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F-M Double Incision Surgery
After years of saving up for my F-M double mastectomy surgery and having my heart set on a different surgeon from a different state..i decided to look for a surgeon who was much closer to where I lived because of the inability to afford a week+ stay in a different state after surgery. I ran across Mpls Plastic surgery on one of my internet searches and boy was i glad to have come across this fantastic place! I am a big researcher before investing in something pricey. I did a lot of comparison pictures from the original surgeon from out of state and the results from Dr. Tholen's surgery. They were almost identical, but in my opinion, Dr. Tholen's results were far superior than the other one who all the youtube transmen tend to go to/promote. I scheduled my consultation, was immediately impressed by his professionalism and yet down to earth vibe. I had to use a Care Credit card to pay for half the surgery, as I had only 8-9grand saved up and bills still needed to get paid for the 6 weeks i was unable to work. My job is purely physical labor with lots of lifting overhead so i was not able to go back earlier than that 6 weeks.
This surgery is a big deal for folks like me, and it can be scary and life-saving all at once. Insurance companies don't deal with people like me or make it really difficult for us to get our gender-affirming surgeries. So needless to say this surgery was 100% out of pocket for me. Although i have been on hormones for about 4 years now and have seen great relief within my mental and physical state, I was binding my chest for up to 18 hrs each and every day. I was also starting to see myself heading down a dark path again, so I absolutely needed to get this surgery done with as soon as possible.
In June/July 2019 I had my consultation. By August I was able to schedule my surgery for December 12th, 2019.
The recovery process can be super annoying with this double incision surgery, as you aren't able to lift your arms for up to 4 or 5 weeks(if you have slight complications like i did). I felt super agitated the first week with the drains and the compression vest thing. I got super annoyed and would take an anti-anxiety type medication prescribed to me just to calm down.
I had drains in for just over a week. My left side didnt drain too much but then decided to have fluid built up between week 1 and 2. So i had to get both sides aspirated, which is annoying and can be a little painful for the first 10mins after it takes place. I wore my binder vest thing 24/7 for 4 weeks due to fluids building up, as well as foam blocks. You may experience anxiety and feel claustrophobic in the vest. Its perfectly normal and annoying. But it is worth it. Dr Tholen and his team are perfectionists and they take their job very seriously. They treat you with respect and dignity.
I would highly recommend this place for their F-M double incision mastectomy surgery.
I would also recommend surgery in the colder times of the year, as you wear that binder thing for 24hrs a day for up to 4 weeks and you will smell. They do allow you to shower typically week 3. And you can wash the binder(hand wash and dry) but if you are a naturally smelly guy, you will not enjoy it in the summertime. I'm glad i did it in the wintertime because i think i would have been way more disgusted with myself in summer months. They also let you do a quick wash cloth and soap clean after week 2 at the office(each visit), where you clean up and use spray deodorant before it's back to the binder.
Tips:
Have things easily accessible, water bottles, mugs, snacks, real food.
Buy baby wipes to clean areas of your body.
Have someone wash your hair in a sink after week 1-2, when you're able to bend over for a minute or two.
Dry Shampoo is great too.
"Cold shower" travel shower product from Duke Cannon is amazing.
Don't do steps for a while. You will be weak.
Walk around house and stay somewhat active but know your own limits.
Take the Narco medicine about an hour before you get up in the morning. It will be amazing for you.
Read, color, watch tv shows, listen to music. Have supporters stop by, even if you feel ugly and gross.
Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
This surgery is a big deal for folks like me, and it can be scary and life-saving all at once. Insurance companies don't deal with people like me or make it really difficult for us to get our gender-affirming surgeries. So needless to say this surgery was 100% out of pocket for me. Although i have been on hormones for about 4 years now and have seen great relief within my mental and physical state, I was binding my chest for up to 18 hrs each and every day. I was also starting to see myself heading down a dark path again, so I absolutely needed to get this surgery done with as soon as possible.
In June/July 2019 I had my consultation. By August I was able to schedule my surgery for December 12th, 2019.
The recovery process can be super annoying with this double incision surgery, as you aren't able to lift your arms for up to 4 or 5 weeks(if you have slight complications like i did). I felt super agitated the first week with the drains and the compression vest thing. I got super annoyed and would take an anti-anxiety type medication prescribed to me just to calm down.
I had drains in for just over a week. My left side didnt drain too much but then decided to have fluid built up between week 1 and 2. So i had to get both sides aspirated, which is annoying and can be a little painful for the first 10mins after it takes place. I wore my binder vest thing 24/7 for 4 weeks due to fluids building up, as well as foam blocks. You may experience anxiety and feel claustrophobic in the vest. Its perfectly normal and annoying. But it is worth it. Dr Tholen and his team are perfectionists and they take their job very seriously. They treat you with respect and dignity.
I would highly recommend this place for their F-M double incision mastectomy surgery.
I would also recommend surgery in the colder times of the year, as you wear that binder thing for 24hrs a day for up to 4 weeks and you will smell. They do allow you to shower typically week 3. And you can wash the binder(hand wash and dry) but if you are a naturally smelly guy, you will not enjoy it in the summertime. I'm glad i did it in the wintertime because i think i would have been way more disgusted with myself in summer months. They also let you do a quick wash cloth and soap clean after week 2 at the office(each visit), where you clean up and use spray deodorant before it's back to the binder.
Tips:
Have things easily accessible, water bottles, mugs, snacks, real food.
Buy baby wipes to clean areas of your body.
Have someone wash your hair in a sink after week 1-2, when you're able to bend over for a minute or two.
Dry Shampoo is great too.
"Cold shower" travel shower product from Duke Cannon is amazing.
Don't do steps for a while. You will be weak.
Walk around house and stay somewhat active but know your own limits.
Take the Narco medicine about an hour before you get up in the morning. It will be amazing for you.
Read, color, watch tv shows, listen to music. Have supporters stop by, even if you feel ugly and gross.
Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
Provider Review
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4825 Olson Memorial Hwy., Minneapolis, Minnesota