Top Surgery Questions

[Sol]

Hi!

Very inexperienced and relatively new trans person here, and I started thinking about top surgery.

I have no bottom dysphoria (the period is the only problem and I'm already looking into ways to make that skedaddle), but recently my feelings about my chest have become increasingly negative. Or in little ways like being very aware of them when I'm not wearing a compression bra (I don't have a binder yet). And I really just want the chest gone. It's okay sometimes, but more often than not, it makes me uncomfortable because I get beaned over the head with "It's too big. You look too feminine, people will think you're a girl." 

So to anyone who has had top surgery or has done more research on it than me, anything I should know? I know next to nothing and all of it is about how high you can lift your arms afterward. 

[ClarkDiesInside]

I see that your profile says that you're still questioning your gender, so I first would like you to make sure that you're sure about getting top surgery. It's not reversible, and it's a lot of agony to go through (possibly with a hefty price tag on it, if you can't get insurance to cover it) for a result you don't like. I've wanted top surgery since before I considered myself trans, so I'm already sure of it, but if you only want it to appear male, I would reccomend wearing a binder (I can provide binding advice) and presenting masculine for at least a bit to try it out first.

 

If you are sure of it though, ask the top surgeon you chose which types of top sugery you're eligible for. (There are different kinds, like peri-areolar and keyhole.) Look at before and after results of top surgeries preformed by your surgeon and make sure that that's what you're looking for. Before and after your surgery, eat lots of pineapple. Also, while you are healing, I hear it's good to have a caretaker to help you do things. I also heard that you'll have to wear a binder or something while recovering. (Doesn't make sense to me, I would think that it'd be better to air out your wounds or something, but eh.) You won't be able to lay down on your side for some time. Immediately after surgery, your chest might also look very yucky. Don't worry, it won't be forever.

 

(Everything stated above is based on anecdotes from others. I am not responsible for you taking my advice.)

[Sol]

After a quick Google search, apparently wearing a binder after top surgery helps prevent fluid buildup and helps the skin adhere back to the chest wall. The link is here, if you'd like to look at it.

https://gendersurgeryamsterdam.com/surgery-for-transmen/top-surgery/#:~:text=We advice you to wear,back to the chest wall.

And yeah, I am still a bit questioning, but I'm getting more confident that I'm most likely trans. There are too many things that are adding up, and it feels right.

But binding advice? Do share, please. I wear compression bras right now but I still don't think I'm flat enough. Especially if I look into a mirror, then I'm filled with deep disappointment.

[Sol]

And yeah, I definitely don't want to just jump headfirst into top surgery, especially considering I'm still young and I've got time to figure stuff out. Presenting masculine is something I definitely want to do first, but I really want to match my persistent mental image of myself, which is interestingly breast free. My mom does something like it, but she just imagines herself with a smaller chest (both my mom and I have larger chests), while mine are completely omitted. 

I'm getting increasingly detached to them, to the point where I really just want them gone. And this isn't a new feeling, either, it's just recently that I've actually taken the time to explain it.