How long did it take before you were comfortable going shirtless?  Did you feel self-conscious at first?  It'll be probably years before I can get top surgery but I am looking forward to going shirtless at the beach.  I'm just wondering how long it would take to get over the social conditioning and feel comfortable with it.

Just started last month and still self conscious.  Not so much around my kids as they catch me in my room or to and from the shower shirtless a lot.  The first time my brother saw me I felt very awkward (I was sitting in a lawn chair in the yard, in the sun, and he came home while I was out there) even though he didn't seem to notice or care.  Recently had to take my shirt off for a chest x-ray in front of 3 women (I turned my back primarily because of the scars, but they weren't really looking as they were behind the glass wall.  Still felt weird).  But then, I still have very prominent scars.

FWIW I'm about 18 months post-op.


Jay

I am only about 8 or 9 months post op and am not suppose to hang out in the sun shirtless for the first year. I would probably not go shirtless anyway as the scaring is still a bit much for me to feel comfortable.
Myles

i havent had surgery... but I think i will be comfortable with it, ive already told my mom I would walk around shirtless lol.. although.. I guess it will be a little awkward getting over the fact that my parents will be seeing my nipples.. which, used to be on boobs.. you know? lol

but, sorry to answer sence I haven't had surgery.. in a few years, after surgery I will fidn this thread again.. and see if I really am comfortable lol

It was weird at first but after about 2 months I stopped feeling weird about being shirtless around my roommates and friends.  I didn't go shirtless outside until 4 months post op but only because it was too cold.  Now I go shirtless as often as I can.  I'm only 5 months post op and my scars are still very prominent but any self consciousness that I have is overpowered by how amazing it feels to be outside shirtless haha.  Honestly I'm more worried about exposing my body to too much sun than people looking at my chest.

I'm almost a year post-op. I had a DI procedure and my scars are still quite prominent. I don't go completely shirtless outside, but I often go out to my mailbox or my driveway in an unbuttoned shirt. I'm more self-conscious about the weight I regained than I am about the scars.

I just had surgery and everyone was asking me if it would feel weird walking around with my shirt off. I always said i didn't know. After I got my drains out and the bandages off i felt so free. Walking around with my shirt off felt to natural to me! I had never been more comfortable in my own skin.  I think because in my mind I always knew this was how it was suppose to be, so when the day came and i was able to not wear a shirt I was so ready that I didnt even think twice about it.