FTM's and Transitioning

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Your surgery must have been the last or about the last that he used them. When I went in for my consult he said it had been about a year since he had used them.

Well, he did tell me beforehand that he didn't think I'd need them, so I was a bit surprised to see them there when I woke up from the anesthesia.

Originally Posted by Linus

I think we'll go Friday to get one (Lazy Boy).

Theo, did you have to go back to get the drain removed or was this something you could remove on your own?

Linus, since I had traveled there (Newport Beach, CA) from Las Vegas, I had made arrangements to stay in the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa area (at the Ayres Hotel) for a few days. I had 2 followup visits with Dr. V following my surgery. One was a day after and the other was 3 days after, just before returning to Las Vegas. I think I had the drains pulled on the first post-op followup appointment. They were really uncomfortable, and since I wasn't draining much, it just made sense not to keep them. And no, I wouldn't remove a drain on my own. I've had surgical drains three times in my life and this was one of them. I had drains in both my knees following joint replacement, so I know a bit about how/why they work and would NOT want to be pulling on them at my own discretion. They do hurt a bit when they're being removed and, although I'm certainly no coward when it comes to doing things to myself.....like doing my own intramuscular injections, I wouldn't want to be pulling drains out myself.

I used to have a Barca Lounger, a loooooong time ago, and it was a seriously comfy chair. That'd be my second choice in a recliner, if I couldn't get a LaZboy.

~Theo~

[atomiczombie]

Hey all, I just got back from Dr. Brownstein's office so I wanted to give you an update. After he pulled the drains on tuesday, I started getting some swelling under my arms, which caused me to be more sore and tender. I called his office on Wednesday (yesterday) and was told that is normal and nothing to worry about. Anyhoo, todays appointment was to get the stitches out of my nipple graphs. That went smoothly and I gotta say my nips look great. Now I have to keep the binder on for a couple more weeks, but I can shower if I want, I just can't let the water hit directly on my incisions. I have to change the dressings on my graphs and use antibiotic ointment on them. He said all my incisions look really good.

As for why Dr. Brownstein uses the drains, if any of you saw him in Chaz Bono's documentary, Becoming Chaz, there he explained it to Chaz and his girlfriend. Basically the build up of fluid slows down the healing process.

If you guys have anymore questions for me I am happy to answer. I am so psyched for you Linus, you are almost there! Whoohoo!

[Leigh]

Glad things are going well with everyone!

[atomiczombie]

I finally took the medical binder off today. That is the last binder I will ever have to wear. Woot! Took the paper tape off my incisions too. I am still tender and sore in some places. I can feel it when I move around, but not at all sitting still. I still have some swelling, but I know that will resolve itself in time. I still need to have the antibiotic ointment/gauze on my graphs for another week. I am happy to be at the 2 week mark, because the worst part is over.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I finally took the medical binder off today. That is the last binder I will ever have to wear. Woot! Took the paper tape off my incisions too. I am still tender and sore in some places. I can feel it when I move around, but not at all sitting still. I still have some swelling, but I know that will resolve itself in time. I still need to have the antibiotic ointment/gauze on my graphs for another week. I am happy to be at the 2 week mark, because the worst part is over.

Yay!

Drink lots and lots of water......lots and lots!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I finally took the medical binder off today. That is the last binder I will ever have to wear. Woot! Took the paper tape off my incisions too. I am still tender and sore in some places. I can feel it when I move around, but not at all sitting still. I still have some swelling, but I know that will resolve itself in time. I still need to have the antibiotic ointment/gauze on my graphs for another week. I am happy to be at the 2 week mark, because the worst part is over.

If you have some tighter compression like shirts it helps to wear them for a while. I had bought a compression tank shirt and a couple sports shirts that never worked for binding but worked well after surgery and after not wearing the binder. I found the support actually felt good for awhile and helped with the minor swelling

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

If you have some tighter compression like shirts it helps to wear them for a while. I had bought a compression tank shirt and a couple sports shirts that never worked for binding but worked well after surgery and after not wearing the binder. I found the support actually felt good for awhile and helped with the minor swelling

I don't have anything like that unfortunately. Thanks for the tip tho, I will look into it.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I don't have anything like that unfortunately. Thanks for the tip tho, I will look into it.

you can get something pretty cheap at like target