FTM place to vent and talk

[Linus]

Originally Posted by ahk

I am in the midst of scheduling my top surgery and I sound like a bleeping idiot on the phone-- its like, I am super excited but super nervous that I am finally here at this point of my life.

If you have already had Top Surgery, what kind of things would you recommend (healing, preparing)? What kind of questions did you all ask? Who did you go to, and why?

If you haven't had surgery yet - do you plan on sometime in future? Who do you want to go to, and why?

Not sure where everyone is located, but if you are in the East coast area, I hope you all are safe, keeping warm -- and know we are thinking of all of you.

Best,

You're recovery may depend on the kind of surgery you are getting. Is it keyhole or double mastectomy?

To ask:

Get the doc to explain exactly how they are going to do the surgery.

Ask them what they recommend for recovery.

When do they want to see you after surgery? (24 hours? 48 hours?)

What are you allowed to eat before surgery? What are ok to eat 24-48 hours after surgery? a week after? and so on...

How often to change the dressing?

If double, things to consider for recovery:

Ensure you have help for the first week or two. And a good LazyBoy or similar recliner chair.

Have nothing to do for the first couple of days (I slept lots for the first couple of days). For the first couple of weeks, ensure that anything you need (say, food, water, etc.) is reachable at waist level (no lifting of items from ground and no raising of arms).

If you have dogs, ensure someone else can walk them. If they are the excitable type, you may need that person to **REALLY** wear them out so they don't jump on you.

Ensure the doc provides you with enough bandages and surgical tape. And change them according to what she/he recommends.

If you smoke, DON'T. I enjoy cigars now and again but avoided them for about two months or thereabouts to ensure healing was done without coughing.

[ahk]

Originally Posted by Linus

You're recovery may depend on the kind of surgery you are getting. Is it keyhole or double mastectomy?

To ask:

Get the doc to explain exactly how they are going to do the surgery.

Ask them what they recommend for recovery.

When do they want to see you after surgery? (24 hours? 48 hours?)

What are you allowed to eat before surgery? What are ok to eat 24-48 hours after surgery? a week after? and so on...

How often to change the dressing?

If double, things to consider for recovery:

Ensure you have help for the first week or two. And a good LazyBoy or similar recliner chair.

Have nothing to do for the first couple of days (I slept lots for the first couple of days). For the first couple of weeks, ensure that anything you need (say, food, water, etc.) is reachable at waist level (no lifting of items from ground and no raising of arms).

If you have dogs, ensure someone else can walk them. If they are the excitable type, you may need that person to **REALLY** wear them out so they don't jump on you.

Ensure the doc provides you with enough bandages and surgical tape. And change them according to what she/he recommends.

If you smoke, DON'T. I enjoy cigars now and again but avoided them for about two months or thereabouts to ensure healing was done without coughing.

Linus-

Thanks for answering so quickly-- I believe I will getting the double mastectomy (a lot larger than a key hole, for sure). I don't smoke, so I'm good there too--

I never thought about the eating thing-- thank you for suggesting.

[Sun]

Hi Guys

I could really benefit from a place to connect with other transguys too. Good idea for a thread. I love my community but sometimes feel isolated especially at times of great changes in my life.

Greyson brother, it is really hard to deal with ignorance and no one has the right to tell you or your gf what is or what is not real. Only love is real. I am very much a believer in A Course in Miracles philosophy that only love is real and this distance that humans create with each other is some illusion of the ego.

The most beautiful thing that I have ever experienced on this planet in this lifetime is loving someone. No one can take any part of that away from me. That is my Church, there is my worship experience. With her I found my heaven.

One of the teachers that I look to is Don Miguel Ruiz and The Four Agreements. Agreement #2: Take Nothing Personally...is the hardest for me but I am working on this. It is not about you, it is about them. How sad for them.

I will be back to write more when I have more time but just wanted to stop by and say hello.

Sun

[DMW]

Beautiful Post Sun,

I love the 4 agreements....got it on me always...now, i gotta keep to em better...Long day at work for this guy.
Glad you are here.
DMW

Originally Posted by Sun

Hi Guys

I could really benefit from a place to connect with other transguys too. Good idea for a thread. I love my community but sometimes feel isolated especially at times of great changes in my life.

Greyson brother, it is really hard to deal with ignorance and no one has the right to tell you or your gf what is or what is not real. Only love is real. I am very much a believer in A Course in Miracles philosophy that only love is real and this distance that humans create with each other is some illusion of the ego.

The most beautiful thing that I have ever experienced on this planet in this lifetime is loving someone. No one can take any part of that away from me. That is my Church, there is my worship experience. With her I found my heaven.

One of the teachers that I look to is Don Miguel Ruiz and The Four Agreements. Agreement #2: Take Nothing Personally...is the hardest for me but I am working on this. It is not about you, it is about them. How sad for them.

I will be back to write more when I have more time but just wanted to stop by and say hello.

Sun