Tips for After Top Surgery || FTM

Рет қаралды 24,758

Күн бұрын

March 17th, 2019
I had top surgery nearly a week ago (I'm 6 days post-op now) and thought I'd share some words of wisdom from my experiences and challenges in the last few days.
I had double incision surgery with free nipple grafts with Dr. Taylor in Victoria, BC, Canada. If you want to hear more about that later on, I will be making videos about it around a month post-op. I will also be doing post-op updates for a while.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments or find me on any of my social media, which are linked below. I'm trying to get better at checking my DMs.
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Пікірлер: 78

@alexmajano4968 3 жыл бұрын

Really handy. My surgery is this week, I'm short too...getting ready to be a little smelly t-rex.

@marz5223 4 жыл бұрын

just had my top surgery yesterday and these tips are spot on! Thank you

@Zephyr077_ 3 жыл бұрын

I am on day 5. This guy is on point about EVERYTHING! Trust! Great vid

@mt7394 3 жыл бұрын

Just had my top surgery almost 20 hours ago! I appreciate this advice and it's helpful, especially the squat advice since it's definitely difficult to lean forward or pick anything up. I am on the luckier side since I haven't experienced much pain at all and it's been tolerable even without my pain meds for me, however it may be bc my surgery was relatively minor since I have always been small-chested. Again, thanks for making this video!

@froggie0ribbit592 2 жыл бұрын

Please excuse me if this seems very rude, I truly don't mean it in any illfashioned or offensive way. The question comes from a place of scary insecurities and worry as a ftm that will hopefullyget top surgery soon, though if you don't want to answer that is completely respected. I was wondering if you chest had been small like mine (B cup), I'm terrified of the whole thing because I don't do well with hospitals in general and uh yeah? I'm so incredibly sorry if that comes off as offensive and please forgive me if so.

@emmettmccall9890 3 жыл бұрын

I had my surgery about 17 hours ago. Thanks for the tips!

@PlanetYokoshima Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for being brave to share. You make the fear easier for me because I'll be dealing with the recovery alone. Find humour in pain and discomfort is a golden idea.

@sorol79 2 жыл бұрын

This is super, super helpful. I had a hysto 2 weeks ago, and I was amazed at how many ab/core muscles I use day to day-we're talking slight twisting, washing dishes, sweeping, squatting to go potty, going down stairs. Big learning curve! I needed more help than I thought. So I really appreciate your tips about those little things-the things the surgeon doesn't tell you about. And yes, having a care taker is VITAL for the first 3 days at least for hysto (btw). Anyone who is having lower surgery-I recommend working your core and thighs-squats saved me! As I'm sure it helps with top surgery, it sounds like! Awesome, thanks again :D

@Azyra4 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love your personality and what you're doing with your channel, keep spreading that sweet information into the world! Greetings from Europe ~

@lbriganti514 2 жыл бұрын

I'm having top surgery tomorrow, thanks for the tips! The only thing I don't think I'm ready for is being so dependent on someone

@Sting_Rei 5 жыл бұрын

Congratz Harper! 😀 hoping you have a smooth recovery~

@Applehands 4 жыл бұрын

THIS IS SO HELPFUL. THIS IS THE KINDA INFO IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR

@anurognathuss 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for these tips!! i’m currently 4 days post op and man this is hard, but i’m soo happy! can’t wait to see my chest reveal

@atlasthetitan463 3 жыл бұрын

I can't wait to get my top surgery!!! I'm only 16, but I'm so so ready to look and feel better! I can't wait!!!

@damianolavarria7147 2 жыл бұрын

SAME I'll be 16 when i get it im scheduled for june so excited

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

@@damianolavarria7147 I’m so envious of u! I’m gonna start the process when I’m 17. How long did it take from when you started looking for surgeons n stuff for an appointment?

@nourhani2050 2 жыл бұрын

@@mrlynx68 oh iam 23, and getting it in 4 months lol

@atticuspml Жыл бұрын

Getting my surgery next week! I'm so excited :)

@andrew4635 3 жыл бұрын

I’m really glad you mentioned healing in cooler weather! I was hoping for a surgery date in the winter do that I wasn’t missing out on my summer/work opportunities, but now I’m kind of grateful I’ve been given a date this June :’D (Also your username is a gas :p made me laugh) Hi from Montreal!

@JKujo00 2 жыл бұрын

thank the lord im asian my biggest fear with top surgery is the smell i hate feeling dirty so not being able to properly shower bothered me

@jackculver7308 2 жыл бұрын

i love the idea of having t-rex arms and flipping a light switch with your perfectly pointed foot 😂 thanks for all the helpful tips 😊

@peptobisman45 4 жыл бұрын

Really helpful video! I noticed your focus was going a little crazy, I’m not sure if you’ve figured it out already since this is an older video but if you still have this problem there is most likely an option on your camera where you can change your ISO to have a higher depth of field, this will greatly improve your focus :)

@user-hk6mr6th9y Жыл бұрын

i had surgery yesterday and i am doing really good! ofc im not going to push myself, but my chest feels sore and i have a headache, thats it for pain. like im walking around and cooking for myself and all that. i was told by my surgeon that it went better than expected and my weight loss helped a lot. the drains are really annoying, but im happy that im staying off the oxycodone and only using otc meds

@raeganford2834 4 ай бұрын

march 1st i just got “butchered” as them conservatives say lmao. definitely starting to feel the soreness over my pectorals and my chest itself feels so tight. thank you for sharing your own experiences

@TheoEclipse Жыл бұрын

I didn't really have anyone to look after me post surgery since I live with my mum who is elderly and not very mobile, so my surgeon suggested I stayed in hospital for a couple of extra days. I have private health insurance so once you pay your hospital excess you can stay as long as you want without paying any extra. The nurses at the hospital were great with helping me with bathing, medication, getting dressed etc. I had my surgery on Monday morning and had to go back into surgery at 2am that same night as I developed a hematoma, however everything has been smooth sailing since then. They'll likely give you meds to get your bowels moving, it took me nearly 4 days to poop due to constipation from the pain meds. Its Thursday now and I'm finally home, have an appointment next week on Thursday to hopefully get my drains removed. Also strongly recommend ice packs, like the gel kind that you freeze. Put them on any areas that are sore and bruised, just make sure to not put them over your nipple grafts.

@meYogii_ 6 ай бұрын

I'm 1 day post op, my surgery was yesterday. Sounds like u have a really low pain level. Or i have a really high painlevel so that I can manage pain. Also my doctor prescribed 3 different pain medications for me to take at different times every day for at least for the first week. Maybe that's why I feel so good. I live in my own apartment and don't have anyone to take care of me. I don't need that. Only thing I might need is for someone to carry the bags if I go grocery shopping. My doctor told me I can do whatever I want but not do swimming or weightlifting, actually no sports whatshowever for a while until it's healed. The only struggle I have is do do fast movements (which u shouldn't do anyways), there's a little bit hard to reach things but if I have control over the situation I can do it pretty fast. When I sleep in my bed I have 2 pillows. When I want to get up I have tip (from my previous operation in july when I was sick and removed my gallbladder). The tip is if u going down to the left side of the bed u can put the legs on the side of the bed, cross the right leg above the left leg and then put it down on the floor to make it easier to get up. Where I live we have snow, it had been snowing so today I brushed off the snow from my car. It took a lil while but slow and steady I finished the task. It didn't hurt at all.

@IsaacandStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video!

@addictive7356 5 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to see your results!! Sorry if you said this and I missed it but when did/do you get your drains out/post op binder off?

@NotPMHarper 5 жыл бұрын

No problem! I didn't mention it. When you get your drains out depends on the output. Once it's below a certain output, you make an appointment with Taylor's office to get them out. I got mine removed 4 days post-op. For the binder, I imagine after the 1 month post-op appointment but in general it says 4-6 weeks.

@wynn7497 2 жыл бұрын

my top surgery is in a month, i'm both scared and excited! not looking forward to recovery, mostly cuz i like to be independent, but what can ya do ya know. this video is very helpful! :D

@oliver.g3906 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, this helped alote. I am a young 14 Transgender male and I was a bit nervous on how I was going to cope when I do get surgery in the future. Now I know some tips on how to cope with it so I just want to say thank you!

@floorvandevelde Жыл бұрын

Thank you SO much!!!

@milofinnliot1617 2 жыл бұрын

I got my top surgery yesterday so this video was helpful

@BrighidsForge 3 ай бұрын

Thanks! Love your tips & attitude 👍 Hoping to get my top surgery by the end of 2024 or early in 2025; we'll see when enough $ has accumulated. My various cousins are hoarding the cool Asian (and Indigenous people) genes/allelles for fewer sweat glands, so I'll have to go the personal wipe route 🙄😏

@tazsei8834 3 жыл бұрын

Just had my surgery at 2pm yesterday, I am in so much pain and can’t get comfortable on the bed. How long does it stay this painful? :( the entire first week? Thank you so much for this video btw 💖

@NotPMHarper 3 жыл бұрын

It'll be different for everyone but my severe pain only lasted for four days but I was also on a painkiller regimen given to me by Dr. Taylor for those four days which included a heavy-duty prescribed opiate. That made the discomfort tolerable. After that, I wasn't on any pain meds and just felt weak and restricted. Congrats on your surgery and I hope that your pain goes away soon!

@tazsei8834 3 жыл бұрын

@@NotPMHarper thank you so much for responding! I really appreciate it and the wishes. I am actually feeling a lot better today, it’s the 4th day and I’m not in pain really, only when I walk. But it’s been a lot easier for me to move around and get comfortable when laying down. I’m sure I’ll be even better tomorrow!

@JadeStone860 2 ай бұрын

I've never heard the toilet paper tip before! thank you.

@sandglobe11 3 жыл бұрын

I wanna get top surgery so bad!!! Thanks for the vid though:]

@sage4357 3 жыл бұрын

Bro when you mentioned the sweat and stink thing I fuckin know I'm so screwed fuck I'm the sweatest I have ever been and probably getting surgery in the next 2 months

@creaturehands 3 жыл бұрын

Spray deodorant might be helpful for you! That and trying to not get so worked up you start sweating. Wiping yourself with a wet cloth helps too! I got surgery two days ago and it's helping me! Good luck!💕

@chumimiii533 3 жыл бұрын

@@creaturehands I've heard that spray deodorant is bad to use before surgery, and that roll-on stuff is better. Spray might get in the incision. Congrats on your surgery btw.

@sidiculous8869 2 жыл бұрын

good perspective and great information. Getting it in a few weeks.

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

How long did it take to get an appointment date once you started looking for surgeonsv

@sidiculous8869 2 жыл бұрын

@@mrlynx68 I live in Canada so it took nearly 2 years

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

@@sidiculous8869 oh gosh… does it usally take that long?

@sidiculous8869 2 жыл бұрын

@@mrlynx68 not that long. Usually waiting time is one year to 16 months. I was unlucky cuz I had Covid and there was also delays in surgery cuz of pandemic

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

@@sidiculous8869 I heard other people in the US saying it takes 1-6 months

@eabaggins 4 жыл бұрын

When were you able to move your arms more (like what week?)

@beanermeaner 4 ай бұрын

i love ur voice 😍😍😍

@kellywalters4627 Жыл бұрын

I'm all ready to be a smelly t tex too guys lol surgery in a few months so this helps thanks man

@sebivey6676 2 жыл бұрын

also 6 days post op ! twinzies

@teshawnevans8387 10 ай бұрын

I had surgery on 28th i got great movements got to remember not to reach i itch alot alot man but pain cool

@gideonmorgan9132 Жыл бұрын

I’m getting top surgery and a hysterectomy together on Thursday and I’m a little nervous about some of these things! I don’t totally have someone to take care of me all the time afterwards and I’m not allowed to squat, so I’m not sure how I’m going to manage 😮

@outdatedmemories Жыл бұрын

How was it?

@gideonmorgan9132 Жыл бұрын

@@outdatedmemories it went well! I’m almost 100% recovered now

@SilasNomad 2 ай бұрын

Me, watching this after the first week 🤔 lol.

@eabaggins 3 жыл бұрын

Just had my surgery two days ago. Oh the pain..

@mahkysjourney5113 2 жыл бұрын

Does it hurt really bad? I’m 14 and have really really bad dysphoria about my chest but I’m terrified that it’s gonna hurt badly to get surgery

@eabaggins 2 жыл бұрын

@@mahkysjourney5113 Oh you should totally go for it despite the pain! It won't kill you, just be uncomfy. In fact, one year post-op, I can't remember how painful it was (and I don't remember making this comment either lol but apparently it sucked a little in the beginning but I survived and so will you :) ) and that to me means it wasn't too horrible. I do, however, remember the pain of getting my first tattoo and that was over a year ago maybe two. So, you will be 100% fine. Plus they give you meds while they don't for tattoos so that's also a difference lol. It won't be great but as the weeks and months go by, it will all fall to the past :-) hope that was reassuring. I'm super excited for you if you decide to get surgery and it's okay to wait and it's ok to be afraid because I was for sure--Ive never had surgery before then but it was all safe, and I was surrounded by experts and they were pretty nice too. :-)

@mahkysjourney5113 2 жыл бұрын

@@eabaggins this helped a lot, thank you so much! I just started testosterone and I’m still young so I can’t get the surgery for at least 2 years but I figured there’s no harm in being prepared. 💕

@eabaggins 2 жыл бұрын

@@mahkysjourney5113 ohhh gotchya! I forgot about age and surgery limits. Definitely good to start warming up to the idea and prepping like you said :-))

@Noah_finn_007 6 ай бұрын

Why do i get this recommended almost 1 week after my top surgery? 😭

@jasonmero2245 3 жыл бұрын

I have surgery in 3 days, wish me luck! (omg I’m so f’ing nervous)

@dylanneziraj7802 9 ай бұрын

When can you smoke after surgery?

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

How long does it take once you start the process from the beginning? Also how much does it cost without Insurance?

@NotPMHarper 2 жыл бұрын

I am from Canada and my province covers top surgery so it was "free" (paid with taxes, basically). It took me maybe a 1.25-1.5 years from being referred to do my readiness assessment to my surgery date. This is because our system has specific steps you have to go through to get surgery, plus my specific surgeon's wait times.

@mrlynx68 2 жыл бұрын

@@NotPMHarper oh gosh…. My mom said I have to wait untill I’m 17 but I’m planning on paying without insurance and I’m not sure I can wait untill I’m 18. Is there anything I can do to make it go faster? Therapist letter before, pay without insurance ect?

@heroisonline Ай бұрын

I have my surgery tomorrow-_-I'm nervous...

@sebivey6676 2 жыл бұрын

i am also from canada, and i am wondering ,,, where is this ‘warm’ side of canada ?

@NotPMHarper 2 жыл бұрын

Vancouver Island is pretty temperate. It barely goes below zero during the day in the winter :P

@ratpatterson8953 2 жыл бұрын

When do i get to take off the binder? I got top surgery 3 days ago and i am in hell

@NotPMHarper 2 жыл бұрын

I could start taking it off for short periods of time once I was able to shower but I didn't stop wearing it until four or five weeks post op.

@DC-ll1cb Жыл бұрын

how much do I need for surgery? or even a regular mastectomy??? Does anyone have a plain answer

@diederdas27 2 ай бұрын

Around $10,000 to $25,000 USD if you’re paying out of pocket, but with insurance it can be different (I’m paying out of pocket so I can’t help you with that side, sorry). I recommend finding a surgeon online and checking their website or contacting them to see how much top surgery costs for them.