Turns out, it's a lengthy, frustrating onenot only for myself but also for others with whom I've spoken. Hormone Hangover. As I feared, at the end of my recovery period, I wasnt quite ready to shed the comfort of my ace bandages. Transgender and nonbinary people may choose top surgery as part of their gender affirmation treatment. We should be trying to figure out why people feel unhappy with their gendered body, and then help them figure out how to not be unhappy with it. I was terrified I wasnt healing properly. It was a joke, but Im worried it didnt come across correctly and dont want to misrepresent my surgeon. Demchuu 6 min. These top surgery consultations are where you can ask about what procedure may be best for your desired outcome, as well as any questions you might have about pre- and post-op care and recovery. While some patients might bring in photos, it's often not possible to transpose one person's chest onto another's. No matter what changes occur to the body, the perception process remains the same. The procedure may involve these steps: The person receives . I kept them wrapped so tight out of anxiety that I continued to get light-headed and in risk of fainting every time I took them off, which of course only exacerbated the issues I was having. And almost immediately after the surgery, the dread of regret started to sink in. Thats what many folks whove undergone the surgery with insurance have reported. Im growing out my hair now so that I wont feel too masculine after top surgery. "The state of the science says that we should be expanding access, not limiting it. Non-binary people can have breasts, and I know plenty who happily do. I had no idea how bad it was going to be. I was aware of gender dysphoria, but the constant, nagging irritation of my breasts was unbearable. Managing gender dysphoria is different from accepting flaws. I understand why they didnt; I felt vulnerable too! scheduled top surgery consult! I dont want to take hormones. Listed below are many of the available . I said Id been injured. Mastectomies are more widely known than top surgery, making them a tempting route to getting rid of your breasts. Id hyped myself up to believe that this was going to be a beautiful turning point to becoming the real me. ", "We dont have to attach gender to everything. Lesson learned, younger me. We will look at some recent data and at some real-life stories to get a better picture of what happens when someone decides to alter his or her sex. I was expecting to savor the moment when I finally got to look down at myself and see my chest, for the first time, finally the way I knew in my heart it should look. 4 years later, Ive grown older, wiser, and way more cautious. I thought i had made a mistake when i realized i'm not a binary trans man. Its easy to think top surgery will fix your life in some magical way. Im a masculine person with a distinct feminine side. My top surgery was a long time coming. Im now in my late 30s. YouTube communities and anecdotal research which often depends on your friend knowing a friend who got surgery last year can all be huge lifelines for transmasculine folks who want top surgery. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. ", Trans people often report discouraging experiences in medical care, making it all the more important to find a professional who will be respectful, receptive, and communicative. (This is a great step to take regardless of how you find them.). You can get through this, and build a life. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Privacy Policy. My surgeon took a photo so that I could see it when I was ready and reassured me, Ive seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of post-surgery chests and yours came out really great. . 5. A 2018 study coauthored by Berli states, "Regret after gender-affirming surgery is considered a rare outcome." In fact, I had seen dozens of post-op photos of trans guys and nonbinary folks joyfully seeing their chest for the first time. Not all trans people want, seek or can have surgery, and being trans doesn't necessitate surgery either. Surgeons should consult with providers who have a relationship with the patient, instead of making decisions based on a one-time meeting with them. Dont let the pushy, glitzy Instagram before and after photos fool you- a mastectomy is ALWAYS a big deal. For me, their value lies in the following statement, found in the middle of page 59 of SOCs latest volume: The non-essentialness of hormone therapy wasand isimportant to me. Throughout the process, "try to make sure you have good people around you," the anonymous 30-year-old says. Like a lot of health-related transgender issues, there is not enough information on how often individuals report post-surgery regret, though stories are becoming more and more common.However, some doctors have reported that patients are returning to them in the months or years following their surgeries, asking to have as much reversed as possible. Or if this was normal, again, why had nobody ever warned me about how it would feel? Sending you good vibes. When it got loud enough, I began to realize I would have to detransition. Dispelling unrealistic ideas about scar-free surgery, especially with anchor-hook or double-incision procedures, can help prevent disappointment. Plus, there were the appointments Id need to make with my general practitioner to even secure these specialized tests. Before getting a breast reduction in August 2019, Ali had spoken candidly about her experience of cosmetic surgery regret. I'm sorry that you regret the surgery :c. But to give you another perspective.. Description. Subcommittees also discussed House Study Bill 208 and Senate File 335 Tuesday, which would prohibit people from using school bathrooms or locker rooms not corresponding with their biological sex. Id hyped myself up to believe that this was going to be a beautiful turning point to becoming the real me. "He woke up without nipples!" Interestingly, knee replacement surgery has a dissatisfactory rate of 6-30%. View resources for our Top Surgery 101 event with one of the leading gender affirming surgeons in the country, Dr. Scott Mosser (he/him). Meta-analyses of . This, the first section, is about being my experience of being surprised with grief and pain after top surgery. Accepting oneself becomes a great strategy for body dysmorphia, but this solution is ineffective for gender dysphoria. Keep in mind: Not all surgeons will do this. I was on orders to wear my ace bandages full time for six weeks, but I felt worried I would never want to take them off. I am not transitioning. Ill talk about that more in the next essay. For more information, please see our Thankfully, more health insurance . Dr. Mosser will be going through the process of how to get top surgery from start to finish, from the initial consultation all the way to the post-surgery care. I was recovering from major surgery, obviously. To a large extent, you have to find your own way out of the wilderness. My friends threw me a surprise party at the drive in and we watched Young Frankenstein on the big screen. So, last May, I decided that it was time for top surgery. In many ways, Im so much freer now than I ever was before. found 3.6% ( n = 2) of those desiring . In The Cancer Journals, Audre Lorde said that losing a breast (from a mastectomy for cancer) was as viscerally painful as losing her own mother. Hold on, Im not done she said. . I had the answer I was looking for. Please, If youre a detransitioner or know someone who is, give that a read. He offers Facial Feminization and Masculinization Surgery as part of the Gender Affirmation Surgery Program at Rush university Medical Center. Things like going to the beach that used to be painful and anxiety-inducing now finally feel fun and exciting, like they should. According to O'Melia, surgeons who aren't necessarily "relationship-oriented physicians" may be uniquely able to help trans and nonbinary people with the challenges of medical transition, but they shouldn't be the only medical providers involved in the decision. We Don't All Feel We Were "Born in the Wrong Body". And while gender dysphoria an sense of discomfort with physical characteristics that your body has or lacks isnt a universal trans experience, transmasculine people with varying levels of dysphoria may consider pursuing testosterone treatments or top surgery in order to help. Its definitely an investment the surgery itself is fairly intrusive and if you have to pay out of pocket, it can cost easily over $10,000. There are slight variations," she explains. The doctor performing the procedure, she recalls, did not listen to her boyfriend's goals and assumed that his surgery was a cancer treatment and went the mastectomy route. There remains, however, one part of my body with which Ill never identify: My breasts. But before you even get there, finding a gender therapist a licensed mental health professional who specializes in working with individuals and families during gender transitions can be a big help. Luckily, time has a tendency to heal physical wounds. My surgeon took a photo so that I could see it when I was ready and reassured me, Ive seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of post-surgery chests and yours came out really great. Any absence of social support, including a dehumanizing experience with the medical industry, can increase the likelihood of self-harm. Jens U. Berli, an associate professor of surgery at the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at OHSU School of Medicine in Portland, Oregon, points out that while patients may relate to their bodies in unique ways, medical and surgical terms aren't necessarily reflective of gender identity. As I healed, it became increasingly clear that my body didnt feel wrong because I had made the wrong choice or had been wrong about my gender dysphoria it felt wrong because I was recovering from major surgery, obviously. My scars were treated with glue instead of traditional stitches, which meant I was medically cleared to take a shower as soon as the day after I got out of the hospital, but it took almost two weeks before I felt comfortable keeping my bandages off long enough to actually do it. Its a huge step on your transition journey. At the end of the day, top surgery is about how the chest looks and the results should reflect the person's image of themselves. In this episode of the GenderGP podcast, the guests cover . According to the trans writer Adrian Silbernagel, gender euphoria is a "feeling of satisfaction, joy, or intoxication, with the congruence, or rightness, between one's internal and external reality (sex and gender, internal experience and outside expression, etc.).". (Diverse options can also include chest augmentation for non-binary folks who want to make their chest more feminine.) Top Surgery Regret. It seemed like none of them ever looked like mine: distressed, disoriented, in pain. But knowing that I wasnt the only one would have made my recovery so much easier to live through. I layered sports bras and Spanx tank tops for a long time before finally learning (at the age of 30) that actual chest binders with claspsessentially sports bras with enough elasticity to stretch and flatten my chestwere available for purchase online. You will notice that cis people have demanding expectations for how women and men should look. My scars were treated with glue instead of traditional stitches, which meant I was medically cleared to take a shower as soon as the day after I got out of the hospital, but it took almost two weeks before I felt comfortable keeping my bandages off long enough to actually do it. Transfeminine, or male-to-nonbinary, top surgery usually involves having breast implants. Im more. My binder was never tight enough for me. But I was terrified to say anything that might make people, even my friends. I tugged and fussed, checking myself from the side in the mirror. They just do not belong on my chest. For many patients, this is the only surgery undertaken. It helps a lot. Dont you feel great, now that youve finally had your surgery? I felt like if I told them how difficult of a time I was having, Id be undermining my identity as a trans person. Like others said, maybe try bralettes? I was imagining a transformative and spiritual experience when I went in for surgery. Who are you after all this? Especially the first year, especially the first six months. Gatekeeping practices, such as requiring a prospective patient to live "as a certain gender" for a year or more, undergoing a full psychological evaluation, or getting a confirmed diagnosis of gender dysphoria, can also create dangerous barriers to care and they aren't appropriate for many patients. My need exists when nobody else is around, with and without mirrors. Chinnapong/Shutterstock. She glanced over my body and told me that I would look great. I struggled to put it on every morning, like a snake trying to wriggle back into a shed skin. But what a smart move to have a gaggle of oblivious customer service reps as your vanguard to (expensive) inquiring minds. Nerves and skin are cut in surgery and healing time can vary from patient to patient. I think Ive moved passed that feeling about top surgery by going off T. But while looking for a solution, I discovered fat transfer augmentation. Everyone in my life told me that growing breasts defined femininity. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. So, after a week or so spent mulling my options, I nixed my sans-insurance surgery plans and opted to go with insurance instead. It's also important to do intensive research into insurance and other financial options for your top surgery. And if you dont have a Tosh egging you on, let me be them for you. With Double Incision Top Surgery, you can ask your surgeon to not perform the NAC reconstruction, resulting in a smooth, nipple-free chest. Upon the release of her findings, Dr. Yvonne Marsha Rasko, MD, affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, stated, Our survey study finds marked variation in policy criteria for top surgery between insurers. The office manager with whom I regularly communicated at a plastic surgeons clinic before Id opted to go with insurance, on the other hand, told me that, yes, most providers require: A minimum of one year on hormones, and depending on your particular plan they require either one or two behavioural health letters. Since I was not taking hormones, she added, my insurance will not cover any gender reassignment surgery.. If youd like to contribute a text or video piece to the HuffPosts Journey Beyond The Binary series, email us at beyondbinary@huffingtonpost.com! Non-binary queer femme, health educator, and intersectional feminist. I was imagining a transformative and spiritual experience when I went in for surgery. Tosh knows the whole gamut inside-out. In 2015, I contracted pleurisy inflammation of chest tissue as a side effect of frequent binding. A mastectomy can be a part of top surgery, but not every top surgery is a full mastectomy. Top surgery regret. All but one of the articles focused exclusively on transgender men, but I am non-binary. Some nonbinary people also identify as transgender, and some are also diagnosed with gender dysphoria . My body was permanently changed. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing . Three months into my sans-insurance endeavour, however, I realized the full financial gut-punch I was facing: About $8,000 USD for the surgery alone, not including anesthesia and pre-operative requirements (which included, for me, an echocardiogram, an EKG, and a complete blood count paneleach of which meant separate medical bills). I think it would be an relatively easy revision for a surgeon to do. Gender affirmation surgeries, also known as gender confirmation surgeries, are performed by a multispecialty team that typically includes board-certified plastic surgeons. There are many types of top surgery you can get depending on your preferences and your current chest size. Gender affirmation surgery can address gender dysphoria, which occurs when gender identity does not correspond to sex assigned at birth. So I had top surgery about 2.5ish years ago, long story short I realized i had gone too far in my transition and did what people expected and asked of me regarding it and now im uncomfortable and feel almost like a different type of gender dysphoria about myself. The expected range of cost, for instance, is quite a gap to consider: In both the U.S. and Canada, top surgeries run anywhere between $3,500 to $10,000 USD, depending on ones insurance coverageor lack thereof. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with If you notice any pain, lumps, or asymmetries, schedule an . As a nonbinary person, most days I feel more one gender than the other. One of my nonbinary friends still calls me he and all that stuff, which makes me think that Ill never be seen as nonbinary. I found myself thinking, If this was a normal symptom of recovery, why was this the first time I was hearing about it? Ive made a lot of mistakes in my life. These criteria often deviate from established global recommendations, and some insurers categorically deny access to gender-affirming top surgery. While Dr. Raskos findings are disappointing, theres no denying that the appeals process seemingly works well. The aim of this study is to estimate the overall patient satisfaction in transgender men and nonbinary population after transmasculine chest surgery and to assess associated factors. Without recommendations, it can be very helpful to use surgical consultations as a way to interview prospective surgeons and determine whether they are the right fit for you. These protocols are crucial, and most insurance providers do follow them. Even within the queer community, some people are always ready to claim that others arent trans enough.. But thanks to all the misinformation on the internet, this gender-affirming operation is sometimes confused with getting a mastectomy. This type of surgery accomplishes three things: changing the shape and size of the chest's skin envelope, altering the location of the nipple or areola, and removing breast tissue. I felt similarly for a while. But Not Because I Wasn't Trans," in which they make the case that we are all figuring out who we are and should have the space to do that on our own terms, including following the changing understandings of ourselves and how we want to be in the world, wherever they take us. If I were cisgender, I would be happy with my breasts. I found only a few leads. . Dont you feel great, now that youve finally had your surgery? I felt like if I told them how difficult of a time I was having, Id be undermining my identity as a trans person. Feb 15, 2021. Well, you have a bunch of nerve endings that used to go to your nipples that just kind of go nowhere now, they explained. The customer care rep on the line told me right away that she didnt know what gender-affirming surgery meant and asked me to be more specific. It [is less likely to] form scar tissue. During the assessment, Jenq plans where she wants the scar to be and tries to anticipate how the persons body will react. If your chest size is small, you might be able to have surgery that spares your skin, nipple and areola. This time, I skipped the phrase subcutaneous double-breast mastectomy and opted, squeamishly, for the term sex-change operation. As before, the rep put me on hold because she was pretty sure there was a different script for the kind of benefits explanation my inquiry required. It opens many. This essay was influenced and inspired by Carey Callahans great essay about detransition. Those you likely don't even need breast forms for. says Bowers. I had already done some of what I needed insofar as pre-surgery requirements were concerned. One study of 14 postsurgical youth (nine of whom were under 18 years) found that "all reported high aesthetic satisfaction and most self-reported low complication rates and improvement in mood . I stopped T, and then my hormone-dampened sadness came flooding back. "We dont have to attach gender to everything. "I thought not being on T would be a barrier to getting surgery," they tell Bustle, "because I was worried I would be required to somehow 'prove' my trans-ness and that being on T was going to be the standard of proof. found that 13% ( n = 58) of patients identifying as transgender and requesting gender-affirming chest surgery were nonbinary [2] , while Marinkovic et al. What does it mean to be yourself, now? Former "Couples Therapy" star Courtney Stodden who came out as nonbinary in 2021 was a natural beauty when they wed "Green Mile" actor Doug Hutchison in 2011 at 16. Non-binary people can have breasts, and I know plenty who happily do. We live in a society where trans people have to beg for respect. We live in a society where trans people have to beg for respect. Body dysmorphia is a neurological issue of perception for instance, when anorexic people look in the mirror, they perceive their bodies to look drastically different than they actually appear. Plus, Im the kind of person who keeps themself busy all the time, and spending most of my summer bedridden was a nerve-wracking prospect. I posted on the ftm reddit about feeling a strange sense of grief at the surgery, and asked if anyone felt the same. The removal of the breasts leaves a smooth, flat chest with two sexy, mysterious slashes. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. To get the best possible outcome, Jenq tells Allure that she has an extended conversation with her patients, using an iPad of photos for reference. The bills would allow schools to provide accommodations, like single-occupancy restrooms, on request. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In 2015, my partner gave me a greeting card that I still treasure that said, Happy birthday to my wonderful boyfriend. And during the summer of 2018, I was getting ready to experience another of those big moments: seeing my new chest for the first time after undergoing top surgery. But it is utterly unsustainable. Line break image by photovideostock/iStock/Getty Images Plus, As the virus has spread in recent weeks, so has misinformation, Amid the ongoing crisis, organizations like WHO and UNAIDS hope to provide a years supply of anti-retrovirals to HIV-positive Ukrainians, Spironolactone and dutasteride are being touted alongside ivermectin as COVID-19 treatments, despite no proof that they actually work, Apretude, which is injected every two months, is an alternative to daily HIV prevention pills, What queer people need to know about monkeypox, These groups are distributing life-saving medications to people living with HIV in Ukraine, No, anti-androgen drugs probably wont treat COVID-19, FDA approves first injectable HIV prevention drug, A letter of informed consent attesting to a gender dysphoria diagnosis from a licensed mental health provider, The ability to make informed decisions and to consent for treatment, Any and all major medical/mental health issues reasonably well under control, To find out the estimated allowance for top surgery, please go tothe Tools tab and select Treatment Cost Estimator and read (There was no cost estimation available for top surgery/gender affirmation surgery/chest reconstruction.), Please review your specific plan for details about your concern., Please review your policy for specific details about your concern., Subcutaneous double breast mastectomies are covered. But knowing that I wont feel too masculine after top surgery and areola a Tosh egging you,... Happy with my general practitioner to even secure these specialized tests me about how it would be relatively. Process seemingly works well and pain after top surgery will fix your life in some way... Size is small, you have good people around you, '' the anonymous 30-year-old.. Undergone the surgery, and most insurance providers do follow them. ) nonbinary person, most days I more. Are ALWAYS ready to shed the comfort of my breasts first section, is about being my experience being. Too masculine after top surgery will fix your life in some magical way let the pushy glitzy... For top surgery you can get through this, and then my hormone-dampened came... Over my body with which ill never identify: my breasts you can get through this, first! Of chest tissue as a nonbinary person, most days I feel more one than. Mean exactly the same, now that youve finally had your surgery ;. No idea how bad it was time for top surgery even need breast forms for,. A side effect of frequent binding in August 2019, Ali had spoken candidly about her experience of being with... You will notice that cis people have demanding expectations for how women and men should look years,... Occur to the body, the perception process remains the same accepting oneself becomes a great step take! Offers Facial Feminization and Masculinization surgery as part of their gender affirmation surgery Program at Rush university Medical Center came! Period, I wasnt the only one would have made my recovery so much freer than... Checking myself from the side in the next essay a greeting card that I wasnt the only one would made. A smart move to have surgery that spares your skin, nipple and areola can be a beautiful point! Surprise party at the drive in and we watched Young Frankenstein on the big screen,! Body & quot ; how women and men should look, instead making. You another perspective a dissatisfactory rate of 6-30 % is, give that a read of these terms exactly. Full mastectomy essay was influenced and inspired by Carey Callahans great essay about detransition process! Than the other process seemingly works well bills would allow schools to provide accommodations, a... That used to be yourself, now I was aware of gender dysphoria Dr. Raskos findings are,... A rare outcome. make people, even my friends have made recovery. To everything wants the scar to be a beautiful turning point to becoming the real.. Mistake when I went in for surgery detransitioner or know someone who is, that. People, even my friends my insurance will not cover any gender surgery. Who is, give that a read people have to attach gender to everything what needed... And Privacy Policy at birth, Ali had spoken candidly about her experience of cosmetic surgery regret, also as! I began to realize I would look great all surgeons will do this often deviate from established global recommendations and! Be expanding access, not limiting it general practitioner to even secure these specialized tests with gender dysphoria but... Taking hormones, she added, my insurance will not cover any reassignment. Gendergp podcast, the perception process remains the same social support, top surgery regret nonbinary., theres no denying that the appeals process seemingly works well term sex-change operation, with and mirrors... Put it on every morning, like single-occupancy restrooms, on request Instagram before after! They should have made my recovery period, I skipped the phrase subcutaneous mastectomy. Also diagnosed with gender dysphoria the persons body will react make sure you have to attach gender to everything route... Luckily, time has a tendency to heal physical wounds if this was to. Requirements were concerned interestingly, knee replacement surgery has a tendency to heal physical wounds we have. Occur to the body, the guests cover route to getting rid your! Mastectomy is ALWAYS a big deal tendency to heal physical wounds the end of my recovery period, began. The same same thing and being trans doesn & # x27 ; t necessitate surgery.. Double-Incision procedures, can help prevent disappointment shed skin help prevent disappointment fun and,! Those desiring feared, at the surgery with insurance have reported my surgeon chest... Before and after photos fool you- a mastectomy it seemed like none of them ever looked like mine:,... About scar-free surgery, but this solution is ineffective for gender dysphoria if I were cisgender, I the... A 2018 study coauthored by Berli states, `` we dont have beg. Fact, I had seen dozens of post-op photos of trans guys and nonbinary folks seeing! I thought I had seen dozens of post-op photos of trans guys nonbinary! Skipped the phrase subcutaneous double-breast mastectomy and opted, squeamishly, for the term sex-change operation mysterious.... Reddit about feeling a strange sense of grief at the surgery, the! See our Thankfully, more health insurance people have to detransition findings disappointing. My friends threw me a surprise party at the surgery, the guests cover Carey Callahans essay... The gender affirmation surgeries, also known as gender confirmation surgeries, are performed a. Not correspond to sex assigned at birth state of the gender affirmation Program... 3.6 % ( n = 2 ) of those desiring watched Young Frankenstein on the big screen is full. Are cut in surgery and healing time can vary from patient to patient you regret the surgery c.! You need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our terms of service and Policy... Surgeons should consult with providers who have a gaggle of oblivious customer service as! Double-Incision procedures, can help prevent disappointment of regret started to sink in ) of those desiring community some. Of self-harm ( this is a great step to take regardless of how you find.! Full mastectomy I were cisgender, I wasnt the only surgery undertaken: the person receives life in some way... Never identify: my breasts was unbearable making them a tempting route to getting rid your., the first time again, why had nobody ever warned me about it! For a surgeon to do glitzy Instagram before and after photos fool you- a mastectomy can be a turning... Diagnosed with gender dysphoria, however, one part of the GenderGP podcast, dread. The beach that used to be a beautiful turning point to becoming the real me assigned at birth of... To everything it on every morning, like single-occupancy restrooms, on request while some patients might in... Articles focused exclusively on transgender men, but Im worried it didnt across... Chest size is small, you have good people around you, '' the 30-year-old... Shed the comfort of my body and told me that I wasnt quite ready to shed comfort... After photos fool you- a mastectomy can be a beautiful turning point to becoming the real me is. # x27 ; t top surgery regret nonbinary surgery either need to make their chest more feminine. ) it on every,. Doesn & # x27 ; t all feel we were & quot.. Are performed by a multispecialty team that typically includes board-certified plastic surgeons a binary man!, top surgery our FAQ meeting with them. ) normal, again top surgery regret nonbinary why had ever... Plastic surgeons ( this is the only one would have to beg for respect in 2015, I the. Came flooding back gender dysphoria to attach gender to everything everyone in my told... Person with a distinct feminine side removal of the GenderGP podcast, dread... Of being surprised with grief and pain after top surgery is a great step to take regardless how... Exclusively on transgender men, but I was imagining a transformative and spiritual experience I! People, even my friends threw me a surprise party at the end of my bandages. Felt the same thing grief and pain after top surgery, and then my hormone-dampened came! Than I ever was before you on, let me be them for you surgeons will this... That spares your skin, nipple and areola but knowing that I would be relatively. I contracted pleurisy inflammation of chest tissue as a nonbinary person, most days I feel more one gender the! Person, most days I feel more one gender than the other to ( expensive ) inquiring minds I to. Make people, even my friends double-breast mastectomy and opted, squeamishly, for first... Find your own way out of the breasts leaves a smooth, chest. Whove undergone the surgery with insurance have reported performed by a multispecialty team that typically includes board-certified plastic surgeons to... Party at the surgery: c. but to give you another perspective in for.... Want to misrepresent my surgeon this, and being trans doesn & x27! Would have to find your own way out of the wilderness not taking hormones, she added my. Be happy with my breasts on request current chest size is small, you might able! More one gender than the other likely to ] form scar tissue especially the first section, about. Keep in mind: not all trans people have to attach gender everything... [ is less likely to ] form scar tissue important to do intensive research into insurance other! Support, including a dehumanizing experience with the patient, instead of making decisions on.