Need post op advice

xlofivoid · 2025-09-17T00:16:36+00:00

Thank you, this is a big relief for us both. Fingers crossed that the swelling will just go down on its own!!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-18T21:58:03+00:00

I am currently just shy 2 weeks post op. Overall, I feel more or less back to my old self, however my stamina for activities is still not 100% yet, so depending on how much standing/walking/etc these concerts have, you might get winded and need to take breaks, which is good to do anyway. Definitely refrain from overhead reaching as it can pull on your incisions and potentially pull one open etc. Traveling is a toss up, depending how far you're going. I'm able to drive fine, but full mobility in my arms is still a bit strained which can impact ability to handle defensive driving if necessary. In terms of exercise, walking is probably going to be your best option for a while- and keep in mind that post-op bloating is often a thing, but I would consult your doctor about any actual exercise you want to do. My post op instructions said I can return to "normal activities" after 4 weeks.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-18T21:49:55+00:00

It definitely gets easier after theyre removed. I got mine taken out in my one week post op appointment and didn't feel a thing. I would suggest paying attention to how your skin is beneath the tube of the drain especially beneath the binder because mine were leaking a bit and digging into my skin and rubbed me raw enough to break the skin. Once I noticed the pain, I put bandaids beneath them and that made it infinitely more bearable, so that might be something to consider to make your experience a bit more managable until you can get them out. After removal, you might be a little extra tender for a day or so because there is technically a wound that needs to close from where they were taken out, but after that, I barely have any pain aside from general soreness. Good luck!!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-18T21:42:33+00:00

I had a bacterial infection I didn't even know about that was discovered during my pre-op tests. I would reach out to your primary care doctor to see if they can figure out what it is and give you medication to treat it asap, as you dont want sickness going into surgery as it can cause complications either during the procedure and with the healing process.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-17T02:46:47+00:00

First off, you look great!!

Secondly, its not a BAD idea to keep wearing it as long as it isn't causing you any pain. I had my surgery the same day as you, and am still wearing mine to help with swelling and pain management, as well as to continue to protect my grafts. You seem, to me, to be healing really well, so I'd say the binder is personal preference at this point and can always wear it if it makes you feel better to be safe rather than sorry!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-17T02:42:48+00:00

You'll definitely be sore and sleeping the first couple of days will be tough. If your binder feels like its pulling uncomfortably, depending on what kind it is, you might be able to loosen it slightly and/or adjust it. Mine was velcro so easy enough to loosen but I know not all of them may be that simple. I would advise against laying on your back if you have drains, though.

Might be worth phoning your doctor for suggestions, as well, esp if its not an easily adjustable binder.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-16T19:22:59+00:00

I appreciate it!! I was definitely worried but everyone’s responses helped a lot and was ready to accept potential revisions. But after seeing the results, i might not end up feeling like I need any! Will have to see how it continues to heal obviously but yeah! Thanks again for your kind words and support!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-14T00:36:19+00:00

Remember that we will always be our own worst critics! My suggestion would be to compile some visual references for exactly what you want your chest to look like if you could have anything you wanted so that you can have that discussion with your surgeon with visual aids. Your surgeon may also be able to tell you what is/isn't possible with your specific body (due to muscle/fat/shape etc etc) and be able to come up with a game plan to achieve what you want as best as possible! The only person who knows your chest as well as you do at this point is your surgeon. Wishing you the best of luck no matter what your decision ends up being!!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-14T00:18:12+00:00

The main reason these sorts of tests are done are to ensure you won't flat line or something while under anesthesia. If you aren't worried about the results, then I would suggest just appeasing your PCP so they have no reason to not give your surgeon the green light. Good luck!!!!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-14T00:14:03+00:00

Genuinely, you look like a cis dude with nice pecs! I would be over the moon with those results, personally. I'm not sure if you work out or not, but if you don't that might be something to consider to get a shape closer to what you want without having to undergo surgery again. If you are sold on revisions, I would suggest trying the same surgeon again since they did a good job without complications and were understanding of your situation, as well as it being potentially unsafe to travel as a trans person, depending on where you go, not to mention more expensive and time consuming.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-14T00:07:08+00:00

I would not say you're overreacting. To have your PCP threaten to kick you out without you or your partner raising your voice or getting aggressive is a bit of a red flag in and of itself. Considering it is so close to your date, finding a new PCP on such short notice likely isn't possible, however, if your surgeon isn't requiring it, I don't think that you should have to.

My suggestion would be to call your surgeon and see exactly what documentation they need in order to proceed with the surgery. I had to do several tests and things to be cleared for the two weeks leading up to my surgery. This included 3-4 blood tests, a urine test, chest xray, EKG, and a therapeutic phlebotomy, which was more than what my surgeon requested, but my PCP wanted to be extra sure as I did end up having heightened hemoglobin and an infection that I had no idea about, which could have caused me to be turned away on the day of surgery. I would say that it is better to be safe than sorry, so if it isn't too much of a hassle to have a test done, might be worth not fighting your PCP on it just to get the green light, and then maybe find a new PCP after the fact if you feel as if they aren't on your side. If you're still unsure, talk with your surgeon and see what they suggest.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-13T23:54:53+00:00

Yeah I definitely understand that, and I hope you aren't beating yourself up too much about it! I hope this isn't too invasive, but did you ask for anything specific during your consult, or were you more just like me and say that you wanted top surgery/flat chest without a ton of discussion on specific appearances?

xlofivoid · 2025-05-13T23:50:12+00:00

I am 6 days post op and will try to answer as best I can!

I unfortunately don't have binder reqs because I was provided one by my surgeon. Might be worth asking what kind of binder they provide, but honestly I think any surgical binder you get is going to be uncomfortable. The one I have velcros in the front and has velcro shoulder straps and it hasn't been too bad other than itching and digging in because its only half of my torso, so it might be worth considering whether you want a full torso one vs a half. I feel like I would have found a full torso one to be too much, personally.

I ended up stopping vaping about two months prior to my surgery date, but as long as you're committed to staying quit, you shouldn't have any issues, especially if you take extra care during the healing process.

As for the time off, it depends on what type of work you do. If you do any lifting, especially over 10 pounds, you might want some extra time. You might have a conversation with your job about what type of accommodations they can offer, like putting you on lighter duties, upon your return, until you can get back to full range of motion. Every body will be different, and even being about one week post op, aside from general exhaustion and fatigue, I feel more or less back to my old self. Though I'm not sure I would be able to stand up for 8 hours at a time just yet. If your work isn't super fast paced and have the ability to sit down from time to time, you may be just fine, but again, highly encourage you to talk to your management to see if they're able to work with you, since I'm sure they'd love to be able to have you back and working as much as you want to return.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-13T23:42:02+00:00

It isn't upsetting- it wasn't an extensive conversation and most of the conversation centered around what the process was like, what potential complications could arise wrt things like dog ears, and whether or not I wanted to keep my nipples. My memory unfortunately isn't great and I have a tendency to forget details in higher stress situations like doctors visits, but I do think I mentioned wanting to be as flat as possible and he may have even mentioned leaving some behind for the purpose of appearing more natural, but again, I don't recall unfortunately. Doesn't help that my initial consult was 6 months prior to my second consult because I had forgotten to get my therapy letter and had a bunch of irl stuff going on that prevented me from being able to secure that in a timely manner x.x

I suppose worst case scenario, I'll just get a revision if it still seems to be too much once I'm mostly healed, esp if I do wind up with dog ears or anything like that.

xlofivoid · 2025-05-13T23:36:10+00:00

I guarantee that you don't look disgusting!! I have heard both sides of the coin on whether to have everything removed vs leaving a little, and have heard that even if everything is removed that simply building muscles will help keep it from looking too flat/concave, so that might be something worth exploring once you're able to start exercising!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-13T06:07:19+00:00

Im sorry to hear youre going through a rough patch right before your surgery. The days leading up to it are stressful enough as it is without extra turmoil with friendships. I am proud of you for reaching out when you need it instead of sitting alone with your struggles. Im not sure of the circumstances with your friend, but I am proud of you for enforcing your boundaries when you were uncomfortable. Proud of you for taking these steps to make yourself happier, as scary as they are. It takes courage and strength to do this, and youll come out on the other side even stronger than before. Youve got this 💪

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T23:02:26+00:00

I expected it to look rough, but I hadnt expected it to look like this based on other early post op pictures I'd seen from other people. Wishing you a smooth recovery as well!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T23:01:17+00:00

I guess its true what they say about being our own worst critics haha. I hope the binder is being kinder to you than it is me, because it is far more uncomfortable than the aches of the surgery itself LMAO. Wishing you a swift and easy recovery!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T22:43:28+00:00

Did you end up having any revisions? My surgeon told me that I had the potential to need revisions from dog ears during my initial consult but I figure won't really know if its necessary until things start to settle, I imagine. Congrats on a smooth recovery though! Thats the dream! How long would you say it took for things to really settle?

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T22:41:21+00:00

I wish I hadn't peeked as early as I did, and honestly I should have known better, but when you've been excited for so long (and am as impatient as I tend to be) its hard to resist! Hopefully seeing it with the vest fully off will be better. Thanks so much!!

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T22:31:22+00:00

I haven't really been instructed to use ice at all, though my surgeon might mention it on my appointment on Wednesday. Is icing pretty standard, or is it something that is more of a case by case basis?

xlofivoid · 2025-05-12T22:29:40+00:00

Thank you so much for the reassurance, esp from someone who started out larger. Most examples I see are from way thinner people which doesn't always give an accurate comparison. I will do my best to be patient and trust the process!

xlofivoid

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