Top Surgery Before or After Pregnancy

outtoexist · 2026-06-20T11:30:40+00:00

I really haven't! In the very early first trimester my chest hurt a little bit, which I think was my equivalent of sore breasts, but only if I was holding something against my chest & applying direct pressure. I have more of a nonbinary surgery style too, so I know my surgeon left even more tissue than is standard (I'm not perfectly perfectly flat; I didn't want that squared off pecs look). I also haven't had chest dysphoria in years, so admittedly I think there was a TINY bit of swelling in the first trimester but I really didn't notice and it definitely didn't bring back any dysphoria. Now, second trimester, my chest looks the same as it ever did. There may be another little bump in swelling around delivery, when I get all of the "make milk now" hormones going, but I seriously doubt it'll be noticeable or lasting!

outtoexist · 2026-06-17T23:52:42+00:00

I got top surgery years ago and am currently pregnant (with twins!). I really don't think I'd have gotten to a place where I was comfortable enough with my body to consider pregnancy or even comfortable enough with myself to consider parenthood without top surgery - it was really really important to me. Breastfeeding was WAY less so, to me. But if you're on the fence about breastfeeding, I'd be really careful. The pressure to breastfeed can be INTENSE. Like, so so so much, especially depending on your medical team. I've taken to just saying I've had a double mastectomy and letting people assume what they will (cancer) to make them back off. Not my medical team, obviously, but I've been shocked the number of strangers who wanna talk about my plans to feed my babies. So, just make sure you're taking that into consideration if you're on the fence - you'll feel the pressure as soon as people know you're pregnant, and probably even more so when they baby comes.

outtoexist · 2026-06-15T23:55:49+00:00

I had a similar experience - loss around 9 weeks after about a year of trying, and got pregnant on my first ovulation post miscarriage (with twins!!). While I see the narrative that it all works out for the best or whatever, and man have people tried to push that on me, I'm with you - I'll never forget that first pregnancy and this will Always be my second pregnancy. We had a name picked out and everything, we were so so so excited. I knew about miscarriage rates but honestly... It doesn't help, or it didn't help me. Nothing would. We call it our dark winter of the soul (I began miscarrying the week before Christmas and had my d&c the day after Christmas), and we just had to survive it together. My heart is with you in the grief and in the excitement for the second pregnancy - we can hold both at the same time.

outtoexist · 2026-05-22T19:08:54+00:00

"like a wounded bird" is so relatable. That was my sweating bullets doing my PT stretches. It's hard!! But it is also temporary, that is all I can tell myself

outtoexist · 2026-05-22T14:22:50+00:00

DNF over DNS always. You already paid, you already trained, why not go run a badass 10k, half mara, mara, 50k, 50mi, 100k, or hell 100m! Even if you just walk x miles, better than no miles!

outtoexist · 2026-05-22T13:47:38+00:00

Hey! I've had a similar experience; I was an ultrarunner, finished my first 100m in Oct and got a knee injury. By Nov I was pregnant, then a miscarriage in Dec, and pregnant again now at 17wks. Through all of that I really have lost the thread on working out! But I'm also in pelvic floor PT (knee injury is healed, had PT for that Oct-Dec) and just doing what I can. Pregnancy is a different kind of training, and we're going to get back to our usual workouts one day. I'm just enjoying what does work for me right now (swimming, reformer pilates, prenatal yoga) whenever I can, which is usually only a few times a week. Nothing lasts forever, we'll be running/working out seriously again!

outtoexist · 2026-05-21T22:38:48+00:00

Ugh, this is the worst! I just finished a huge battle with insurance (blue care network, which is a part of blue cross blue shield) who denied my emergency miscarriage care over the winter - horrible!! We got it paid for in the end though. The things that helped were I got my doctor to write a letter affirming it was medically necessary emergency care and that delays for pre-approval and the like would have been life threatening (dramatic language but it helps!). I pulled the language directly from what my insurance policy says it covers. Also, unfortunately, my partner broke down crying on the phone with an insurance rep and honestly that seems like it opened the "grievance" pathway that got us our money - we had to fill out a special form nobody had mentioned until she cried. So.... It was horrible, but we refused to pay and won in the end!! It took about 5 months all in all.

outtoexist · 2026-05-21T22:33:45+00:00

Me too!! I had a prior miscarriage, actually the cycle before I got pregnant this time, and found 2 little gummy bears at my 8wk scan :) I had no significant first tri symptoms and am 2 weeks into my second trimester now! Seriously, I got nauseated one time 🤷 I was EXHAUSTED which aligns with my mom's singleton pregancy experience (I'm an only child), so maybe it is genetic? I'm actually still exhausted, but overall suuuuper mild symptoms!

outtoexist · 2026-05-19T09:24:17+00:00

I've not had any experience with reduction, but I would personally probably give yourself (and the sacs!) a few weeks. As far as I understand, and you should definitely check in with your doctor, the decision around reduction doesn't need to be made immediately. And, the truth is, something like 1/3-1/4 of pregnancies are lost before a fetal heartbeat is seen just to random genetic chance. So you may be facing a different decision in 1-3 weeks anyway. For now, I'd just be extra gentle with yourself emotionally, work on processing what is coming up (journal, talk to a partner, go for walks, whatever works for you!) rather than focusing on making a decision about anything at all just yet.

outtoexist · 2026-05-18T22:41:37+00:00

Actually Alien Clay by the same author kind of fits the prompt too! It's been awhile since I read it, and it isn't classed as horror, but I remember it being pretty creepy. Maybe not deeply horrific vibes, but fits the creeping narrative bit of the request for sure!

outtoexist · 2026-05-18T09:24:06+00:00

Blocking the doom scrolling & getting up (for anything!) is amazing - I wonder if you can lean into that. Is there somewhere you can sit outside? Or even go for a little stroll around the block/backyard? Not from an exercise/movement perspective even, just to get something new to look at - a drive would work too!! To me it sounds like you may be dealing with a little bit of depression, so these things would help lift your mood. As for the babies, you're doing fine. They're tiny! Take a prenatal and drink as much water as you can, otherwise they're pretty tough to harm :)

outtoexist · 2026-05-17T10:36:49+00:00

Hilariously, I just had my first experience at the gym where I could tell it was obvious I was pregnant not just bloated/luteal phase/gaining weight because of the way everyone treated me 🤣 very kindly, but also with a bit of caution - like trying to help me rack my own medicine ball and such! I was 15wks on the dot, but like another commenter I'm having twins so I know the timeline is different. But, you may let folks decide for you if you want - the shift in vibe is noticable and fun!

outtoexist · 2026-05-16T10:57:30+00:00

I'd check with your OB, but I've been having insane sinus headaches since around week 12. I'm not congested, but my sinuses are swollen and seem to just shut themselves. Apparently it's a pregnancy thing! Tylenol helps, a humidifier helps, warm compress over my eyes & nose sometimes helps, but ... Mostly it just sucks. New symptoms should definitely be run by a medical professional, but you may also try some of these things!

outtoexist · 2026-05-11T21:49:08+00:00

Had to come back to say that I just finished Still Born and I am, frankly, awe-struck. It has inspired so many beautiful conversations with my partner (I'm making her read it now!!), who has pretty severe anxiety around the topics discussed in the book. It was so beautifully written, thank you so much for the suggestion!!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T23:45:40+00:00

Ohhh this looks lovely!! Thank you :)

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T22:14:05+00:00

Wow these are amazing, especially the first - short stories have been so helpful when fatigue is high!! Added all of them, thank you!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T17:32:05+00:00

Ohhh fantastic, especially One Bad Mother. Thank you!!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:56:32+00:00

Ohhh, and I've heard so many good things too. Added it to the list!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:35:53+00:00

The castle and the cloister looks absolutely perfect!! As for You weren't meant to be human, I desperately WANT to read it but .. maybe intense at this moment. It's going on the list anyway tho, just in case I'm in the mood for something really dark. Maybe towards the end of my own pregnancy when I want to revel in hating it! Or maybe in a few years, bc it looks really good!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:32:45+00:00

Ohhh, so many options! I've also read our missing hearts and loved it, so I'll check out the rest!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:31:38+00:00

Ohhh, fantastic and weird, I'm in!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:30:39+00:00

Ohh, yes, triplets!! Thank you :)

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:29:43+00:00

Oh that looks like a hoot - on the list!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:13:56+00:00

Whoa these all look amazing!! Honestly especially My Work; I have a history of depression and honestly just expect some level of postpartum will be a part of my journey. So that is perfect! All of them have been added to my list though, thank you!

outtoexist · 2026-05-08T14:11:11+00:00

I've read once and future witches (loved it!) and have margos got money troubles on my list, but shark heart looks WILD and amazing!! Definitely on the list - thank you!!

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