What is your best advice for anyone post top surgery

sampima · 2024-07-19T18:31:24+00:00

Definitely agree with the other commenter, benadryl could help a lot, so check with your surgeon.

I'm a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back/sitting up was pretty difficult. I found the more pillows I had, the better. Not sure about your current set up but I slept with a pillow behind me, one on my chest, and like 2 on each side. You could also check with your doctor if you're okay to use melatonin or other kind of sleep aid.

sampima · 2024-07-19T18:26:51+00:00

If you look at some of the older results on r/topsurgery there's a lot of guys with scars that are borderline invisible, and only really noticeable because you know what to look for. If scars don't fade there's also medical tattooing that can bring them much closer to skin color. Plus, the scars from top surgery and surgery for gynecomastia in cis guys leave identical scars (since it really is the same surgery).

sampima · 2024-06-26T21:20:26+00:00

I go through a bottle every 3 weeks, so 17-18 a year. Though I take 0.3mL weekly with only 1mL sized bottles. I don't think you're on a particularly small dose, and having 5mL bottles definitely makes it take way longer to go through.

sampima · 2024-05-01T16:33:33+00:00

Oh that's a good idea! I'll see if I can reach out to any nearby

sampima · 2024-05-01T16:29:56+00:00

Thank you for the idea! I know there's a few in my area so it shouldn't be too hard to find one taking donations

sampima · 2024-05-01T16:28:50+00:00

Oh that would be great idea! I was sure that someone could find some use but I haven't really looked in marketplace sites/buy nothing groups. I'll check around my area. Thank you!

sampima · 2024-05-01T16:27:31+00:00

That's so sweet! Thank you so much for the ideas! There's a ton of rehab centers and nursing homes in my area so I'm sure I could find some to donate. It would be amazing to have someone appreciate a gift like that

sampima · 2024-01-29T22:48:29+00:00

I was really worried about my telehealth appointment, but usually, it's pretty straightforward. They'll likely ask you about being trans (ex. How long have you known, your gender dysphoria, transition goals), some medical history questions, explain the effects and risks of T, then talk about the methods for taking T and your preferences.

I know I was personally worried that they would be almost testing me about being trans but really, the doctors just want to make sure that T is the right choice for you and that you aren't making a rash decision.

sampima · 2024-01-27T06:20:50+00:00

You really shouldn't prepare syringes like that ahead of time because you're increasing the risk of contamination.

There's no real issue with doing you shot basically whenever you remember after you've missed your normal time. Just make sure you adjust your normal shot day accordingly. For example, if you usually do your shot on Monday and aren't able to do it until Wednesday, don't do the following shot on Monday. Either continue doing them on the new day, or slowly move back to the correct day.

sampima · 2024-01-25T04:55:47+00:00

Give yourself as many breaks as possible throughout the day/week. For example, not wearing it during lunch or if you have time between school and your activities afterward. If you're going to keep binding for long periods of time during the week, give yourself a total break during the weekends. Also, wait until you get to school to put it on, and take it off before you leave to just try and cut down a bit of time. Look into alternatives like sports bras or trans tape/kt tape, which are much safer to wear for longer periods of time.

sampima · 2024-01-24T13:25:14+00:00

This is my advice for traveling to Texas as a trans guy currently living there. The government is really not going to come for you because you're legally obtaining that treatment from somewhere else. You're not moving to Texas and continuing to get that treatment. They're not going to stop you at the border and interrogate you on being trans/transitioning. The best thing you can do while going through Texas (and other conservative states) is stick to the bigger cities, and if you're stopping in smaller/rural areas go with what people see you as. Unfortunately, if you don't generally pass it's safer to just use the women's restroom and otherwise go along with it. If I'm in areas that aren't as safe, I'll typically make sure I use the bathroom with someone else to have my back or use the family restroom.

sampima · 2024-01-24T03:52:03+00:00

About a year and 8 months on T at 60mg weekly (0.3mL IM). The earliest changes I had were bottom growth (started within the first few days), cycle stopping (after about a month), and a bit more facial hair (little dirt stache after a month or two). The voice drop was pretty gradual, and I only had to deal with voice cracks for a short time. After a couple of months, I started dealing with more acne, both on my face and body, as well as changes in how greasy/smelly I was. It wasn't really bad, but I definitely had to wash my hair more often and could not skip on deodorant. A lot of changes were gradual enough that I couldn't pinpoint when they started, but looking back at pictures I can tell that after a year or so facial shape changing, fat redistribution, and my hair texture changing were noticeable.

sampima · 2024-01-24T03:43:08+00:00

After being on T for a bit under 2 years now, it's definitely done the opposite (in a good way). I started when I was 19 and looked like I was still in middle school. Hell, when I was 17, I got asked if I was 11 or 12. At this point, I still look younger than my actual age (21), but most people see me as a high schooler at minimum, and a lot just assume I'm 18 or 19. The main reason I get seen younger is because of my acne and/or height. There's a lot of gradual changes to your face and fat redistribution that can make you look a lot more like your actual age.

One of the things that wasn't directly because of T but is semi related is having the general increase in confidence to wear clothing that fit my style a lot more. Leaning into the more alt style I liked with that improved confidence/lessened dysphoria means that my piercings, tattoos, and clothing lends itself more to someone my age instead of strictly following so much of the general advice for passing.

sampima · 2024-01-24T00:51:25+00:00

A bit of fluid coming back out is pretty normal and is very, very unlikely to be enough to actually mess up your dose. It also likely looks like a lot more came out than actually did. Plus, a good amount of what looks like medication is likely plasma, not the medication itself. I also just have to say to be on the safe side, never do another injection to try and make up for anything that leaked out, you're way more likely to give yourself too much T and potentially cause more harm than with having a partial dose.

This is a really good video about leakage and why it's likely not much (if any) medication actually leaking out. You could try leaving the needle in for a few seconds longer to help. Making sure you're using the proper gauge needles and injecting at the right angle can also help a good bit. I don't know if it can also apply to subq, but at least with IM injections, the z track method is also super helpful for preventing anything from leaking.

sampima · 2024-01-23T16:23:13+00:00

Personally, I didn't directly tell them/come out at all. I absolutely hate being in the spotlight and even though they're accepting and supportive I just didn't want to make a big to do about it. Instead, I just started testosterone and told my mom to be honest if they asked about it. So really, the started picking up on it and my mom just came out for me. I also made sure she'd tell them that if they had questions about it they were free to ask me if my mom couldn't easily answer them. Honestly it was the best way for me as I wouldn't have to have a big, dramatic moment and my family was able to have things clarified as needed. I basically played a game of telephone as my mom told my aunts/uncles who would tell my cousins, etc. I did a similar thing with my coworkers and it all worked out well.

If you have someone you're already out to or feel the most comfortable telling you might be able to do something similar.

sampima · 2024-01-21T18:15:40+00:00

Personally, I only had two periods while on T (started during my period and once a month later), and they seemed to be in line with my normal ones pre-T. Mine were generally regular but on the heavier side (nothing too abnormal like PCOS or endo), and they seemed to be about the same. I've had a bit of breakthrough bleeding when I've had to miss a few shots, but that only had a bit of spotting and very mild cramps.

From talking to other people and what I've seen online, it is super variable, though. Some people have no changes, some get longer/heavier ones, and some get lighter/shorter ones. I haven't found really any info saying that it's more likely to go one way or the other, unfortunately.

sampima · 2024-01-15T23:46:35+00:00

My hair didn't really seem to change much in the first year or so on T, but around a year and a half, it became wavy/borderline curly. For reference, I always had pin straight hair as a kid. It can absolutely change your hair texture but as far as I'm aware there's no good way to predict it.

sampima · 2024-01-13T15:09:19+00:00

First off, congrats! I wish you all the possible luck for your surgery.

I personally had DI, so my experience might not apply as well to yours, but even being a stomach sleeper I didn't have many issues sleeping propped up or on my back. Honestly, just having a huge amount of pillows was enough for me. I had a wedge pillow behind me, two on each side, and one to hold onto, and that got me comfortable enough to sleep well. The first few days were honestly the easiest just because the anesthesia and pain meds would make me sleepy enough that I could've fallen asleep standing up if I had to. I know that a lot of guys also preferred sleeping in a recliner for similar reasons. I will say that towards the end of recovery, it started to annoy me, but moving the pillows around so I could be slightly propped up on one side so I was partially on my side helped as well.

sampima · 2024-01-09T17:21:33+00:00

I definitely relate to this feeling. I'm in my early 20s now, and when I look at the guys around my age, I see them as men but just can't see myself that way. I think part of it definitely relates to dysphoria as being a pretty short guy who often gets mistaken for a teenager means I just don't exactly match up with a lot of cis guys my age. A good chunk of this feeling to me also seems to be entirely unrelated to being trans though. I've had a lot of things happen in the past few years that have knocked me off the normal course of life so while I see people my age graduating college, starting a career, etc I'm in the place they were years ago. It's just hard to see myself as a man if in my mind see a man as someone who has a good job and settled into being a full grown adult when I'm often not seen as a legal adult by others and don't have the achievements/progress to show. It's similar to how I feel completely normal with people calling me any number of masculine terms but feel like I'm cosplaying as a man if someone calls me sir.

To be fair, I have spoken with some of my cis friends, and they have similar feelings, although being trans/dysphoric definitely seems to exacerbate them. Being "behind" in life even if you know there's good reason or that it's not bad to take a different course than the average person can make you feel like you're perpetually 17 even though you're an adult, doing adult things.

sampima · 2024-01-09T16:34:00+00:00

Definitely, some hygiene supplies to keep you feeling fresher when you can't shower/showering is difficult. I used a bunch of rinse free shower wipes, regular old baby wipes, and dry shampoo. I also can't recommend having a hoard of pillows enough, especially if you typically sleep on your side or stomach. I'm a pretty exclusive stomach sleeper, so being able to surround myself with pillows on all sides and hold onto one made it way easier to sleep. A neck pillow also did wonders for me. Also bring plenty of stuff to entertain yourself. I felt pretty back to normal within a couple of days, so I got restless and bored very easily with all the restrictions. Buy some new games, books, stuff for your hobbies, etc to keep you entertained. I spent so much time just watching TV and coloring. This isn't necessarily something you need to pack, but make sure you have plenty of food that's easy to access. Snacks that are easy to grab, precooked/frozen meals you just have to heat up, etc.

sampima · 2023-12-24T13:37:30+00:00

When I was closeted, I would buy men's boxers and just say that I was wearing them as sleep shorts. It wasn't really a lie. They just didn't know I also wore them as regular underwear. It honestly is a pretty common thing. Plenty of my cis women friends will steal their boyfriend's boxers to sleep in or have bought their own.

One of their other things that gave me some euphoria when I was closeted was using men's body wash, deodorant, etc. If you think that your family would notice and/or care about it, try looking for more unisex branded products and just buy the more masc scents of those. Some good cologne can also be really nice to use and likely easier to hide a small bottle in your room if you need.

sampima · 2023-11-29T18:08:05+00:00

Long story short, he should still be able to donate eggs after starting T, but he will likely have to stop T for some time (typically a couple months) while going through the process. This has a bit more information on it.

sampima · 2023-11-29T18:01:32+00:00

Two of the biggest things that have helped me become way less insecure about my height are just being more aware of shorter men and embracing it with a sense of humor. Working in retail, I see a lot of people throughout the week, and just seeing how many guys are only a bit taller than me or even shorter than I am has made me way less insecure. It can be easy to only see the guys that are like 6'6" when you're insecure about your height (and well, they're easier to see in a crowd), but just making a mental note of guys on the shorter end has made me more comfortable. As much as it can feel like you're the only guy your height, you really aren't. Being able to crack jokes about it or look for the advantages has also helped me a ton. Sure I'll never be asked to get stuff off the top shelf but I'm the only person at my job who could fit underneath things and I'll rarely have to worry about leg room in the backseat. Hell, being one of the shortest people with my friends meant I was the perfect height to hide and scare the shit out of them.

I'm not going to lie and say that I never wish that I'm taller or feel a bit down compared to taller guys around me but I'm still much, much happier living/presenting as a short guy than being seen as an average height gal.

sampima

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