I finally have consultation scheduled for next month and wondering what questions I should ask (I'm also still debating between peri and DI, leaning more towards peri if possible). I'm also a little worried about the examination part, as I know it will be uncomfortable for me (I felt uncomfortable enough when I had to do a scoliosis check years ago back in public school).

A sort of related question - Is it necessary to stay in the hospital overnight after surgery? (Did you have to?) I know it might be a good idea but I really rather not if I can.

Who're you going to? I know that a lot of people differ--I didn't have to stay in the hospital overnight, but I did stay at the hotel that night to be in town. AFAIK you shouldn't have to stay overnight, as most of the time it's outpatient; the only reason I'd imagine you'd need to stay is if there's some complication during surgery.

As for your consultation, what questions do you have? There's no set requirement to ask anything. I asked about when I'd be able to sleep on my side again (at two weeks I'd be allowed to) and when I'd be able to start running again (six weeks, because of the arm motion, but I can walk and use a stationary bike and whatnot so long as my arms aren't gettin to wild). If there's anything case-specific, then would be the time to ask. For me, I have a genetic abnormality and it alters the shape of my ribcage, so I asked if that would complicate surgery (nope). All the other questions I had were already answered by haunting forums on here and pestering the crap out of a friend who's two months ahead of me on the top-op timeline.

Depending on your surgeon, you might be surprised about the examination. All that happened pre-op for me was my surgeon drawing on me, and I dunno if you're having something more intensive than that, but I wasn't actually uncomfortable at all when he was marking me up. I really expected it to be awful, but I got pleasantly surprised there. Maybe you will too.

You need to ask you doctor about the hospital stay but I learned something with my voice surgery last month. If they use a general on you, they may require a care taker for the next 24 hours. I didn't have a care taker with me so I needed to stay in the hospital the night of the surgery. This is to make sure somebody will take care of you if you get in trouble. In my case, it was cheaper to spend the $600 on the hospital than to pay airfare and other costs to bring somebody with me.

you could ask how the surgery is done, if you need to stay in the hospital over night, etc. general things you might have questions about. even post-op care, and if you need drains, when they should come out, etc. that kinda stuff. i didn't have any questions. before my surgery is the only time i met my surgeon and she came in, marked up my chest, took a picture then left. it was literally 2 minutes. i had to stay for over night at the hospital then 3 days at a recovery house but that is because it was a requirement and i was also going to another province to have it done. they took care of me, gave me my meds, and took out my drains before i went home. they gave me medications to go home with (pain meds, i didn't need them) and told me to email them updates/pictures. i went to my own doctor when i got back to make sure my scars were healing okay and my nipples were taking.

This will probably depend on your surgeon. Mine was done outpatient. I left the office post-op, went to a hotel less than 5 miles away, had dinner and slept, then stopped in at the office the next morning to let the surgeon check me out one last time, and then went home. I came back a week later for drain removal.

The examination isn't bad either. They know we're uncomfortable, so they'll do everything possible to make sure it isn't an ordeal.

For Medalie it was only a phone consult. He explained everything on the phone and you just had to send him a few nakey pictures beforehand. He didn't actually touch or mark me up until right before surgery, which made it less dysphoric.

I'm not gonna sugar coat it, the examination is pretty awful. Obviously YMMV, but from the sound of it you're gonna hate it just as much as I did. That being said, it's only awful for a few seconds and in the end, it's for a good cause. So when the time comes, just keep reminding yourself that it's all in the name of having a flat chest.

As for the questions, if you just do a quick google search there are several resources that have suggestions for things to ask your top surgeon. Your doctor will be able to help you with deciding between peri and DI, but keep in mind peri has a relatively high revision rate.

I've never heard of anyone having to stay overnight after top surgery. I don't think you really have an option anyways, if your doctor thinks you need to then you will but otherwise you're out of there. I wouldn't anticipate it.

I just had my own consultation last month. Do mentally prepare yourself for the exam, but it should be brief, I believe. If the doctor works with trans patients often they will hopefully treat you nicely and respectfully. For me the doctor used the purple drawing pen to make a couple basic marks on my body as an example of what he would be doing, gently lifted each side to make the mark and made a quick couple nipple marks. I don't like looking so i just watched the ceiling until he was done. i asked about scarring, healing time, how long until i could begin more everyday physical tasks, etc. If you want to go swimming you could ask when you would be able to safely do so, etc. Overnight depends on the place but it looks like often times someone can take you home/to a hotel right afterwards and then you have a follow-up appointment a few days later.

QuoteWho're you going to?

Dr. Melissa Johnson.

I will only actually be a few hours away from home (even if I went to a different surgeon) so I have a better chance of having someone be with me.

It's all very simple just a little draining ( I only had one other surgery before and that was for wisdom teeth). I had to get a chest x-ray and all that but that was easy. They didn't feel around my boobs or anything at my consult they just took pictures, looked and explained how the surgery was going to go. When i finally went in the day of my surgery I took a Xanax which they prescribed and that relaxed me 100%. They took me back to the exam room and the surgeon came back and drew on my chest with a purple marker. I was pretty damn relaxed that's for sure lol. They had me walk into the Operating Room and lay down on the table which was a little nerve racking. After laying there for a moment they gave me the IV and talked to me for a few moments then i was waking up. I stayed at a hotel the night before and the day after. I went in the day after my surgery just to get looked at and then they sent me on my marry way. Went back about a week/week and a half later and had the drains removed.