Chest Surgery Update

YAY! My chest surgery will happen in Seattle. My doctor found a surgeon at one of the Northwest Hospital and Medical Center locations willing to perform it (radical double mastectomy).

 

Because I’m scheduled to have book tables at three holiday bazaars in November and December, I probably won’t have the surgery until early in 2020, but if the surgeon can fit it in between November 17th and November 30th or immediately after December 14th, I should be sufficiently recovered to assume my usual activities (except for lifting) to enjoy the holiday season.

 

I very much look forward to enjoying 2020 and every year beyond sporting a flat chest for the first time since I was eight years old! 60 years is too damned long to go around being misidentified based on a secondary sex characteristic!

 

What a relief it will be to present the way I want to, instead of having my gender assumed because of the two pendulous, unwanted appendages I’ve hated since the day they erupted, smashing my gender self-awareness to smithereens. If you’ve read my book, Womb Man: How I Survived Growing Up in a Booby-Trapped World, you know my story already.

 

You also know that both my doctor and my gender dysphoria diagnostician asked me for a handful of additional copies of Womb Man so they can share them with others who will benefit from reading them.

 

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to have medical and psychological professionals asking me for additional copies. I know the copies will be offered to people who are struggling to understand a transgender loved one because they believe the book will help explain the situation in a way that will help ease the way forward for all concerned.

 

It has done that already with a number of people who have read it. In fact, Womb Man may become my chief legacy, even beyond my DeForest Kelley books, because it will help save lives and ease the way for countless families. I’ve never been more proud of anything than I am of that! (Well, okay, helping De and Carolyn during their most trying times at the end of De’s life is right up there, too.)

 

And yes, I do plan to document my chest surgery so those who are considering it will know what to expect. Although everyone’s experience of surgery is unique, being able to read someone else’s story sure helps. I’ve read other people’s transition stories and they’ve helped me decide on different surgeries to consider.

 

I’ve already looked up (and spoken to people who’ve had top surgery) how painful a double mastectomy is. Apparently, the most common discomfort is an aching back due to having my chest bound for a couple weeks following surgery. The people I spoke to who had the surgery don’t recall much pain or discomfort at all.

 

I wonder if it’s different for people who have double mastectomies because of breast cancer. I can see how that could affect cisgender people emotionally, which could certainly cause additional pain.  They’re dealing with stuff like, “Will my husband/lover/significant other still find me sufficiently sexy and lovable?” and additional reconstruction surgeries.

 

Since I have large breasts, the surgeon won’t be trying to preserve my nipples: I’ll end up with a chest that’s a clean slate. My surgery will be very straightforward and the recovery period short. People who have breast reconstruction have more extensive procedures which can be more painful and take longer to recover from.

 

There will be two drains put into my chest for a couple weeks so fluids can drain into silicone or latex “bulbs” which I’ll need to empty frequently. I’m accustomed to that. I had the same thing when I had my gallbladder surgery.

 

I won’t be able to shower or soak in a tub until the drains have been out for 24 hours and the holes have sealed over, but I know how to take spit baths. I may need help with those, though, since I’m not supposed to lift my arms very high after surgery for a couple of weeks. I’m sure my sister Jackie and my friend Lisa (she’s  a CNA) will help me with that…

 

I don’t anticipate any problems at all. What I’m anticipating is unmitigated joy!