Ask a trans person!

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Say folks,dose anyon know where I can get binders used,I am useing a x-large spandex t-shirt that works pretty well, but I cant find any anywhere in town,I got these at wall mart in the mens department a couple of years ago.Avadamy has a simular t-shirt but its priced pretty high...heck I prolly need a full body one.

Dunno your situation, but this may or may not be of help: http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/BBUB.html

But, if you have a sex shop in town that is lgbt centric and they sell binders, sometimes they keep used binders around that they sell for like 5 bucks or something.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by theoddz

No, Koop, I didn't use Arnica. Dr. V recommended that I use Nivea Cream (the one in the jar, not the tube) after my surgery, so that's what I did. He said that the other stuff was just "expensive" and it didn't do anything that the Nivea cream wouldn't do for me. I remembered that my sister used Nivea cream on my nephew when he was a baby (he's 21 now, and coming to visit me in July!!! ), so that was good enough for me.

I think that the reason for the drains has to do with how much tissue is removed. Like it was pointed out in Chaz's documentary, the purpose of the drains is to siphon off any accumulated fluid that the body generates to try to replace the excised breast tissue. Wearing the binder post-op, as directed, really helps with that, too. I didn't have my drains in for more than an day, either. It all went pretty quick, I think.

~Theo~

Arnica is for minimizing/reducing bleeding and bruising, not for treating scars. I'm assuming that is what you used the Nivea for??? Let me know if I'm reading that wrong, Theo.

Copied...

If your surgery poses the potential for a large loss of blood or you will undergo intravenous (IV) therapy, take Arnica montana. It reduces bleeding during surgery, prevents blood from pooling under your skin, and minimizes the surgical shock that can cause cardiovascular problems.

It was this type of information and that it would minimize bruising that I started Arnica about 10 days prior to surgery and then continued on it for another 3 or 4 days.

As for the scars... I can't remember what I used to treat them. Your surgeon, like Theo's, will obviously have some that he/she recommends.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

I, too, wondered if the Arnica played into it.

Seems like it's a "game-time decision" for some surgeons......which I think is a good thing. To me, it means they're paying attention.

I agree and have been curious.

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I got a question for the guys who are a year out or more from top surgery: What did you use to lessen your scars during your first year? I hear a lot about silicone strips, has anyone used them? Any other products you guys can recommend? Thx in advance!

Nivea cream and lightly massaging the scar tissue.

Originally Posted by theoddz

No, Koop, I didn't use Arnica. Dr. V recommended that I use Nivea Cream (the one in the jar, not the tube) after my surgery, so that's what I did. He said that the other stuff was just "expensive" and it didn't do anything that the Nivea cream wouldn't do for me. I remembered that my sister used Nivea cream on my nephew when he was a baby (he's 21 now, and coming to visit me in July!!! ), so that was good enough for me.

I think that the reason for the drains has to do with how much tissue is removed. Like it was pointed out in Chaz's documentary, the purpose of the drains is to siphon off any accumulated fluid that the body generates to try to replace the excised breast tissue. Wearing the binder post-op, as directed, really helps with that, too. I didn't have my drains in for more than an day, either. It all went pretty quick, I think.

~Theo~

I also used nivea cream for the scars.

Like thinker said the arnica was to reduce bleeding and bruising from the surgery. It is fairly inexpensive.

I know I had similiar amounts taken off as everyone else and I usually bruise really easily. I lost over 5 lbs. However like Thinker I started the arnica about a week before and took it til a week after.

The only other thing is maybe due to the factor that we are skinnier guys and could be sculpted more not as much tissue was left behind so less need for the drains?

[Linus]

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by Linus

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

Mine has been SOOOOO itchy and I don't have any chest hair to shave. What's weird is that there is no where I can scratch that relieves the itch. I try to scratch where it seems to itch, but its all numb there.

[Nina]

okay...so, I don't know anything about most of what is being discussed here...
But, I do have a comment on the itching issue...some meds have itching as a side effect...I had it happen with a medication I had to take after a surgery...I started to have the strangest itching feelings....it was deep inside, and scratching didn't do anything to help...it wasn't a 'regular' kind of itching, though it was intense...
it's probably not worth saying, that never stops me, I'd suggest you (re) read all the possible side effects of any and all meds you're taking, or took, and see if that is one of the symptoms...and, if so, call your doctor...

I hope your healing is smooth and swift...all the best to you

Nina

[justkim]

Sorry for the intrusion. Linus I myself have had several surgeries and I usually get itchy from the beta-dine stuff they use, even though they *kinda* wipe it off. Also, take a cool shower and gently uses a wash cloth or one of those puffy bath thingys.. Key word here is gentle. Hopefully we can get a nurse in here to maybe give a better explanation. After surgeries all of the anesthesia has to come out some how and for me it comes out in my skin, even on area's not related to the surgery. I find that keeping hydrated and I keep my skin totally moisturized it makes it all much more tolerable.
By the way, congratulations!

Heck, Congratulations to everyone in this thread.

Originally Posted by Linus

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

[Thinker]

Yep on the med's side effects and yep on post-surgical itching.

Some of it, too, is going to be little nerve endings that are waking back up.

Another thing y'all just reminded me of... My nipple grafts and the numb area on my right side started "pinging" after a couple of weeks. I was told that was when sensation was starting to come back. The nipple graft pings went on for a good year or more.

[The Oopster]

I don't remember a lot of itching except along the incision I think especially at the 5 to 10 day mark. It's a damn long incision so a lot of itchy area.

However I took minimal pain meds also, but have had itchiness from pain meds in the past but the itchiness was all over the body.

[atomiczombie]

I have been off pain meds for more than 2 weeks, and I am still itching!!

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I have been off pain meds for more than 2 weeks, and I am still itching!!

Yours could be from the return of sensation.

Just a guess...

[deb_U_taunt]

The itching was driving me crazy, but I am using aloe vera with Lidocaine. SO helpful.

[Camo Eagle]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I got a question for the guys who are a year out or more from top surgery: What did you use to lessen your scars during your first year? I hear a lot about silicone strips, has anyone used them? Any other products you guys can recommend? Thx in advance!

I used Palmers stretch mark cream in the tube (not pump - lotion), Bruise Balm from Glimmerance, Prosil (silcone balm in a tube like lip balm). Also a good moisturizer as soon as the skin closes/suture or strips removed. Also keep in mind this stuff needs to be done couple times a day for at least 6 mths, then daily for another 6 mths. Depending on how you do, maybe longer.

Originally Posted by Linus

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

Mine has been SOOOOO itchy and I don't have any chest hair to shave. What's weird is that there is no where I can scratch that relieves the itch. I try to scratch where it seems to itch, but its all numb there.

Even though a nuisance, itching is perfectly normal part of healing. You should be able to tell if it from strips/adhesives, etc. I use the Benedryl clear gel in the lil squeeze bottle for all my itch needs. Its only thing that works for me, but everyone is diff.

[Corkey]

I've had several surgeries, but not top, anywho...Vitamin E oil can be used on scars to help heal and promotes lessening of scar tissue. It also helps with that ever present itch. Use after stitches are out, or after wound has closed. If you are itching from adhesive, use peroxide on the itch to remove the adhesive and replace with anti allergy tape.
This has worked for me every single time and the scars are hardly noticeable.

[Camo Eagle]

Just make sure that skin has closed on all wounds before you use any non prescribed items. This is very important. Use of antibac ointments are frowned upon because they can lead to overgrowth of other bac as well as cause resistance.

Use of peroxide can kill kill healing tissue. It depletes the O2 in order to kill the bat., but that also takes the O2 needed to grow the new tissue.

A good product is Allkare Adhesive Remover Wipes by Convatec, usually sold at Walgreens.

[Corkey]

I said to use peroxide on the adhesive, not the wound. Again Vitimen E oil should be used ONLY on closed wounds and AFTER stitches have been removed.

I did say that didn't I?

[TCB]

Originally Posted by theoddz

I'm going to answer your question and also another common question that's asked, simply so others will know what this takes, moneywise, to do, since this procedure is seldom covered by insurance at all.

I paid entirely out of my own pocket. Dr. V's fee, about $7750, included everything (he has his own accredited surgical center) except the lab pathology, which ran about $450. Surprisingly, my health insurance (FEHB) paid for that, minus a $38 deductible, which I paid.

I had to travel to Newport Beach, California, from here in Las Vegas, so by the time I added up the travel expenses (for my girlfriend and me), hotel, meals, etc., the total cost was right under $10K.

~Theo~

Are you happy with the results from Dr. V? If he is in Newport beach, that would be ideal for me. I'm still trying to figure out how to raise funds for my surgery. It's getting to a point, where I don't care what I need to do to make this happen.
I have Kaiser insurance, but I'm pretty sure they won't cover squat. I've asked my Endo about it, and he pretty much confirmed that.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by TCB

Are you happy with the results from Dr. V? If he is in Newport beach, that would be ideal for me. I'm still trying to figure out how to raise funds for my surgery. It's getting to a point, where I don't care what I need to do to make this happen.
I have Kaiser insurance, but I'm pretty sure they won't cover squat. I've asked my Endo about it, and he pretty much confirmed that.

Hey cris did I ever show you my surgery? Dr V is who I went to. Yes he is in newport beach. He was more around 8k for me. Linus just had his with Dr. V so he would know the most current rates. Nice thing is you would cut down other costs with how close he is to you.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Hey cris did I ever show you my surgery? Dr V is who I went to. Yes he is in newport beach. He was more around 8k for me. Linus just had his with Dr. V so he would know the most current rates. Nice thing is you would cut down other costs with how close he is to you.

The total cost for me was about $8400 (including labs). However, since I've had some prior back issues apparently the insurance has no problem covering some of it. That has meant my actual out of pocket was $4900 (not including Lazy Boy costs, although I am wondering if I can write that off as a medical expense ).

I'm just about a week past the surgery but thus far have been happy. The reality is that the rest will be up to me and how I take care of my chest going forward. In another week I go for stitch removal I believe and a check up. I like that I don't have to visit constantly in person and can just email photos to him so he can see how I'm recovering. Saves time (which for me is more of an issue than money).

[Camo Eagle]

Originally Posted by Corkey

I said to use peroxide on the adhesive, not the wound. Again Vitimen E oil should be used ONLY on closed wounds and AFTER stitches have been removed.

I did say that didn't I?

My comments were not directed to you. I posted what I did, bc some are new out of surg., and the incisions may not be closed. Many of the top surgeons are now not using sutures, they are closing up the entire line with steri strips or some such product. So for some the adhesive IS directly on the entire incision.
I had 192 strips I believe. Some came off clean, others left a mess. Dr. even told me not to use soap & water until it was closed bc he wanted it to stay dry. He said those "nastys" covering it, were actually protecting it.
It was a happy day indeed when I could wash & shower.

2 of the most often misused OTCs after surg. is the 2 I mentioned. It was my intention to educate on those items. I know after my surgery, literally everyone I spoke too, offered a remedy idea for some facet of my Tx. For many yrs (some still do) Drs would tell you to clean the wound area w/ peroxide, then apply antibiotic ointment. As of 3 yrs ago, this is no longer the accepted standard. Some old die hards still refuse to move forward.

The source of my info is the textbook, handbook for wound care, and info given during one of the 1st Wound Care Certification courses held in the nation.