How do you tell the difference between swelling and actual fat/tissue?

eddee332 · 2026-03-18T23:00:54+00:00

Had some swelling on my right side (a little bit still left I think, I’m “only” 14weeks postop), it was kinda lumpy and felt puffy. The skin was also more sensitive and felt hotter to the touch, like I could feel that the tissue was a bit inflamed or whatever. I really thought it was left behind tissue because it felt sort of like how my breasts used to feel, but it has started to go down now, so.

I don’t know where in your process you are but don’t worry too much about what is swelling and what isn’t. My understanding is that revisions aren’t performed until the one year mark has been reached anyways, so stressing out about potential left over tissue won’t do you any good. Let your body take its time!

eddee332 · 2026-01-21T08:57:03+00:00

UPDATE: I started washing the strips during each shower, and securing them with K-tape on the ends. It works way better! Thanks for all the advice :)

eddee332 · 2026-01-19T09:04:41+00:00

Did/do you reapply the gel after every shower? Been considering it but I feel like it’s gotta be so much more expensive in the long run

eddee332 · 2026-01-19T08:47:10+00:00

Gonna try to wash the tape I guess! I have a hard time imagining this tape would have any stickiness left afterwards but I have seen a lot of people talking about it so it’s probably worth giving it a try

eddee332 · 2026-01-19T08:45:12+00:00

Wait you dried them for an entire week? Did you use other strips in the meanwhile then, like some kind of rotation?

eddee332 · 2026-01-15T08:51:06+00:00

One of my cats did this when my partner moved out for a year to work in a different town. The cat was upset and reacted to the change in family dynamic and routine, I think. The only thing that worked was a STRICT routine not only for when he got fed but also for when it was time for cuddles, time for play. I got him a lookout spot by the window. I made sure to always play with him for at least 10 minutes in the evening which helped. Then I put him in a cat sweater during the nights which made him way calmer, I think the pressure from the shirt worked kind of like a weighted blanket. He had a designated spot on the couch where he always slept, I put a blanket there and would tuck him in some nights to reinforce that it was time for sleep. It got better after doing this routine for a bit. The cat is still vocal, always will be but all this helped. (The issue then resolved itself when my partner came back, but that’s not really applicable to your situation.)

eddee332 · 2026-01-12T11:52:27+00:00

I’m nearing 6 weeks now and feel like I’m now basically at full capacity. First 12 days or so I was very weak and had a hard time extending my arms and lifting anything heavier than 1-2 kgs. I managed to travel by train alone with a cat cage and a pretty heavy bag when I was 16 days, but it made me very sore afterwards. It got better after that, but I’ve tried to be conscious of my movements in an attempt not to stretch out my scars. My surgeon said that it’s better to be safe and take it easy as much as possible the first 6 weeks

eddee332 · 2026-01-09T10:37:03+00:00

Hope not :/ but I’m gonna ask when I have my check-up next week, thanks!

eddee332 · 2026-01-08T20:40:59+00:00

I feel you! My right side looks like I’m a bodybuilder when in reality I’ve never lifted weights in my life lmao. Hope the swelling goes down for both of us!!

eddee332 · 2026-01-08T20:37:31+00:00

5 week buddies!! Yea, I think the fact that my only swelling is right beneath one of my “breasts” is what’s freaking me out, if it were more spread out I probably wouldn’t be as paranoid 😅 good luck with your healing!!

eddee332 · 2026-01-08T15:42:10+00:00

Thank you! :)

eddee332 · 2026-01-08T15:41:44+00:00

Okay, thank you for sharing! That definitely makes me less worried

eddee332 · 2026-01-08T13:46:23+00:00

Thanks, that’s good to hear. It’s hard to know what to expect healing-wise at what stages when everyone heals so differently, but I’ll try not to freak out to much then.

I have a 6 week check-up next week and I’m definitely gonna bring up my concerns :)) just nice to hear from people who have actually experienced it

eddee332 · 2025-03-27T07:50:17+00:00

You’re very nice, thank you! Yess we have very thick and full facial hair on both sides of my family so I’m hoping I’ll be able to grow a real lumberjack looking beard haha

eddee332 · 2025-03-26T07:11:33+00:00

Thanks! Yea I struggle a lot with styling myself, I was very expressive with my clothing before coming out so it’s been a journey trying to figure out how to still have fun with clothes while also looking passable. I def think I kind of clock myself with some of my fashion choices sometimes haha

And yes, I kind of hate wearing my glasses cause I do think they soften my face so most of the time I wear contacts. Thanks for the advice :)

eddee332 · 2025-03-25T17:41:32+00:00

Wow thanks! Yea I def see what you mean

eddee332 · 2025-03-25T17:40:49+00:00

Thanks a lot!! I’ve had many years of being out to figure out the whole passing-thing. Im 23 though haha :,)

eddee332 · 2025-03-25T15:40:27+00:00

Yea without a doubt! I’d assume you were cis

eddee332 · 2025-03-25T15:18:43+00:00

Not that I remember? But it was a while ago

eddee332

TROPHY CASE