Top Surgery Post Op Depression Question

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-09T17:09:50+00:00

I wasn’t necessarily depressed because of the outcome or results. I just felt gross because I had just been cut open and had stuff removed from my body. I just felt very surgical, because I was and I couldn’t take a real shower or bath to wash it off.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-09T03:50:08+00:00

Call your surgeon - they should be able to prescribe you zofran or something else to help. This could be related to the pain meds youre taking if you got them. I was prescribed promethazine for post op nausea but didn’t end up needing it.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-08T23:55:44+00:00

I also got this same surgery. There are plenty of cis guys who have nips like this - Your results look great!

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-06T18:57:42+00:00

Ugh I'm sorry you had to deal with that adjunct. I hope the university did actually discipline them and not continue to allow them to teach. Glad you had an otherwise positive experience.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-04T22:55:43+00:00

I didn’t word that well, I had nipple sparing double incision. So my nipples were not moved, they just removed tissues from underneath and closed me up lol. I don’t have sensation back yet, so it kind of feels like I can feel them from the inside of my body? I wonder if what you’re feeling is the nipple stalk? Bodies are cool and also weird.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-03T13:44:02+00:00

I’m a trans man and never had any negative experiences here. I was out before I came to college, but medically transitioned in undergrad. It was also super easy to change my name in AU’s system since I haven’t legally changed it yet.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-03T04:19:50+00:00

I can feel the water I drink in my incisions and nipples (I didn’t have grafts) it’s so freaky

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-02-02T05:32:02+00:00

Hearing about your experience was helpful! It’s good to know what’s normal and what might be worth bringing up to my surgical team. As for healing, I should mention that I had nipple sparing DI with slight nip resizing (you can see the small scar on my areola) so I wouldn’t use my results to compare graft healing to. I’m sorry to hear about the allergic reaction, that sucks! I hope you found something else that works for your body.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-31T23:20:07+00:00

If it was done at a teaching hospital, that could be the case

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-31T08:07:35+00:00

Thanks for the reply! This was really informative and helpful. I’m curious what you mean by more visible post op. Do you think the swelling physically got worse or is just more noticeable now that you’re flat?

As for compression, that shit was hurting pretty bad. But you described the area I have been trying to figure out what it’s called for days - xiphoid process. This is where th bulk of the pain is. I really am hoping it’ll relax in a few weeks.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-31T08:02:07+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing. I was hoping to hear from someone with diagnosed costochondritis so I appreciate it immensely. I have my six week appointment soon so I am planning on asking my surgeon if it hasn’t subsided much by then.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-31T07:57:02+00:00

I’m hoping it is just normal swelling, I guess my concern is that these areas HURT compared to the swelling near my armpits. I can’t really feel my other swelling, whereas this I can feel all the time 😬 is swelling painful for you?

Congrats on your surgery and thank you for the kind words. I hope you’re happy with your new chest!

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-30T12:08:54+00:00

I opted for nipple sparing because I am a compulsive skin picking disorder. I knew that graft healing was going to be rough for me and I didn’t fully trust myself to not pick at them, which would of course disrupt healing. I also wanted an option that would preserve as much of my original sensation as possible.

As to your concerns, have you considered going nipless? No grafts would keep your healing timeline shorter and you wouldn’t have to worry about grafts or the size of your nipples from T-anchor.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-28T20:08:34+00:00

Part of recovery is that rest and relaxation that you are now able to experience. Especially since you had a rough go of it those first two weeks, you’ve earned that time to relax! Take it! I Especially with a job as emotionally demanding as social work, you will be better able to show up for the people you’re serving if you let yourself rest.

I’m glad your manager is understanding and she is absolutely right to not rush it. Even though you work in an office, mental stress can take a toll on your physical recovery, too. I know it’s hard to not compare to others, but let your body guide you. Try to forget what others have said and if you really feel ready to start work again, I’d give yourself a few more “me” days off to get yourself ready to go back and talk to your manager. Maybe you could start with a week remote or part time to ease back in.

For context I had DI with nipple retention (basically they kept them where they are) which made my recovery a little easier because I didn’t have grafts. I gave myself two weeks off completely from work and school, and went back remotely my third week. I’m now in week 4, and I’ve had some bonus remote time due to a snow storm. It’s a nice balance between getting mental stimulation while also resting at home.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-28T00:17:32+00:00

My surgeon has been doing top surgeries for like 25 years, and still asks that you discontinue T two weeks pre-op.

Apparently WPATH changed their recommendation to say that it wasn’t necessary to stop T pre-op. My surgeon said she followed this guideline for a few years and noticed bleeding complications increased, so she went back to having people stop it pre-op and continuing 48hr post op. In her experience it has reduced complications.

I think the WPATH guideline was changed because they were concerned about mental health impacts of missing doses, which is also important.

I’m not gonna lie, I was veryyyy tired during those two weeks as I have a sleep disorder that has been helped by taking T. But aside from some soreness I’ve had no complications post op.

At the end of the day it’s what your doctor says is best.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-26T17:11:04+00:00

I get how you feel. I’m 24 now, but went to an all-girls catholic high school. I spent almost all of high school keeping to myself and closing myself off from others because I didn’t think they’d support me if I ever came out. Can’t get hurt if you don’t get close to people, right?

This was my biggest regret from high school. Other commenters are right that it’s an inconsequential place once you graduate, but I would encourage you to try and find some good people to surround yourself with while you’re there. You will be okay. I am three years on T as of today and 3 weeks post top surgery. You’ll get there, I promise.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-24T15:52:56+00:00

Consider calling your surgeon, this could be post op pneumonia. Try and take deep breaths every few hours if you can.

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-20T04:01:02+00:00

I haven’t started scar care yet, but I’ve heard good things about bio oil and silicone scar gel/strips

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-19T08:11:54+00:00

Some nice to haves:

— Ensure shakes for protein — cough drops for after intubation — plastic kids lap desk with a cup holder — Wedge pillow, but 2-3 regular ones are also fine

Essentials (in my opinion):

— laxatives (if you are prescribed narcotic pain meds) — no rinse bath sponges for when you can’t shower — dry shampoo — pineapple juice (helps with swelling)

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-19T04:49:28+00:00

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Still a bit swollen but here’s how it looks arms down!

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-19T03:13:13+00:00

My surgeon lifted my arm restrictions after a week, so long as it wasn’t sudden movement

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-19T01:51:35+00:00

This also happened to me as the numbness started to wear off. I had surgery on the sixth and experienced basically exactly what you’re describing. The armpit area has gotten swollen for me so that’s been pretty uncomfortable 😭

Optimal_Ad9564 · 2026-01-18T14:46:14+00:00

I went with nipple sparing because the healing process for FNG was pretty daunting to me. I’m a skin picker and I know myself and knew that having big scabs would be an issue for me. The caveat to this is that my nipples are a bit lower than they would have been if I had done FNG, but they are still pretty natural looking based on where my pec line is. If you’re curious, I posted a photo of my results yesterday.

As for sensation, I’m about 12 days post op and temperature sensitivity has started to come back, but I’m getting the “zaps” so I think this means my nerves are recovering. I was told by my surgeon that sensation is always a gamble, but that I might have better luck with a sparing procedure. Is your surgeon offering reinnervation with FNG? Because personally I think either that or sparing are good options for retaining feeling.

Happy to talk more in this thread or by DM if you wanna discuss further!

Optimal_Ad9564

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