Top Surgery soon!

[Christian_Tyler]

So this really amazing thing is happening for me in 57 days....top surgery! I'm scheduled for March 8th with Dr. Garramone. I'm looking for some advice from some people that have already been there, done that. What all did you take on your trip? How did you prep your body? How do you care for your scars? Etc etc. I've been doing a lot of push ups (regular, wide, inclined, declined) and pull ups to build up my chest. I def have some solid pecs and I can see them in the mirror. But I want to make sure I have the best definition possible so that the surgeon has a good line to follow. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Guest KerryUK]

Hi Christian,

I'm so sorry nobody had come along and replied to your post (it's very unusual for nobody to come along).

Anyway, being MTF it's difficult for me to give you a good answer but I'll try. It sounds like you are doing about as much as you can. When I was younger, in denial and trying to be the man my body was saying I should be - I had my shirt off one day and was ridiculed by some kind young lady for having such a slight and 'wimpy' body (much to the amusement of all those around me). It hurt. Well, I then went on to take up lifting weights at the gym to bulk myself up (much to my regret when I eventually needed to transition). I did become quite muscular though with quite a 'fit' body. I guess that you are already on T and so that will help you to 'bulk' up anyway. I know this isn't much of an answer for you Christian but I hope in some small way it helps. Keep up the 'gym' Work.

Kerry

[Carolyn Marie]

I'm with Kerry on my lack of specific information that might be of interest. But we'll do our best to find someone knowledgeable to talk to you. Congrats and best of luck!

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Jani]

Hey there Christian, You're half way there from your original post date. Great! I bet you are getting super excited. As my friends have said, I also don't have specific recommendations on what to do other than what you've done which is to get yourself as physically fit as possible. This will make the healing process go smoother because any surgery puts your body under stress. Make yourself strong.

As to what to pack for your trip just think that you'll be sore so loose clothing is certain. No pullover shirts as you'll not want to extend your chest for a while. I remember a guy in my support group saying he was quite sore, but able to function quite well. He was at our meeting a couple days afterwards and actually looked pretty good.

Good luck

Jani

[Guest KerryUK]

Hi Christian,

I've just had a thought about your post and thought I would add. You probably already know this anyway but here goes.

Even though born women have breast tissue, there are muscles underneath (chest muscles) which help to support the fatty breast tissue above. Since I started HRT, I would say that the first 4 - 6 months saw quite a dramatic reduction in my chest muscles which seemed to sort of convert into fatty tissue and of course the breast buds started to develop. I've got 'b' cup sized breasts now but if I feel, underneath are still what's left of those chest muscles, though they are no where near as pronounced nor strong now. You will have those muscles underneath too and you will (especially after starting T) be able to develop those muscles. Like I said in my earlier post though - in my previous life, I had to work at it to get those muscles developed (what a waste of time that was looking back ). So, it was down to the gym most days.

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Before I close, I will say that I have seen pictures of Transmen without their shirts on and I have found myself thinking 'oooooh, he's rather dishy'. To get that physique though does require a lot of work - even for cismen.

Kerry