top surgery

EnderD_503 · 07-28-2012, 04:52 PM

Ender has now officially had top surgery (yay!!!)!!! *exclamationmarkexclamationmark*

So I'll try to remember to come back here as time goes by to post if the binder burns/scars go away/how long it takes.

P.S. So happy!

DapperButch · 07-28-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Ender has now officially had top surgery (yay!!!)!!! *exclamationmarkexclamationmark*

So I'll try to remember to come back here as time goes by to post if the binder burns/scars go away/how long it takes.

P.S. So happy!

Congratulations! I bet you are thrilled! Yes, please keep us updated on your healing process!

EnderD_503 · 07-30-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Congratulations! I bet you are thrilled! Yes, please keep us updated on your healing process!

Thanks! Unbelievably thrilled!

I'm pretty much permanently insanely happy right now, lol!

theoddz · 07-30-2012, 10:10 AM

Ender, I hate to even suppose something like this, but you know what it sounds like you have??

Some kind of similar thing to what they call "venous stasis" markings. When you wear something that's tight, it cuts off circulation, primarily the venous return pathway back to the heart. The blockage in circulation causes the capillary system in the dermis (skin) to be blocked/squeezed off and the resulting swelling causes pooling of blood and pigmentation of the exterior skin. Some large people can get this same thing, including the pigmentation, from wearing socks that are too tight. You end up seeing the discoloration where the elastic was. That's where the blood clots can form, too.

It's too bad that binding is the only way for us guys (XX guys, vs. XY guys) to flatten our chests until we can afford or get chest surgery. Wearing binders/compression devices is so risky, primarily because of the dangers of embolisms (clots). If you have to wear a binder or compression device, please try to not wear them for prolonged periods of time. Loosen or take them off at intervals, if you can. It's not worth throwing a clot and dropping dead of a clot to either your brain or your lungs.

I know that not all of us have health insurance these days, but I'm sure that most, if not all, of us transguys would gladly exchange our policy's "maternity coverage" for trans services!!!! It's just a damned shame that most of us have to save for so long in order to pay for it ourselves. Congrats to you for getting yours soon!! Keep us up on your progress!!

~Theo~

Nadeest · 07-30-2012, 03:19 PM

Thanks, Theoddz for telling us about this. I was not aware of it, though I am at risk for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis, i.e. blood clots in the deep veins in my legs, as I understand it.) due to the hormones that I take for my transition.

Congrats, Ender!

EnderD_503 · 08-02-2012, 11:35 AM

@theoddz, wow, I had no idea! I'll look into it, though thankfully won't be binding anymore. Its definitely not so severe looking on me as in a lot of the pictures I saw on google images and when they were doing the pre-op tests potential for clotting in that general area was something they were looking out for...I'm crossing my fingers that all is well. Right now it seems that some of my incisions are covering up the marks themselves, so its hard to tell if there's been any change in that department. How does one generally make sure this sort of thing hasn't already happened? Is it detectable in blood tests and such?

Thanks for sharing the info! Another reason for people to be more cautious when binding!

Anyhoo, one week post-op and things still looking good

Almost completely off pain killers and pretty mobile. Yesterday I was out all day trying to sort a bunch of school related stuff out and walking around a lot. I didn't seem to have too much trouble with that other than some occasional pain around the incisions. The surgeon was suggesting moving around if possible since apparently it helps reduce the chances of blood clotting (since we're on the topic of clots). Only thing is I can't wait to take a proper shower, lol!

EnderD_503 · 08-29-2012, 07:03 PM

Just thought I'd check back about the binder burn stuff. Last week I had my third post-op appointment at the 3 1/2 week mark and they seemed super happy with how I was healing and took a bunch of pictures. They said I don't have to go back until January now since everything is healing perfectly according to them. Generally I feel pretty good right now physically and today I even got to toss around a frisbee without any discomfort though I was careful not to overstretch. Scabs on the nipples are gone, one is a bit puffy/raised but apparently that's normal. Incision looks good expect for some puckering near the centre but they said it'll go away over time. There's still a bit of swelling under my armpits but they also said that it's normal up to even 6 months to have some swelling.

The marks from the binder that we've been discussing here is something the surgeon said wasn't anything to worry about in my case (meaning no blood clots! yay!

) and seemed to be just from the friction against the skin. So far the marks are still pretty visible and I'll be about 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. I'll see if I can borrow a camera to show what they look like (they aren't on my chest but under my armpits so hopefully that won't be against the TOS).

I've also been using an anti-scar gel called New Skin that was available at the drugstore for $10 the last few days. Have been putting it on parts of the incision that puckered as well as the binder marks. Maybe I'm too optimistic but seems to be very slight change even in a matter of days. I'll let you guys know if it continues to work or if its just my imagination lol

07-30-2012, 10:10 AM	#4
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,538 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,112 Thanked 9,926 Times in 2,510 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Ender, I hate to even suppose something like this, but you know what it sounds like you have?? Some kind of similar thing to what they call "venous stasis" markings. When you wear something that's tight, it cuts off circulation, primarily the venous return pathway back to the heart. The blockage in circulation causes the capillary system in the dermis (skin) to be blocked/squeezed off and the resulting swelling causes pooling of blood and pigmentation of the exterior skin. Some large people can get this same thing, including the pigmentation, from wearing socks that are too tight. You end up seeing the discoloration where the elastic was. That's where the blood clots can form, too. It's too bad that binding is the only way for us guys (XX guys, vs. XY guys) to flatten our chests until we can afford or get chest surgery. Wearing binders/compression devices is so risky, primarily because of the dangers of embolisms (clots). If you have to wear a binder or compression device, please try to not wear them for prolonged periods of time. Loosen or take them off at intervals, if you can. It's not worth throwing a clot and dropping dead of a clot to either your brain or your lungs. I know that not all of us have health insurance these days, but I'm sure that most, if not all, of us transguys would gladly exchange our policy's "maternity coverage" for trans services!!!! It's just a damned shame that most of us have to save for so long in order to pay for it ourselves. Congrats to you for getting yours soon!! Keep us up on your progress!! *~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

07-28-2012, 04:52 PM	#1
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Ender has now officially had top surgery (yay!!!)!!! exclamationmarkexclamationmark So I'll try to remember to come back here as time goes by to post if the binder burns/scars go away/how long it takes. P.S. So happy!

07-30-2012, 03:19 PM	#5
Nadeest Member How Do You Identify?: as myself Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Leesburg, FL Posts: 595 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,876 Thanked 2,118 Times in 501 Posts Rep Power: 17077997	Thanks, Theoddz for telling us about this. I was not aware of it, though I am at risk for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis, i.e. blood clots in the deep veins in my legs, as I understand it.) due to the hormones that I take for my transition. Congrats, Ender!

08-02-2012, 11:35 AM	#6
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	@theoddz, wow, I had no idea! I'll look into it, though thankfully won't be binding anymore. Its definitely not so severe looking on me as in a lot of the pictures I saw on google images and when they were doing the pre-op tests potential for clotting in that general area was something they were looking out for...I'm crossing my fingers that all is well. Right now it seems that some of my incisions are covering up the marks themselves, so its hard to tell if there's been any change in that department. How does one generally make sure this sort of thing hasn't already happened? Is it detectable in blood tests and such? Thanks for sharing the info! Another reason for people to be more cautious when binding! Anyhoo, one week post-op and things still looking good Almost completely off pain killers and pretty mobile. Yesterday I was out all day trying to sort a bunch of school related stuff out and walking around a lot. I didn't seem to have too much trouble with that other than some occasional pain around the incisions. The surgeon was suggesting moving around if possible since apparently it helps reduce the chances of blood clotting (since we're on the topic of clots). Only thing is I can't wait to take a proper shower, lol!

08-29-2012, 07:03 PM	#7
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Just thought I'd check back about the binder burn stuff. Last week I had my third post-op appointment at the 3 1/2 week mark and they seemed super happy with how I was healing and took a bunch of pictures. They said I don't have to go back until January now since everything is healing perfectly according to them. Generally I feel pretty good right now physically and today I even got to toss around a frisbee without any discomfort though I was careful not to overstretch. Scabs on the nipples are gone, one is a bit puffy/raised but apparently that's normal. Incision looks good expect for some puckering near the centre but they said it'll go away over time. There's still a bit of swelling under my armpits but they also said that it's normal up to even 6 months to have some swelling. The marks from the binder that we've been discussing here is something the surgeon said wasn't anything to worry about in my case (meaning no blood clots! yay! ) and seemed to be just from the friction against the skin. So far the marks are still pretty visible and I'll be about 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. I'll see if I can borrow a camera to show what they look like (they aren't on my chest but under my armpits so hopefully that won't be against the TOS). I've also been using an anti-scar gel called New Skin that was available at the drugstore for $10 the last few days. Have been putting it on parts of the incision that puckered as well as the binder marks. Maybe I'm too optimistic but seems to be very slight change even in a matter of days. I'll let you guys know if it continues to work or if its just my imagination lol