Is top surgery always necessary?

Gothy · 07-20-2012, 09:27 AM

Thank you all, once again, for your valuable input and the links/resources given. Daddy has an appointment next month in Chicago for His initial bloodwork and first therapy session before beginning T. I am not sure if the therapist is a gender therapist or cis therapist. Just based on what our other trans friends have said about this place, they are highly knowledgeable and very sensitive to gender identity issues- it does not seem as if they address things from a mental health perspective. Once again, basing this on what others have said.

Daddy has read all of your posts Himself and is appreciative, and will hopefully be joining our community with His own screen name/handle very soon. Thanks for the personal invite, Dapper! It's nice to know that He has support here while we're essentially waiting to get the ball rolling in "real time", so to speak. A month seems so far away, even though I know time will pass very quickly.

I think the initial query was rooted in fear of surgery. Daddy wants very much to have the masculine chest He feels he should have had from birth, but the idea of having to undergo surgery to accomplish this is a little daunting. A friend of ours shared with Him- and may be helpful for others out there- to think of it as a surgery that could "save your life". I think it's only natural to consider the "what-if's" when going through something this monumentally life-changing, but important to keep things in perspective and not be consumed by fear. What Daddy's friend said was such a powerful and compassionate thing to say, since so many TG/TS people struggle with body dysphoria issues to the point that it does become life-threatening for some.

So thank you once again for all the kind words, support, and helpful information. It means a lot to both of us.

DapperButch · 07-20-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GothFemmeDyke

I think the initial query was rooted in fear of surgery. Daddy wants very much to have the masculine chest He feels he should have had from birth, but the idea of having to undergo surgery to accomplish this is a little daunting.

After he joins, he may want to enter the Ask FTMs anything thread as a few guys have written about their experiences with top surgery (I think that is the thread). Even better, it is a great place to get his questions and concerns answered by guys who have had the surgery.

Good luck in the "transition(s)" you will both be going through.

Ms. Meander · 09-28-2012, 06:32 AM

I was just poking around looking for a good chest binder recommendation for a friend when I came across this thread.

Since you are looking for different experiences to add to your pot for consideration, I thought I'd offer this tidbit:

A former partner of mine who is FTM was an A-cup, pre-transtion. He reports (and I've seen the photos which prove it) that within the first year on T his breast size actually increased to a B-cup. Imagine his dismay! I don't think I've heard anyone else complain of this experience, but it is possible.

The main thing is that everyone is different. Information is power but all anyone can really do is take it one step at a time, because sometimes things happen along the way which will change your original plans.

Best wishes.

chefhmboyrd · 09-28-2012, 07:20 AM

for me personally, i think it is a choice.
i wish i had transitioned when i was young and my skin was supple not stretched because i probably would not have any surgery.
as it stands, i go shirtless in public anyway, even though i have not yet had surgery. i am hoping in the coming year to be able to afford it.

i think with the T, which causes the glands to deflate, and some serious attention to chest and back workouts, he can probably avoid having surgery if he chooses.

Jaques · 09-28-2012, 07:27 AM

If i could have got away with it, i would not have had chest surgery, but for me it was necessary - but you do see lots of female weight lifters and body builders who dont look as though they have breasts. My scars arent that bad and because im very hairy not very noticable but it would be great not to need to have that op.

SelfMadeMan · 11-02-2012, 07:53 AM

I definitely think that it's an individual thing. I would never go so far as to say that having ANY surgery is necessary, if that person is wary of going under the knife. For me, I was large chested and VERY uncomfortable with my body - to the life threatening extent - so for me, having top surgery was a necessity for quality of life. But I don't see it as necessary for anyone to be respected for who they are. I have evolved on this issue, and I am very grateful for pulling my head out of my ass on this. I used to feel that, for someone to be considered male, they needed to do A, B and C. That's bullshit. I was projecting what was right for me onto others, and that's so wrong. Whoever a person feels they are, has nothing to do with a checklist. So in that respect, I don't think top surgery is necessary - unless that person feels it necessary for them. Hope this makes sense - not enough coffee yet this morning

09-28-2012, 06:32 AM	#3
Ms. Meander Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Queer Femme Relationship Status: Ethical Nonmonogamist Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Mountains Posts: 1,520 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,706 Thanked 5,214 Times in 1,147 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I was just poking around looking for a good chest binder recommendation for a friend when I came across this thread. Since you are looking for different experiences to add to your pot for consideration, I thought I'd offer this tidbit: A former partner of mine who is FTM was an A-cup, pre-transtion. He reports (and I've seen the photos which prove it) that within the first year on T his breast size actually increased to a B-cup. Imagine his dismay! I don't think I've heard anyone else complain of this experience, but it is possible. The main thing is that everyone is different. Information is power but all anyone can really do is take it one step at a time, because sometimes things happen along the way which will change your original plans. Best wishes. __________________ My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart. - Maya Angelou

09-28-2012, 07:20 AM	#4
chefhmboyrd Senior Member How Do You Identify?: man Preferred Pronoun?: beef Relationship Status: Uncle Daddy Snap Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: nashvegas Posts: 1,607 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,411 Thanked 2,846 Times in 898 Posts Rep Power: 14271905	for me personally, i think it is a choice. i wish i had transitioned when i was young and my skin was supple not stretched because i probably would not have any surgery. as it stands, i go shirtless in public anyway, even though i have not yet had surgery. i am hoping in the coming year to be able to afford it. i think with the T, which causes the glands to deflate, and some serious attention to chest and back workouts, he can probably avoid having surgery if he chooses. __________________ what's a cowboy got to do to get a drink around here?

07-20-2012, 09:27 AM	#1
Gothy Junior Member How Do You Identify?: NB\trans (fluid) Preferred Pronoun?: They Relationship Status: Anarchist Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Humboldt County, CA Posts: 79 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 101 Thanked 278 Times in 49 Posts Rep Power: 2480520	Thank you all, once again, for your valuable input and the links/resources given. Daddy has an appointment next month in Chicago for His initial bloodwork and first therapy session before beginning T. I am not sure if the therapist is a gender therapist or cis therapist. Just based on what our other trans friends have said about this place, they are highly knowledgeable and very sensitive to gender identity issues- it does not seem as if they address things from a mental health perspective. Once again, basing this on what others have said. Daddy has read all of your posts Himself and is appreciative, and will hopefully be joining our community with His own screen name/handle very soon. Thanks for the personal invite, Dapper! It's nice to know that He has support here while we're essentially waiting to get the ball rolling in "real time", so to speak. A month seems so far away, even though I know time will pass very quickly. I think the initial query was rooted in fear of surgery. Daddy wants very much to have the masculine chest He feels he should have had from birth, but the idea of having to undergo surgery to accomplish this is a little daunting. A friend of ours shared with Him- and may be helpful for others out there- to think of it as a surgery that could "save your life". I think it's only natural to consider the "what-if's" when going through something this monumentally life-changing, but important to keep things in perspective and not be consumed by fear. What Daddy's friend said was such a powerful and compassionate thing to say, since so many TG/TS people struggle with body dysphoria issues to the point that it does become life-threatening for some. So thank you once again for all the kind words, support, and helpful information. It means a lot to both of us.

09-28-2012, 07:27 AM	#5
Jaques Member How Do You Identify?: male/TG Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: England Posts: 220 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 51 Thanked 398 Times in 122 Posts Rep Power: 2583511	If i could have got away with it, i would not have had chest surgery, but for me it was necessary - but you do see lots of female weight lifters and body builders who dont look as though they have breasts. My scars arent that bad and because im very hairy not very noticable but it would be great not to need to have that op.

11-02-2012, 07:53 AM	#6
SelfMadeMan Member How Do You Identify?: Transsexual Man Preferred Pronoun?: Male Relationship Status: Married to The Woman of My Dreams <3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 802 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 796 Thanked 2,668 Times in 527 Posts Rep Power: 18972345	I definitely think that it's an individual thing. I would never go so far as to say that having ANY surgery is necessary, if that person is wary of going under the knife. For me, I was large chested and VERY uncomfortable with my body - to the life threatening extent - so for me, having top surgery was a necessity for quality of life. But I don't see it as necessary for anyone to be respected for who they are. I have evolved on this issue, and I am very grateful for pulling my head out of my ass on this. I used to feel that, for someone to be considered male, they needed to do A, B and C. That's bullshit. I was projecting what was right for me onto others, and that's so wrong. Whoever a person feels they are, has nothing to do with a checklist. So in that respect, I don't think top surgery is necessary - unless that person feels it necessary for them. Hope this makes sense - not enough coffee yet this morning