top surgery

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Hey there guys!

I thought it might be nice to have a thread specifically related to this topic.

I have an initial consultation with Dr. Voloshins office on monday.

Here are the questions I have for you?

1) How many surgeons did you consult before deciding who was going to do your surgery?
2) Who did your surgery?
3) Are you happy with the results?
4) Did you need any revisions?
5) What procedure did you have?
6) What was your recovery process like?
7) Did you do anything to prepare for the surgery?
8) How much time did you have to take off work?
9) Is there anything you wish you would have done any differently?
10) What questions did you ask the surgeon?
11) What didn't you ask that you wish you would have?
12) what resources did you use in helping to decide what surgeon to go to or for what questions to ask?
13) What online resources do you know of?

If you aren't comfortable posting in public I would love to hear from you in private.

1. I only met with one, and we were a great match for one another.
2. Marc DuPere in Toronto
3. Very!
4. Nope
5. Double incision w/ nipple grafts
6. I stayed in bed as much as I could for the first week, and had my bandages & stitches removed at the one-week mark. I did NOT have drains. I didn't do anything that required my arms to come up above shoulder-height for probably about two weeks. After that, I started to expand that range of motion ever so slightly. Of course, I took my antibiotics as instructed and stayed well hydrated. I rested as much as possible.

7. I did a LOT to prepare for surgery! I did a great deal of stretching, push-ups, and upper body exercises about 3 months out and leading up to the surgery. I also started on Arnica and vitamin C about 10 days out. The Arnica helps minimize bruising and speeds healing; vitamin C was to keep me from getting sick. I drank lots and lots of water......no aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, etc... about one week out.

I also stared at my bare chest in the mirror every single day for a couple of weeks to see if I could live with it. I wanted to be absolutely one hundred percent sure that I would not regret the surgery. No regrets.

8. I took off for 3 weeks. I know many who have gone back sooner, but I had the gift of time in that particular position so I took advantage of it. Personally, I'm glad I did.

9. I wish that I would have returned to work to only half-days for the first week. During the first week, I would really start to feel it around 1:00. I would get very fatigued, and I would feel spasms in my back from being so tense and "protective" of my chest.

10. I made absolutely certain that he and I were on the same page about how I wanted my chest to look. I got clear details from him on the procedure and what the recovery would be like on *his* end. I also got his input on supplements and what he thought was best pre- and post-surgery.

11. Can't think of anything
12. I initially found my surgeon on transster and then found someone on the other b/f site who had used him. We exchanged a few messages about his experience. I also found someone on Live Journal who had used him, and we messaged one another as well. (I think transster is down now???) Finally, I talked to my surgeon's office manager a few times to get a feel for what his practice was like......and, ultimately, met with him.

13. Like I said, I think transster is down now (not sure of that), and that some other site has taken its place. And Transitional Male has some good information, as well. Plus, there are no shortages of opinions and experiences right here in the b/f community!!

Hope that helps and GOOD LUCK!!!

[The Oopster]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Thinker

Originally Posted by Thinker

I also stared at my bare chest in the mirror every single day for a couple of weeks to see if I could live with it. I wanted to be absolutely one hundred percent sure that I would not regret the surgery. No regrets.

It's funny I've actually found myself doing this a lot lately. Not necessarily intentially. I find I'm just so ready for them to be gone for many reasons. I have a bad neck also, so besides my mind set there are physical benefits for having the chestbegone!

Originally Posted by Thinker

8. I took off for 3 weeks. I know many who have gone back sooner, but I had the gift of time in that particular position so I took advantage of it. Personally, I'm glad I did.


9. I wish that I would have returned to work to only half-days for the first week. During the first week, I would really start to feel it around 1:00. I would get very fatigued, and I would feel spasms in my back from being so tense and "protective" of my chest.

Thanks for bringing this up. I want to remember to adress that option when I address my employer. Finacially I'm set for a couple months with out work and am hoping the nature of my job will allow me to take as much time as I need, since theoretically I'm an independent contractor. I don't think they'll be happy because I'm one of their go to drivers yet at the same time I'm hoping that will work to my advantage at having a job to come back to.

Originally Posted by Thinker

12. I initially found my surgeon on transster and then found someone on the other b/f site who had used him. We exchanged a few messages about his experience. I also found someone on Live Journal who had used him, and we messaged one another as well. (I think transster is down now???) Finally, I talked to my surgeon's office manager a few times to get a feel for what his practice was like......and, ultimately, met with him.

13. Like I said, I think transster is down now (not sure of that), and that some other site has taken its place. And Transitional Male has some good information, as well. Plus, there are no shortages of opinions and experiences right here in the b/f community!!

Hope that helps and GOOD LUCK!!!

From what I can tell transter is down. I do have a few other sites but doesn't hurt to see what else is out there.

Thanks again for your input!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

7. I did a LOT to prepare for surgery! I did a great deal of stretching, push-ups, and upper body exercises about 3 months out and leading up to the surgery. I also started on Arnica and vitamin C about 10 days out. The Arnica helps minimize bruising and speeds healing; vitamin C was to keep me from getting sick. I drank lots and lots of water......no aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, etc... about one week out.

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by theoddz

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

I agree with that for sure.

Just a note, though... The Arnica I took was in a pellet form and prior to surgery. Its intended purpose was to minimize bruising and bleeding.

I've seen some post-op pictures that made me kinda queasy because of the severe bruising. Mine was very minimal.....almost nil, honestly. And I didn't have the excessive drainage issues either.

Not saying all who use Arnica as a pre-surgical supplement will get the same results, but I don't think it'll hurt to try.

[Soon]

http://www.transgenderflorida.com/

great surgeon/great results

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

Oh gosh, dude... I couldn't possibly remember. Does it have a recommendation on the bottle?

And I remember something about not touching the pellet.....like you drop one out on something and pop it in your mouth. Is that right?

And I'm pretty sure I took it for another 3 or 4 days after surgery.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

I did some searching and looking at the packaging of the pellets jogged my memory some. I remember the deal about not touching the pellets, and I think the top of the container had a deep enough space that you could pop out a pellet and it would stay in that little space??? Then I'd pop it in my mouth.

I'm pretty sure that I took one pellet three times a day. That sounds right to me. Since I was taking it over an extended period of time and wanting it to remain in my system, I didn't take a very high dosage.......low but constant.

Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water every day. Do a lot of stretching, pushups, etc... And start looking at things in your home that require you to reach up for them..........and move 'em down.

I'm excited for you!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

I did some searching and looking at the packaging of the pellets jogged my memory some. I remember the deal about not touching the pellets, and I think the top of the container had a deep enough space that you could pop out a pellet and it would stay in that little space??? Then I'd pop it in my mouth.

I'm pretty sure that I took one pellet three times a day. That sounds right to me. Since I was taking it over an extended period of time and wanting it to remain in my system, I didn't take a very high dosage.......low but constant.

Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water every day. Do a lot of stretching, pushups, etc... And start looking at things in your home that require you to reach up for them..........and move 'em down.

I'm excited for you!

thanks

yeah if you turn it upside with the cap on and twist they come out. I've taken sublinguals before.

The bottle says 5 3 times a day but I think I'll lower it. Except I already have 5 in my mouth

I'm exctied. The week will go fast .... want the place really clean and as much food prepared as possible but i should get it all done. Have tomorrow off so i'll see how much I get to .. tomorrows paper work ... billls type of such figuring out my money for this. I have the money but I need to follow through on some stuff.

I'm starting to get food ready and everything. Fortunately or unfortunately I have had 3 surgeries in the past 10 years so a lot of stuff is pretty routine for me... already drink lots of water and already taking vitamin C.

Okay i'm getting sleppy and i'm babbling.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

thanks

yeah if you turn it upside with the cap on and twist they come out. I've taken sublinguals before.

The bottle says 5 3 times a day but I think I'll lower it. Except I already have 5 in my mouth

I'm exctied. The week will go fast .... want the place really clean and as much food prepared as possible but i should get it all done. Have tomorrow off so i'll see how much I get to .. tomorrows paper work ... billls type of such figuring out my money for this. I have the money but I need to follow through on some stuff.

I'm starting to get food ready and everything. Fortunately or unfortunately I have had 3 surgeries in the past 10 years so a lot of stuff is pretty routine for me... already drink lots of water and already taking vitamin C.

Okay i'm getting sleppy and i'm babbling.

Another thing... If you don't already have some over-sized button-front shirts and/or zip-front jackets, get yourself a few. You want something big enough to give clearance over the bandages and (maybe) the drains. Plus, you want the front closure deal so you don't have to pull things over your head.

I bought a few cheapie zip-front sweat jackets from Target or Walmart and wore those for a while.