Monthly Archives: December 2008

I’m hardly swollen at this point, although I have some faint bruising from the liposuction.  The rest of the skin glue came off today in the shower.  I can only see a couple of sutures left, and a bunch of purple marker that I’ll get off later.    

I could drive as of yesterday.  I’ve also been able to have sex, thanks to creative positioning.

My incisions are narrow, smooth, and pink.

My left areola has almost completely peeled, and it’s that creepy pink color.  My right areola just started shedding that disgusting, gooey grey scab/skin in the shower today, and it’s probably 1/3 pink.  I really hope that after this initial peel, there is no more scabbing/peeling.

The maxi pad bandages drive me absolutely up the wall.  After an hour or so, they itch like mad.  I’ve been spending an increasing amount of time outside of the binder between dressing changes.  So, today, I’m giving myself a break.  I’m covering my nipples, of course, but I’m going to leave off the binder for a few hours.  If I hurt or swell up, then I’ll put it back on.  Otherwise, I think I can handle binding at night and in the evening, but letting my skin breathe in the mornings and afternoons.

Sleeping in my binder and on my back is making me breathe funny–sleep apnea style.  I haven’t been able to fall asleep as fast or stay asleep for long enough since surgery, because I usually sleep on my stomach or on my side.  I’ve almost constructed a way to sleep kinda sorta partially on my side, by putting a pillow under half of my back.  It’s pathetic, but it helps.    

I just went to brunch with K wearing only nipple gauze and some loose shirts.  I felt like I’d left the house without pants.  And kind of angry and mournful about binding and breasts and access to surgery.  It’s so simple to just throw (or gently wrestle) on a shirt and go out.  It’s so painless.

I’m so glad that I’m post-op, even though my chest still freaks me out in its wound-like state, with its numb areas and hypersensitivity, and its limiting effect on my range of motion and reach.  But it’s the best result I’ve seen so far, especially on a chubby guy.  Maybe I only think that because it’s mine, but I think that’s valid.

It’s amazing to think that my medical transition is basically over, since I have no plans for a hysterectomy or genital surgery at this point in time.  I still have to change all my documents over, but that seems really minor after the past year.