I'm going to be returning to school and work shortly after my top surgery in early January, and I'm completely stealth.  However, I need to say I had some type of surgery so that I can explain why I can't participate in some activities and prevent people from doing anything that could mess with my healing process.  I'd prefer not to say that I had gynecomastia, it's a bit embarassing...are there any other surgeries out there I could use?  Thanks guys!!!

Maybe removal of some benign growths?
You can reassure people that it wasn't cancer or anything like that, just unwanted tissue, and maybe that will distract them.   

Aliens had violated your body and you have some top CIA officials telling you they had to remove the alien implants for further study.

Car or motorcycle accident?  Then just say you don't want to talk about it.  That's what I plan on doing.

Tell them you had a tumor removed from the chest area.

I had one removed from my right breast when I was 30 (and, I guess I have to use the word, Male).

Sarah L.

You are not required to reveal what the surgery involved, simply that you underwent major surgery that will preclude you from taking part in certain activities until you are recovered.

Your doctor or surgeon would be able to provide a letter attesting to this without revealing what surgery you had.

-={LR}=-

I know a guy who had a car accident and the seat belt cut into his chest resulting in a scar from right to left that's similar to top surgery scars so you could say that maybe?

Otherwise I have no idea.

Hi

a friend of mine (FtM Trans Guy) tells people that he was attacked by a shark! Don't know how well that works - especially as he lives nowhere near any shark infested waters. 

If you're not showing scars or anything you can say you pulled your shoulder, bruised a rib, or some other upper body thing that would limit movement.  If, OTOH, you're trying to explain the scars, some people have said lung surgery.

Jay

Quote from: ageispolis on August 04, 2010, 10:00:51 AM
I know a guy who had a car accident and the seat belt cut into his chest resulting in a scar from right to left that's similar to top surgery scars so you could say that maybe?

Otherwise I have no idea.

Quote from: Jenni P on August 04, 2010, 12:20:42 PM
Hi

a friend of mine (FtM Trans Guy) tells people that he was attacked by a shark! Don't know how well that works - especially as he lives nowhere near any shark infested waters. 

Quote from: sneakersjay on August 04, 2010, 12:45:53 PM
If you're not showing scars or anything you can say you pulled your shoulder, bruised a rib, or some other upper body thing that would limit movement.  If, OTOH, you're trying to explain the scars, some people have said lung surgery.

Jay

You've got to be kidding right?  I hope you folks are not serious!  There is no reason to lie or make up stories.  It's none of their efin business what surgery a person gets.  If the surgery prevents the person from carrying out activities normally associated with their job or school then simply get a letter from the Dr/Surgeon stating that.  There is no need for the letter to describe the procedure, simply that until recovered from the surgery the person can't participate in things such as heavy lifting, sports, etc., etc., etc.

Don't try and fool people, and don't live a lie.

-={LR}=-

Well I'm a resident assistant in a dorm, so the situation is a bit weirder than that.  I live with 40 people whom I will become quite close with, and work with 30 other people who also live in the same building and are all my friends.  After winter break, and two weeks ost-op, they're going to wonder why I'm refusing a bear hug, they'll be curious why I can't carry my own bags up to my room, they'll want to know why I need someone else to hang decorations up in my hallway because I might not want to stretch the scars that much, and on top of that a lot of icebreakers involve physical activity as well.  If they ask what's up and I just flash them a surgeon's letter saying to refrain from strenuous physical activity, then that'll just create gossip.  I love my job, but being trans can complicate things sometimes!

I kind of want to combine a couple of these...I was riding my motorcycle when it crashed, and was then abducted by aliens who experimented on me before dumping me in the ocean, where I was attacked by a shark!

But honestly I think I'll go with benign growths--it won't evoke too much sympathy, doesn't require excessive storytelling, and gets me out of physical stuff without any questions.  Thanks guys!!!

I would just say that I had to have some extra tissue/skin removed from my chest

which is totally honest

Quote from: Quicksand on August 04, 2010, 03:33:08 PMBut honestly I think I'll go with benign growths--it won't evoke too much sympathy, doesn't require excessive storytelling, and gets me out of physical stuff without any questions.  Thanks guys!!!

This is what I was going to suggest. It mostly worked for me when I had to take a day off work for "outpatient surgery" years ago. Coworkers asked why I had taken the day off, and I said I had had a growth removed. It was perfectly true; I had had an abortion.

Of course, there was one nosy-ass, uh, person who insisted on knowing exactly where the growth had been. I didn't tell her, of course, but I have to admit that she caught me off guard. At that age (about 22), I was still learning that people could be so asinine as to ask something like that as if it were their gods-given right to know.

I have to admit that I now wish I had answered, "I had my brain removed so I could have a conversation with you on your level."

One other good thing about that suggestion is that you can urge any guys to go and get any strange lumps checked out because men can get breast cancer too.
Many leave it until too late because they don't think it can happen to them.
Hope it all goes well. Sandy.

just say you were born with an abnormal ribcage and had a few procedures done to make breathing easier. that's what i do to explain my binder.