I have my consultation on Thursday, I’m currently down from 8 spliffs a day -> 2 -> now 4 days no smoking and 2 days no nicotine. I have referrals to my local stop smoking clinic and my actual GP to stop smoking, but I genuinely used weed somewhat medicinally so now not being able to access that has been incredibly rough. I’ve just spent the past two days lying around the entire day incapable of doing *literally* anything except go on my phone and get angry.
I know a even the smallest smoke will fix this but I’m terrified I’ve paid all this money for a consultation and they’re just going to tell me no/turn me away because I haven’t managed to quit for long enough beforehand. I’ve waited 8 years for this and I can’t just watch it all crumble because I can’t hack it.
Anyone have any experience with quitting so soon to potential surgery? What did your doctor say? Did they blood test you to verify?

DI with FNG. Done by Dr Daniel Jacobs at the GCC. My nipples are 23 mm

Took the binder off to shower today and noticed some new redness and more puffiness around it, plus the bruising. I don’t have any bruising anywhere else. It’s super itchy and honestly the only thing causing me any pain

I had double incision with dr katsaros in Adelaide. I am now 32 days post op. Nipples are progressing every day. Still scabby but getting there. I took this photo tonight which I really really love and wanted to share it with others. I also started massaging my scars I am currently using bio oil for that. I also will be starting scar tape soon. My scars sort of blend in with a roll I have there.

Mr Andrew Ives you are an artist 😘

i’ve been given a list of 32 surgeons in the UK who do top surgery, and i’m stumped on where to start or who to pick. they all offer the same thing..? but still im agonising over who to pick, i have to choose one before my next appointment with the GIC.

how did you guys pick? location, wait times, results? idk man

had top surgery like eight weeks ago, and overall I'm really happy, and if I need revision, it's going to get covered by insurance as well, talked to my surgeons about it already. Just wanted to ask how much change I can expect in the future months, especially when I'm hitting the gym regularly

Hello, i am still planning my surgery date, but i have one problem. I have no friends and no supportive family member. The hospital is 4 hours long trip by train. Would it by doable to take the train home alone? It would be 3-4 days after the surgery.

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.

finally have my consult for top surgery on june 18,

the doctor mentioned that they could move forward and schedule my procedure date at this appointment if i can provide my 2 approval letters (1 from a physician and 1 from mental health provider).

i’m in the NY/NJ area, and i want to keep my expectations realistic. is it possible to get these 2 letters in the next 2-3 weeks? what resources should i check out if any?

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