Hey, I'm a younger trans guy pre op and I'm extremely anxious and squeamish when it comes to anything medical. I have the option and money right now to get surgery this summer and i know, why the hell not? But i'm just really worried about the cutting open my body aspect of it. not particularly the evenness or anything, basically as long as its flat im good. don't know why, but im worried about waking up during it and the drains and stuff and im curious as to what the process is and how long you have to wear the bandages and basically just overall if theres anyone out there who's had double incision top surgery, what is the process like? what happens when you wake up and whats it like at the check ups and stuff? sorry, i'm just unnerved because i have no idea what to expect ??? ??? im 11 months on T, ill be a year by then
It'll vary based on surgeon. But speaking to my own experience, I had DI exactly a year ago today. I had a consult at the beginning of February last year, spoke to a nurse and the surgeon about what I was looking for, they gave me all the info and answered my questions. There was a very brief physical exam just to see what procedure would be best since I was borderline in size between peri and DI. I scheduled surgery before I left the consult and left with lab work orders and prescriptions. I had to go off T 2 weeks in advance of surgery.
You can't eat anything 10-12 hours before surgery. The day of surgery I got there an hour early and met with a nurse to sign off on paperwork. She gave me anti-anxiety and anti-nausea medicine that my surgeon requires. After she left the surgeon came in, gave me a gown to change into (I could leave underwear on), and marked my chest up. She went over the same things with me that the nurse did. Then the anesthesiologist came in and we talked. It was my first surgical procedure and I wasn't sure how I'd respond to anesthesia at all, so it was a short talk. She walked me back to the OR and helped me get comfortable on the table. They hooked the IV up and I was out within thirty seconds.
Woke up a little over 3 hours later in a recliner, very nauseous. They gave me an extra anti-nausea pill and some ginger ale. It took maybe 15 minutes for me to get myself together enough to stand up and walk out to the car. We stayed overnight at a hotel about a mile away from the surgeon's office. Some friends that live locally brought me dinner. My surgeon called around 7pm to check on me and see how everything was. I emptied my drains 3-5 times between getting to the hotel and leaving the next morning.
That morning we went back to the surgeon's office so she could take a quick peek and clear me to go home. It was a very quick visit. They reiterated that I should record how much I'm draining and to take my pain meds regularly for the first few days. Then I went home. Spent a week sleeping in a recliner in my living room. I didn't have any big issues being able to take care of myself. I went back to the surgeon's office a week post-op and had my drains removed. She told me to wear the surgical binder for the next three weeks, but it made my skin break out. I called at 2 weeks post-op and she told me I could stop wearing it entirely since I had never had much swelling.
And that was about it. So, a total of 4 visits to my surgeon's office (consult, operation, post-op check up, drain removal). Drains for a week, compression binder for up to 4 weeks. I went back to work as soon as my drains were out, but most guys need 2-4 weeks to feel good enough. No lifting or raising your arms up for a few weeks (varies by surgeon).
I think that's about it? Happy to answer any specific questions you have.
I'd say get informed about surgeons, read a few reviews, get into a place where you feel you are comfortable.
Here is just an overwiew, I'd say read up more on each surgeon you are interested in on other websites and reviews
http://www.topsurgery.net/surgeons/
Its an established procedure now. You might look for a surgeon with experience.
But its not like in the beginnings, its a surgery done hundreds of times. So there is some routine to it.
Really severe complications are rare.
And you can do a few things to prepare yourself:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189332.msg1698168.html#msg1698168
*hugs*
Max and I had the same surgeon and I basically had the same experience. It was my first real surgery (I don't really count wisdom teeth lol). I was super nervous the whole week and then finally the morning came. I had a hard time sleeping that night and was super hungry but couldn't have anything. I went in at about 9:50am met with the nurse and the anesthesiologist. Signed off on my paperwork and was given the meds (had to get these prescriptions filled before surgery), I was calm about 10-15 minutes later. They gave me a gown and told me to take off my shirt, glasses, shoes, piercings etc.. I was able to leave my sweat pants and compression socks on. The anesthesiologist walked me back to the OR and when I went in I was a little more nervous. I felt like I was in a dream because the room was so sanitary and clean..I never saw anything like it lol. I got on the table and laid back and my head was propped up with like this jelly pillow thing.
She put the IV in my arm and I started talking about my friend who is still waiting on getting his Top surgery and how i'm the little lab rat. Then i went on about my insurance not covering anything.. I was bitching for about 30 seconds before I closed my eyes and opened them and woke up in a bed. Took me about an hour to come out of the anesthesia. They let me put my shirt on and gave me a drink of water because my mouth was so dry, I was shivering a bit too. Once I was awake I was able to get up and stroll on out. I was in no pain whatsoever just in a daze. I did get pretty nauseated when I got back to my hotel room after I ate some pizza. Everything went well though and it was actually a pretty cool experience minus the insurance issues.
Also, I hated anything having to do with Doctors, Dentists.. anything that had to do with poking me. I have been able to give myself my shots every 2 weeks for the past 2 1/2 years and the surgeon and her staff made me feel so much more comfortable. I recommend getting a list together of everything you'll need for your surgery and making a little bag for yourself :). You can always ask us if you need help compiling your list.
greysux
Welcome to the site. I can't help you with some of your questions. However there are a lot of members so I imagine someone can help you out.
I also wanted to pass along some links that we share with newly posting members. They have a lot of information including the rules of the site. (one is no profanity, not a big issue in your post but we try to make this a safe place for all to get information). If you have not read them yet, please take a moment to do so:
Things that you should read
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Hope you find what you are looking for. Once again, welcome to Susan's.
With warmth,
Joanna
Fwiw, I'm really nervous about surgery too. I've never had surgery other than wisdom teeth removal.