About how long should one be on hormones before chest surgery, minimum? Although neither are in the near future for me, I have the money so it would be nice to get it over with as soon as possible, what with the discomfort of binding and whatnot.
I had chest surgery about 5 months ago (6? iuno .. december) and I was not, am not, and will not be on hormones for a while.
I had the chance to schedule surgery after only being on T for 2 months (how long I would have been on before surgery). Some guys have surgery even earlier in the T process some later, some before T. In the end I will have been on 4 1/2 months before surgery, because of my surgeons schedule.
Myles
I was on T for 4 months, not for any reason other than it worked out that way. T isn't a prerequisite at all.
I know it's not a prerequisite, but I had heard that results are better if you're on T for a little while. This might be utterly false, though.
I'm not sure I know one thing that is not fun is the T is making my chest sag and that is not great for surgery. Does make binding easier.
Myles
I am 40 so that may have something to do with it
Quote from: myles on May 26, 2009, 06:45:32 PM
I'm not sure I know one thing that is not fun is the T is making my chest sag and that is not great for surgery. Does make binding easier.
Myles
I am 40 so that may have something to do with it
doesn't matter for surgery unless you're a keyhole candidate.
as far as how long you should be on t, it's really as long as it takes for you to develop pectorals. it'll help your surgeon hide your scars by tucking them under the muscle.
Good to know now that I am doing DI instead. I will definitley start pumping more iron and not worry about the sag so much anymore.
Myles
I had my third shot the day before surgery, so I was on it about a month before.
Dosen't "T" add muscle mass?
So wouldn't it make sense to have "top surgery" sooner rather than later during ones transition?
Quote from: michellesofl on May 26, 2009, 09:31:46 PM
Dosen't "T" add muscle mass?
So wouldn't it make sense to have "top surgery" sooner rather than later during ones transition?
how does the addition of muscle mass affect that?
I was thinking that it would make removal difficult. Than again that probably has alot more to do with addition. >:-)
Now that I've thought about it a little more, "T" helps in the healing process. So it probably makes sense for you guys to have a higher level.
Quote from: michellesofl on May 26, 2009, 09:54:30 PM
I was thinking that it would make removal difficult. Than again that probably has alot more to do with addition. >:-)
Now that I've thought about it a little more, "T" helps in the healing process. So it probably makes sense for you guys to have a higher level.
from what i've read, t inhibits healing.
breast tissue sits ontop of muscle. the development of the muscle doesn't matter.
I thought they wanted us M2Fs togo off E and T blockers pre surgery because of healing issues. With the T blockers being the main issue.
I guess this is another one of those areas where websites like WebMD and good doctors come in handy.
Caveat Emptor= Research and due dilligence.
That's because spiro lowers your immune response.
For me, I'll probably be on T 10 years before I have top surgery at the rate I'm going. I doubt it hurts to be on T for awhile. I have worried about the breast tissue deterioration, but I think it's been far more binding than T that's done that to me.
SD
So did any of you have to go off T before chest surgery? Obviously Nero didn't but I thought some surgeons required it. Or maybe I'm thinking about bottom surgery.
Quote from: Joseph on May 27, 2009, 10:20:47 PM
So did any of you have to go off T before chest surgery? Obviously Nero didn't but I thought some surgeons required it. Or maybe I'm thinking about bottom surgery.
i've had just about every surgery possible... top, bottom, hysto, vaginectomy. i never went off t.
I know i've heard quite a few guys say thet had to stop T like 3 weeks before top surgery, but I think it depends on who you go to. It does seem very common though. And as for how long you wait, i don't really think it matters. I've known some guys to get top surgery before they even start T. I personally want to wait at least 5 or 6 months after I start T so after my surgery I can have muscle definition and not look super little lol
Mister, you said something about you thought maybe the amount of time mattered if you were a keyhole candidate. That is kind of the direction I was wanting to go. Could you explain a little bit? I'm just curious.
Quote
Mister, you said something about you thought maybe the amount of time mattered if you were a keyhole candidate. That is kind of the direction I was wanting to go. Could you explain a little bit? I'm just curious.
Keyhole is only for candidates with very small breasts with no or very little sag (i.e., you must fail the pencil test), since no skin is removed during the surgery. Testosterone may break down breast tissue to the point where extra skin causes sagging, as could improper or prolonged binding.
thanks man. well maybe I shouldn't wait to long then. I probably sound dumb lol but what is the pencil test?
Quote from: jet3 on May 28, 2009, 12:04:23 AM
thanks man. well maybe I shouldn't wait to long then. I probably sound dumb lol but what is the pencil test?
Wikipedia's definition- An informal test for determining if a woman needs to wear a bra. A pencil is placed in the fold between the breast and chest. If the pencil does not fall, the woman has "failed the pencil test" and needs to wear a bra
haha ok thanks, I assumed it was something along those lines...i am definately good though
Quote from: jet3 on May 28, 2009, 12:31:03 AM
haha ok thanks, I assumed it was something along those lines...i am definately good though
Sweet. You can send photos to surgeons to see if you're a candidate. medalie, fischer and browstein are the big three that perform both DI and keyhole.
Quote from: Mister on May 28, 2009, 12:06:37 AM
Wikipedia's definition- An informal test for determining if a woman needs to wear a bra. A pencil is placed in the fold between the breast and chest. If the pencil does not fall, the woman has "failed the pencil test" and needs to wear a bra
Uh oh, Virginia just failed the pencil test :laugh: Maybe a little off subject, but I couldn't help but try it :P
Quote from: Virginia Marie on May 28, 2009, 12:47:36 AM
Uh oh, Virginia just failed the pencil test :laugh: Maybe a little off subject, but I couldn't help but try it :P
My condolences.
Quote from: Mister on May 28, 2009, 12:06:37 AM
Wikipedia's definition- An informal test for determining if a woman needs to wear a bra. A pencil is placed in the fold between the breast and chest. If the pencil does not fall, the woman has "failed the pencil test" and needs to wear a bra
Huh. I would fail the pencil test but I need to wear a bra- I'm a B cup. I guess my boobs are too far apart. :laugh:
FYI- This is what I got from Dr. Fischer.
"If you are already on testosterone, we would like you to wean your dose prior to surgery. For example, if you could cut your dose by half a month prior to surgery, and then discontinue testosterone two weeks before surgery. You may resume injections immediately after your surgery. We have found that this hormone may cause some patients to develop a hematoma within 24 hours after surgery and require another surgery (no cost to the patient) to stop the bleeding."
Quote from: Mister on May 28, 2009, 12:01:07 AM
Keyhole is only for candidates with very small breasts with no or very little sag (i.e., you must fail the pencil test),
this is sad... i just failed the "full maalox bottle" test
Quote from: Radar on May 28, 2009, 07:31:24 AM
Huh. I would fail the pencil test but I need to wear a bra- I'm a B cup. I guess my boobs are too far apart. :laugh:
FYI- This is what I got from Dr. Fischer.
"If you are already on testosterone, we would like you to wean your dose prior to surgery. For example, if you could cut your dose by half a month prior to surgery, and then discontinue testosterone two weeks before surgery. You may resume injections immediately after your surgery. We have found that this hormone may cause some patients to develop a hematoma within 24 hours after surgery and require another surgery (no cost to the patient) to stop the bleeding."
Each surgeon has their own take on it. Brownstein said it didn't matter one bit. So.... to each their own.
Post Merge: May 28, 2009, 10:28:32 AM
Quote from: Josh on May 28, 2009, 09:17:14 AM
this is sad... i just failed the "full maalox bottle" test
Perhaps you and virginia can work something out. best of both worlds or something.
I had to wait from my first initial appointment 1 year and 6 months and was on T for 10 months.
I live in the UK and they do things very differently here..
Jay