Top Surgery - Thrive

[Pages:64]Top Surgery

EXPLORING YOUR SURGICAL OPTIONS

Surgery Preparation

SETTING YOURSELF FOR A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

Why Surgery?

Gender Affirming

Feeling the body better reflects identity

Reduce dysphoria

Improving emotional connection with the body

Stop Binding

Reduce strain Improve breathing Decrease skin irritation

" I don't avoid mirrors or hunch my shoulders all the time any more." "My clothes fit the way I want them to." "I can't express how free I finally feel!" "It's the best decision I've made." "I can swim comfortably."

Sample Timeline for Surgery Preparation

4-16 Months

3-15 Months

3-15 Months

3

1

1-7

Months month

Days

1-7

Go home

Day

Days

Same day

7-14

Day 14-30

Optimal Surgery Preparation Includes

Securing safe housing with private space

Planning for bills and financial needs

Stabilizing Medical Conditions

Eating healthy balanced meals

Optimizing Emotional Wellbeing

Exercising and moving the body

Eliminating or Reducing Substance Use

Setting up a Support System

Researching surgery and surgeons

Information Gathering and Research

Clarify your personal goals related to surgery Weigh pros and cons of surgery options Clarify surgical plan with surgeon Learn from others

Online forums and groups, support groups

Research surgeons and look at results Interview surgeons and ask questions Considerations: location, wait times, technique, comfort and fit

Remember everyone's healing is unique

Envisioning a Successful Surgery

Hopes and Expectations

Physical

Emotional

Social

Fears and Concerns

Questions

Envisioning a Successful Surgery

Hopes and Expectations

Fears and Concerns

Questions

Physical I hope that my chest looks how I expect it to look after surgery.

I am concerned that I might lose sensation or not have a flat chest.

Will my new chest look and feel the same as a masculine chest?

Emotional

Social

I hope I feel more

I hope I will feel more

comfortable with my comfortable in

body after surgery.

gendered spaces (i.e.

locker rooms) after

surgery.

I am worried this surgery I am worried that I

may not resolve all my will still experience

feelings of dysphoria. harassment and

discrimination based

on gender even after

surgery.

Is it normal to feel

How will surgery

anxious or ambivalent affect my close

about surgery?

relationships?

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