can do a little damage to your liver, and I'm on all those other meds from surgery.
Thank you for the answers guys, I am gonna follow doc's advice and wait it out. I did have irritation from the tubing of the drains so I guess my case may be a little different. Ah well, good things come to those who wait! :)
Who was the suregon if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks :)
The surgeon was Dr. Navin Singh, and he did the procedure in Chevy Chase.
He did a fabulous job and I am 100% delighted with the outcome. I already posted about him in my DC transmen group, but I will copy and paste what I have written there since I don't think I could say it as well again a second time ^.^
QuoteJust wanted to say that I had top surgery on the 18th and I am feeling awesome
right about now!
I went to Dr Navin Singh, a plastic surgeon who offers many different services,
including gynecomastia surgery. He has an office in Chevy Chase MD and one in
Mclean, Va.
I have male I.D. and live stealth so I just went in like any other guy needing
chest surgery, but he was so sincere and easy to talk to that I disclosed my
trans status and he has experience working with transgender patients and was
100% respectful and helpful every single step of the way.
The procedure was quick and painless, and to be honest the drains were the worst
part, not the surgery itself. I am a big baby when it comes to pain (even though
I am into tattoos, piercings, etc go figure) but he and his team made sure that
I was comfortable and calm the whole time and their care was great, they talked
to me and gave me instructions and told me to call any time I wanted to ask
something or had a concern about anything.
Not only does Dr. Singh give amazing care and results, he also really cares
about you as a person and about your satisfaction and life. Originally I had
thought I wanted excess skin removed and my nipples resized because I was
totally convinced that the fact that I would've been about a B1/2 and had
quarter size nipples would stay the same.
Dr. Singh thought I should wait to see as he was very very convinced that my
tissues would tighten up without all of the excess behind them, and he really
cared about me as a patient and didn't want me to give myself more scars that
could be avoided.
So imagine how delighted I was after surgery when I took my bandages off the
first time two days later and saw that even with the swelling that always
happens after surgery, I was still extremely flat and there wasn't any 'loose'
skin. My nipples already shrunk up a little without all the tissue behind them
pushing them out and stretching them, and the only sign of possible excess skin
(even now just ONE week later) is an inward crease almost like a tight tight
wrinkle under each nipple, and they've already gotten smaller, so as I was told
to expect swelling, etc for 6 weeks, I am certain that will go away!
I just wanted to share this wonderful experience that I had with Dr. Singh and
his staff. Any transman who is interested in top surgery should at least give
them a call. They are kind, courteous, and only one week out I look better than
I had imagined I might in 6 weeks. I am convinced that I will look amazing once
this last little bit of swelling goes away, and I am following all my aftercare
instructions. That's a big one guys, follow the Dr's advice about when to use
ice packs, compression shirts, warm compress, etc.
Once I am healed up more I will be very happy to share before and after photos,
but as it's only been one week I am still healing a little bit. Couldn't
recommend them more, and I would be happy to talk about the presurgery thoughts
and preparations, and how I felt during the healing but now with the drains out
I honestly feel like my old self, but better!
Sounds like Dr. Navin Singh did a great job for you. I will look forward to seeing before/after pictures once you have healed more. It is great when you are seen as a guy needing chest surgery for an enlarged chest.
I will definitely be posting them :)
And yes it was extremely cool to go in and be seen as a normal dude. The fact that he never once questioned or doubted me is what inspired me to tell him about my trans status, and he smiled when I did and said "Really?" and I was just like, "Yeah," and got all embarrassed.
I felt like I ought to say something then because I am a really lean and small dude, not overweight at all, so I know that most guys wouldn't have nearly as extensive gynecomastia at my weight unless something wacky happened with hormones or something. Very good experience though, I will definitely be going there again for stuff in the future, like electrolysis hair removal. My partner wants to get that done too, and we were very pleased with everything so that's definitely erased any doubts we had. Now if only he did metoidioplasty! That would've been perfect, hehe.