There is a chance I may be able to have top surgery around February next year but that is during Spring semester and I can not under any circumstances miss more than a week of classes. There are a couple reasons I want it done then and not wait till Summer. One is selfish, I just want to finally enjoy a Summer. It has been forever since I've enjoyed going outside. Binders and extended periods of heat just do not mix. The second reason is necessity, I have kidney scans next Summer. They require me laying in an MRI machine for a couple hours with my arms straight up above my head. That won't be good for my scars.

My gf says she's willing to carry my books to each class for a month or so afterwards so the weight of that isn't an issue. My question is if a week after surgery if I'll be up to walking around a campus and sitting in classes for hours (I do have a rather high pain tolerance but get annoyed easily when I am uncomfortable). I'm getting ready to start 5 days a week/5 to 6 hours a day for Fall semester and I'm thinking Spring will be around the same amount. The only thing I can think of that will require me to move my arms a lot might be chemistry or Bio lab.

Other than that I worry if people will know what is up. How long after surgery do most guys have to wear the surgical binder? Would it be noticeable under a button down shirt? I guess I could be a fibber and say I had a kidney surgery but I really don't even want to be asked about it. I hate being put in a position to lie.

I'm interested in hearing anyone's thoughts or maybe even your experiences of going back to work/school after top surgery. What challenges did you face? Did the constant moving hinder your healing process?

 

Of course, YMMV, but I would have been OK to do classes after a week. The first day or two post-surgery I felt really rundown and like I'd never feel the same again, but each day I recovered in leaps and bounds, and I don't think that's too uncommon an experience.

I had to wear a surgical binder for 3 weeks. I went out in public and to family gatherings wearing it under a button down shirt and you couldn't tell. I have pics to prove it.

I'm not in college, so maybe someone here can shed more light on what it's like to walk around campus and attend classes post-surgery, but I think you'll be fine. You wouldn't be the first one to have to get back in the saddle after only a week of recovery. I'd say if you have the chance you should spring for it. I can't say much about scars either because I had peri, but I think it's at around 6 weeks that you can be a little less cautious about stretching your scars.

Whatever you choose, good luck.

Quote from: tvc15 on August 04, 2013, 02:45:40 PM
I had to wear a surgical binder for 3 weeks. I went out in public and to family gatherings wearing it under a button down shirt and you couldn't tell. I have pics to prove it.

That's reassuring, and my main concern. Of course with my gf helping lug around my backpack I might get asked why but I can just say I had a medical procedure (without lying). If they could see the binder that would cause more questions, imo.

Ok, thanks Liam. I'm certain I'll go for it asap. If people ask questions (they probably will) I'll just put it off on something else. After all it really is none of their business but people are naturally nosy. The funny thing is I'm normally not someone who cares about what other people think but I have something in me that wants to keep this private.

I'm looking forward to wearing the stack of T shirts I have saved for after surgery. Got a nice "Game of Thrones" one I added to the drawer yesterday. 

Just talking about top surgery makes me feel like a kid on Xmas eve, lol.

T shirts may not be your best option for right after top surgery. Do you have zipper or button shirts instead? BTW, You can easily modify a button shirt with stick on velcro dots. It is much easier to close as buttons can be trying at times.

Quote from: LordKAT on August 05, 2013, 03:15:29 AM
T shirts may not be your best option for right after top surgery. Do you have zipper or button shirts instead? BTW, You can easily modify a button shirt with stick on velcro dots. It is much easier to close as buttons can be trying at times.

Yep, I mainly wear button downs when I go out. Sick and tired of layering to bind. Oh, and I won't wear T shirts for a couple months afterwards so I don't stretch out the scars. No worries.