Today I am one-year post op from my top surgery. There have been many changes over the course of the year, both physically, emotionally, and mentally. Overall I am extremely happy.
Timeline: Posts
Here’s a list of all the posts I wrote related to my top surgery:
Pre-Surgery
- 02/11/2011 Top Surgery
- 02/15/2011 Top Surgery, Part 2
- 02/19/2011 Last Minute Concerns
Seven-Day Journal
- 02/21/2011 Top Surgery Day
- 02/22/2011 24 Hours Post-Op
- 02/23/2011 Second Day Update
- 02/24/2011 And on the Third Day…
- 02/25/2011 24×4
- 02/26/2011 Post-Surgical Depression
- 02/27/2011 Lazy Sunday
Post-Op
- 03/01/2011 Finally Home, In Recovery
- 03/02/2011 Two Week Notice
- 03/21/2011 One Month Post-Op
- 04/23/2011 Birthday
- 07/25/2011 5 Months Post-Op
- 10/12/2011 Update: Scars
Top Surgery Information
- The Process of Getting Top Surgery
- Physical and Social Dysphoria
- There’s no T in Top Surgery
- Top Surgery: Analyzing Results
- Top Surgery: 1 Year Post-Op Follow-Up and Mini-FAQ
Timeline: Pictures
My wonderful significant other has once again been extra wonderful, and meticulously cropped a telling timeline of pictures (it took a few hours of photoshop to make up for her bad photography skills, but she has redeemed herself!) Enjoy.
1 Year Timeline
(click on picture to get full image, then click to zoom)
genderqueer.me 
Thank you for sharing. I’ve never seen pictures that far after surgery and it was really helpful to see it. I’m no longer considering top surgery, but I am considering a reduction. To see how the scars fade gives me a little more reference.
With a reduction, the bottom scars are usually hidden by the breast fold, so you really only get the vertical incision from the T, which is barely noticeable.
I wrote an interesting bit on Tumblr about top surgery vs reduction in case you want more food for thought.
Wow what a process! Thanks for sharing it here. Your recovery looks like it has been long but very worth it.
Thanks! Recovery wasn’t all that bad, except maybe the first week, but “time will heal” definitely holds true for those scars. And yes, it was worth it, this has certainly changed my life.
Wow, amazing! Your chest looks so great. Congrats on the 1-year mark!
Yep, I’ve been waiting a whole year to post this 😛
I was actually quite surprised at my progress. I should do a post-year commentary on all the pictures.
That is what I keep saying every day: It looks great!
Top 3 treatment:
– cortisone for the hypertrophic scars
– massage with scar gel almost every night
– sun (they actually healed a lot the week we were in Hawaii, the scars never got direct sun as they were covered the whole time but the rest of the skin got tons of sun)
– and lots of love
I’m sure you’re very pleased with the end result, the contour looks extremely natural 🙂
Wow! Though I’m happy for you and the success of your process, I’m a little disappointed to discover that I was not being followed by Angelina Jolie’s kid. 😉 Thanks for the follow. Look forward to seeing more of you in the blogosphere!
Hey Maddox!
I am the reader that you so graciously answered a question for in your “Reader Ramblings: There’s no T in Top Surgery” post. I totally dropped the ball and never responded to your generous and thorough email: let me first apologize for that.
Recently, your top surgery blogs have been so thought out and helpful! I want to thank you so much. WIthout your blog, I would have never started my own, and likely would be approaching top surgery with a lot more fear and apprehension. You are a beacon, friend, to those of us stumbling around in the dimly lit room of non-binary top surgery seekers.
We thank you.
-1Train
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I’m very glad you and others have found this useful – I never thought this is what I was getting into when I started! Top surgery can be pretty scary, especially when there seems to be little information out there.
If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to drop by or email me again – sometimes we just need that extra reassurance for the fiftieth time.
sweet you got the same technique i got done, i though i was the only one who did not have the DI. Did you get a nipple reduction or a free graft?
I opted for the reduction so they preserved the nipple and left it attached, hopefully to regain sensation, i have minor sensation back in my left nipple, i am 4 months post op today, id post a photo my im not that tech savy,
I had mine done in New Zealand by a surgeon who had never done ftm stuff before, im really happy with the results. I think as long as you go to a reputable surgeon who has done alot of fmale and female breast reduction you will get a good result.
Hey Jack – thanks for stopping by! With this technique a graft is not necessary, and I didn’t need a reduction (I explained a little more about that in the previous post).
I’m glad you found a surgeon in New Zealand – others seem to have a lot of trouble finding FTM surgeons outside of the US. You should definitely post the information somewhere as a resource (or send it to me in an email and I will post it).
NN,
WOW. You are f*cking brave. I love that you decided to post the pics and the slideshow. Tear down the wall. That took some guts!
Uncle
Thanks Uncle. I still often wonder what I’m doing up here on the internet half naked, but people seem to appreciate it and find it useful, which is enough for me.
Hi, first of all thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
I was wondering isn’t top surgery very very painful? I cringe when I see the pictures, eventhuogh they look fantastic and I am also jealous 🙂
I am considering top surgey (much more seriously now), but I don’t think I’ll ever want to take T.
Does one have to take it after surgery in order for the body to ‘stay in shape’? Somoene told me so, once, but I don’t think that person was very reliable…
It is not painful at all – only the first week is quite uncomfortable but that is pretty much it. Also, I’ve mentioned many times here before that you don’t need to T to get top surgery or to “maintain” it afterwards.
I invite you to read the 7 day journal posts of the first week after the surgery, as well as some of the others – you will likely find the information you are looking for.
Thanks for stopping by!
I just wanted to say how thankful I am for this. I’m neutrois as well and reading these makes me feel as if I’m not alone. It also gives me hope that someday I’ll have the courage to get surgery and become who I truly am! Somedays the dysphoria is too unbearable, and I haven’t come out yet. I really don’t want to become just another statistic.
Hi. Thanks so much for your site. It’s been really helpful for me. I’m scheduled for top surgery on May 10th with Gary Alter in California. I’m not interested in taking T or in identifying as male, so coming across your story is really validating for me. I’m super nervous about the procedure (mostly because I’m hopeful about achieving the results I want but I know I won’t have much control of that). I’m also excited. Every day seems to take forever and even though it’s only just over a month away, it seems to far away. I know it’s the right decision, but seeing that you struggled with the decision even after surgery helps me see that my moments of uncertainty and worry are totally normal. Thanks so much.
Thanks for your comment, and letting others know there are many many more people like us who are interested in getting top surgery and not identifying as male.
Indeed, the hesitation I think is natural as with any big decision. Especially in moments of doubt, we forget the reasons for making such a decision. So remember that, at some point, you decided this was right for you, and that should be enough of a reason right now. You kind of have to trust your past self in a way. This way of thinking has helped me through some moments of near panic, so hopefully it’ll help you too!
Hey Maddox, thanks for being such a great resource. I’m considering top surgery with Dr. Steinwald as well, and I had a quick question. Do your post-op nipples still respond to temperature and/or stimulation (by “perking up”)? Thank you again 🙂
Hey Caleb, thanks for stopping by. I think my nipples looked “perked” for a few months, and now they just look and feel normal – and yeah, I think they perk up when it’s cold. I highly recommend Dr. Steinwald. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me.
Congratulations Maddox on your journey! I admire your courage and conviction. And thanks for following The Amazon Nation. We’re so happy to have you in the fold!
I enjoy reading your article. Thank you for posting this.