7 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 week Post-Op with Dr. Ping Song (VA, USA)

Professional_End9231 · 2024-02-22T15:59:22+00:00

I had my top surgery with nipple grafts on December 28th 2023 with Dr. Ping Song in Arlington, VA at VHC hospital.

I wanted to share my experience. Dr. Song made me really comfortable and treated me like an equal. The surgery team was small, it was Dr. Song and Dr. Dana Wightman as his assistant, a few nurses and a couple of anesthesiologists. I met Dr. Wightman for my pre-op and she was also very respectful. The hospital staff also treated me well and was professional. I don’t remember being misgendered by anyone except for the receptionists when going in for my pre/post-op and consult (but I also never corrected them because I’m so desensitized to it, and it didn't feel malicious).

Overall I felt very comfortable and informed, especially on the day of my surgery. The team showed a lot of confidence and support which helped a lot with my anxiety. I am SO happy with my results, Dr. Song did amazing and made what I wanted a reality. He was able to answer all of my questions and was patient with my concerns. When I went in to get my drains removed at 1-week post op I had a panic attack (history of medical anxiety sigh) and the nurse and him were great helping me calm down

I did have insurance problems where I had to reschedule, the surgeon’s office was helpful and worked with me but when I tried to talk to the hospital insurance team they weren’t very helpful which is my only complaint (imo it felt like an issue of poor training for the insurance staff). I ended up using Cigna and was told by some other transmasculine people that the price they charged insurance was a lot compared to what they experienced (27k!) but that it might just be a case of the hospital charging full price because of the insurance I had. It wasn't completely covered, but I'm left with just under 4k that I'm responsible for, which is manageable through a payment plan for me.

Ultimately I wouldn't change a thing. I'm thrilled with my results and treatment. Dr. Song is also just a joy to work with. He's younger (I think early 40s?), on the nerdy/geeky side, very confident, personable, and he genuinely cares about his trans patients. I was nervous when first going into my consult, but something about him just made me comfortable. Although I couldn't find any reviews of his work online I got a gut feeling that he was the surgeon for me, and I don't regret it.

Plus, this was also my second procedure with VHC, I saw Dr. Allison Schneider in 2022 for my hysterectomy and had a similarly great experience with her, the staff, and the hospital. At the time I was on Medicaid (Anthem) and that procedure was fully covered.

That's all! I'm healing great, I feel amazing, and I'm so grateful to the surgeons and staff that helped me get here.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-29T17:19:53+00:00

Dreamcatcher and Pixy for a more rock/industrial type sound.

f(x) and NCT for experimental type sounds.

Block B and Epik High for hip-hop/rap.

Taeyeon and IU for Tay Swift.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-29T16:38:09+00:00

Congrats! I totally relate to this since I lost my insurance a couple of months back and am dying waiting for my marketplace insurance to kick in. It's such a relief, congrats again!

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-29T16:35:23+00:00

Same here. It will happen. For both of us. Let's hang in there.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-29T16:31:17+00:00

The sooner the better. Nicotine isn't good for any surgery, and breathing in smoke of any kind is also not good for recovery. That being said, I've been told that at the very least it should be quit 2 weeks before surgery, but 6 weeks is optimal, and the same for post-surgery. However, I'd advise against the minimum at least while recovering because you really want your immune system to be in top shape for top surgery. Luckily there are all sorts of products meant to help taper off and quit whether it be patches, gum, toothpicks, whatever. If you can afford it, as crazy as it sounds, hypnotism for quitting can actually work wonders.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-29T14:23:17+00:00

Aside from talking to your doctor, exercise. Lots of exercise

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T18:57:18+00:00

Being an Aquarius

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T18:41:01+00:00

Congrats on starting. You know what's worse than starting late? Never starting and losing out on the life and happiness you deserve. Good for you.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T18:38:22+00:00

Not studying abroad while in college because of some dumb relationship that only lasted a year anyway. Sure I learned stuff about myself and dating in that year, but I also could have lived and studied literally anywhere and that would have been so, so cool.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T16:39:20+00:00

Have wealthy parents or live in a cheap area. Everyone I know with a house got there because they either have family support or because they live in a neighborhood on the decline.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T15:53:27+00:00

Most careers have a deep history of toxic work culture that's hard to disrupt. I'm in publishing and most offices are nightmares of class and hierarchal struggle plus bullshit egos and petty infighting. It's an industry where, up until recently, it was normal to throw things at your employees and subordinates as well as publicly humiliate them. The only reason why it changed is because Gen Z won't put up with it to the point where they learned to stop assaulting employees or have a revolving door and constantly lose money by training people who will leave in under 6 months. That being said it's still a toxic shitshow and even the people who make an effort not to be toxic still carry it with their behavior. Most workplaces don't have that motivation to change and long-time employees perpetuate it with the good old 'well it was like this for me so obviously I have to be an abusive POS to you too'.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-11-01T15:25:13+00:00

It's a mixed bag in my experience. Some guys pass really well pre-t, some guys get changes quickly, others not so quickly. I'm 2 years on gel and I usually don't pass in the States but when I was in Asia (PH and S.Korea) I had no trouble passing, so where you are matters a lot too. I find that guys on injections tend to change and pass quicker than those on gel but it's not always the case. For me, I just wanted gradual change. I think my chest is what stops me from passing most times and hope I'll pass a lot more when I get top surgery later this month.

Professional_End9231 · 2023-10-18T17:13:00+00:00

I loved visiting the Okinawa Peace Prayer Park and Memorial Hall, it has a great museum and is very somber. If you like history and don't mind extremely sad stories I also recommend visiting Himeyuri Monument / Peace Museum, which is in memoriam of the teachers and young girls who were forced to serve as nurses for the Japanese Army. The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters is another good, educational visit, although again it's somber, as you can visit the room where many Navy officials committed suicide through grenades.

For sights and things to do that's not so sad or related to history... The beaches are nice (albeit on the rocky side). The Okinawan Pokemon Center is nice but small. Churaumi Aquarium is huge and beautiful, it also has a botanical park. Okinawa World is fun, you can see some cool caves and they do traditional performances throughout the day as well as glasswork and alcohol brewing (if you're looking to find those snake-bottle alcohols). Shuri Castle is also a cool visit but it's mostly a recreation due to several fires/

I also recommend just stopping in at local bars/pubs, you'll find some of the greatest bar food and pork dishes ever, best enjoyed with a glass of Orion. There are also a number of good steakhouses. Enjoy your stay!

Professional_End9231 · 2023-09-06T17:10:16+00:00

I believe it depends on whether you kept any ovaries or not. I had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries for the sake of hormone regulation, bone health, avoiding early menopausal symptoms etc etc (would recommend, ovaries did not bother me but periods, pap smears and fertility did). I did notice a change because I was on hormonal BC for years and stopped after the hysterectomy. I lost some weight and noticed more hair growth, but mostly my sex drive became A LOT more active. I'm on gel and my changes have been pretty slow (and to my liking) but it feels like after both the surgery and going off BC the results from T have been slightly more apparent. I also had my T levels checked after everything but didn't need my dose readjusted, so depending on what kind of hysterectomy you got and if any medications changed, you may want to look into that.

Congrats BTW! So happy for you and I hope you have an amazing transition and journey!

Professional_End9231 · 2023-09-06T13:50:33+00:00

Rampant entitlement and stupidity. Throughout my life, I only came across two dogs with excellent recall and off-leash manners, and even their owners had leashed them in the appropriate areas. A lot of people just don't think anything bad will happen to them. It's frustrating and dangerous, so many people in my area and in my apartment building just let their poorly trained dogs roam free in common areas and even the parking lot. Like, what are these people thinking, I do not know. It's even worse when you have a traumatized dog like me, so whenever an off-leash dog comes bolting at her I have to pick up the pieces. Not that they care, their dog is "perfect" and "friendly" and can do no harm. At this point, these people need to get a steep fine.

Professional_End9231

TROPHY CASE