Bottom Surgery Update

It's been a while since I've had bottom surgery, but I know many people don't follow my Tumblr, so I wasn't super worried about posting. Below I mention anatomy terms, so if that triggers you, please stop reading.

In July 2021, I got metodioplasty, with vaginectomy, full hysterectomy, and urethral lengthening.

In December 2021, I had stage 2, which was the testicular implants.

Overall, I'm fairly happy with my results but there's definitely a few things I'd change.

For one, I guess the method my surgeon used causes a fluid build up of vaginal fluid. This can cause immense amounts of pain. It happened about 5 times now and it leaks out of my urethra eventually, but man, it sucks.

Due to my *ahem* size, I also probably would not have opted for the testicular implants. My junk is basically buried and very difficult to access. I was expecting to not be able to STP due to my growth, but I didn't realize how much of a hindrance the implants would be. Even if I don't get phalloplasty, I don't think I'd get them removed. As annoying as they are, it is nice to have balls.

I'm looking at getting phalloplasty still, but at this point I still feel like the potential risks don't outweigh the pros. Also I'm a giant baby and am scared of surgery and using skin donors.

Back at it

I have had an incredible ride, and I am so glad that I decided to transition. I never thought I would make it this far in my life and I am so thankful.  There’s a lot I don’t like about my body, but I can say that I love this body so much more than I did in 2014.  

I wish I could thank my parents, my grandma, my wife, my friends in a way that they were able to understand how truly thankful I am for them.  Without the support of all of them, without my grandma leaving money for my surgery, without my (now) wife being my nurse through all my surgery (and my upcoming metoidioplasty), I don’t know where I would be. 

I may never get my body to the point I want it to be, but I know that I will have an amazing support system all the way until I get to where I’m going. 

Top Surgery Recover

4.5.2017 Very thirsty, drain tubes hurt, vest is hard to breathe in.  

4.6.2017 - Morning Easier to breathe in the vest, chest is still hurting, still very thirsty Tip 1: Work the crap out of your arm muscles before hand, practice getting in and out of bed without using your arms. Tip 2: Make sure you have a caretaker that is willing to wipe you, even if you don’t need it (Thank you, Rae)

4.6.2017 - 4:13 pm Chest is hurting, feels like I am bruised and swollen (probably am).  Not too much pain other than that Tip 3: Gatorade, Chapstick, and straws are a must.

4.7.2017 - 5:56 am Feeling pretty sick today, woke up having to puke.  My entire back hurts.  Chest is feeling sore when getting up and down, but only on the left side (odd). 

4.7.2017 - 5:51 pm Muscles are stiff in the shoulders and neck Tip 4: Neck pillow, neck pillow, neck pillow

4.7.2017 - 7:08 pm Rae bought me new clothes and I realized that the fact that I can wear any shirt I want now, hasn’t sunk in. 

4.8.2017 - 11:03 am Have yet to have a bowel movement.  Not too much pain today though, going shopping later.  Drain tubes are the most painful part so far.  Tip 5: Back scratcher is a must as well

4.9.2017 - 11:21 am Cannot wait to for the drain tubes to get removed on Tuesday.  Again, not much pain, but still taking the Percocet.  I can feel pressure when I touch certain parts of my chest.  I’m excited to find out where the heck my nipples actually are.  I think I over did it yesterday, I will be asleep most of the day today.  Tip 6: Of course get up and move around, go out, have fun, but be careful not to over do it.  Remember, you just had your chest cut open. 

4.10.2017 - 7:38 am The itching is finally hitting.  My chest is so itchy and there’s nothing I can do. 

4.11.2017 - Removing the Drains Still so much left to do.  Changing bandages twice a day, vest for another 10 days, no lifting over 10 points, no swimming or roller coasters for 8 more weeks.

Going in they undid my vest, peeled off my foam (which hurt so much due to my hair), and pulled out the drains.  The nurse I had through Dr. Medalie, Mary, was extremely nice, helpful, and efficient.  The foam was the worst part, and the drains were...interesting to say the least.  It didn’t hurt, she took them out very quickly while I was distracted, but there was a residual burning sensation.  The whole process took less than 5 minutes (2021 and Rae still has the video of the entire appointment somewhere). When I got home, it was the first time I was able to take a shower in a week.  I have to say a huge shout out to my girlfriend for bathing me (and emptying my drains, sponge bathing me, and taking absolutely amazing care of me).  My chest felt...weird.  It felt like it needed more pressure on it, it was...I don’t have any way to explain it.  If you have surgery, just plan on when the vest comes off, to have an extremely odd feeling.  Overall, I am very happy to be flat chested now.  Very, very happy to be rid of my breasts. 

4.12.2017 - 11:54 pm I have never been so itchy in my entire life.  I have no tips. I am just itchy. My entire chest is just one solid itch.  Is it my hair growing back? Nerves reconnecting? I do not know, but I am so itchy. 

4.13.2017 - 5:20 pm My vest feels really tight today.  It’s causing me a lot of pain and discomfort, but I have to wear it to keep any swelling down.  My incisions are aching so badly down by my armpit and my entire chest is still just one massive itch.  On the plus side, I believe I have most of the feeling back in my chest, which is unusual, but fantastic (or would be if I wasn’t in a lot of pain today). 

4.17.2017 - 4:28 pm I haven’t updated in awhile, my bad.  Nerves are making pathways, so there are random shocks of pain.  My drain holes are finally healed and I can wear deodorant (thank God).  My nipples are beginning to scab and the scabs are peeling off, and it’s disgusting (and mildly scary, because, I mean, what if tooo much comes off? I don’t know). I can almost dress myself. I can’t tie my own shoes, and I still need some help with shirts.  Showering myself isn’t happening until I can trust myself with my nipples.  The best is causing most of my pain at this point, but my chest finally feels less weird without it on.  Thankfully, I only have to wear it until Friday night. The tape on my incisions is coming off Wednesday, so I’ll hopefully figure out some helpful tips for that fun adventure.  I’m still sleeping on my back every night and it’s the most annoying thing.  I’ve also decided that I do have all the sensation back in my chest besides a small chunk by my left nipple, and the incisions are iffy.  All in all, I’m doing a lot better than I thought I would doing at almost 2 weeks. 

4.20.2017 - 12:37 pm Tape is finally off. Thank God.  Tip 7: When taking the tape off, I found the best way to do it was to shower, then baby oil the crap out of that stuff. Literally soak it in baby oil, use a cotton ball to wet everything you’re pulling up while you’re pulling it up.  Go slowly, keeping it lathered in baby oil.  Go from the other direction if you get stuff. 

5.9.2017 - 9:14 am I’ve been back at work for about 2 weeks, and I feel fine.  I have almost full motion of my arms and very little pain.  I’ve been living more than 10 pounds with seemingly no problems.  Overall, the healing as been a lot faster than I thought it would be. 

5.7.2021 - 5:19 am I am officially 4 years post op, and my chest is great. I do have a few comments.  - When I stretch really big, I do feel my scars stretching.  Although I know that they’re not just going to rip open, I get scared. It’s an odd feeling.  - I do have almost all feeling back.  The only spots without it is still that one chunk by my left armpit.  It’s odd, if I press on it, my muscle can feel the pressure, but my skin has very little feeling.  - Nipples.  My left nipple is great. My right nipple ended up with a hair follicle under it, which I may end up getting removed one day, but it’s not a huge deal at this point. Nipples are very weird. I can feel them...sort of, but the feeling isn’t the same as it used to be.  It’s no longer a sexual feeling. It’s doesn’t feel like someone is touching my nipples. I’m more into just having my chest rubbed at this point.  I’m not sure how else to explain that. 

5.6.2021 - 2,201 days on T

11.5.2018 - 1,294 days on T

7.27.2017 - 822 days on T

4.4.2017 - 708 days on T

7.4.2016 - 434 days on T My first official side burn :D

4.21.2016 - 360 days on T

11.15.2015 - 202 days on T

9.2.2015 - 128 days on T

7.22.2015 - 86 days on T

6.4.2015 - 38 days on T

5.18.2015 - Day 21 on T

4.27.2015 - Day 1 on T

Changing your name/gender marker (on your license) in Ohio

July 2015 July 1, 2015 Changing your name: To change your name in Ohio, you must first find out where your local probate court is.  You go in and say that you’re looking to legally change your name.  It will cost you $10.00 to buy the form to change your name.  You can also get it online, but since I don’t have a printer, I went with the $10.00.  You’ll need to fill that out and go back with a copy of your birth certificate, and something else (but the form is in my car) and $115.00 to file it. You will have to then wait until they send you back a court date (yes, you have to go to court, it sucks, I know.) At LEAST 30 days before your court date, you will have to get your name change in the paper.  

Changing your gender marker: This (as of 2015) can only be changed on your driver’s license.  You cannot change your gender marker on your birth certificate.  You have to go to your county’s DMV or BMV because they may tell you something different.  I was told that you need to call a certain number and ask them the procedure, but again, your DMV may tell you something different, so I recommend going there first.  The numbers I was given are:  614-752-7600 and 614-752-7500

Update - July 24, 2015 Changing your name:   I have gotten my letter in the mail (awesome!) I have a court date on September 21, 2015.  I just need to get my name in the newspaper 30 days before hand. 

Changing your gender marker: After talking to Dr. Seltman, he explained to me that after my name is changes, all he needs to do is fill out some basic paper work and I can legally change my gender marker.  

Update - September 21, 2015 Changing your name:  I am actually writing this 5/7/2021, but I still remember this fairly clearly.  When I went in for my court date it was just me and one of my best friends.  We went in, we rose for the judge, blah blah.  The conversation went (paraphrased) as follows: 

Judge: Why do you want to change your name? Me: I am transgender and I’d like my name to match my gender identity. Judge: Are you already living as a male? Me: Yes, for the past 2 years. Judge: Congratulations.  Are you running from the law or anyone else? Me: No Judge: Fantastic.  Go to the next room and they’ll out your paper work, Kristofer.

Update - November 24, 2015 Changing your name:  I forgot to add before, the cost to get my name change in the paper was less than $40.00.  They gave me a giant stack of copies of the papers saying my name was changed and over the past few months I’ve been changing all my prescriptions, insurance information, license, etc.

Changing your gender marker:  (In Ohio) you have to call the main BMV (614-752-7500) and request a “Deceleration of Gender Change form.” You’ll get it in the mail and all you have to do is fill out the information.  You’ll need a doctor, or psychologist to fill out some things for you, and then you’ll send it back.   Update - 5/7/2021 Changing your name:  My friend just went through the name change process, and he said that it is still very similar to this in situationally and pricewise.  Changing your gender marker:  Again, still very similar, but I believe he said you can now change the gender marker on your birth certificate.  For now, I am opting to not do this.  Until I no longer have a vagina, I do not want to change my insurance policies since they will not cover a PAP smear for a male, but they’ll cover a prostate exam that I clearly do not need.  I may change it in the future.

Binder Reviews

2014 Before you go any further, please note that binding should be done with caution.  Your body is sensitive and needs time to recover.  You should not wear your binder for more than 8 hours at a time, and should cough and stretch after removing it.  DO NOT use ace bandage at any time - this causes a lot of damage such as bent ribs.  If you cannot afford a binder, there are numerous other ways to attempt to hide your chest. 

Some information about me:  - Previous rib damage due to using ace bandage - C cups

Reviewed Binders:  Underworks Tri-Top F2M Concealer V-Tank GC2B Classic Black Tank

Below is a normal sports bra for comparison. 

Underworks Tri-Top (below) This is the 2nd binder I’ve owned (I am not sure what the first one was, as I gave it away to a friend).  I was hesitant to get this binder, as I feared it may ride up like a sports bra and cause dysphoria.  I was surprised to find that it didn’t.  An issue I did have was that it still rolled up, causing a lot more pressure than necessary on my ribs, causing me a lot of pain. 

Pros:  - Flattens fairly well - Doesn’t compress the stomach area Cons:  - Rolls up and digs into the ribs (mainly an issue if you are heavier or have previous rib issues) - Digs into the armpits - Neck lays oddly and can become apparent beneath shirts - May accentuate stomach/hip curves

Concealer V-Tank (Below) This is the 3rd binder I owned, and my 2nd favorite.  It is much easier to take off than the tri-top because you’re able to get your arms under and pull it off.  It’s a little hard to put on due to the length, but not anymore so than most binders. 

Pros:  - The longer length allows you to tuck the end into your pants to prevent it from rolling up - Helps flatten curves around the stomach/hips - Binds fairly well - Unnoticeable beneath shirts - Fabric is very soft Cons:  - Very hot - May inhibit movement of the lower torso - Bunches up in the armpits

GC2B Classic Black Tank  No picture added as I did not take one when I had this binder.  This binder is my last and favorite binder, I believe I ended up buying 3 of these before having top surgery.  They have basically the same pros as the F2M Concealer V-Tank, but the only con was that it was also hot.  It was very soft, bound well without feeling like I was being compressed.  Did not cause me any pain unless I wore it for a long time.