topsurgeryrecovery

[topsurgeryrecovery]

An update!

I had intended to document at least my first year and, well... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm just shy of 4 years, so here's the rundown:

My scars continue to flatten and lighten. Massage helps. They will always be large (I rejected a TON of sutures), but I'm surprised they aren't as red anymore.

My scars don't ache as much, though they still do from time to time. It's more a tightness than anything else.

I've still got some divots in my chest where I feel the surgeon took too much out. I haven't really worked out much, so am not sure how much exercise will help.

Nips are still kinda weird (they also scarred badly), but I don't mind as much and have better things to spend $$$ on than a revision.

All in all, top surgery still remains one of the best things I've done for myself. :) I'm glad I took the time today to acknowledge the progress I've made.

#trans man #top surgery #ftm #trans stuff

[topsurgeryrecovery]

hi, i just found your blog because i was searching for top surgery healing photos. i had surgery 11 days ago and i am very anxious about the healing process, but this blog really helped me understand the process better and be less nervous about it all. thank you for putting so much energy into this, it's very informative and i appreciate it, thanks! <3

I’m glad you’ve found it useful! I wish you the best for an easy recovery. :)

#Anonymous

[topsurgeryrecovery]

I’m thinking of either getting a major breast reduction (I’m a DD-DDD like, no thank you) and one problem that I have is I’m very worried about the pain because I have to act normal and as if nothing happened post op because of an extremely transphobic family (don’t worry I’m safe and in college)

Heya, Anon, I'm glad you're safe. :)

Even a reduction is a major surgery and it's something difficult to hide for the first two months because it will affect your posture and your range of motion.

You will absolutely need someone to help you the day of, and possibly a few days into recovery. So, plan any surgery dates accordingly. I'm sorry you can't do this more openly. <3

[topsurgeryrecovery]

I've asked several people already but id like to ask as many people as possible: did you have to change any bandages during the week/2 weeks post-op? So far, everyone I've asked has told me that they did not have to change anything. They were told to leave them on the whole time, and the doctor changed them or removed them during the follow-up appointment. After that, people seem to switch to guaze pads or low-tack bandaids and a compression vest. What was your experience? Public posting is ok.

What you describe was roughly my experience. Immediately post-op, I had on an ace bandage. The doctor removed this a day or so later, leaving me with surgical tape on my incisions and bolsters on my nipples. I believe I still wrapped up with an ace bandage, but that was to protect my bolsters more than anything else to give me peace of mind. I did not have to wear a compression vest, perhaps because I was small to begin with.

Typically, the only thing you are changing the first 2 weeks are your drains, assuming you have any. Dressings afterwards are for nipple care, assuming you got grafts.

[topsurgeryrecovery]

A little late on my 6 months, here you go!

The indents in my chest are slowly filling in and my scars are starting to go white in places. I noticed they are flatter in the morning and get raised by the end of the day. This isn’t unusual. They still feel a bit tight and achey, but that is also part of the healing process.

I missed my last followup with Dr. Mast due to a busy work schedule, but I don’t really care to reschedule. I would like some things tweaked, but not by him. So, I am going to focus on having at least a year of healing under my belt before investigating getting my nipples and contour tweaked. I may investigate a little lipo, too, at my love handles and under my pits.

#too surgery #ftm #transgender #trans man #cw: scars #scars #double incision

[topsurgeryrecovery]

wow it is interesting to see people going through about the same process as I am. I just recently had my spleen removed due to a major trauma so I have like a 10" scar down the front of my abdomen. You can try using scar-away to reduce redness and scarring. it really does work. :) Good luck recovering!

Yeah, there's a lot of overlap with surgeries, at least when you get to scar care!

Ngl, I'm lazy, cheap, and not super concerned about appearing as cis anymore. BUT, my raised scar does ache more than the flatter one, so I think it's in my best interests to be more diligent about scar care. Thanks for the tip! Scar Away is good stuff, it just takes a little time and patience. :)Good luck to you as well!

#Anonymous

[topsurgeryrecovery]

One of Mast's recent patients reached out to me about sub-par results and showed me photos. I'm sorry to report that Mast is having big problems with nipple placement and size these days. Definitely do not recommend. I thought my nipple size was lack of communication, but it's clear he is having problems with them.

If you are looking for a provider in Florida who takes insurance, I have heard good things about Sassani.

So, I learned today via a Facebook group that Dr. Bruce Mast w/UF Shands requires one to be on T and living full-time for a year. This does not align with WPATH standards. As it stands, I cannot recommend him due to being so out of touch with the realities of transition, as well as lack of understanding for non-binary people.

I am very disappointed.

I will continue to document my recovery, however.

#top surgery #transgender #trans man #ftm #dr bruce mast

[topsurgeryrecovery]

Alright so, I've been looking up pictures of top surgeries, and I'm nervous that when I get mine they'll look like mashed down versions of their former selves. I saw your post about 3 months later and I was like, "woah!" Because these are the first ones that didn't. Is their any reason to that or is it just magic?

It boils down to a few factors:

1) Surgeon skill. Related: many people have to go to surgeons who do not specialize in trans surgeries, so they end up with something that has more in common with a breast reduction or a cis woman's masectomy.

2) Post-surgical swelling. Swelling will last for months, especially for procedures like peri.3) Nipple placement & size. If nipples are kept in the same spot, the end result can look more like deflated breasts vs a masculine chest. Nipples are a very personal thing, and I’ve noticed a lot of variety in the community, so don’t assume their appearance is an accident. That being said, they are a topic you should discuss in detail with your surgical team.

4) Patient size. Larger folks are going to have fat in their chest, which should remain for a more natural appearance. I don’t have much fat above my waist, but if anything, I think my own surgeon took out a bit too much breast tissue - I am a little concave, but that is sorting itself out with time and activity.

Chest contour is definitely something to talk about in detail with your surgical team during the consultation stage - so, I advise folks to bring photos of what they like!

#transgender #trans man #top surgery #Anonymous

[topsurgeryrecovery]

5 months + a few days! No more sutures popping, though my right incision still is much more raised and aches to massage. Left incision is starting to go white in places. Both incisions have lost most of the puckering at the edges. Nipples are kinda blobby, but whatever. I'm not sure how they are doing on pigment coz I'm pale as fuck, lol. There are lots of minor improvements ever week, so, there's still room for progress over the next months.

#top surgery #transgender #double incision #free nipple grafts #ftm #trans man

[topsurgeryrecovery]

24 hours post op

My left side is giving me lots of complications no matter how I lay feel like I’m ripping my stitches pain just woke me up I came out of surgery and was rushed back hours later cuz I was internaly bleeding just alot right now. --------------------------------- NOTE: This is a follower submission. I hope you’re continuing to be monitored, friend, that sounds scary!

Followers: It’s important for our community to remember that top surgery *is* a serious procedure, and to be mentally prepared for the possibility of complications. 

Always ALWAYS communicate with your medical team and don’t feel like you’re being an inconvenience if you feel something is wrong. Your top surgery care extends beyond your time on the surgical table! We’re a big community, though, and no one needs to feel like they are alone if things get tough. If you are on Facebook, feel free to DM me for information on how to join a top surgery support group, where you can share stories, both the good and the bad. The more we learn from one another, the better prepared and more confident we can be on this particular road.

#top surgery #transgender #submission

[topsurgeryrecovery]

This is probably a good time to point out that I work with several trans healthcare providers outside of a client-patient relationship. I am also an ongoing research reference for trans healthcare stories for my local NPR station. Just gonna put that out there.

#not really salty because 99% of transphobic posts on the tumblr dot com are tween edgelords regurgitating transphobic buzzwords #but I thought my followers would like to know a few more of my credentials outside of my personal experiences

[topsurgeryrecovery]

A little late to post my 4 month update due to Dragoncon and Hurricane Irma. So, yeah, 4 months! Things I have noticed: Right scar raised and redder, due to rejected sutures preventing scar care. Scar sheets helping, now that I can use them again. Itching around scar and nipples. Not too bad, but it is annoying every now and then. Nipples still get a bit puffy around the areola; massage reduces the effect. Weird. I have some achiness and pain along my right incision, which is to be expected. But it is much duller than last month. The concave effect in my pecs is starting to even out and I imagine will improve with more exercise. I see my surgeon for a followup next month. Until then!

#ftm #transgender #trans man #top surgery #double incision #free nipple grafts #post-op #tw: scars #cw: scars

[topsurgeryrecovery]

So, I learned today via a Facebook group that Dr. Bruce Mast w/UF Shands requires one to be on T and living full-time for a year. This does not align with WPATH standards. As it stands, I cannot recommend him due to being so out of touch with the realities of transition, as well as lack of understanding for non-binary people.

I am very disappointed.

I will continue to document my recovery, however.

#top surgery #transgender #ftm #dr bruce mast

[topsurgeryrecovery]

I just spent about an hour reading through every post here, and I feel much less fear about top sugary now. Thank you so much for sharing your experience ♡

My pleasure, anon! Best wishes to you for a good surgery and a speedy recovery. :)

#Anonymous

[topsurgeryrecovery]

to the anon dealing with depression: i'm right there with you, man. i'm just over 2 weeks post-op and dealing with some of the worst depression i've ever been through, for various reasons. you're not alone!! seeing my therapist and being able to get up and out of the house have been the things that have helped me the most so far 💕 stay strong!

Thank you, Anon!

[topsurgeryrecovery]

anon, i'm sorry to hear about your swelling. i felt awfully dysphoric after my surgery (i am 3 months post op) since, whilst they removed my D cup breasts, I was left with swelling that looked like A cups. I can assure you, that the swelling will go down, and you will flatten. it might take a while, like mines did, because my drain did not full remove the blood, so my swelling was congealed blood in my chest wall, so it took a lot longer than 'usual' but it will go down.

Thank you for sharing your story!And it is true, I have seen post-op photos a year apart that look like a completely different chest in terms of the contour.

[topsurgeryrecovery]

I'm two weeks post op and I'm more depressed than when I ever was before I knew I was trans. I seriously hate my body and I can't change it without more surgery. My sides are as big as boobs and I can't handle it. Idk what to do...

Oh, anon, I feel heartsick for you. :(I hope your swelling is just from a stubborn recovery. Talk with your surgeon about your concerns and options for revisions - there may be options you're not aware of.But I'm not gonna insult your intelligence if that is not the case. Post-surgery depression is a very real thing not enough people talk about. Many people have depressive episodes triggered by anesthesia and meds, are conflicted their surgery was not as life-changing as they thought, or have disappointing results caused by mismanaged expectations or, sadly, poor surgeon skill.I want you to know you are not alone in this. I have my own struggles with my new chest and have a friend who went through a horrific surgery and recovery process. If you need other people to talk to, I can invite you to a top surgery Facebook group that has many people in your same situation. Just DM me to get the details.I'd also suggest seeking a therapist to get you through this rough time. There's a lot of emotions to parse and they can give you guidance. I hope this is just a temporary setback on your path to healing. ::hugs::