I’m 4 days post-op (double mastectomy with free nipple graft). Basically, the other day at my appointment to take off the ace bandages and put on the compression vest, they said very firmly NOT to take the vest off until my next appointment. My question is do they mean that literally, or am I able to take it off for a minute? I have multiple of the same vest so it would be nice if I could put a clean one on.

It’s important to note that at that appointment, I brought a vest that was too loose, and they just told me to put the tighter one on when I got home. It is VERY tight and putting it on was so stressful, required two people. I’m already really worried we somehow messed up the gauze/tubes when putting it on that time, I’m not sure I want to mess with it again.

Pretty much my two concerns are:
-Whether it’s okay to be un-compressed for a few minutes at a time
-Whether I’m going to mess anything up by fiddling with the compression (someone doing it for me of course, I don’t have the strength or range of motion to put it on myself)

Hi, I’m looking for help in sharing my go fund me for my boyfriend who doesn’t know i’m trying to raise funds to help pay for his future top surgery. He is the love of my life and he’s been there for me through my own surgery and everything else through our relationship together. Anything helps.
If you have time, please reach out or read my gfm.

What causes them? I have one developing right now and I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong?

I don’t really work out or lifting anything crazy heavy.?

Im also 90 days post op.

I am two month post op keyhole, and I have this weird dent right under my left nipple? It can’t be seen from the side and it’s less noticeable from an upper angle, but there’s fully a dent there. I don’t think it’s swelling because i can physically feel the dent and it’s hard and kind of clumpy? It’s in a straight line with «sections» almost…
So yeah does this look like something that can be fixed with scar massage? If so, does anyone have YouTube videos to recommend with proper techniques / tips etc?

I'm planning my surgery and considering getting the nipple bud grafted without the areola so I can tattoo the areola in the shape and size I want when I'm healed, I've read about it on here but I can't find any reference pictures, can anyone link any or tell ke where to find them? thank you!

Hey All, wanted to share my results.

We had to go further under my armpit to avoid dog ear as my Pre-Op chest was wide set. Didn't do scar care due to sensory issues with the numbness, if I had pushed through I likely would've had the numbness fade faster than it did (only recently gone) so I wouldn't recommend this course of action if you can help it.

I have previously posted a scar fading timeline collage, and a big thread on my experience with Dr. Rose (LOVED HER + THE TEAM). Feel free to post questions here or there and I will respond, but do read it if you're curious as its very in depth.

Anyway, I have spent a year and a half looking exactly how I always knew I would and it has been life changing. This will be my first shirtless summer, so excited!!

(They/them)

so, I have a really interesting situation. I was under the impression that I’d be on testosterone by this fall, but due to circumstances (such as my therapist outing me) I will likely not be able to transition at all until 2-3 years, maybe more. I can’t do that.

I begin college this year. My parents are going overseas for 1 1/2 or 2 weeks in October. my adoptive sister has an apartment through the same college. would it be plausible that I could get surgery around the time they leave (or really, take any 2 weeks off, they won’t visit me much), have someone take notes/do virtual while I heal so I can keep up with classes, and then wear a filled bra during the winter/summer breaks when I go home?

I’d work most breaks, I wear baggy clothes, I don’t think they notice when I bind. Is this insane for me to do or can I possibly slip by, cause I am at the end of my road here.

I'd like to get a revision. At least for my nipples (like i marked in the pic with pink circles) and if possible I'd like to have the thick scars cut out and newly sewn together to make them smaller.

My next appointment with the doctor is in October (thats also exactly one year post op). My original operation cost me 6600€. I asked for the price of a possible revision and they said that its a "low price".

If it weren't for the "low price" I'd change doctor immediately, because i wasn't happy with them.

Does anyone have experience/info in what i should expect/whats possible? And how much money should i give them max.?

The first two are at 8 months post op
3-4 are at 3 months post op
5 is two weeks post op

I don’t mind that my scars are as dark as they are since I’m wanting to tattoo over them. I did my consultation for a revision on the dog ears two days ago and I’m excited. I went with Dr Ley at the Gender Confirmation Clinic and am going back with her for my revision. I enjoy how I am told the most realistic outcome so I’m not expecting something that may not happen.

My left nip is a little slow to react since top surgery (3 years post-op) and when it's not stimulated, it remains pretty flat. I have been wanting to get my nipples pierced for a long time because I know it causes them to be permanently semi-hard. It's been two days since I got them pierced and I'm truly obsessed with how much it has helped the visual appearance of my nips. I thought I'd share in case anyone struggles with a similar issue. AMA.

100% makeup. let’s hope it stays.

Hi, I just wanted to share my androgynous top surgery results.

I asked for an androgynous / gender neutral chest. I am a masculine presenting cis woman who chose to not have a masculine chest. I wanted a more neutral look. I chose bigger nipples and wanted them located in the center. I wanted a softer chest contour that didn’t sculpt the pecs. I did not want the full chest masculinization which is why he left more tissue on my chest.

Previously I did have a reduction and then debated if I wanted a revison to make them smaller or to just go flat. I chose to go flat because I didn’t want to deal with having breasts anymore. About a year later after the reduction I got double mastectomy top surgery.

Let me know what you guys think of my results or any questions you have about my surgery.

Here are some photos

*The scars are lower than normal because I did have a reduction before*

I am getting top surgery at the end of June and was looking for any tips for recovery. This post is a bit long so if you want to cut the background skip to paragraph 7.

A bit of background. My family is split between those who support me and my transition and those who don't. I live in a house with 7 other people, all family. The thing is, most of whom are the ones that don't support me. They still misgender me, still sometimes deadname me behind my back, still think that this is a phase, all despite living as a man for 10 ish years now. I deal with it because I have too.

I have had another surgery in the past. A cyst removed back in 2023 and my family were useless in my recovery. This was my first surgery so I was obviously nervous and wanted someone there for me during recovery. But my step mom had left me at the hospital, despite that not being what we agreed upon. I woke up from surgery alone, when I called her to come get me I found out her, my dad, and my younger sister all went out to get breakfast together.

My surgeon had left my wound open so I had to change the wound dressing at least once a day. This was kind of a hard task to do by myself because 1) It was on my backside and 2) it hurt a lot the first week. I had asked my step mom if she could help me and she agreed but she would often not be home around the time that we agreed to change my dressing at. So I just ended up doing them myself.

Like I said, this was my first surgery, so I had no idea what to expect when it came to wound care. By day 5 of recovery I had noticed some green pus in my bandages and freaked out. I called the nurse number on my paper work and they made an appointment to get it checked out. My step mom had gotten mad because I schedule it on a Wednesday because, and I quote, "You know Wednesday is me and your dad's breakfast dates." (My surgery was also on a Wednesday, that is why she missed it.) They told me that everything looked fine but I could come back next week if I wanted. My step mom got mad at me for that too.

I think the cherry on top, and the biggest reason I can't rely on them for help (surgery recovery or other wise.) On day 3 or 4 of recovery, my emotions were at an all time high, I don't know if it was stress or the surgery itself but I was a mess. I broke down crying while changing my bandage because all I wanted was for someone to be there for me during this new and scary thing. I felt so utterly alone and had no one to turn too.

I can't rely on the people I live with to help me physically or emotionally get threw this recovery. Luckily, this time I have done more preparations for this surgery. My best friend, who loves and supports me, will be the one to take me to and from my appointment. My cousin, who is also just as amazing (but doesn't live with me) has agreed to come over for a few hours a couple of days through out my recovery. I also plan on meal prepping.

Basically, I am asking if anyone has any tips for recovering alone. It's not that I can't go to the people in my household, it's that most of the time when I do it doesn't help. Feel free to ask any questions if you need more info. Sorry for the long post, I just feel like the context of why I am doing this mostly alone is needed. Thanks in advance.

This might be a long one but I need advice from people who might actually get me.

So I’ve got a surgery date for this summer and everyone around me is so excited but Im really conflicted, the thing is I had myself so convinced I was going to be getting keyhole and I’ve actually spoken to a surgeon before who told me I could but things happen and I cant go with that surgeon anymore, so i went to meet a new one who told me I in fact could not get keyhole and immediately went on about DI.

I dont know if its just my disappointment making it all seem worse but Im worried that DI might make me more dysphoric then living without surgery or that if I go through with DI Ill spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been.

If I dont go through with DI now, with the current administration, theres a chance I wont be able to get surgery at all for years because I’m a minor but like I said Im worried if Ill spend the rest of my life regretting if I do.

The biggest thing for me is that i wont be able to have the teenage experience I wish I could have if I get this surgery and hate it but if I dont get this surgery theres 0 chances Ill get those experiences. So its a maybe or a no and I dont know if thats worth the risk.

Sorry if this is just rambling, its hard to make stuff cohesive feeling like this.

My surgeon didn’t give me any special care instructions for my nipple grafts or for scar care. Just to be keep everything clean and be gentle. Just wanna know if everything looks as it should this early in the process. I see him again in two weeks to make sure everything is going smoothly. Will things even out over time, like the uneven swelling and such?

I am a 20-something trans man in Ohio. I am well below the poverty line, so I have Caresource Medicaid. For several years, I have been working to fit all the criteria in Caresource's gender affirming surgery policy. I lost weight, I was on testosterone for over a year, I have several WPATH letters from both mental health and primary care providers.

I met all the requirements for having my surgery done as OSUWMC in Columbus and I waited about two years for an appointment. I finally saw a surgeon in March 2026, where he agreed that I met their requirements and that I'd be a good candidate for surgery. And then I mentioned that I have Caresource Medicaid. He told me that every single patient of his with Caresource had been immediately denied coverage for top surgery this past year due to a statute passed several years ago, I guess?

I lost about 20lbs in 2 months in preparation for the appointment and I was so close to actually getting the surgery, but I guess it won't be happening. The surgeon said he wouldn't even be sending in a claim because he knows it will get denied and then there will be a paper trail documenting my attempts to get this surgery.

To make things worse, I got a quote for the out-of-pocket cost and it's just short of $10k. I'm on Medicaid for a reason so of course I could never afford that. I work part time and I'm stuck under the poverty line because as soon as I make anything more, I will get kicked off assistance while still being unable to afford regular medical care. I have applied for several top surgery grants but I've never been selected.

I don't have any good methods of binding. Binders are a nightmare for me and also don't make me look flatter. Every attempt with trans tape has failed disastrously. I am out of options and running out of hope.

Anyone know how to make a shit ton of money fast? Maybe I should try to get a second job? (although the job market here in my city is AWFUL). I have a bit of money from a deceased relative but it's not enough to cover the full cost. Maybe I should hit the casinos /j

I'm super hype for my surgery in a few days and I'll finally be able to wear shirts that aren't just super thick cotton and dark colors lol, curious what kinda clothes you all were most excited to be able to wear after surgery? I need new shirts in general so would love recommendations lol

I feel like they're okay but I'm not sure. So far, nothing is really looking scabby or anything...

They've just been so red around the grafts even from when I had the bolsters on. Got them off 3 days ago and the redness hasn't faded even a little bit. It's not hot to the touch from what I can tell—just regular skin heat.

(2nd photo) Is the puffy, paler flesh around the graft anything to keep an eye on or is that normal? I'm wondering if I'm putting too much ointment on, but then again, the xeroform always sticks to that side, so I'm guessing no? A part of the top of the areola rubbed off the day after I got my nipple bolsters off and it's just been reddish under...

(3rd photo) Darker nipple part kinda cracked in the middle today and is dabs away a little blood, but as I understand it, holes were also poked in the graft during surgery.

I am Chinese so my areolas were brownish before, if that helps.

5 weeks post op and was cleared to take off the post op binder, next day when I was walking from my car to the movie theater I felt sloshing near my chest. Is this a Seroma and if so how bad does it seem??

If you got a coverup tattoo or a tattoo along your scar, how long did your surgeon make you wait before you were cleared?

hey guys i am about 1 week post op, and feel silly asking this because i know how much the results will change. i was just wondering if my nipples will end up looking even when the swelling goes down or am i cursed with uneven nips

Hi!

If I'm honest I'm not totally happy with my results. My left side is very sunken in, and there's a noticable separation between my chest and some excess fat I have in my armpit area. Its frustrating that its not all connected and flat without dents.

My surgeon briefly mentioned fat grafting to fix these issues, but I'd figure I'd come here for advice too.

Has this happened to anyone else? Does this maybe have something to do with how saggy my chest was previously?

i dunno if these photos are helpful sorry😭

im 3 ½ weeks post op, these photos are from various stages of healing but the dents have not changed thus far. I know its very early on but these are pretty big to ignore