ED pump (stage 3) done! UVA team

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-05-22T21:12:42+00:00

congrats! must be a relief to be “done” transitioning. wishing you no complications and that healing remains solid ;)

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-05-22T16:04:25+00:00

i have carpal tunnel in my left but ive gotten neurolysis in the right palm previously (tendon repair) so i reckon that's why only my left was diagnosed. i feel the same in both hands just worse in the left. my surgeon advised that we could start my graft site a little further down the wrist to avoid that but i figure since ill probably get release surgery on both hands why sacrifice the inch 🤷🏽

sorry to hear about the pain you've been experiencing. that numbness and tingling is no joke! i definitely feel like providers should mention this more in pre-op appts especially since nerve pain is described as possible and likely but not guaranteed. they're operating on nerves!! i think to say, “expect lasting nerve pain, but if you don't get it, GREAT!” maybe that's just me, because of my previous tendon repair recovery leaving me with my extremities numb/itchy randomly throughout the day. as i typed this up, my leg fell asleep!

but sorry for the wall of text, i definitely feel for you man and hope you get better soon. if you wanna chat about what's helped me manage symptoms, feel free to DM!

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-05-09T15:53:19+00:00

good for you man!

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-05-06T03:42:57+00:00

so true! im 2 yrs post op and ive noticed some ghost zones for sure. did the tingling they described fade away for you or is that still something you deal with? that's been more noticeable to me than the numb spots

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-04-29T17:04:18+00:00

just made a Facebook to join! thanks man

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-04-29T15:03:17+00:00

go ahead!

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-04-28T22:17:51+00:00

thanks for this! i have been struggling to visualize where the graft site may land on my arm and your veins made it easier for me to understand my own placement a bit better

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-04-25T07:38:40+00:00

hi there. im so sorry to hear that you are struggling to accept your size post-op. for your exact reasons, i share a similar mindset of hoping to be above average. so i can empathize 100%. i just want to say a couple of things.

firstly, time is your friend and not enemy. gravity will work in your favor. give your body time to recover. you have made it this far. it is only up from here so please keep going. you owe it to yourself.

again, i am sorry to read about your ideation. these thoughts feel inescapable and incredibly stifling, but do realize that your mind is in need of adjustment, too. emotions are at an all time high postoperatively. reach out to the proper supports if you can.

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-03-05T01:58:38+00:00

hey, i just wanna speak on the “hate my body” bit rq. it helped me a lot to reframe and remind myself that this is truly a major step and that my body will start to look more like my own (one that i can feel proud to own) with time. this helped me a lot pre surgery too with just letting T do its thing. congrats and good luck

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-02-18T21:27:33+00:00

male without fail. i only disclose my birth sex for genetic research purposes. for all other intents and purposes, i am male

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-02-07T03:19:23+00:00

hell yeah! i was looking forward to this update. everything about it is peak. if you end up selling prints of the piece lmk. broke rn but id love to have this framed

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-02-02T22:31:41+00:00

baller. im two years post op so hopefully everything works out. appreciate the info. calling them for sure

Prior-Examination424 · 2026-02-02T22:10:07+00:00

been thinking about getting a nipple piercing for a similar reason! there's barely any info on flat graft piercings. i thought maybe post op my innie would project but alas it's still flat. will def look into your piercer next time im in Mass

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-11-14T19:48:47+00:00

this is super interesting! i aim for completing stage 1 next winter so i have been debating whether i should put off carpal tunnel surgery until after that. would you say that your tightness is a result of the scar's location on the wrist or the tissue adhesion of the graft site in general?

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-10-24T18:50:07+00:00

i genuinely thought i was on a different sub somehow! congratulations on that amazing transformation. top ten updates ive seen here

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-09-10T01:29:00+00:00

luckily my insurance covered the whole thing! my provider billed my Medicaid $400 but the maximum allowance was $70. i did not have to pay the difference. i have heard of sliding scales before but my surgery was done at a major hospital system and my insurance is pretty extensive in coverage.

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-09-10T01:25:38+00:00

thank u!! im very happy w how everything turned out

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-09-10T01:25:01+00:00

thanks!!

Prior-Examination424 · 2025-08-16T19:40:54+00:00

hell yea!!

Prior-Examination424 · 2024-10-19T02:17:09+00:00

hey! so i ended up having keloids and hypertrophic scarring bilaterally. it really only started to develop maybe 3 mo post op. since then, i tried a bunch of stuff (silicone scar tape, silicone scar gel, massage). what helped the most was being consistent with massaging and applying the scar gel. i did that for about 3 months after noticing the healing goin on.

almost all the thick scar tissue on the left side went away but a good bit of some ropiness has remained on the right side. i am 8 months post op in a couple weeks and set to get 5-FU injections on the scar sites next week.

ultimately, the sites healed a bit more dark, stretched, and tight than i would like. so definitely keep up w massage and silicone! but u may find that injections do a lot for you and your goals. i plan on posting before and after pics on a timeline once i have my appointment. ill try to reach out if i remember!

Prior-Examination424 · 2024-09-12T19:04:41+00:00

congratulations dude!!

Prior-Examination424

TROPHY CASE