So, I almost posted this in post-op life but I felt like it was a little more suited for here. If it needs to be moved please feel free.
So, I need to preface this question a little bit.
I started HRT on February 25th, 2009. I had FFS about 4 months later, but was off hormones about 1.5 weeks before the surgery and about 2-3 weeks after for a total of about a month. After that I was on hormones again till two weeks before my SRS which was on February 25th, 2010. I was off them again for about 2.5 weeks after that again for about a month total.
When I started back up on hormones after my FFS I had realized that I had lost everything I had gained (wasn't much because of the time I was on them). The same thing happened with my SRS, except this time I lost a lot more. I went from a small a cup to basically a flat chest again (the breast tissue itself is still there, but it feels way smaller). My Estrogen doses were lowered (just a tiny bit) after SRS, but I remain on spiro at my pre-op levels. My surgeon (and some info on the internet) recommend this because of the short time I was on HRT to begin with.
My question is, has anyone had this happen before, or had a similar experience? How long after SRS did you notice any breast development (anyone)? I know my time line was a little fast tracked, but I was hoping someone could weigh in with some relevant experiences.
I have to say, I have some really amazing drag friends and sometimes I am jealous of the cleavage they attain. I'm about ready to explode. The gain and loss and gain and loss is murder!
I self medicated a couple times before I started HRT officially. Each time I stopped, I experienced exactly what you describe. When I started again, the growth was faster than it was before because I already had some tissue. It takes a little time (maybe a month?) for the breast tissue to enlarge again, but after that I think you should be growing as normal.
Quote from: Valerie Elizabeth on April 17, 2010, 09:02:53 PM
My question is, has anyone had this happen before, or had a similar experience? How long after SRS did you notice any breast development (anyone)? I know my time line was a little fast tracked, but I was hoping someone could weigh in with some relevant experiences.
Hi Valerie,
I had a very similar experience. I felt like I lost some breast tissue after SRS and not sure I really gained it back, maybe a little. I keep hearing about post-ops that experience additional breast growth after surgery, but I haven't seen that myself yet (I'm about 8 months post-op).
I had been on hormones for a few years before surgery, and my hormonal levels were all out of whack after surgery. I'm currently a half a tablet of spiro every day in addition to about the same dosage of estradiol pre-op. Plus I'm cycling progesterone. I think the progesterone has stimulated some breast growth, maybe not so much visible but I can feel it. But I can't be positive that's what did it. Also, my T level is next to non-existent. I take some T now and then, but really have a hard time with the side effects (real and psychological).
So, I wish I could offer you some hope, but I'm still holding out for some myself. I'm probably about the same size I was pre-op, but sometimes it feels like less. Maybe someone else can share a more positive outcome.
((hugs))
it can take months -- it's 'cause your body is still healing and spends more energy on that. After a few months -- almost 6, I started to get regrowth back.