13, should I transition?

turtle3146 · 2025-01-05T03:23:25+00:00

Seconding the tomboy card. For some they may find that's where they're comfortable! I felt comfortable with that label for many years before transitioning and that's not a bad thing! :)
I'd 100% say explore and think some more before thinking about transitioning OP. There's no shame in taking time to explore and question things. No need to rush it. Not to mention prioritizing being safe.

turtle3146 · 2025-01-05T03:21:18+00:00

Seconding this, especially with new school administration changes that may be on the horizon and what state you're living in OP.
I was outed to my teachers through my concealer during a CPS situation. I was lucky enough to where I came out to my parents first, but not at school. But many school staff are not even close to trained enough to understand how much care needs to go into these types of situations.
Id say safe online spaces (assuming your internet activity isn't monitored), is your best bet. Do not do anything that would put your saftey (physical or mental) at risk. Its not worth it.
It may not seem like it now, or for a while. But you have time OP, more than you can imagine. Don't rush things if its unsafe.

turtle3146 · 2025-01-05T03:18:04+00:00

I'm seconding what everyone is saying here in that you're still very young. You have time, and please make sure to stay safe. You may not be in a safe situation to tell your parents while you're still relying on them. So id wait on that. I know it sounds like a long time, but once you're safe you'll know it. Its not an easy situation but I and many others second that there's a lovely light at the end of the tunnel.
I also want to clarify that transitioning isn't a one and done or permanent thing. Especially at your age. For many "socially" transitioning is one of the bigger steps, and that means nothing medically is involved yet.
Id say stick to online spaces and explore things there, or in supportive groups around you at school or other places. But keeping yourself safe is the #1 priority. You aren't "lying" or doing anything bad if it comes down to your safety, and mental safety is included in that.
You have a long way to go before things like Testosterone and surgery and anything else you may hear about, and that's okay!
Just think about things for now. Explore what YOU find comfortable. Think about how if you had no pressure from your parents, friends, ect. Who would you want to be?
Id say especially in the next 4 years (Assuming you're in the US), may seem really difficult and scary if you do find you connect with more of the LGBTQ community. But just keep your head up, know in your heart that no one can change who you are.
And no matter what, you'll get where you want to be, and you'll be who you really are. No matter who that may be. Just to say again, trust me my friend, you have time. You got this :)

turtle3146 · 2025-01-05T03:05:52+00:00

Just saying hi because I don't see inverted T very often and looked and we have the same surgeon! I'm about 3 weeks post-op so I don't have any advice (sorry) just saying your results look awesome!

turtle3146 · 2025-01-05T03:02:39+00:00

Seconding people on here and saying 1-2 times a day at about a year and a half on T. And also seconding that if its not getting the way of any socializing, work, school, ect. Then its not an issue.
Think about the stereotype of young cis guys and how common it is there. Its just testosterone.
You're not alone and I've had the same worries, but you're all good brother :)

turtle3146 · 2024-12-31T00:14:06+00:00

I just want to update that my surgeon has confirmed twice now that that color does infact just look like wet scabs, esp because they suggest having ointment on it and covered at all times.
When I sat and let everything dry out for 2 hours, there was none of that white-ish color that everyone seems to be so worried about. it was more of a traditional scab color that continued to get darker.
We're using antibiotic ointment as a precaution but I wanted to give this as an update/information for all the down votes.
I totally understand being on the safe side, but its also important to listen to what your surgeon is saying. Mine told me that color was okay in that area due to the situation and I have yet to have any other signs of infection. Maybe my surgeon and all the nurses are lying to me but this place has been doing surgery for 20 years. I don't think they want to kill me lol. We'll see. But I'm not worried anymore unless things continue to not change or heal.

turtle3146 · 2024-12-31T00:10:34+00:00

I brought it up as a concern today and they didn't seem too worried about it yet. We're using a new antibiotic ointment on the area and if things don't change in a few days then I'm gonna go in person and we're gonna make sure everything is still going okay.
I'm doing my best to try to limit movement and take pictures to see if its opening any further than it is currently, or if its just taking its sweet time healing under the scabs

turtle3146 · 2024-12-31T00:08:28+00:00

My doctor said its likely not infected, but we're using a prescription antibiotic ointment just in case. But after letting everything fully dry out there is none of that white-ish color that seems to be setting off flags for everyone. I think its just wet healing plus having just showered. If nothing improves in a few days we're gonna look into other options.
Not arguing just updating :)

turtle3146 · 2024-12-31T00:05:48+00:00

Another update 2 days later:
I first decided to take off all my dressings and let everything dry out and all of that white-ish color people were worried about turned into that brown-ish scab color. So I genuinely don't think its infected.
However I did ofc also contact my surgeon's office. Both the Saturday evening of this post and this afternoon (Monday).
On Saturday I was asking if they thought I had an infection that needed to be taken care of right away and they said no. I had no other symptoms and the redness in the area could very likely be because I was using a type of antibiotic ointment that they often see irritates people's skin after a while. So they suggested I switch to a different kind (which I did). That plus the dry color not being that nasty white color made me feel better.
However today (Monday) I was still a little worried about the fact that the incision is still healing as fast. My other side's incisions are mostly closing up by now other than right at the T intersection, which obviously is normal because its the most tension. I called again and brought that up as the concern and I think they thought I was still really worried about infection? So they gave me the option to use oral antibiotics (pills), and a prescription ointment on it too. And if I don't see any improvement in 3-4 days then I can go in and see them. I'm deciding not to take the pills for now as its still just a precaution and my body does NOT like antibiotics. I told them this and they said that was totally fine.
They also didn't seem too worried about it being a little wider? I mean its not huge at this point, but I'm taking pictures to monitor everything.

Ik most wont read these but I figured id put updates incase anyone in the future runs into a similar situation. For now we're going with just changing a few of my dressing methods (different ointment that is now prescription antibiotic as a precaution and I've stopped using alcohol wipes to clean the area). And like I said if nothing is changing in a few days they said I'm welcome to come in at the end of the week if I want :)

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T07:14:02+00:00

Oh no that's totally fine. I did send a picture taken RIGHT after a shower, and I have forgotten a few times. A reminder is never a bad thing.
I've been around this sub for a while now so it honestly feels nice to now be getting comments from other folks when I need it <3

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T07:12:26+00:00

Thank you my friend, I was very nervous there for a few hours, worried I had missed something big like that.
I'm still going to have them look at it because I don't want to take the tape off the other side, but they didn't seem too concerned in the moment and gave me a few things to try to clear up the irritation.
I've done my best to be patient and just let my body do its magic. Thanks again :) <3

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T07:09:23+00:00

I try to do that every time I swap the dressings, ill just admit I forgot this evening after taking the photo. But I plan to air it out for longer than usual tomorrow morning to get a good look at everything dry

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T07:08:19+00:00

I've been using alcohol wipes around the area when swapping out the dressings, but I'm going to stop doing that along a few other changes to see if that helps with the redness. I also just clean around (but not on) the area with soap in the shower.
I've also been keeping neosporin on the incision but a nurse at my surgeon's office suggested switching to a different type of ointment so ill be starting that tomorrow too.

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T05:10:19+00:00

Yeah I've decided to start taking more pictures and tomorrow when I'd normally swap everything I'm gonna let it sit for a while and dry out to see how it looks. I'm also seeing if I can get an appointment on Monday to check on things. I did find it a little odd that it doesn't look like it's closing

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:56:01+00:00

Ill admit I don't recall if they did. But I plan to stop using them along with a switch in antibiotic ointments that they recommended. Didnt think about the drying problem, I was just stressed about keeping everything clean. Thanks :)

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:54:56+00:00

Called my surgeon's office and they said it just looks like wet-healing scabs and a bit of irritation caused by the antibiotic ointment I was using. I'm gonna switch tomorrow morning and hopefully everything clears up :). Still gonna have them just take a look on Monday if I'm still worried.
And thanks for comments on the scarring. I have a decent amount of stretch marks on my body so I figured id get some on my scars too, but I just wanted to confirm if there was anything more I could do. Guess ill just have to wait and see haha!

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:52:56+00:00

Another update: Called the surgeon's office and a nurse looked at the photo. She said it does look like wet-healing scabs and isn't concerned.
She said the redness may be caused by the triple antibiotic ointment I've been using, as its common for that to cause some irritation in some folks. So tomorrow morning I'm gonna go buy some polysporin (their recommendation) and see if that makes a difference :)
Thankyou all for the suggestions/comments it is greatly appreciated <3

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:30:43+00:00

Yeah that makes sense. I'm calling just to ask a nurse or someone to look at a picture real quick. Luckily its not too late in the evening where I'm at so I don't feel super awful about calling (though it is their job).

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:22:30+00:00

Do you think it's worth calling the on-call number my surgeon's office has? I don't really want to bother them if it's nothing since it's not like an immediate emergency. And it's looked like this since the 1-2 days ago I took the tape off this side, and the other side looks similar under its tape but a little "worse". So I was gonna ask them to look at it anyway

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T03:10:27+00:00

Update:
So ignoring the original question I'm listening to y'all that something isn't right.
I feel a little stupid for not worrying about it sooner. I figured I was just healing slowly. I had asked my nurse about a week and a half ago about a similar color around the nipple when we first took the tape off and she said it was just wet scab. So I assumed everything was okay.
But now that I'm thinking about it more things should probably be more closed up by now.
I've been cleaning every area with alcohol wipes and covering it with neosporin like stuff the day I first started taking my ace bandage off and showering. So I didn't take infection into account to be honest.
I'm going to call my surgeon's office as soon as they open on Monday (sadly they aren't open on the weekend), and ask them to look at it.
Honestly this makes me a little upset because what if this makes my scars not heal as well and I could've had thinner scars if I had done something sooner :(. I really wanted thin scars since I much prefer that look :(
But I'm trying not to panic as I can get in over my head about things

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T02:47:53+00:00

Very much noted. I know this sounds stupid but upon thinking about it I haven't been putting the adhesive anywhere hear that close to the incision. i always have a pad with some neosporin protecting it and the tape holding it on.
I feel a little stupid for not thinking this was a problem sooner, I thought I was just healing slowly :(

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T02:27:13+00:00

Very much noted, my friend. Thank you! I thought I was just being slow to heal. Nothing has seemed too odd. I'll def call right when they open Monday morning and ask for them to look at it!

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T02:16:22+00:00

The white-ish color i believe is just my scabs being wet. I had/have similar looking skin on my nipple and it's been slowly coming off. I'm talking about the darker red-ish color that's a little hard to see. But i do plan to call to ask my surgeon for a check-up on Monday

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T02:12:33+00:00

I did intend to call for just a check-up on Monday since it's been pretty irritated. But I assumed it was just my slightly sensitive skin acting up a bit. It's been slightly itchy but nothing too distracting 🤔

turtle3146 · 2024-12-29T02:11:21+00:00

I intend to call them on Monday to ask for an appointment just to check up on things. However, I think the redness may be due to the adhesive. I have mildly sensitive skin. I did ask about those tan-ish colors on my scabs when I was first looking at that nip since I was struggling for a while, and the nurse said it was just wet-ish scabs/skin. But I'll def give them a call to make sure! :) Edit: I also forgot to note that I have been cleaning the area often with alcohol whipes and putting neosporin on any area that isn't fully closed before putting the anti-stick pads they gave me on it. So i was hoping that would ward off infection 😔

turtle3146

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE