FTM's and Transitioning

[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.

[The Oopster]

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?)

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.

When I asked Dr. V about drains ... he said it had been quite awhile since he had to use them .. that there was an outside chance but if there was a fair amount of fluid that he preferred to take it out by a syringe. He feels that with drains there is an opening and with an opening that there is a better chance of infection.

The nurses that I know made an inference that if you have a good surgeon they shouldn't be needed and also that there would be less risk of infection. These are nurses that would be more familiar with general mastecomies versus those for ftms.

I took arnica prior to my surgery I don't know if that helped or didn't but I do know that on the front of my chest there was very little swelling or bruising. Any swelling or bruising was on the sides and was due to the lypo. That is where a majority of the pain was also

As far as recliners go ... i looked at them all and I wouldn't get anything but a lazyboy. I thought a lazyboy would be too expensive but found the opposite that it was cheaper then a lot of the others out there and much better made. Quite a variety also. I love my lazyboy and it was the best investment i've ever had. (I got it prior to my last neck surgery) I would sit in it during the day but at night lie on my back... i do recommend getting some memory foam ... that made lying on my back all the time more bearable and I was able to transfer to my sides a bit earlier then I would have otherwise

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!

I think this all depends on the person and really upon whether or not you have drains. If you don't have drains there isn't as much do do. I had to change bandages I think but I figured out a system to do it on my own.

It also depends on your experience with surgeries. I have had 5 spinal surgeries and really know how to move and not move.

I also made sure to put anything I thought I would need at a reachable height ... i determined this by locking my arms next to my side and just reaching from the elbow. Also made sure i bought things in small packages.

I have a roommate and neighbors so I did make sure there were people around a lot of the time but I can't really think of anything I needed instantly. I could wait til they were around.

I know some people have said they had trouble wiping after going to the bathroom, I had no trouble here. I had bought some moist wipes in case but still didn't use them.

I had all my food planned out for about two weeks after surgery so I could just pop it in the microwave or grab it out of the fridge. again any packaged items i put on the table or counter instead of in the cabinets so I could get it easily. Also bought paper plates and bowls and just placed them on the table where I could reach them easily.

For keeping clean I bought some of the bath/shower wipes they sell that you heat in the microwave. Some hospitals use them after surgeries and they eliminate excess water getting on your bandages and I think they work pretty well. I know rite aid has their brand which is a bit cheaper then a nonstore brand.

[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.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by theoddz

~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.

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.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by 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.

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?

[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?

[The Oopster]

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?

Whether you have the drains or not he does do a follow up visit. Since I stayed down there and didn't have drains he did mine the next morning and I left for home from his office. If I had immediately gone home he would have seen me I think on monday and my surgery was on a thursday.

Did you ask him about drains? Because I did. At the time of my consult the only person I had heard of not having drains was Thinker. When we did the consult and he had said nothing about drains and the follow up care. I asked "what about the drains?" That is when he said he couldn't remember when he had to use them last because it had been awhile. Since my surgery was almost a year after Theo's I'm guessing his was the last.

[Leigh]

Hey guys, sorry its been awhile but My laptop has been out of commission for abit but I'm borrowing My mom's computer for a few. I have an appointment this month with the psychiatrist who will determine if I will be eligible for top surgery and if the meeting goes well then it will be covered by MB Health ......... I go on May 20th so wish Me luck that all goes well

[Linus]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Whether you have the drains or not he does do a follow up visit. Since I stayed down there and didn't have drains he did mine the next morning and I left for home from his office. If I had immediately gone home he would have seen me I think on monday and my surgery was on a thursday.

Did you ask him about drains? Because I did. At the time of my consult the only person I had heard of not having drains was Thinker. When we did the consult and he had said nothing about drains and the follow up care. I asked "what about the drains?" That is when he said he couldn't remember when he had to use them last because it had been awhile. Since my surgery was almost a year after Theo's I'm guessing his was the last.

I did ask him about that and he had said he didn't think I'd need them. Which, when I had first heard that, I was surprised. He said that if I was "smaller" then perhaps but since this is more of an explicit removal than anything else, I wouldn't need them. So unless something happens during the surgery that warrants them, I may not need them. Mine's on a Monday so I suspect my follow-up will be the Thursday of that week. I may have to ask K's brother to help me out there.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Linus

I did ask him about that and he had said he didn't think I'd need them. Which, when I had first heard that, I was surprised. He said that if I was "smaller" then perhaps but since this is more of an explicit removal than anything else, I wouldn't need them. So unless something happens during the surgery that warrants them, I may not need them. Mine's on a Monday so I suspect my follow-up will be the Thursday of that week. I may have to ask K's brother to help me out there.

I was larger also.

It doesn't hurt to have things lined up for it. I did have some nurse friends lined up to help empty just in case. I figured it was easier to be prepared for it. I also had made sure the person staying the night with me could handle gross things in case I had them. That person later confided that he was glad I didn't have them, he was a little apprehensive of having to deal with the gross stuff but would have.

Wow you must be getting excited and nervous! Next week is a busy one for me but let me know if you need anything. In LA terms your place isn't that far from me!

[Linus]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

I was larger also.

It doesn't hurt to have things lined up for it. I did have some nurse friends lined up to help empty just in case. I figured it was easier to be prepared for it. I also had made sure the person staying the night with me could handle gross things in case I had them. That person later confided that he was glad I didn't have them, he was a little apprehensive of having to deal with the gross stuff but would have.

Wow you must be getting excited and nervous! Next week is a busy one for me but let me know if you need anything. In LA terms your place isn't that far from me!

It's not next week but the week after (week of the 23rd). If you're not busy that week, you're welcomed to visit with me and pugs. We'll probably be sitting outside if the weather is nice.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Linus

It's not next week but the week after (week of the 23rd). If you're not busy that week, you're welcomed to visit with me and pugs. We'll probably be sitting outside if the weather is nice.

I'll check in with you closer to then. Currently, besides the weekends and a quick equipment pick up on monday and friday I only work Thursday that week!

[atomiczombie]

I just got back from Dr. Brownstein's office and had my drains removed. It kinda stung for about a second and then I was fine. He said I lost 2.5lbs of tissue. What a great way to lose weight! I got to see my chest today and it is so flat I love it! and the nipple graphs look fantastic. I couldn't be happier with the job he has done. The pathology report said I have no cancer too.

I also found out that he is the doc who did Chaz Bono's chest, and he will be in the documetary about Chaz that will be on the Oprah Winfrey Network tonight at 9pm. So if you guys want to see Dr. Brownstein in action, check it out.

I feel a lot better with the drains out and he said I can move my arms around as much as I want and bend over now, no restrictions. That's a relief. Thursday I get the sutures around my nipple graphs removed so I am looking forward to that.

[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!