Although it varies according to the specific procedure and incision type, your surgery will probably last somewhere between 1-4 hours. Transmasculine top surgery involves removing the glandular tissue and fat from inside your breasts to make them smaller. If your breasts are large, your surgeon might also need to remove and resize your nipples and areolas and then graft them back on. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source This procedure is performed under full general anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the surgery itself. You may feel tired and disoriented for a bit after you wake up.
Use ice packs to reduce pain and swelling after your surgery. In addition, get plenty of rest, and pamper yourself following your procedure. You might continue to feel some discomfort or pain for up to 6 months after the surgery. Some people also experience numbness in their nipples or the skin of their chest. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to help manage your pain. Reach out to them right away if your pain is severe or isn’t responding to medications. However, you should be able to switch to an over-the-counter reliever within 5-7 days after the procedure, and you might not need anything within 10 days of the surgery.
For example, you may need to empty the drains occasionally and record the amount of fluid that accumulates. [5] X Research source Keep your bandages as clean and dry as possible, and don’t remove them unless your surgeon instructs you to do so. You may need to avoid bathing until your surgeon removes the bandages and drains. To keep yourself clean, use personal wipes or a damp washcloth to wipe down the rest of your body. You can also wash your hair with dry shampoo.
Your surgeon may ask you to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the surgery site. Ask them when you can safely return to sleeping on your side or stomach, if that’s more comfortable for you.
Tell your surgeon about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking before your surgery. They may ask you to stop taking certain medications or supplements to avoid complications or medication interactions.
Severe or worsening swelling, pain, bleeding, or bruising around the surgical site Bumps or bulges under the skin on your chest An asymmetrical appearance to your chest Redness, itching, a bad smell, or unusual discharge around the surgery site A fever, chills, or a general feeling of being unwell
You may need to wait 3 or 4 weeks before you can do any strenuous activity. [10] X Research source
If you’re not sure how to quit, talk to your doctor. They can give you advice or even prescribe medications to help you quit.
Typically, you’ll be able to resume light physical activity and sedentary work within 7-9 days after surgery, and in fact, doing so can even help the healing process. However, depending on the work you do, you should plan to take 1 1/2—2 weeks off of work, and you should avoid any physical activities that might make you sweat or increase your heart rate for about 3 weeks. After that, light cardio can be resumed, but weight training isn’t recommended for at least a month. Most people can resume normal daily activities and exercise 6 months after surgery. For several types of FTM/N top surgery, you’ll be advised not to lift your elbows as high as or above your shoulders for 6 months following the procedure, because that can lead to thickening and widening of the surgical scars.
Individual surgeons’ follow-up plans vary, but you’ll likely need to see your surgeon somewhere around 1, 2, and 6 weeks after the operation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them or your regular doctor if you have any questions or concerns between scheduled appointments.
Some scarring is inevitable with top surgery, but you can minimize your scars by taking good care of the surgery site, avoiding smoking, and protecting the area from the sun for the first year after the surgery. [16] X Research source
In breast augmentation surgery, your surgeon will insert an implant either under the skin of each breast or behind the pectoral muscle. Typically, the incisions are closed with either sutures that you cannot see, and sometimes also with surgical glue. [18] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Your doctor will give you medications to help with pain and inflammation. You can also ask about using ice packs to help soothe the area. It’s normal for your bruising and swelling to get worse over the first 2-3 days after surgery before it starts to get better. As the incisions continue to heal, it’s normal to feel some itching and to experience an occasional shooting pain. However, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor or surgeon if you’re in a lot of pain or have any concerns about what you’re feeling.
Ask your surgeon when you can safely go back to sleeping flat on your back or on your side, if that’s more comfortable for you. Avoid lying on your chest until your surgeon says it’s okay, since that can put pressure on the incision sites.
Your surgeon may provide a surgical bra, or you can wear a comfortable sports bra with a front closure. [23] X Research source In most cases, you won’t have to wear any bandages or dressings. If your incisions are sealed with surgical glue, it should begin to fall off on its own within a few days after the procedure.
Ask your doctor before taking any non-prescribed medications or supplements after your surgery. Some of these may interact with your prescribed medications or interfere with the healing process.
It is a good idea to walk around a little bit during the first few days after the surgery if you can, since this will help promote healthy circulation in your legs. If the implants are placed beneath the muscles, most surgeons will not want you to use your chest muscles (such as doing push-ups, planking, doing Pilates, etc. ) for 8 weeks after surgery.
Severe swelling, pain, or redness in one or both breasts Discharge or bleeding from the surgical incisions An asymmetrical or misshapen appearance to your breasts Deflation of one of your implants Fever (as measured by a digital thermometer), chills, or a general feeling of being unwell
You can also help minimize scarring by protecting your incisions from sunlight for at least a year after the surgery.
Rest is a very important part of the recovery process, so don’t try to jump back into your regular routines too quickly!
Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or surgeon if you have any questions or concerns between scheduled follow-up appointments.
