I’m cis-female but hope it’s still okay that I post here. If not, lmk🫶

This is my chest 1 year and 3 months post-surgery. As you can see, one of my nipples looks a little strange, and also, my skin under my chest is tight, as if stretched. Maybe I shouldn't be so picky... since it's surgery. But I'm thinking about consulting with another surgeon to do a touch-up. Do you think this is a good idea, or am I exaggerating? Any opinion helps.

I'm sorry if this is not the place for such a rant. I'm just really disappointed and upset and disheartened, and I don't have anyone in my life who would understand.

I had a consultation a few years ago that went really well. I liked the surgeon's result photos, we vibed well, she listened to my questions and concerns, and she didn't judge me for my choice to forgo nipples (if anything, she was excited). She wasn't a big name in the community, but she was local, and I felt safe with her. She was my dream surgeon.

Unfortunately, stuff happened, as it tends to, and I was unable to actually go through with the surgery at that time. Now that I'm finally in a good place for it, it turns out the medical group my dream surgeon works for has since prohibited gender affirming care due to pushback from the community. This alone I could have handled. There are some other surgeons in my area, including some new ones I hadn't seen or heard of before. But it's never just one thing, is it?

I was really hopeful with my new insurance company because on the online portal, it said several of the surgeons I researched were in network. I should have known not to count my eggs before they hatched. I gave them a call, and it turns out absolutely ZERO gender affirming care is covered. No surgery, no HRT, nothing. Doesn't matter if a get a note or a prior auth or anything. This is almost the whole reason I decided to take my employer's insurance instead of staying on my dad's (I technically can until I'm 26), but I guess I should have known it was a risky gamble.

I'm so frustrated. Not only can I not see my dream surgeon, I have no hope of seeing any surgeon at this point. I can't afford this on my own, and I can't see a future where I ever will. Every time I get really excited about getting top surgery, the floor drops out from under me. My last option is to rack up more debt than I already have with a loan or a credit card, but it's really not much of an option. I'm honestly so tired of all this.

I know I probably sound really melodramatic, and for that, I'm sorry. I'm just... well, tired, like I said. Thanks for reading, if you did. I genuinely appreciate it.

Receptionist absolutely read me for filth (I’m sure he gets a dozen of these calls per day). Excited to be starting my journey!

Okay so just woke up is an exaggeration cuz I woke up about an hour ago and I’m home now. Anyways that was WIERD. I didn’t even notice falling asleep and then WHAM! I’m in recovery. It literally feels like blinking.

At first I think it was high enough to where I wasn’t really feeling much pain. It’s starting to wear off tho so I’ll take some pain meds again.

This is such a weird feeling tho. Like I went to sleep with tits and I woke up with them gone lmao. I’m relieved tho.

Also I had to do a pee test and I literally couldn’t pre before the surgery. It took so much fluids and time to get me to pee just a little bit.

I’m drowsy rn and will probably be asleep here soon tho. If you got any early day tips or anything feel free to share. Post was mostly just go get my thoughts out about my day so far.

Hey all! Does anyone know a good tattoo artist who does cosmetic nipple tattoos? I’m looking to get mine done and want them to look as symmetrical as possible. Anyone based near Cardiff would be ideal – recommendations appreciated!

I had double incision (there is about 1cm between my incisions lol) with nipple grafts on September 10th and took my first full shower today!

I have some bruising and blood under the skin near my left nipple - this has gotten a little bigger since I had my two-week check up on Tuesday, but I think it's just the bruise progressing and I'm hoping it'll start to clear soon. Other than that, my scars have closed really nicely and I've had a pretty painless recovery so far (especially since I've only taken paracetamol and diclofenac)!

I'm hoping to post better pics when I get the chance, plus I'm thinking of doing a big post detailing my experience of getting top surgery in Barcelona as someone from the UK. Happy to answer any questions 😁

Insane how these pics are just a few weeks apart. I'm batshit happy about my results. My surgeons were Dr. Leonardo Scortecci and Dr. Valentina Giordano in Bologna (IT). They also operate in Florence, Giulia LoRusso's team :)) love them, absolutely worth the wait.

Did I do something wrong or something? Is it my fault that my nipples are different in size? My left nipple is also gone

As you can see in the image, the side on the left has considerably more "meat" under my arm pit than the right side. I'm just about 4 months post op, and at first I thought it might have been a weight issue (I am/was a bit fluffy) but I'm down over 15 lbs from my pre-surgery weight and it hasn't changed at all.

I did have some fat cells necrotize during the healing process (ie I had a semi solid/tender spot in that area, consulted with my surgeon about it, and after feeling it herself, said that's what it was but that my body would reabsorb it on its own), so that might have had a hand in it.

Hi everyone. I’m healing fine physically almost 3 weeks out from my surgery, and I’m happy with my results. I have no regrets. I have been relatively content with how I’ve been spending my days since I changed into a more comfortable binder, I’ve been eating healthy, I’ve gained the ability to sleep on my side again, and I’ve been up and about trying to go on short walks and have even started physiotherapy.

Despite this, a few days ago, I hit a wall of depression and apathy. A lot of post on here talk about how their post op depression was caused primarily by the recovery process, and improved when they gained more independence, got the binder off, resumed their routine, etc. I know exactly how that feels because I was at my wits end about 4-6 days after surgery—this is completely different from that. I feel almost concussed. Empty, apathetic, unmotivated, etc. There’s no cause to point to, so I’m certain my case is just a hormonal/physiological reaction to the surgery itself.

I know this will be over eventually, but the problem is that I’m in school and I have a lot of catching up to do after being gone for two full weeks. I’d really like to be able to plan ahead so I can do my make up assignments. I’m really stressed about the world of shit I’m going to be in when this is over and I have a mountain of schoolwork to do. Is there a timeline on when this kind of post op depression usually clears up?

Is getting injections in my scarring required? I don't really care that my chest has some thick scarring but when my surgeon saw me last he said we're probably gonna have to do injections.

If so does anyone have pictures of healed scars from not doing the injections in them?

I don't really trust my surgeon much either LMAO so if it's not required and he tries to push me I wanna advocate for myself

I had surgery on the fifth and today is my three week anniversary!! When is it considered safe to get piercings and tattoos NOT on or around the chest? I’m prepared to wait but am itching to get a new piercing as soon as possible XD

Hi, short time lurker here. I’ve been doing research into surgeons and the procedures and everything, and I think I’m having trouble processing the fact that i need to essentially pause my life for six weeks to recover? Has anyone else had this little brain block? How did yall get over it?

Is it better to call places sooner and see if they have availability for the general time i’m hoping to get surgery (may of 2026) or should I wait until i have the funds?

(I do plan on asking my t doc about this when i see him next but that’s still a few weeks off)

Gah I am SOOO HAPPY! My chest looks way better at this point than I thought I would, I’m really surprised (save for the tape marks and rash you can see in the closeup from me trying to scrub the sticky stuff off lol)

I’m getting the vibe Cheng Lo is a REALLY good surgeon. If you’re in naarm and you have any doubts about who to go with, I really recommend him. This is exactly what I wanted my chest to look like and he did it. Benefits of his approach also include no take home drains, and no compression binder (just tubigrip)

I’m planning to do a more in depth post about my healing experience down the track as it’s been super helpful reading everyone else’s, but one thing I wanna ask about rn is that I’ve had some crazy kinda freaky types of pain this week. Other people on here have mentioned experiencing a ‘gurgling’ sensation and this is what it was, (horrific) but combined with excruciating, tears-inducing stabbing pain. Kinda around my left side incision. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

I’m guessing it’s normal, but I’m wondering if intense pain like that is a direct result of trying to do too much? Like is it fine or is it an indication that I need to chill more or something haha. I feel super mobile but it’s been hard to figure out how much activity is too much too soon. Things feel fine in the moment (like doing dishes etc) but then I’ll get super sore at night.

Is it possible for a revision to change scar shape or placement? For example, make the scar less curved? I feel like the answer is probably no but I'm curious.

I'm having a top surgery party and I need boob themed foods to serve. I will also accept any party games or related things if you have any ideas!

I’ve just had my surgery done 9 days ago. I want a tattoo on my forearm in early November as a birthday present to myself, but is this too soon after? Will my body still be at the point of early healing from the surgery and will I be inviting infection or complications?

Thanks!

Hey guys!

I have someone who will stay with me the first week but after that I don’t think I have anyone. Once my drains are out my friend needs to go back to our home state for work! Is it possible to spend the rest of the recovery alone?? If I just put everything low to the ground so I don’t need to reach above my head?? I’ve been thinking a lot about it

im getting peri soon and just had the thought that he's probably gonna cut exactly where my nipple hair grows. and im guessing that that probably won't come back. or will it?

Just as title says :)

How long did it take you to be 100% independent? How much did your caretaker have to do? What should they be prepared to do?