Just bought these great boohooman jeans for a fiver. They still had the tag on but when they arrived smelled funky and were BEYOND covered in what I guess is cat hair? Im not talking a few hairs I mean absolute hundreds even inside. Honestly a fiver tbh i wasnt expecting much but still. Should I just leave a 5 star and move on or talk to the buyer? I love the jeans tho😭
Okay i know everyone is stressed. Duh. But jesus christ lads. Im stressed to the point i go to bed have nightmares wake up early heart pounding just get up bc i cant go tf back to bed then am tired and then dont wanna go to bed again because im just gonna have more nightmares. I feel like im gonna throw up. Ive been distracting myself but actually just cant atp. Its a few days away theres no avoiding that. Jesus christ what can we do. Im actually sick to my stomach.
Hey!! Im a 4.5 weeks post op keyhole, super happy with results. Im flat and i love it :) I was just wondering, since on my left side (right in the photos) ive had this random more raised i supposed bit thats still there even though all the rest of the swelling left ages ago. It just looks like im flat and my ribs, then the line along my nipple is full of... something? And then it goes back to flat above it. Its only really the right side (in the pics), idk if its too notiin pics but it is irl thats why im saying it
Is this swelling? Or something else? Excess fat left maybe idk?😢 its been the same all week no change anf lowk I just dont knoe what it is or if it'll go. I swear its WAY more noticeable than in these pics😭
Hey guys. Hope yer all alive for next Friday.
Anyway, tbh this summer seemed like itd be a great one, life changing and free yk? If im being honest its been fine. Ive had experiences, but nothing "yep, thats an amazing 6th yr summer memory". Also it feels sooo short?😭 i did app maths but still. 23rd june- now is what, over 7 weeks? Its felt like 2 bro. Still get LC nightmares and freak out.
Maybe the reason is because I didnt get to do several of the things I wanted to. 2 weeks after ish I had surgery so spent ages recovering (still am). Then i spent all of the past week in hospital after the rare side effects happened after a different medical procedure. Yeah, i was in lots of pain, but the people were nice and i made memories. But hearing my school friends and other 6th yrs talk about the stuff they've been doing has just left me feeling like damn. I missed my debs due to hospital, will miss some parties, ill get to go out results night and maybe another but it still just seems like this summer will be remembered as drinking like 3 times, hospital a lot, gaming and sleeping.
What are the rest of you doing? Is anyone else in a similar situation? I wouldnt even mind working i guess if I could. I just hope college is peak
18 AFAB FTM, 166cm, 52kg, non smoker, taking testosterone shots weekly and antihistamines daily, no diagnosed medical issues
On Thursday morning I had a lumbar puncture testing for hypocretin levels to test for narcolepsy. Unremarkable, it all went well. I lay flat in hospital and was discharged 3hrs later. Standing up I had intense lower back pain when I stood up, and less intense sitting, and went when I lay down. I went to bed that night no issues, good 8/9hrs sleep.
Friday morning I woke up as normal, got the train to dublin to meet my friends. (I am from cork). In the hospital i was told I would most likely have a headache and to rest that evening but nothing really else. Hence i thought it would be okay to go out (yes, i realised I was stupid). I felt okay throughout the day, at times nausea and a headache that were on and off but manageable. That afternoon I ate a chicken fillet roll (yum). That evening I got the dart and felt horrific. I almost threw up, and felt tingling throughout my body when I got off. I got to my relatives house, ate a sandwich and immediately got sick multiple times. Aside from that I felt okay. I went to bed, slept a good undisturbed 9hrs.
Saturday morning I woke up. I showered and had some back pain that left. I had a slight headache and nausea but it was manageable. I had breakfast but also threw that all up. I took a paracetamol and that too was in the toilet. I took a motilium for the nausea and left to meet my friends. I felt okay for a while, then on the bus I almost threw up. As soon as I got off I threw up, even with motilium. That has never happened before. I felt perfect for a while, met my friends, then threw up again. My headache began to worsen and I started vomiting every 20-30 minutes, even though there was nothing left. I went to the medics where we were; my HR was 120 but went back to 100 after a while, BP 110/75, blood sugar 5.2, pupils reactive, breath rate 18, temp 37°C. However I had started shaking and felt hot and cold and tingling started that spread throughout my entire body over time. This went on for a few hours, I was going to go to the hospital but I started to get manageable again so didnt. I am still confused as to why all my stats were normal if I felt so bad and threw up water after a sip.
I went to my relative, lay down for seversl hours. I felt fine laying down. I got up to eat and ate about 60% of the meal but my headache was far worse than before. I took motilium and paracetamol prior to eating. It didnt work and I threw it all up again. I went to sleep easily, slept well for 10hrs.
Sunday morning. Minimal if no nausea. No hunger though I hadn't eaten or drank and kept it for a day and a half now. My headache is far worse than it has been. It used to be back of my head now it is the right and centre both pounding pressure and stabbing. I took paracetamol and ibuprofen. It didnt change. I ate almost a slice of toast, a little orange juice and some water and didnt throw it up. Lying down is fine, it is currently just the continuing headache that is beyond unbearable when I am anything but lying flat.
Is any of this typical of a lumbar puncture? I am now aware I should not have been active, even if my hanging out with friends was just sitting and chatting, nothing extreme even slightly. I am lying down, and feeling okay, however of course id like to get up.
Love my results so far!! The binder is absolutely killer though, all the marks on my chest are from it i did an in depth experience of surgery post in this sub and peri (this is keyhole tho!)
Hello! I took some more photos. By now, swelling and bruising are basically gone, the main thing is just the scabs on nipples. Surgeon said i can stop cleaning with iodine a few days ago so hopefully that helps. The last photo is an up close to just show binder lines from wearing it 24/7 and the crust and stuff😭 my side holes are basically tiny and I dont care about them. There was 4 drain holes, 2 on each side- I fear i lost the one in my armpit I just couldnt find it but it seems fine so 1🥲
This is my experience, copied from r/TopSurgery :
Hey! I just got top surgery with la doctora brasó in her clinic in the hospital General de catalunya on the 15th of July. I had an amazing experience overall and I hope this could help anyone considering top surgery!
Costs:
So of course one of the most defining factors, the cost. She offers several different procedures, and i went with the ultrasonic subcutaneous mastectomy without lipofilling. Basically that means keyhole lol. She has DI too but it would be more.
I was quoted €6,550 for the surgery, binder, and sleeping a night in the hospital.
They require you get blood tests, ecg and an ultrasound before. Bloods were €80, ECG was €50. I was able to get them here but ireland wouldnt give me an ultrasound so I had to go a day before surgery for it in spain. That cost €102 in the hospital in Spain.
I was given a pretty long list of meds for post op, including antibiotics, nsaids, clotting ones, iron tablets, anti hematoma cream, pain meds, gauze and some more. It cost me €138 in the pharmacy down the road from where we stayed. However, tramadol is usually there i just couldnt take as it interacted with my sertraline so it was cheaper. Also I had to buy more gauze and hematoma cream last day to stock up for home but it was €3.50 and €10 each at least!
Flights were around €50 per person per way, I booked early and I got a 20kg check in each way which was another €50 per way. Picking seats was €16 per person per way.
The taxi to the hotel (30 mins away ish) from airport was around €70 (they havd night tax) and the one leaving during the day was €45.
Accommodation for 10 nights was ~€2000 for 3 people.
Adding it all up, i ended up spending about ~€10k between all the tests needed, meds, accom, food, transport, surgery and flights. Personally I think that is better than what ive heard for example England seems to be £14k at least for just surgery!
Booking, communicating and pre spain:
On April 1 I sent a WhatsApp to the clinic. They text back pretty fast, answering all my questions. I was not sure at all who I was going to go with, at this point I was really just contacting everyone.
I videocalled the doctor a few weeks after that. WhatsApp says it was 7 minutes lol, so not too long actually. I remembered they texted a while before apologising she was held up in surgery so it was delayed an hour or two; i didn't care tbh.
On the videocall she really just said hello, asked for my medications, some basic info, and i had to show her my chest bare. It was so weird! But she was really chill and kind and it wasnt awkward. She told me that I seemed pretty in shape so I wouldnt have any fat for her liposculpt 4D procedure. I didn't care, it cost extra lol. She complimented my (tiny) muscles and figure too which was really nice and I felt seen! It was very fast and I didnt get to ask many questions, but i didnt mind since she is a busy doctor and i could easily ask her team what i needed.
I was given the quote if 6.5k and a load of forms to fill out and offered dates! Mind you it was late April and they happened to have late june and July! I was thrilled! At this point I was still considering everything so I filled out the forms and said id be interested in first week of July, then didnt really talk much more until first week of june. THEN I locked in and realised woah- I actually want this surgeon and also shes cheaper and I can get it ASAP!
Mid June I transferred the deposit of €1.5k. A little after, I booked the bloods and ecg at my gp and got the results the week after and sent them off to anaesthesia. Unfortunately although I emailed everywhere here not a single place would give me an ultrasound even with a referral from the doctor and me explaining the situation. This meant I had to change the flights to a day earlier. Damn Ryanair doesn't give refunds so I ended up losing 150 ish because I just had to book the same flights a day earlier. I was quite scared the ultrasound would find cancer or something because they warned me if anything was off, itd delay surgery. It was fine! Thank god lol.
The doctor's team sent me a list of good places to stay which was so helpful, they really were great helpers! We stayed at one they sent.
I transferred the remaining €5,050 the week before after they sent me a text reminding me to.
Accommodation:
At the start this was one of the most challenging. We stayed at Hotel Park Sedó in Rubí- 200 ish a night for a three person apartment with an up and downstairs, kitchen, bathroom and shared pool! I booked via booking.com so it cost 1,860 ish instead of 2000 - why, idk, but peak!
I was so scared about the check in times. On booking.com it said check in 3pm, check out 12am. Before booking I asked if I could check in like 3am since our flight got in at 1am. They said sure, we have 24hr reception so no worries. 2 days before flight I checked again just in case - they approved the request and said yup, you can check in 3am on the 14th. I booked 14th to 24th so I thought itd be fine.
Fast forward to a super hot night just after landing at 3am, taxi dropped us off 200m away so a) we were scared it didnt exist so we strolled a little and then b) when we got there... it said our booking wasnt for today. I was slightly freaking out. Apparently, (maybe im stupid idk i dont know everything about travel) booking 14th even though we checked in 14th and they said yes twice meant we were supposed to book 13th as check in is ONLY 3pm. This was a little unfortunate tbh as my friends and i panicked a bit. Thank god the receptionist was an angel and had a singular room left. I ended up paying 200 for the extra night and we went to the last room of the hotel. Talk about luck!
We had to pay 99c tourist tax per person per night. One of my friends was under 17 so didnt have to pay at least :). The room was nice af, lots of AC and some free water. We got up at 8am ish and went to the hospital for ultrasound so slept a few hours and left our bags downstairs to be transferred to our real room at 3pm.
I had been SO scared of the staff saying my deadname - its legally changed just not passport, and spain needs your passport to check in - so I messaged them a few days before and they were phenomenal! Every receptionist over the 10 days said my preferred name and was so nice about it. I had to sign the extra room for the extra night on my old name but that was it.
Day 1 moving into the proper apartment (14th afternoon) we cooked dinner, went out to the bar and came back and there were ants. Everywhere. Like absolutely hundreds by the couch, table, door, kitchen. It may be because we left the balcony door open a few hours who knows- but reception gave us ant spray and said they'd fix it tomorrow. Luckily we'd be at the hospital all day!
Rest of the days were uneventful. The pool was nice, we cooked our meals, the cleaners changed our towels or cleaned when we wanted.
Day before surgery:
I had the ultrasound the day before. We walked 20 mins through lowkey desert fields and roads to get there which was funny but fine. I loved the hospital, like LOVED. The canteen was nice, we got breakfast, then asked reception where to go for the scan. I speak Spanish so it was pretty fine. We were sent to the women's health Centre (sadly), which icl made me a bit dysphoric but it was fine. I checked in, payed the money, and sat down. We waited abour 45 minutes ish and then I was called.
I was scared about the ultrasound since a) I had never been a patient in a Spanish hospital and b) it dictated whether the surgery happened.
I wenr into a dark room, took my shirt off (agh), and chatted with the technician. She was super fast and said it was all fine! I talked about work with her and the only thing id say was they would be like (in Spanish so camarero/camarera) "ohh so you were a waitress... waiter" which added to dysphoria but I dont blame them, I was in a women's health centre 🥲. They gave me results and I went down to the surgeon since everyone had been pretty nice.
I handed in all my forms (24 signed pages of forms - istg I was a lil scared) and asked stuff like when to get there, what to do, prescription etc. She (Yolanda) explained it all and was so nice!
We then bought food in the close shopping centre and walked back then went to the pharmacy.
That night, I was scared. As hell. I could barely sleep. I didnt want to die on the table since wtf would my friends say?! We all packed an overnight bag and meds and went to bed (well, tried). I had a nice full shower, my last for forever.
Day of surgery:
We got up at 6am. Had to be there at 7am. It was at 8.30am. We arrived on the dot really and did what we had been told.
The kiosk opened at 7am. Everyone gets a ticket with a number. I was 09. We waited about 40 mins maybe? I went to the bathroom before in the meantime. I was STRESSINGGG. When the noise went, I went in. I spoke in Spanish to the receptionist who was so nice as well. She asked for my friends phone number, my DOB, name and ID. I freaked out because all I had was my public services card (I did NOT know I needed ID😭). It was fine at least! I got a wristband and went back to the entrance.
A few minutes later a guy called our number and took me and one of my friends into a clean ward place. Another nurse called me then from there. I entered this room, she asked me all my details, allergies and stuff. I put on a green hat and shoes. They brought me to a room. I changed into this horrific underwear (my friends called it fishnets 😭😭) and a blue gown thing. I sat alone in my room (?)(it was an open place with docs and i was surrounded by a white sheet). I was alone for like 40 mins. Well im not sure really, it felt like forever, I was terrified, it hit me. I was alone in spain getting my surgery!
A nurse came in and put the needle holder in my left hand. Im right handed so that was clever af imo. I hated it, but I hate needles so..
The doctor came in! First time seeing her! She was very nice and quick. I had lost my voice unfortunately so I could really only say a few words. She put stickers on my nipples, drew under my breasts and took some photos! I asked how much smaller my nipple would be since I like it as it is and she said it would basically be the same which was chill. She left pretty fast and I was alone again.
The anaesthesia guy, Dr Mayoral im pretty sure, came in to say hi. He was so nice and just chatted about it. I was alone again. I started freaking out a bit. A nurse eventually took my clothes and gave them to my waiting friend. I was super stressed she would get them or get lost since they dont speak spanish.
Another nurse came in and put me in a wheelchair. By now I was pale and stressing and shivering but excited. She was nice. Most of them wore nice crocs. I was taken to the OR. It was so cool!! It was freezing also. And huge! My shivering got worse. They helped me onto the metal table and put a really nice blanket on me. And strapped me down?! Idk 😭
Dr Mayoral was in the corner prepping stuff. A few nurses would come and go and say hi. Talking was hard since I had almost no voice but I tried. He was so nice and we all talked for maybe 10 minutes? My heart rate was constant at 100, sometimes up to 120/30, but thats actualy my norm tbh.
One of the nurses said she liked my eyes and that calmed me a bit. It was so nice! Then Dr came over and said he was gonna start giving me stuff for the surgery. I look at my hand and go lile AGWYBZYAII AH?!?!?!? Bc i see a huge syringe that just says fentanyl in spanish! He goes noo its okay its medical not from the street I promise 😊 which was funny tbh. It made me dizzy ish and my arm burned. Other things happened then he was like okay, its time to sleep now! He put the mask on and said to take deep breaths. I did. I stared at the little dots on the ceiling and counted the seconds. They went up and up. At around 10 i started being like WHAT IF I DIE HERE?! and started saying I loved my friends😭 that was the last thing I said before I went out. I got to 20 which imo was weird because what?!? In movies its seconds and also doc was a little huh since I was just casually staring up at him chill for ages.
When I was out all i remember is i KNOW I had weird dreams I just cant remember. Also I remember seeing like black and loads of colours on it? It was not just blink awake, I could feel the time passing.
I WOKE UP!!
Everything was a lil blurry and I felt weak but I instantly started shouting "estoy MUY CONTENTO!!" for a bit. I cried for a while because I was so goddamn happy.
One of my friends showed up and we just talked. I was hungry AF and thirsty and nauseous too. I got a bowl and threw up a fair bit but was fine then. They said i couldn't eat but I could have lollipops! I was like duh yes. By that they meant cotton wool buds soaked in water that were cold 😭 i ate 2 because I was hungry but they made them out to be heavenly when they just were cotton wool 🥲.
I couldn't eat til 5.30pm, it was around 12 now. I remember for the first few hours VIOLENT pain, but it was in the backs of my feet not my chest lol. Random. Probably from day beforehand walking.
After a bit I was allowed leave! They drove me to another bed and i had to transfer. GOD IT WAS SO HARD. I could barely move full stop so I shuffled my body like 50cm to the other bed. They wheeled me upstairs and around, it was cool. Once in the room I had to transfer AGAIN, this time a cool nurse called Viktor helped me. It was beyond hard but I settled.
My friends came back after a bit and we chilled. The docs took my HR and BP a lot and fixed up my IV. I was jealous at my friends eating food 😭. I didnt feel any pain at all in my chest til like 3pm. We slept, I chilled and sweated like absolute hell for a few hours.
THEN the pain came. I had drains in my sides and they were on each side of the bed. When my head got itchy I couldbt move my arms so I crawled my fingers up my binder to my face and moved my head to scratch. It was EFFORT. Sitting up a little was most comfortable but when i wanted to myself I couldn't even slightly move my stomach. I was literally stuck. My friends (when I was allowed) fed me water since I couldnt myself.
5 came and I was allowed eat! I was STARVINGGG and dinner was a vegan banana cookie, yoghurt, water and packed fruit😭 i was so sad but I ate it. Fruit was nice at least. My friends bought me a ham roll from the shop so I ate that too and chocolate they got me 🙏.
Now, I had to go to the bathroom. AGH. I HATED IT. I called a nurse and they put a bedpan under me. I went 4 times that evening so ig the iv was pretty filled?! I felt so disgusting and I hated it i needed a shower 😭 i do NOT rec.
Then that evening the coughing started. From intubation my throat was SO dry. I coughed every 30 minutes. And the PAINNNN. it felt like blunt daggers stabbing my sides and like something would pop. I couldnt control it and I started sobbing from the pain. I still have it 10 days PO but no pain at least now.
The docs came in and said only 1 of my friends could stay the night. We panicked a bit since none of us wanted to leave. Luckily the night nurses were CHILL ASFFF (shout out to Carmen and the Maite all night till 8am) and let us watch avatar, the match, movies, chat, chill and let both my friends stay with me. I needed it badly.
The pain got so much worse. My chest, my sides, my back, stabbing, pressure, EVERYTHING. I couldnt take it at one point and the doc was like holaaa and I started sobbing I couldn't even communicate it was so bad. She was like noo it ran out a while ago you should have said it hurt :( so they fixed me up ish so I could talk again. Then we "went to bed". Well, I slept an hour maybe, couldnt fall asleep because my back was stabbing and woke up because my nipple felt like it was gonna be compressed TO DEATH. It was beyond pain I tell you. The doc started paracetamol then when that did 0 the next one then the next strongest. I was having coughing fits every 30 minutes and my friend would get up and water me at least thank god. From 4am I just gave up on sleep, it was too painful. I talked to myself, mumbled, muttered, sang idk, the doc Maite came in every 30 mins to fix me and we talked a lot which was nice.
Around 8am I slept maybe 20 mins but I was on so many meds I couldn't care. Around 9am the Brasó team appeared- Maribel!!!!<3 - and changed my chest. It was so nice being able to breathe they removed the surgery covering thing and just peeled off all the plasters anf gauze and cleaned. They checked the drains - one had like 300ml it was HUGE and one like 10ml!?? We were all confused. The drains hurt a fair bit so id hold my friends hands. The absolute pain left me dizzy and nauseous but I ate breakfast. First I threw up again though of course.
I ate the fruit again but not the weird egg thing or the piece of bread. My friends got me chocolate again.
Around 10 they said i could stand up! Viktor came back and 2 others and they helped me stand up. It was so hard but I needed it. I sat and strolled the rest of the morning; i was bored. I sat at a perfect posture 90° bc it didnt hurt😭. I wasnt really that dizzy and they removed my pain meds. I wasnt allowed leave til the doc came and saw me.
We walked atound a bit, chatted, i tried brush my teeth and skincare and then she appears! She gave me a hug and kiss on each cheek, checked her work and said i could go. I thanked her dearly.
Victor took out my IV and gave me forms and stuff. We got dressed (it was HARD) and left. I loved how chill they were - they said i couldnt have 1 drink for the final and also we literally just said bye and went shopping 😭.
We chilled mainly most days and walked a few kilometres slowly to food and tapas. I ate so much nice food, I def had my appetite.
Days after:
The days after went slow. I could barely sleep due to coughing and pain. I couldnt get up myself, or drink water, I needed too much help. I was exhausted but kept waking up to every single thing.
The pain was bad at the start. Whenever I moved my arms or sat up or anything it was stabbing in my sides. My chest was fine and I could feel my right nipple till day 3 then no?!?! Idk why at all.
Breathing was hard sometimes due to binder, but i was used to that lol.
Post op appointments:
What i love about Dra Brasó is that she gives PO appts every day for 10 days (except weekends). Wed go in, drink heavenly cold water, talk to the docs who were really nice and then go in.
One of my friends stayed with me inside. They would take off binder, change dressings, check it all, put on hematoma cream, and massage! That was the best bit imo. Binder was SOO ITCHYTYY but it hurt to touch but they perfectly would basically scratch that itch in a non horrifically sore way. I felt pretty relaxed between bits of pain. I felt so cared for I loved it. Also, on the last day I had to request a later appt since I woke up and found out my family's dog died and I actually could not go. They talked to me and rescheduled later and every person in the clinic hugged me and comforted me. Like damn they're so nice😭😭.
Finally
I hope that was informative or useful! Basically I had a great experience with her and her team. She really is dedicated to what she does and I was beyond grateful to get keyhole. I always thought id only ever get peri but she made keyhole an option and I was literally overjoyed!
I did a post on photos and i will do another in due time. And questions please comment, everyone needs to know how peak she is. Also her insta is great and she went to pride with her team which I loved. I think its great to have a doc that genuinely cares abt trans people and who has a team that makes you feel seen :).
Def a stupid question id say, but im going and honestly id love to just meet fellow ftm guys on t or post op to relate to. Ive never had a friend thats also on t and post op top and since I am id like to just meet some people. Are there usually groups or stands or something? Im not gonna go up to every guy and ask "are you an ftm on t?!?" Lol. I haven't been to pride since like 3 weeks after I came out - AGES ago - and I stuck to my few friends with me so im pretty clueless lol. Thanks :)
Was just thinking about what ages are most common to get top surgery! Im 18 and literally just post op.
Full post is here from r/ top surgery :)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TopSurgery/s/KXs8f0tRNn
Edit: my experience, cost, surgery, timeline and everyhing is in this post i did :)
Pretty happy with how its going. Theres still some bruising and one nipple is a bit crusty but other than that :)
Hey guys. Im 13 days PO keyhole. My nipples are still looking crusty weird and red😭😭 when approximately did yours start looking better? As in, less scab and cut and more just nipple and also less folded idk. Thanks:)
Hey guys. Im bored af. 12 days into recovery. I go on lots of walks but I really wanna do beneficial exercise like idk, legs. What/how can i train until I can do upper again? My surgeon said no pushups for 2 months(), so can I do legs or something? Lads im begging ye anything please😭
Absolute euphoria. I knew id be able to FEEL my heartbeat more (i feel it so much?!) But yesterday I looked in the mirror and I saw a faint ripple where it was beating and I was like damn?! No way? Its a bit trippy but im happy af :)
Hey. Im now 10 days PO! Super happy in general, I got keyhole and now theres little pain at all. Thing is, im home now, with my family, who dont know and aren't supportive. My friends cared for me abroad until last night but now its just me. I showered myself, fed myself, skincare, meds, went to bed, I can do all that fine.
But the post op binder. I physically can't.
I washed it earlier because it STANK of horribleness I myself could smell it. Then I went to put it on after shower. I cleaned the nips and drain holes with iodine (i hope i did it okay😭) then plastered the holes and silicone the nipples. Theres a tiny hole in my armpit but the plaster comes off after 5 minutes everyday anyway and I physically cant get to it or see it. Then I went to put binder back on.
Oh my days. It was an experience. I watched the doc and my friends do it but now im alone. I had to take a break every few minutes because I just started crying. It took 40 mins. I tried to pull it over, up, move the random black insulation I have to wear inside, but it was so hard it all kept moving and I couldnt see anything and I could barely move my arms. I felt so weak and stupid. But it was so awkward. Finally I closed it. Then I had to do the shoulder straps. I went into every position until I could vaguely attach them. Then I realised how wrong I did it; i forgot the hematoma cream, the binder was a little low and shifted to the side, it all felt wrong. I feel horrible but I dont have anyone. My friends that helped are far away now. Any advice on how to do it better/ easier?
Hey! I did my leaving cert this year and really hope to do medicine. I love everything about it and find it so fascinating. However then I started to think... I only know about med in America and ive hardly heard of the Irish process here. After you graduate after 5/6 years, what happens next? Where can you work and can you choose? When do you start making any money, and livable wage? What are irish working hours like? Are they 80 hr weeks? How many years after college can you specialise in something?
Thank you guys. I hope med is treating ye well and ye have a great day🙏
Hey! I just got top surgery with la doctora brasó in her clinic in the hospital General de catalunya on the 15th of July. I had an amazing experience overall and I hope this could help anyone considering top surgery!
Costs:
So of course one of the most defining factors, the cost. She offers several different procedures, and i went with the ultrasonic subcutaneous mastectomy without lipofilling. Basically that means keyhole lol. She has DI too but it would be more.
I was quoted €6,550 for the surgery, binder, and sleeping a night in the hospital.
They require you get blood tests, ecg and an ultrasound before. Bloods were €80, ECG was €50. I was able to get them here but ireland wouldnt give me an ultrasound so I had to go a day before surgery for it in spain. That cost €102 in the hospital in Spain.
I was given a pretty long list of meds for post op, including antibiotics, nsaids, clotting ones, iron tablets, anti hematoma cream, pain meds, gauze and some more. It cost me €138 in the pharmacy down the road from where we stayed. However, tramadol is usually there i just couldnt take as it interacted with my sertraline so it was cheaper. Also I had to buy more gauze and hematoma cream last day to stock up for home but it was €3.50 and €10 each at least!
Flights were around €50 per person per way, I booked early and I got a 20kg check in each way which was another €50 per way. Picking seats was €16 per person per way.
The taxi to the hotel (30 mins away ish) from airport was around €70 (they havd night tax) and the one leaving during the day was €45.
Accommodation for 10 nights was ~€2000 for 3 people.
Adding it all up, i ended up spending about ~€10k between all the tests needed, meds, accom, food, transport, surgery and flights. Personally I think that is better than what ive heard for example England seems to be £14k at least for just surgery!
Booking, communicating and pre spain:
On April 1 I sent a WhatsApp to the clinic. They text back pretty fast, answering all my questions. I was not sure at all who I was going to go with, at this point I was really just contacting everyone.
I videocalled the doctor a few weeks after that. WhatsApp says it was 7 minutes lol, so not too long actually. I remembered they texted a while before apologising she was held up in surgery so it was delayed an hour or two; i didn't care tbh.
On the videocall she really just said hello, asked for my medications, some basic info, and i had to show her my chest bare. It was so weird! But she was really chill and kind and it wasnt awkward. She told me that I seemed pretty in shape so I wouldnt have any fat for her liposculpt 4D procedure. I didn't care, it cost extra lol. She complimented my (tiny) muscles and figure too which was really nice and I felt seen! It was very fast and I didnt get to ask many questions, but i didnt mind since she is a busy doctor and i could easily ask her team what i needed.
I was given the quote if 6.5k and a load of forms to fill out and offered dates! Mind you it was late April and they happened to have late june and July! I was thrilled! At this point I was still considering everything so I filled out the forms and said id be interested in first week of July, then didnt really talk much more until first week of june. THEN I locked in and realised woah- I actually want this surgeon and also shes cheaper and I can get it ASAP!
Mid June I transferred the deposit of €1.5k. A little after, I booked the bloods and ecg at my gp and got the results the week after and sent them off to anaesthesia. Unfortunately although I emailed everywhere here not a single place would give me an ultrasound even with a referral from the doctor and me explaining the situation. This meant I had to change the flights to a day earlier. Damn Ryanair doesn't give refunds so I ended up losing 150 ish because I just had to book the same flights a day earlier. I was quite scared the ultrasound would find cancer or something because they warned me if anything was off, itd delay surgery. It was fine! Thank god lol.
The doctor's team sent me a list of good places to stay which was so helpful, they really were great helpers! We stayed at one they sent.
I transferred the remaining €5,050 the week before after they sent me a text reminding me to.
Accommodation:
At the start this was one of the most challenging. We stayed at Hotel Park Sedó in Rubí- 200 ish a night for a three person apartment with an up and downstairs, kitchen, bathroom and shared pool! I booked via booking.com so it cost 1,860 ish instead of 2000 - why, idk, but peak!
I was so scared about the check in times. On booking.com it said check in 3pm, check out 12am. Before booking I asked if I could check in like 3am since our flight got in at 1am. They said sure, we have 24hr reception so no worries. 2 days before flight I checked again just in case - they approved the request and said yup, you can check in 3am on the 14th. I booked 14th to 24th so I thought itd be fine.
Fast forward to a super hot night just after landing at 3am, taxi dropped us off 200m away so a) we were scared it didnt exist so we strolled a little and then b) when we got there... it said our booking wasnt for today. I was slightly freaking out. Apparently, (maybe im stupid idk i dont know everything about travel) booking 14th even though we checked in 14th and they said yes twice meant we were supposed to book 13th as check in is ONLY 3pm. This was a little unfortunate tbh as my friends and i panicked a bit. Thank god the receptionist was an angel and had a singular room left. I ended up paying 200 for the extra night and we went to the last room of the hotel. Talk about luck!
We had to pay 99c tourist tax per person per night. One of my friends was under 17 so didnt have to pay at least :). The room was nice af, lots of AC and some free water. We got up at 8am ish and went to the hospital for ultrasound so slept a few hours and left our bags downstairs to be transferred to our real room at 3pm.
I had been SO scared of the staff saying my deadname - its legally changed just not passport, and spain needs your passport to check in - so I messaged them a few days before and they were phenomenal! Every receptionist over the 10 days said my preferred name and was so nice about it. I had to sign the extra room for the extra night on my old name but that was it.
Day 1 moving into the proper apartment (14th afternoon) we cooked dinner, went out to the bar and came back and there were ants. Everywhere. Like absolutely hundreds by the couch, table, door, kitchen. It may be because we left the balcony door open a few hours who knows- but reception gave us ant spray and said they'd fix it tomorrow. Luckily we'd be at the hospital all day!
Rest of the days were uneventful. The pool was nice, we cooked our meals, the cleaners changed our towels or cleaned when we wanted.
Day before surgery:
I had the ultrasound the day before. We walked 20 mins through lowkey desert fields and roads to get there which was funny but fine. I loved the hospital, like LOVED. The canteen was nice, we got breakfast, then asked reception where to go for the scan. I speak Spanish so it was pretty fine. We were sent to the women's health Centre (sadly), which icl made me a bit dysphoric but it was fine. I checked in, payed the money, and sat down. We waited abour 45 minutes ish and then I was called.
I was scared about the ultrasound since a) I had never been a patient in a Spanish hospital and b) it dictated whether the surgery happened.
I wenr into a dark room, took my shirt off (agh), and chatted with the technician. She was super fast and said it was all fine! I talked about work with her and the only thing id say was they would be like (in Spanish so camarero/camarera) "ohh so you were a waitress... waiter" which added to dysphoria but I dont blame them, I was in a women's health centre 🥲. They gave me results and I went down to the surgeon since everyone had been pretty nice.
I handed in all my forms (24 signed pages of forms - istg I was a lil scared) and asked stuff like when to get there, what to do, prescription etc. She (Yolanda) explained it all and was so nice!
We then bought food in the close shopping centre and walked back then went to the pharmacy.
That night, I was scared. As hell. I could barely sleep. I didnt want to die on the table since wtf would my friends say?! We all packed an overnight bag and meds and went to bed (well, tried). I had a nice full shower, my last for forever.
Day of surgery:
We got up at 6am. Had to be there at 7am. It was at 8.30am. We arrived on the dot really and did what we had been told.
The kiosk opened at 7am. Everyone gets a ticket with a number. I was 09. We waited about 40 mins maybe? I went to the bathroom before in the meantime. I was STRESSINGGG. When the noise went, I went in. I spoke in Spanish to the receptionist who was so nice as well. She asked for my friends phone number, my DOB, name and ID. I freaked out because all I had was my public services card (I did NOT know I needed ID😭). It was fine at least! I got a wristband and went back to the entrance.
A few minutes later a guy called our number and took me and one of my friends into a clean ward place. Another nurse called me then from there. I entered this room, she asked me all my details, allergies and stuff. I put on a green hat and shoes. They brought me to a room. I changed into this horrific underwear (my friends called it fishnets 😭😭) and a blue gown thing. I sat alone in my room (?)(it was an open place with docs and i was surrounded by a white sheet). I was alone for like 40 mins. Well im not sure really, it felt like forever, I was terrified, it hit me. I was alone in spain getting my surgery!
A nurse came in and put the needle holder in my left hand. Im right handed so that was clever af imo. I hated it, but I hate needles so..
The doctor came in! First time seeing her! She was very nice and quick. I had lost my voice unfortunately so I could really only say a few words. She put stickers on my nipples, drew under my breasts and took some photos! I asked how much smaller my nipple would be since I like it as it is and she said it would basically be the same which was chill. She left pretty fast and I was alone again.
The anaesthesia guy, Dr Mayoral im pretty sure, came in to say hi. He was so nice and just chatted about it. I was alone again. I started freaking out a bit. A nurse eventually took my clothes and gave them to my waiting friend. I was super stressed she would get them or get lost since they dont speak spanish.
Another nurse came in and put me in a wheelchair. By now I was pale and stressing and shivering but excited. She was nice. Most of them wore nice crocs. I was taken to the OR. It was so cool!! It was freezing also. And huge! My shivering got worse. They helped me onto the metal table and put a really nice blanket on me. And strapped me down?! Idk 😭
Dr Mayoral was in the corner prepping stuff. A few nurses would come and go and say hi. Talking was hard since I had almost no voice but I tried. He was so nice and we all talked for maybe 10 minutes? My heart rate was constant at 100, sometimes up to 120/30, but thats actualy my norm tbh.
One of the nurses said she liked my eyes and that calmed me a bit. It was so nice! Then Dr came over and said he was gonna start giving me stuff for the surgery. I look at my hand and go lile AGWYBZYAII AH?!?!?!? Bc i see a huge syringe that just says fentanyl in spanish! He goes noo its okay its medical not from the street I promise 😊 which was funny tbh. It made me dizzy ish and my arm burned. Other things happened then he was like okay, its time to sleep now! He put the mask on and said to take deep breaths. I did. I stared at the little dots on the ceiling and counted the seconds. They went up and up. At around 10 i started being like WHAT IF I DIE HERE?! and started saying I loved my friends😭 that was the last thing I said before I went out. I got to 20 which imo was weird because what?!? In movies its seconds and also doc was a little huh since I was just casually staring up at him chill for ages.
When I was out all i remember is i KNOW I had weird dreams I just cant remember. Also I remember seeing like black and loads of colours on it? It was not just blink awake, I could feel the time passing.
I WOKE UP!!
Everything was a lil blurry and I felt weak but I instantly started shouting "estoy MUY CONTENTO!!" for a bit. I cried for a while because I was so goddamn happy.
One of my friends showed up and we just talked. I was hungry AF and thirsty and nauseous too. I got a bowl and threw up a fair bit but was fine then. They said i couldn't eat but I could have lollipops! I was like duh yes. By that they meant cotton wool buds soaked in water that were cold 😭 i ate 2 because I was hungry but they made them out to be heavenly when they just were cotton wool 🥲.
I couldn't eat til 5.30pm, it was around 12 now. I remember for the first few hours VIOLENT pain, but it was in the backs of my feet not my chest lol. Random. Probably from day beforehand walking.
After a bit I was allowed leave! They drove me to another bed and i had to transfer. GOD IT WAS SO HARD. I could barely move full stop so I shuffled my body like 50cm to the other bed. They wheeled me upstairs and around, it was cool. Once in the room I had to transfer AGAIN, this time a cool nurse called Viktor helped me. It was beyond hard but I settled.
My friends came back after a bit and we chilled. The docs took my HR and BP a lot and fixed up my IV. I was jealous at my friends eating food 😭. I didnt feel any pain at all in my chest til like 3pm. We slept, I chilled and sweated like absolute hell for a few hours.
THEN the pain came. I had drains in my sides and they were on each side of the bed. When my head got itchy I couldbt move my arms so I crawled my fingers up my binder to my face and moved my head to scratch. It was EFFORT. Sitting up a little was most comfortable but when i wanted to myself I couldn't even slightly move my stomach. I was literally stuck. My friends (when I was allowed) fed me water since I couldnt myself.
5 came and I was allowed eat! I was STARVINGGG and dinner was a vegan banana cookie, yoghurt, water and packed fruit😭 i was so sad but I ate it. Fruit was nice at least. My friends bought me a ham roll from the shop so I ate that too and chocolate they got me 🙏.
Now, I had to go to the bathroom. AGH. I HATED IT. I called a nurse and they put a bedpan under me. I went 4 times that evening so ig the iv was pretty filled?! I felt so disgusting and I hated it i needed a shower 😭 i do NOT rec.
Then that evening the coughing started. From intubation my throat was SO dry. I coughed every 30 minutes. And the PAINNNN. it felt like blunt daggers stabbing my sides and like something would pop. I couldnt control it and I started sobbing from the pain. I still have it 10 days PO but no pain at least now.
The docs came in and said only 1 of my friends could stay the night. We panicked a bit since none of us wanted to leave. Luckily the night nurses were CHILL ASFFF (shout out to Carmen and the Maite all night till 8am) and let us watch avatar, the match, movies, chat, chill and let both my friends stay with me. I needed it badly.
The pain got so much worse. My chest, my sides, my back, stabbing, pressure, EVERYTHING. I couldnt take it at one point and the doc was like holaaa and I started sobbing I couldn't even communicate it was so bad. She was like noo it ran out a while ago you should have said it hurt :( so they fixed me up ish so I could talk again. Then we "went to bed". Well, I slept an hour maybe, couldnt fall asleep because my back was stabbing and woke up because my nipple felt like it was gonna be compressed TO DEATH. It was beyond pain I tell you. The doc started paracetamol then when that did 0 the next one then the next strongest. I was having coughing fits every 30 minutes and my friend would get up and water me at least thank god. From 4am I just gave up on sleep, it was too painful. I talked to myself, mumbled, muttered, sang idk, the doc Maite came in every 30 mins to fix me and we talked a lot which was nice.
Around 8am I slept maybe 20 mins but I was on so many meds I couldn't care. Around 9am the Brasó team appeared- Maribel!!!!<3 - and changed my chest. It was so nice being able to breathe they removed the surgery covering thing and just peeled off all the plasters anf gauze and cleaned. They checked the drains - one had like 300ml it was HUGE and one like 10ml!?? We were all confused. The drains hurt a fair bit so id hold my friends hands. The absolute pain left me dizzy and nauseous but I ate breakfast. First I threw up again though of course.
I ate the fruit again but not the weird egg thing or the piece of bread. My friends got me chocolate again.
Around 10 they said i could stand up! Viktor came back and 2 others and they helped me stand up. It was so hard but I needed it. I sat and strolled the rest of the morning; i was bored. I sat at a perfect posture 90° bc it didnt hurt😭. I wasnt really that dizzy and they removed my pain meds. I wasnt allowed leave til the doc came and saw me.
We walked atound a bit, chatted, i tried brush my teeth and skincare and then she appears! She gave me a hug and kiss on each cheek, checked her work and said i could go. I thanked her dearly.
Victor took out my IV and gave me forms and stuff. We got dressed (it was HARD) and left. I loved how chill they were - they said i couldnt have 1 drink for the final and also we literally just said bye and went shopping 😭.
We chilled mainly most days and walked a few kilometres slowly to food and tapas. I ate so much nice food, I def had my appetite.
Days after:
The days after went slow. I could barely sleep due to coughing and pain. I couldnt get up myself, or drink water, I needed too much help. I was exhausted but kept waking up to every single thing.
The pain was bad at the start. Whenever I moved my arms or sat up or anything it was stabbing in my sides. My chest was fine and I could feel my right nipple till day 3 then no?!?! Idk why at all.
Breathing was hard sometimes due to binder, but i was used to that lol.
Post op appointments:
What i love about Dra Brasó is that she gives PO appts every day for 10 days (except weekends). Wed go in, drink heavenly cold water, talk to the docs who were really nice and then go in.
One of my friends stayed with me inside. They would take off binder, change dressings, check it all, put on hematoma cream, and massage! That was the best bit imo. Binder was SOO ITCHYTYY but it hurt to touch but they perfectly would basically scratch that itch in a non horrifically sore way. I felt pretty relaxed between bits of pain. I felt so cared for I loved it. Also, on the last day I had to request a later appt since I woke up and found out my family's dog died and I actually could not go. They talked to me and rescheduled later and every person in the clinic hugged me and comforted me. Like damn they're so nice😭😭.
Finally
I hope that was informative or useful! Basically I had a great experience with her and her team. She really is dedicated to what she does and I was beyond grateful to get keyhole. I always thought id only ever get peri but she made keyhole an option and I was literally overjoyed!
I did a post on photos and i will do another in due time. And questions please comment, everyone needs to know how peak she is. Also her insta is great and she went to pride with her team which I loved. I think its great to have a doc that genuinely cares abt trans people and who has a team that makes you feel seen :).
First photo is 7 days post op, second is 3 days post op. The yellow of the second is mainly iodine I swear it was staining af 😭 I got keyhole with her and im so happy so far! 10 days now. Ill post an in depth story of the experience with her but I think its going good and the doctors said my healing was going pretty good too :)
The random red bruise/ looking things in photo one are just little blood hematomas that developed, they're really small though so all chill
Was in for my last post op appointment today and she asked so how did you hear about us and find us? Was it on reddit ? Also what is reddit because everyone who comes here says they heard abt us from it😀 my friends and i died
Hey guys! 2 days post op now. Since literally I came out of surgery and being intubated I keep getting into horrific coughing fits that every single one feels like my nipples r gonna exit and my stitches bust and my ribs explode. They can last anywhere from 3 to 30 coughs at least and I try drink water (which is difficult yk when it happens at 4am) but still. I told doc today since they happen once every hour or two ish and I literally get tears they're so sore. I was shopping today and the worker came up to us and let us go first in a different queue I seemed so bad😭😭 is this just me?? I got lozenges or wtv but