FTM's and Transitioning

[atomiczombie]

Sooo, I got through the surgery just fine, and the doc said it went well. I woke up very tired and sore, but the pain meds they gave me helped a lot. I have 2 drains, one on each side that need to be cleared every 6 hours, and the amount of fluid measured and recorded. It has already gone down a lot since yesterday. They put a big binder on me with lots of gauze underneath, and lemme tell ya it is ITCHY under that gauze. I can't move my arms around very well because of the incision stretches all the way under my arms (to prevent dog ears). I am trying to be really good about not moving my arms much, but there are those moments when you forget and you reach for something and the pain reminds you that you aren't supposed to do it. Haha. Overall, my energy is up since yesterday and the oral pain meds are working fine. It doesn't take all the pain away, but it does make me a lot more comfortable. I am only taking the prescribed dose. I get my drains removed next Tuesday, and then Thursday I get my stitches out.

That's all I have to report today, I will come back soon and fill you guys in on more details. Thats for all the support and well-wishes. It makes a big difference!

[atomiczombie]

It's my 4th day after surgery. Yesterday was the first day I decided to go all day without my pain med. I was uncomfortable, but not so much that I couldn't tough it out. I had to take one when I went to bed, however. My pain gets worse then since I have to lie in one position all night (on my back).

There's a lot less fluid coming out of my drains. The first 2 days it was about 10cc's per side every 6 hours. Now it's down to 5cc's per side every 12 hours, so there's a lot of healing going on. Tomorrow I will go in and get them removed, and I am glad because the place where the drains go in gets sore if I move too much. I have more and more energy each day and feel the need to get up and walk around frequently. It is still very itchy under my dressings, but that sort of comes and goes. The place where I have the most pain is under my arms. I have absolutely no pain in the center or sides of my chest.

That's all for now, I will check in tomorrow and let you all know how it went getting the drains out.

[Linus]

Congrats, AZ! Glad to hear things are going well. It's interesting that Dr. V has said that I won't need drains because of the way he's doing the surgery (this has me puzzled as I've always heard that double incision requires drains.. Theo? Koop?)

Anyways, I do have a question: for those that got a recliner, what kind (manufacturer/make?) did you get? I tend to sleep on my side and a recliner might be a good way to avoid that -- plus I've always wanted one.

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by Linus

Congrats, AZ! Glad to hear things are going well. It's interesting that Dr. V has said that I won't need drains because of the way he's doing the surgery (this has me puzzled as I've always heard that double incision requires drains.. Theo? Koop?)

Dr Brownstein told me that drains lessen the possibility of infection and speed up the healing process. If your doc has a better way, then that's cool because they are a pain in the keester.

[T D]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

Dr Brownstein told me that drains lessen the possibility of infection and speed up the healing process. If your doc has a better way, then that's cool because they are a pain in the keester.

I'm curious about how much help you've needed post surgery. Are you able to take care of your needs alone, or have you had someone come in or around to help you out? This is always a question for me when considering any surgery.

Hope things are going well for you, Drew!

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by T D

I'm curious about how much help you've needed post surgery. Are you able to take care of your needs alone, or have you had someone come in or around to help you out? This is always a question for me when considering any surgery.

Hope things are going well for you, Drew!

Oh, I definitely need a lot of help. Just think about all the things you can't do if you aren't supposed to bend over, carry anything heavy or move your upper arms away from your body. You will need 24hr care for several days, at least a week I'd say. I am lucky to have my parents around to care for me. They feed me and empty my drains and help me get around, manage my medications and help me with embarrassing stuff too. Make sure you have someone staying with you with whom you aren't embarrassed too much to have help you with the most basic functions. I will be giving detailed updates on how my recovery process is going for those of you who haven't had the surgery but want to know what to expect.

[Camo Eagle]

AZ, great to hear that you are doing so well. Again, Congrats.

[Goofy]

Congrats Drew! I'm glad to hear your surgery went well.

Originally Posted by Linus

Anyways, I do have a question: for those that got a recliner, what kind (manufacturer/make?) did you get? I tend to sleep on my side and a recliner might be a good way to avoid that -- plus I've always wanted one.

Linus, I'm a side sleeper too and that was the main factor in getting a recliner. I wanted a Lazy Boy, but couldn't get one delivered in time for my surgery. I went to a ton of furniture stores and tried out a ton of recliners. I wanted to make sure it was comfortable in a reclined position as well as upright. I don't remember the actual manufacturer, but I got it from the Room Store, I think. I slept in it for a month or two before I was able to sleep on my side comfortably.

Originally Posted by T D

I'm curious about how much help you've needed post surgery. Are you able to take care of your needs alone, or have you had someone come in or around to help you out? This is always a question for me when considering any surgery.

I need help. I had drains on both sides and there's no way I would have been able to take care of them by myself. My arms were pretty much pinned to my sides at the elbow for at least two weeks. I was also a little paranoid about doing anything that would stretch the incision sites. Arwen came down and stayed with me for 2 weeks, I think, and was an invaluable help. As Oopster mentioned, it is really helpful to put things you will need at counter height. One thing I didn't take into consideration after Arwen left was that my microwave was over the stove. I could put food in there, but had a hell of a time getting it out. I eventually got a step stool that eliminated that problem. Also, gallon jugs of milk or juice and things like that were troublesome for me too.

[Dakota]

Drew
Hope things are going well for you! Congrats!

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by Linus

Is OHIP not covering this? I thought SRS was covered? or did it get delisted, like Alberta?

Technically it is, but you need to get referred by a bone fide gender therapist if you want OHIP to cover it whereas I'm mainly just working with a counselor and doc. Anyways, because there is a huge ass lineup to see a "certified" gender therapist I initially decided I'd just save up and pay for it myself...but now with the number of financial setbacks there have been I'm seriously considering just putting myself on the damn list since I'd probably already have had it by now if I'd just done that in the first place.

Originally Posted by Thinker

Hey Ender... Dr. DuPere in Toronto was my surgeon. I had the full-on bilateral male chest reconstruction w/ nipple grafts, and he opted not to use drains too. I was under the impression he made that decision during the course of the surgery though.

The first question I remember asking him was about the drains, and his reply was that he didn't feel they were necessary. I took that to mean I wasn't draining a whole lot. ??? I also took it to mean that it could be case-by-case with him.

I've read quite a bit on the subject, and most of what I've seen indicates that the use of drains is like what Drew said......to increase healing time and reduce the possibility of infection. All I've really seen on the flip side is that the surgeon feels they aren't necessary.

I would hope that if the surgeon determined the patient was going to sit with a lot of fluid buildup over the next 3 or 4 days, he/she would opt to use drains.

Of course, this is all just speculation on my part based on what I have read.

Thanks for the clarification! With McLean he seems to never use drains rather than do it case by case, something to do with how he performs the procedure or something. I dunno.

[theoddz]

I'm going to hop in here and just say that I have a leather LaZyBoy recliner and wouldn't have anything else. My living room furniture is also all LaZBoy and it's very comfy, too. You do get what you pay for, though, and this is as true with furniture as with anything else. If you can't swing the $$ for LaZBoy, however, then do some shopping around and find something you find comfortable with, physically and financially. A good recliner is an awesome investment and will be with you for many good years.

Good luck, Linus!!!

~Theo~

P.S. When I had my surgery, Dr. V did give me 2 penrose drains, but they were only in for a day or so, as I didn't have much significant drainage.

[EnderD_503]

Congrats again, Atomic!

Originally Posted by Linus

Congrats, AZ! Glad to hear things are going well. It's interesting that Dr. V has said that I won't need drains because of the way he's doing the surgery (this has me puzzled as I've always heard that double incision requires drains.. Theo? Koop?)

I dunno exactly why it is that the way some docs do it don't need drains, but apparently the doc I'm looking at using in Mississauga, if I ever manage to save enough money, (Dr. McLean) doesn't use drains either. Maybe someone who knows more can shed some light on why some docs use them and others don't...?

It's weird that you mention that Atomic, cause I heard the opposite...blah, I dunno lol Edit: I've heard of very few who don't use drains though, so I dunno if no drains is actually something new/better or just unorthodox.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Congrats again, Atomic!



I dunno exactly why it is that the way some docs do it don't need drains, but apparently the doc I'm looking at using in Mississauga, if I ever manage to save enough money, (Dr. McLean) doesn't use drains either. Maybe someone who knows more can shed some light on why some docs use them and others don't...?

It's weird that you mention that Atomic, cause I heard the opposite...blah, I dunno lol Edit: I've heard of very few who don't use drains though, so I dunno if no drains is actually something new/better or just unorthodox.

Is OHIP not covering this? I thought SRS was covered? or did it get delisted, like Alberta?

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Congrats again, Atomic!



I dunno exactly why it is that the way some docs do it don't need drains, but apparently the doc I'm looking at using in Mississauga, if I ever manage to save enough money, (Dr. McLean) doesn't use drains either. Maybe someone who knows more can shed some light on why some docs use them and others don't...?

It's weird that you mention that Atomic, cause I heard the opposite...blah, I dunno lol Edit: I've heard of very few who don't use drains though, so I dunno if no drains is actually something new/better or just unorthodox.

Hey Ender... Dr. DuPere in Toronto was my surgeon. I had the full-on bilateral male chest reconstruction w/ nipple grafts, and he opted not to use drains too. I was under the impression he made that decision during the course of the surgery though.

The first question I remember asking him was about the drains, and his reply was that he didn't feel they were necessary. I took that to mean I wasn't draining a whole lot. ??? I also took it to mean that it could be case-by-case with him.

I've read quite a bit on the subject, and most of what I've seen indicates that the use of drains is like what Drew said......to increase healing time and reduce the possibility of infection. All I've really seen on the flip side is that the surgeon feels they aren't necessary.

I would hope that if the surgeon determined the patient was going to sit with a lot of fluid buildup over the next 3 or 4 days, he/she would opt to use drains.

Of course, this is all just speculation on my part based on what I have read.

[Liam]

Originally Posted by Linus

Anyways, I do have a question: for those that got a recliner, what kind (manufacturer/make?) did you get? I tend to sleep on my side and a recliner might be a good way to avoid that -- plus I've always wanted one.

I love my Barca Lounger which is a leather recliner, you might want to test drive one, before you purchase that Lazy Boy, Linus. I think you might like the scale of the Barca better, although it is a little more expensive than the Lazy Boy.

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by Liam

I love my Barca Lounger which is a leather recliner, you might want to test drive one, before you purchase that Lazy Boy, Linus. I think you might like the scale of the Barca better, although it is a little more expensive than the Lazy Boy.

Barca Lounger? I have never heard of this one. I too did my recovery after my top surgery in a Lazy Boy. I had drains that were removed by my sister the nurse, and did go in for follow up with Dr. Brownstein one week after sugery.

Glad to hear you are doing well Drew and Linus, good luck to you. Do you have a scheduled date yet for your surgery Linus?