I had top surgery 4 months ago and ever since six weeks i’ve hated my results. He left some breast tissue to try and make it more natural, but i feel like he left too much. the swelling still is continuing to go down so hopefully by a year ill feel much more optimistic about my results. i have learned over the past couple of weeks to start to like my results, or at least hate them less. dont get me wrong, i love having gotten the surgery and love everything to do with it otherwise, i just dont like the look of them.

Anyway, onto the main goal of this post. I haven’t been around anyone shirtless since the surgery, but my family is going on vacation to the beach so i’m going to have to be, or wear a water shirt. My main concern is that because i feel like my chest sticks out more than what the rest of my body would indicate (at least that’s what my brain is telling me), i’m worried that people are going to think i’m being indecent or that i should be wearing something up top. I feel like from certain angles my chest does look like boobs. I have included multiple pictures, some in which i think my chest looks normal, boob-ish, or somewhere in the middle. I would appreciate any input on whether or not you would think twice about me being shirtless at the beach. Please be honest. Thanks.

How am I looking?

This was first day I could take a shower normally with water running over my nipples and not have to wear anything over my nipples, it’s amazing.

How much longer do you guys think I’ll be off from work as I’m a truck unloader who gets 20,000-26,000 steps a shift and am very physically active on the job and required to lift at least 50 pounds. (Keep in mind can’t go back with restrictions because I wouldn’t be able to truck unload since it’s the minimum requirement/that’s the job title lol to be lifting and on the move)

Also do you guys think I can start working out again? I feel like I’m not my self with not being able to move and lift weights.

What movements/light workouts can I do 4 weeks post op

hi everyone! im almost 7 months post op and i dont really like my results. the two sides are completely different. on the left, i have no skin, maybe im even too flat and it looks “concave”. on the right i can see and feel skin. around the nipple it feels empty inside and u can see it, but on the middle part and in the outer part i can feel and pick the skin. i hate touching it, i hate looking at it and its afflicting my mental health so much. i dont want people to see me, i dont feel comfortable going to the beach and be shirtless. i cant even wear tight tops bc the difference is too big and it shows and i hate it. idk what to think, it feels like it was a bad surgery and just did in a bad fast way. the surgeon said to wait and see how it goes and that there are “remedies” but it hasnt changed a single bit in the last 4 months and somehow it looks even worse. im so tired of feeling like this, i want to be happy and comfortable in my body. sorry for the long rant i know i should be grateful but i cant feel something im not

I had top surgery a month ago now and had my post-op appointment today. I was told that the loose skin that is folding over my incision lines will probably take care of itself, otherwise, it can be taken off with revisions in a year. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and if anyone can give input as to when their skin “flattened” post-op?

Edit:
The surgery was a double incision! The surgeon cut the tops of the areolas and will go back to do the lower halves at the year revision. They had to put an extra incision below my chest on the right side because of an issue with the tissue. The skin is a bit swollen and “folding over” the main incision line though
They just took the tape off today so that’s why some things look very fresh or not fully cleaned over

I am 4.5 weeks post op, and went to the beach today with some friends for my first super public shirtless appearance after an extended keyhole procedure (I didn't actually swim, don't worry)! It felt great, but I have noticed there's a pretty distinct shadow between and under where my breasts used to be. I'm nervous about this and the lack of flatness, but also don't want to freak myself out unnecessarily if this is something that will just take time. Thoughts?

First pic is from beach today, second and third are taken at time of posting later the same night.

DI + FNG w/ Dr. Reformat in Boston

Hey fellas — 27, NB, top surgery scheduled and now it’s less than a month away!! I’m very excited! But also riddled with constant anxiety about something happening and it being taken away from me. Can anyone relate? Like, my pre-anesthesia appointment is in about a week, and I’m worried that something will come up in their questions and they’ll be like, “uh oh, sorry buddy, no top surgery for you.” Or they’ll take my blood the day of surgery, and find an issue(?) and cancel it on the spot or something. I’m aware these scenarios are totally illogical (I have no health conditions that would prevent me from getting surgery), but this is also my first surgery ever, and first time with general anesthesia, so I’m just constantly anxious about it! I figured talking about it might do some good, so that’s why I’m here. Thanks for reading my rambling lmao

Im hoping my nipples pinken up more

Not only is it frustrating but it honestly makes me want to scream because of how much sensory hell it is. I can’t tell if I’m just fat or if they left tissue behind. Would even extending my scars help or do I just have to drop another couple thousand dollars to remove this.

Hey guys! I had top surgery 9 months ago now and I’m thinking about a nipple revision. I had initially requested small nipples the size of dimes but as you can see they are quite larger. I’m not devastated by the results, I think everything’s healed well I just don’t like how big they are …. Wondering about a revision or just tattooing over them completely

Had top surgery on the NHS after 7 years of waiting! 5 years on T and so happy with how flat I am 😭

I can feel the tubes under my skin, which is gross, and my binder is squashing them into presumably the muscles of my chest, which is gross AND really hurts. And the exit sites itch like crazy. I cannot wait to be rid of these hideous things forever. But I'm also kind of dreading the removal because holy shit, there is a lot of tube in there. 🤢

Anyway yeah 0/5⭐ for drains.

I’m 10 days post op from double incision without nipple grafts and I feel weirdly fine. I know you’re not supposed to lift heavy things or raise your arms above your shoulders, especially in the first two weeks, but it doesn’t hurt for me. My surgeon was pretty lax about restrictions and didn’t give me clear guid besides “take it easy.” I’ve done several questionable things in the last couple days, like raising my arms all the way to move a shower head, lifting my weighted blanket back onto my bed, pushing myself in my wheelchair, and laying + sleeping on my stomach. None of it hurts. The only thing i feel is pulling on the tape over my dressings. I can’t tell if I’m just super desensitized because I have chronic pain, including around my ribs from binding, or if I’m somehow fine. I’m a bit worried about stretching my incisions or otherwise messing up my results and I’m not sure if I should be keeping my arms below my shoulders and such. I don’t know how much of this is normal.

Can anyone tell if this is hypertrophic scarring or just raised? Some sources say scars look worst at 2-3 months PO and start lightening and flattening from 3 months onward, but others say that normal raised but non hypertrophic scars should've started fading already by 8 weeks.

I am officially 1 week and 3 days post op. It seems Iike the hardest part is done (tracking the output of my drains had me feeling like a science project…) and I’m Super happy with my results!

I just got top surgery 2 days ago and my mum just got be these oh my god they are amazing and have made me feel just that little bit nicer 🥹 if anyone has any suggestions on how to wash my hair please lmk

I’m currently 12 days post op and I am super happy with how everything has been going! Photos are day one post op, then day 5 and day 11! Plus a cuddly cat pic lol.

After the annoyance of going back and forth with insurance, everything went so smoothly! I’m super happy with how everything came out!

In total I had 8 pounds removed. It’s such a weird shock to see my body without what was there. It hasn’t settled in yet that I actually got surgery.

I’ve been pretty independent since day one. My mobility is great, to the point where I have to remind myself that just because I can do things doesn’t mean I should. It sucks but it’s temporary! The drains have been the most annoying part. My left came out on day 11 and the right one will hopefully be coming out Monday, day 17!

I am so so grateful for Dr. Reformat and his team and would recommend anyone that is in the Boston / Brookline area to go to him!

I masturbated yesterday and today im 2 weeks post op. I noticed more swelling on my right side that wasn’t there before… did I mess up my results ? What does this mean for me? Has anyone been in a similar situation?? I know I shouldn’t have done it I regret it a lot now definitely not worth it :/ 💔💔💔. Should I tell my surgeon team about this or just see if the swelling goes down on its own ? How would I even tell if it was a hematoma?

Hello, all.

I’ve been an observer here for a long time, waiting for my turn to get my surgery. It’s finally happened.

I had my surgery with Dr. Yost in Rochester, NY. His team and he himself were all kind and I was listened to for any question I had.

He was very confident he’d be able to get me the results I want. I wasn’t a large chest size (right on the boarder between B and C cup) and he didn’t think it would be likely that I’d need a revision.

He physically came to see me and talk before and after surgery. He told me exactly what he planned to do whilst marking my chest and making sure it was accurate to what I wanted. And once I woke up, he came again, though I can’t remember much.

Waking up from anesthesia was interesting. I wasn’t on any pain medication yet. It was definitely really sore, but not at all excruciating.

I heard from Dr. Yost during our first meeting he doesn’t usually do drains, but I was surprised to look down and see them on me. I’ll ask his team about the reason behind why I got them during my first post-op appointment

I was also given oxycodone for pain, but honestly I haven’t really needed it. It’s definitely been great with sleeping because it’s easier to stay still, sleep deeper, and dampen the irritation (I move a lot in my sleep and I’m often an extremely light sleeper).

Honestly I’ve been surprised with how easy the pain has been to deal with. The bandages wrapped aren’t overly tight and are actually quite comfortable, I hardly even notice the drains unless I touch the area they go under. I get little stings here and there, especially in my nipples. I’m guessing it’s my nerves waking up and reconnecting.

Speaking of nerves, I was expecting a lot more numbness, but I can feel everything under the bandages very well even with a light touch. I can even feel it in my nipples when I run my hand over where they are. When I get goosebumps or chills I can feel them harden the same as before surgery.

Honestly some of the most difficult things is getting up without my arms, and how it feels standing. I end up hunching a lot because it just feels so weird standing straight. It also itches a little here and there. I haven’t been able to really poop yet, so I’ve been taking miralax. Hopefully will get a full bowel movement soon.

So that’s my first week!

I usually dont like to post rants or anything very emotionally charged or vulnerable especially on a place like reddit, but right now it seems like a good outlet.

I feel exhausted beyond belief trying to get this surgery but im sure many other trans masc people have felt the same way. Ive been trying to get top surgery since about 2022? (Ive been wanting it much earlier but this was when I first started to try and get in contact with doctors about it) Moved from one doctor to another, switched insurance and have had so many roadblocks along the way both in my personal life and in specific to healthcare.

Right now im in the boat of waiting for insurance to give me an answer. I had an amazing consult, they told me my original insurance wouldn’t cover- but I already switched in advance because they gave me the heads up before the consult. Then I had to go back in forth between the nurse and insurance, one telling me one thing that seemingly contradicted the other. Worked to get letters to appeal my ‘denial’ of coverage only to find the office never put it through my insurance in the first place- which I only found out after fighting on my client portal with a nurse that I assume wasnt assigned to my case as they kept talking about my old insurance and didnt know my plan was self funded. I also have requested diagnostic codes and an estimate in good faith more than twice and have not gotten a response..

My insurance has since opened up a claim for me, and requested access to records (im assuming to see if its deemed ‘medically necissary’

I keep feeling like I make some type of progress and then something happens that redirects my entire outlook on if it’s even going to happen. With this anytime I have the opportunity or responsibility to follow up such as even making a simple phone call I freak out or want to break down because I know its not going to be the answer im looking for.

I have a tiny 'open'(??) spot under my nipple where the surgical scar is.

It looks like blood but it isn't bleeding, and when I touch it there is no blood . I got no idea what caused it or if I should be worried..

I do scar massages (5 minutes each with salve and also 10 minutes with bio oil) everyday. So maybe it's because of the massage..? I use a tool , I think I'm relatively gentle but idk maybe I need to be gentler..

Regardless. Should this be a cause of concern? Do I try to reach out to my doctor?

(extra info- I'm about 2 months post OP. Double incision with nipple grafts)

I’m curious what other doctors have done for after surgery care for you folks. I’m not allowed to ice or had any good pain meds and honestly, I feel horrible! I’m extremely sore!

For anyone who’s had surgery through Kaiser insurance in SoCal

Did you have either of the above plans and if so, what was the cost of your surgery? I’m trying to decide which plan to get currently and I see that the difference between them in regards to surgery would be 40% vs 45% coverage. I need to get an estimate of how much surgery will be going through Kaiser so I know if paying for the higher plan will be worth it for surgery, and I couldn’t find any estimates for it anywhere.
thank you!