top surgery

[Dylan]

Thinker,

Can I ask why you didn't need tubes?

Like is there a special procedure that means you don't need tubes? Or, is it a before-size thing or something?


Would Like To Avoid Tubes,
Dylan

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Thinker,

Can I ask why you didn't need tubes?

Like is there a special procedure that means you don't need tubes? Or, is it a before-size thing or something?


Would Like To Avoid Tubes,
Dylan

Hey Dylan,

I had 2 drains post-op, but I think that, from a medical standpoint, it depends on how much tissue is removed. Also, the kind of procedure you have can dictate whether or not you have drains. From what I've read, many guys have the double incision w/ nipple graft and that procedure is usually performed on guys with bigger chests, hence more tissue removed. If you're small chested, you might have the "keyhole" procedure and have the breast tissue extracted through a small hole. In that case, you might not need drains.

Just my .02,
~Theo~

[Dylan]

Theo,

You said you have a physical job, so you took 6 weeks off...how long before you could lift stuff over your head and do stuff normally again?

I too have a very physical job, so I'm going to have to time my surgery for probably around xmas time when I'm really slow (business-wise).


Thanks,
Dylan

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Theo,

You said you have a physical job, so you took 6 weeks off...how long before you could lift stuff over your head and do stuff normally again?

I too have a very physical job, so I'm going to have to time my surgery for probably around xmas time when I'm really slow (business-wise).


Thanks,
Dylan

It was actually about 6 weeks before I could lift things over my head. My sutures disolved on their own and after those were healed up, it was just a matter of slowly stretching and moving around again. I had a bit of liposuction done under my arms, so it was kind of sore and bruised there for a few weeks, but I heal quickly, too.

Here it's been a year since my surgery and my scars have faded out just about all the way. What might be otherwise visible has been nicely covered up by chest hair, which I seem to have an abundance of.

~Theo~

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by theoddz

Hey Dylan,

I had 2 drains post-op, but I think that, from a medical standpoint, it depends on how much tissue is removed. Also, the kind of procedure you have can dictate whether or not you have drains. From what I've read, many guys have the double incision w/ nipple graft and that procedure is usually performed on guys with bigger chests, hence more tissue removed. If you're small chested, you might have the "keyhole" procedure and have the breast tissue extracted through a small hole. In that case, you might not need drains.

Just my .02,
~Theo~

In my case, I did have the double incision with nipple grafts. And while I was not overly large up top, I did have some size to me.........well, enough to where the keyhole wasn't even close to being an option (36-C).

I have wondered... My surgeon is a pretty premier plastic surgeon. I wonder if he doesn't know a few additional tricks of the trade........or something like that......that could have contributed in my case.

In my mind, there just wasn't a logical reason for NOT having tubes.

I don't know, but I sure wasn't complaining.

[Turino]

try the ftmsurgerysupport and ftmsurgeryinfo groups on yahoo

[The Oopster]

I just want to say I appreciate everyone's input!

I'll check out the yahoo stuff if I have time but I really value Theo and Thinker sharing their experience because i know them. I hope others will share also for that same reasons.

I can go to the other sites but i don't have a history with those people so its hard to know what value to put to their experience. It's like taking candy from a stranger to me. It could be great yet who knows.

Transbucket was okay although I remeber transter having a lot more. Seems like Transbucket still needs to build. I did find it helpful to read the commentaries alongside the pictures. It helped me to come up with some more questions.

[The Oopster]

could not find a head spinning smiley

So surgery is scheduled for April 29th.

His cost has gone up some from when Theo had it but I really felt comfortable with him and his staff so decideded to go with him.

One of the things I appreciated was in his pictures of others not all of the pictures were perfect. Of course the ones that weren't have had revisions, but he said its been awhile since that has been necessary.

He also showed evolution in his work, he does the nipples smaller now than originally.

Already talked with work so that worry is over with. I told them I'll probably need a minimum of 4 weeks off but I"ll have a better idea after surgery. Most likely I'll start back just working weekends or such. I also put out there that i could be up to a couple months but by the time we start getting busy again around mid july I should be back to normal speed hopefully.

I may or may not have tubes. Voloshin uses them only if there is excessive drainage, otherwise he prefers to remove any drainage via a needle. Says there is less risk of infection that way.

So nervous and excited at the same time. Now I just need to get odds and ends done and try to find someone to go down with me. Hopefully someone that can stay in the area that night, just seems like it would be easiest to go crash in a hotel verses an hour plus ride home. Also if I do that he'll check me the next day and then I can go home, otherwise I'd have to go back down in a couple days. hmmm just thought of a new question ... wondering how that will work since he doesn't work on fridays ... so will have to double check on that. MIght go home that day after all and go back on monday.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

could not find a head spinning smiley

So surgery is scheduled for April 29th.

His cost has gone up some from when Theo had it but I really felt comfortable with him and his staff so decideded to go with him.

One of the things I appreciated was in his pictures of others not all of the pictures were perfect. Of course the ones that weren't have had revisions, but he said its been awhile since that has been necessary.

He also showed evolution in his work, he does the nipples smaller now than originally.

Already talked with work so that worry is over with. I told them I'll probably need a minimum of 4 weeks off but I"ll have a better idea after surgery. Most likely I'll start back just working weekends or such. I also put out there that i could be up to a couple months but by the time we start getting busy again around mid july I should be back to normal speed hopefully.

I may or may not have tubes. Voloshin uses them only if there is excessive drainage, otherwise he prefers to remove any drainage via a needle. Says there is less risk of infection that way.

So nervous and excited at the same time. Now I just need to get odds and ends done and try to find someone to go down with me. Hopefully someone that can stay in the area that night, just seems like it would be easiest to go crash in a hotel verses an hour plus ride home. Also if I do that he'll check me the next day and then I can go home, otherwise I'd have to go back down in a couple days. hmmm just thought of a new question ... wondering how that will work since he doesn't work on fridays ... so will have to double check on that. MIght go home that day after all and go back on monday.

Congrats, Oopster, on finding someone you feel comfortable with.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Thinker,

Can I ask why you didn't need tubes?

Like is there a special procedure that means you don't need tubes? Or, is it a before-size thing or something?


Would Like To Avoid Tubes,
Dylan

Hey Dylan...

It didn't have anything to do with size; of that I'm sure. I was average sized (basically, a 36-C) and big enough that my only option was the double-incision.

Going into the surgery, the assumption on my part and the part of the surgeon was that drainage tubes would be included. When I first woke up and spoke with the surgeon, I asked him how the tubes were.

He said, "You don't have tubes. I didn't see a need for them."

And that was the end of it.

Since they are for drainage, I can only assume that I was not bleeding heavily at all. I was very good leading up to the surgery in avoiding things that act as blood thinners, and I took Arnica for a few weeks prior. *shrug* Maybe those things contributed.

So... Long story longer... I don't know a specific reason. Perhaps you can ask prospective surgeons in what instances they would opt to refrain from the tubes.

Sorry I can't be of more help than that...