looking into getting a mastectomy

hey, its weird writing on one of these, kinda nervous. I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me out. I've been thinkin about gettin a mastectomy, but i don't really know much about what to expect. Would anyone that already got one be able to tell me what to expect before, during and after the operation?

thanks

 

I am assuming you have breast cancer? If so...are you planning to get prostetics..or any reconstruction? My Grandma had breast cancer ..rare lump on 1 breast...they wanted to just remove the breast and give her radiation and pill form chemotherapy. As a precaution...she had both breasts removed...because she has the mute gene. She has had ovarian...breast and cervix cancer all at different times in her life. She did fine until they did reconstruction surgery...as she never heals normally through surgeries. Doctors said she was doing good but they wanted her to stay in the hospital a little longer...but she insisted on going home anyways...and they thought since she was doing well..it wasn't a problem. She ended up with a hemotoba (sp- a blood clot) in one of her breasts and was on antibiotic for a long time and was very painful. Nurses had to come out frequently...and my Grandpa had to clean it and change her bandages daily...which was also very painful. I am not saying this will happen to you...as your situation is a lot different....i'm sure But..what i can tell you is...make sure you got a good doctor...and do EVERYTHING they tell you to do...and i would be sure to ask what the risks are for infections and how to avoid them. I wish you well and my prayers are with you. I just realized that this was posted in the lesbian forum which leads me to believe you just want to do this because you are transgender? And...that to me is way extreme...unneccesary...taking way too much risk for cosmetic reasons is ludacris to me. I have always been a tomboy...somewhat butch...i admit life would be easier if i were born a guy...but it's noth worth the health risks...and frankly transgender/transexual...is just going too far. Be gay and done with it...changing your sex is just crazy...anyways...sorry i replied...i thought you were asking because you had cancer. If it aint broke...don't try to fix it. If you're healthy...don't go out of your way to be unhealthy. Stupid to get a mastectomy for cosmetic reasons and take a health risk. My opinion anyways. Good luck!

 

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" yes but in the case of being transgender it is broken right? Because her anatomy doesn't reflect the gender she truly is, and I think that is much more intense than simply "life being easier if you were born a guy." Being a tomboy is not the same as being a transgender.

 

As for what to expect for the operation, I have no idea but I know a few people who have had it done and it looks amazing ! in a good way.

 

I disagree...ever since i can remember...i felt like one of the boys. I was not just a tomboy. I struggled for a long time..wishing i was a boy...feeling like i was also in the wrong body as well. There were even times..people thought i was a boy and i never corrected them. I can relate to the whole transgender thing...but i think it's going too far. I still feel like things would be easier if i were a guy...but i do not and will never understand why people go as far to change their sex...unneccesary surgeries..drugs..etc. My opinion...transgender/transexuals...make it harder for gays....no wonder people are freaked out by it. There is no reason to go that far...they are not any different than i am. We are gay! Plain and simple. It's one thing if a guy is a little fem or a woman is a little butch...but for a man to dress as a woman...or a woman to dress as a man....is creepy to me....and to just about everyone else. I don't feel sorry for someone who makes that choice and feels left out by society....it all could be easier if you were just gay. Transgenders/Transexuals just make it harder for people to except gay people...they look at these freaks..and that's what they think gay is. It's stupid and childish i think. Being your true self is just that....you don't get a sex change to be yourself...you are who you are.

 

Lost, you have an interesting perspective on this. I do agree that certain communities sort of give gays and lesbians a bad name, like the really promiscuous ones who parade around half naked being obnoxious about their homosexuality or whatever. I think that is the image that comes to mind for a straight person when they think of gay people, and that is unfortunate bc it's very far off from most normal gay couples/families.
Also, I don't know what I think about every weird gender identity thing being grouped together, what is it now, LGBQBTIUY...?! is that really necessary?

 

I agree 100%. I used to feel the same for bi-sexual...but i'm thinking now that those people are just really confused. I just don't understand the transgender/transexual people at all! I once worked with a guy...who wore make-up..did his hair...the whole works...creeped me the fuck out...then he's gonna tell me in front of other co-workers that he recognized me and knew me from somewhere...mind you i never met him a day in my life...was mortified that not only do my co-workers think i'm gay (which i've never come out to anyone other than my Mother and ex) but now because of this creep..they think i am part of that whole transgender/transexual world. He asked for the attention he received in my opinion. Someone said he even used the ladies room instead of the men's. That's a whole other topic...if i were to ever walk in and see him in the bathroom...i think i would have flipped...i was also his boss so i'm not sure how i would have handled it. Anyways...i would have felt much more comfortable if he were just gay and a little fem instead of looking the way he did. He reminded me of the killer from scilence of the lambs...with make-up on...creepy man lol.

 

Thanks for the great responses from everyone. It is great to hear everyone's oppinion on the topic, but no one has really answered my question. I am in search of someone who has had the process done themselves. It would be great to hear feedback from someone who was in my situation.

Dear lipstick lezy,
Thanks for your feedback, it would be great if you could give one of your friends who have had the process my info. I am in a really difficult and confusing situation right now. I am looking for all the input I can get on the topic. Thanks so much.

 

No offense...but why do you want to do this so bad erica?

 

Well to start, I have always been very self conscious about my breasts. Since I was younger, I have felt like I have been trapped in the wrong body. I am hoping that by getting the procedure I can start to feel a little less confused about who I am.

I have been taping them down for so many years and I have finally reached my breaking point. I feel like I have these two tumours on my chest that are taking over my life and defining who I am.

 

Hey Erica! I've been living as a man since 2005, and you sound just like me I always felt my breasts were "tumours" (-stole the words out of my mouth), and i hated them since i was 12 years old. In 2006 i had a mastectomy, and it was the moment my life finally began

Ever since the age of 5 i realized i was born in the wrong body. It wasn't so much that i was a "tomboy", i just always related to the boys

A lot of people are misinformed about transgendered people. Some people are gay, some are lesbian, some are bi (yaddy yaddy fucking yadda).... i just should have been born with a penis, plain as simple as that.

I don't know if i want the penis surgery (its damn expensive), but my mastectomy in 2006 has made me so happy

anyways, if you have any questions, send me an email

If you procede with the operation, be prepared for psychiatrists, and negative-ninnys, but just remember, its your life, its a short-life, and do what makes you happy during this life

XO
I hope to hear from you

 

What you said, is pretty much a standard sentence of intolerance:

For example:

"I feel sorry for someone who makes that choice and feels left out by society...it could all be easier if you were just straight."

Or replace the underlined word with any other group that is still confronted with fear and misunderstanding. You know, the view you have towards this, is a view that quite a few have about homosexuality, sad as it is. But we know that it isn't necessarily a choice, like some believe, don't we? That like you said, we are who we are. The only "choice" in being transgender is choosing to live authentically as your true self. The same can be said for being gay.

Ironic.

 

To each their own...but i think it is ludacris to have unneccesary surgery because you feel trapped in the wrong body. Especially now days where there are so many infections around...why take unneccesary risk? I think you should see a psychiatrist BEFORE...you make any drastic decisions...not AFTER! WTF???? Lacross...please endulge me...what sense does it make to have both breasts removed ...live as a man...but you still have a pussy? And..you said you're happy now? You're not a man..so how are you happy? Very contradicting. Please excuse me if i sound rude...but it doesn't make sense to me no matter how many times you explain it. I don't get it! And i do understand the whole trapped in the wrong body feeling. I will say this...it takes a lot of guts to go through what you have. But now you just created another secret you'll have to keep...wouldn't it have been easier just to say you're gay rather than...i used to be a woman? That is where i am confused!

 

Erica, I wish you the best of luck in your decision, if that is what you want to do. Do what feels right to you, live however brings you joy and brings you closer to yourself. I'd suggest getting all the information you can so that you are able to make an informed decision and prepare for every step of the way.

Surround yourself with support, and don't be discouraged by others who do not understand what you are going through. Sadly, intolerance, ignorance and misunderstanding is to be expected when you're not part of the "majority". But I find it especially sad coming from this particular forum.

 

The difference between what i said and what others of intolerance say...is that i'm coming from the same place and i do understand...and being true to yourself is not having surgery...being true to yourself is accepting and loving yourself AS IS!!!! To me ...this is the same as when people hate their own race lol. I'll never get it i guess! But i would never wish anyone harm or any prejudice against them for their choices. I believe transgender/transexuals have a lot in common with gay people..i just think they obsess too much on living the fantasy of appearing straight and will go to any lengths to make it happen. It's not about their bodies at all...it's all in their heads. My opinion..i've already stressed i'm confused so ...take it easy on me lol

I should add...that i am so sick of holier than thou people who act like they know everything trying to drop wisdom on someone they know nothing about. Everyone in the free world no matter what forum has the right to their opinions without being called ignorant! What's that shit you're preaching about tolerance? Well if i'm ignorant...tolerate me and shut the fuck up lol. I am doing what more people should do...i'm trying to understand it better...that paves the way for tolerance.

 

Tell me this...what is next? There are gays...lesbians...transgenders...transexuals....bi-sexual...the list goes on and on..... when all it really comes down to ...they are all gay! That is why it is confusing...look if i disrespected i apologize.

 

I am not going to get into an argument with you. I don't even know you. And I do not particularly like confrontations or negative energy, so I'd rather just not get into it.

I apologize if I came across as harsh or "holier than thou". Everyone does have a right to their opinions, you to yours, I to mine. It just pushed my buttons, seeing someone wanting support and being in a vulnerable spot, being what I felt, was ridiculed. All they wanted was information. Now I personally, I have not been in their situation, so I'm not pretending to understand exactly where they're coming from. But I think a great deal of us have been hurt (whether intentionally or not) by others who just don't understand, and trivialize our situation.

I think that's about it for right now. And I have no problem tolerating you, Lost (you have every right to your opinions!), but I don't think I'm ever just gonna "shut the fuck up"

 

Really not trying to be a pain in the ass...but not all transgenders are necessarily gay, not in the way you mean it. For example- some men wanting to be physically woman, and are attracted to other men, that's what you're thinking of right?

Well some male to female transgendered folks are attracted to women.(and vice versa) Which in a "biological" sense makes them actually straight. Although since they are woman trapped in a mans body, they would consider themselves lesbians. Have you lost me yet? lol. just thought I'd point this out


(And in describing this, I mean no offense to transgender folks, just trying to make it understandable)

Though yes Lost, I can see how it can get confusing. But this world is just so full of wonderful diversity!

 

Point taken Asage...i too felt compelled to reach out because of my own experiences...and honestly trying to talk erica out of this because i am sure there are many risks with the surgeries. And in the end...what if she still is not happy with herself? I am sure there is more mental shit to do with it than physical. I am sincerely sorry of i came off as an ass...i meant well...really.

 

OMG...ok Asage...i have heard of that before too...ok i'm gonna give up ..we are all fucked up!!!! lol I guess that is what makes the world go round. I give up now trying to understand...you did lose me now lol

Erica ...good luck! I hope whatever you decide...makes you happy and you have all the support you need. I am sorry if i disrespected..clearly i have a lot to learn myself....thanks to Asage...i'm even more lost now lol. But i wish you well on your journey to being your true self...if that's what it takes..i can respect that.