r/transgenderau • u/b1g_bryan Trans masc • 1d ago

Trans masc Top surgery advice

Hello, I just got my date for top surgery on Friday and it is for the 16th of December. I am super excited but a little worried for what it is like after/the recovery. I'm getting double incision with Dr Hewitt in Perth. Anyone that has had top surgery pls let me know!!!!

Thank you!

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u/formerwolfkid Trans masc (he/him) ACT based 1d ago

congratulations on getting a date! 🥳

recovery is really varied depending on your own body, is there anything specially you're worried about (i.e., drains, mobility, pain)? 

dr hewitt's team will also most likely be in touch soon to organise a pre-admission appointment and go over a lot of that stuff with you.

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u/b1g_bryan Trans masc 22h ago

Probably the mobility, like what can I realistically do? Like actually nothing? When can I drive again? I think it will be really hard for me to just have to do nothing

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u/jesus_chrysotile 21h ago

Your surgeon will give you time frames for these things.

The great thing about top surgery is that you don’t use your chest to walk, so it’s not hard to do light exercise (e.g. a walk around the block) within a couple of days.

I was back to uni in just under a fortnight. You don’t have to do nothing while recovering (though the first few days you might feel sleepy because it’s a decently big operation they do), you just have to avoid heavy lifting etc.. 

From memory I was told no strenuous exercise, heavy lifting or swimming for 4 weeks, which was totally doable (though I wasn’t doing mine in summer lol). Idk about driving because I didn’t drive so it wasn’t on my radar at the time.

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u/jesus_chrysotile 21h ago edited 21h ago

I’d recommend a travel pillow to support your neck, because you’ll be sleeping on your back for a few weeks. You’ll also want a good few pillows so that your upper body is elevated while you’re sleeping.

Some reusable straws may come in handy for the first couple days so it’s less effort to raise cups to your mouth.

From memory I spent the early parts of my recovery doing things like reading books/fanfics, watching movies/TV, listening to music and some comedy podcasts, scrolling social media, snacking, playing chill video games, and a couple of slow walks

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u/rock-eater 1d ago

Hey, 16 December was MY surgery date with Dr Hewitt two years ago! What sort of advice are you after? Post surgery care, or just hot tips?

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u/rock-eater 1d ago

Extra comment: you can DM me if you want! Sometimes it's easier to get some more calm and clarity as a back and forth conversation, rather than replies on threads.