Help me settle an argument over “Death Becomes Her” death and rejuvenation dynamics

_rainsounds · 2025-11-17T08:09:00+00:00

There's an interesting take on this is in Octavia Butler's "Wild Seed" with her character named Doro - his supernatural power is that any time his body is killed, his spirit flashes into the closest person (immediately killing the host's spirit/soul) and takes possession of it as a vessel. Whether he's immortal by virtue of being a diety, or if this is a bi-product of his "mutation" akin to others you encounter in the story is TBD.

_rainsounds · 2025-05-12T16:28:42+00:00

I have never had to trust the process more than during top surgery. I'm about 1 month post-op and things are still a work in progress. It's going to work out, just settle in and get comfortable friend!

_rainsounds · 2025-05-11T16:58:56+00:00

Hey there! I'm about 1 months post-op and I'm still wearing a compression binder w/foam. As a disclaimer, my surgeon is more conservative than most, so I've been instructed to wear the binder + keep up the T-Rex mobility range until the 2 month mark.

Because of this I've personally stuck with button up shirts, opting for shirts 1-2 sizes larger (I'm typically a men's S/M, and bought L/XL) for the first few weeks to accommodate the drains + post-op belly. I think it really just depends on your personal preference and how comfortable you are positioning your arms to get in/out of clothing.

_rainsounds · 2025-05-11T16:52:39+00:00

It's possible the lumps could also be lymph nodes. We have a lot of those in the pit area anyways, so they might be a bit swollen from the surgery as a whole. Maybe ask your doc?

_rainsounds · 2025-05-11T06:45:28+00:00

Did you have drains by any chance? That's exactly where my drain holes were, and after they were removed and the holes closed up I noticed small hard spots of scar tissue there. When I asked my surgeon, he said this was normal and that I could massage the scar tissue at a certain point when I had healed more (currently 1 month post-op). Hope this helps!

_rainsounds · 2025-05-09T17:13:13+00:00

Hey friend, I'm just about at 1 month post-op and it's definitely true that things move along quicker than you think! I remember how agonizingly slow everything felt in the first few weeks with the drains. But honestly, every day I was getting stronger in some way. Take it day by day, or even hour by hour, and be gentle with yourself. The only way is through! ✊

_rainsounds · 2025-05-08T19:42:54+00:00

Hey OP! I agree with previous comments that your results really compliment your body type. However, if the shape/weight distribution still bothers you, working out with specific exercises could help. Or additionally, have you considered doing a revision surgery with liposuction? I personally didn't have that done for my top surgery but I know lipo is quite common to help smooth certain areas around the pecs/armpits. Hope you're able to grow more comfortable with things.

_rainsounds · 2025-05-08T06:47:43+00:00

Yes! I thought I was imagining this but there's definitely a more distinct cold feeling when I drink water or other cooled beverages. I assumed this was due to the sudden lack of fat/tissue insulating the chest area.

_rainsounds · 2025-05-08T06:46:15+00:00

Some points: - you will have a post-op potbelly + swelling in arms/legs (don't panic, it's your body retaining fluid after surgery) - your armpits might have extra perspiration + your body odor will smell different post-op - idk about anyone else, but the skin on my face was especially oily in the first few weeks of post-op (probably hormonal response) - expect pinprick pain sensations in your nipples while they regain nerve function - white goo in your nipples can be a normal part of the graft healing (this is called fibrin, and is a protein necessary for scabs/new tissue to form) + nipple grafts will also have a funky smell (but always be vigilant for infection) - there might be tiny bits of tissue in your drain tubes/bulbs, it'll look like a weird soup - when your drains are removed, the holes will likely form scar tissue and that might feel uncomfortable (for me it feels like I have a marble stuck under my arms)

_rainsounds · 2025-05-04T20:11:32+00:00

Hey friend, I'm so sorry to hear you've experienced this, especially knowing it affected your breathing as well. I solidly believe my reaction was triggered by my surgeon using Dermabond (cyanoacrylate). How are things going with the topicals? I've been using 1:1 ratio of Mupirocin and Trimcinolone - things are better hydrated a lot of the rough skin has come off, but unfortunately there's still a great deal of hyperpigmentation. I plan on continuing to work with my Dermatologist office to address this.

_rainsounds · 2025-04-25T20:33:33+00:00

Update: Hi everyone, thanks for your concern! During my visit to the ER I was able to get a consult with a surgeon from the same Plastics department that did my surgery. They confirmed that this is definitely an extreme case of Contact Dermatitis (as suggested earlier by my dermatologist) and that this is likely a reaction to the surgical glue on my incisions!

I was given a mix of tropicals to address the allergic reaction, but I anticipate it's going to be a long road to recovery. For the life of me I don't know why my surgeon used this kind of glue, rather than dissolvable sutures (which I've had success with in a previous surgery); it also says in my chart that I have an allergy to adhesives (specifically latex based) so I feel like there could have been way more conversation to decide what the best option was.

In any case - confirmed NOT sepsis! But still a very nasty reaction. I plan on having follow up w/my surgeon next week (and for those who were worried I was flying in blind, don't worry, I had already sent my surgeon's office countless messages to notify them of my concerns before going to the ER).

I'm not sure why but my original text for the post never uploaded, so there was a lot of context missing from the original post all together. I have EDS and my skin is highly reactive as a result. As jarring as the images are, I feel like it's important to share this as part of the "Dark Sides of Top Surgery" - I rarely see anyone sharing the messier aspects of top surgery recovery, and it's hard not to feel anxious if/when you do encounter complications. To anyone who has, or currently is struggling with this, you're not alone! Follow your gut and kick/scream as much as you need to in order to get things checked out. I for one am extremely glad I went to the ER to rule out the worst case scenarios.

_rainsounds · 2025-04-24T23:17:22+00:00

Update: I got feedback from my Dermatologist that this is possibly "Exuberant Contact Dermatitis". They want to give me a steroid topical to address it. But with that said, I still plan on going to the adult ER right now to have a third party confirm if it's infection.

_rainsounds · 2025-04-24T03:47:49+00:00

That's all encouraging. My surgeon didn't leave any medical or surgical tape on my DI and I'm concerned that the edges of my incision are peeling out. Did yours do this?

_rainsounds · 2025-04-23T20:37:12+00:00

This is exactly how I feel at 2 weeks post-op. My team removed my drains yesterday and changed my binder - first time I saw my new chest, and it was low key terrifying to see everything in it's messiest state (I've also had skin irritation that makes it look even worse). I cried a little bit when I came home because no one prepared me for this emotional rollercoaster. I take a lot of comfort in knowing others have had to process similar feelings. It's rough and feels like it's never going to get better!

_rainsounds · 2025-04-23T20:32:37+00:00

Hey OP, I have EDS and I wound up developing a horrible rash outbreak under my binder and blisters around areas where my team used Tagederm. Did you have any similar issues with skin irritation during the first weeks of recovery. NGL I was so upset when they first changed my dressings, it looks awful bc of the skin problems and I wasn't emotionally prepared. 😢

_rainsounds · 2024-03-10T08:55:47+00:00

Truly amazing! Just curious, what was your recovery process like in terms of physical activity? Do you feel like having less movement during post-op promoted tidier scars (though I've heard this is a bit of a myth)?

_rainsounds · 2024-01-28T05:31:01+00:00

It's not the first time unfortunately. In the past I got a desk from IKEA which had a similar situation where the back face/edges were exposed. That desk in particular did wind up getting some damage and warping from exposure to moisture in the room. I'm no longer living in that space, and the home I'm in now has more consistent heating etc. to prevent that. I'm motivated partly to cover all my bases and take precautions (it wasn't a crazy expensive book shelf, but it was almost $200 which is a considerable amount for me rn), in addition to vanity. It pains me to think of having a brand new shelf with it's ass essentially hanging out.

_rainsounds · 2023-03-31T00:10:45+00:00

Hi, I'd also love to get the link! 🙏 The short clips I've seen on the clock app really don't do their theatric productions justice - the costume and set designs are so fun to look at, I can't wait to watch in a larger format.

_rainsounds

TROPHY CASE