Pre-Post Chest Surgery

Prior to chest surgery, I was very ashamed of my female-looking chest. All of my teenage and adult years were focused on hiding the breasts positioned on my chest with loose, baggy shirts, vests, sweaters, etc. My trademark in dress was the layered look long before it became popular. In public, I was quite successful in camouflaging the presence of such, despite their rather obvious size. (B cup) Even in the warmest of weather, I would be wearing 2-3 layers of clothing to the disbelief and amazement of most who knew me.

At different points in time, I did experiment with binding. However, the binding significantly affected my ease of breathing and left painful creases in my skin once removed. Nor was I able to ever configure a binding procedure that would work during my athletic activities. So I settled for the layered, baggy look.

Even though I could "fool" others, I was always very much aware of those breasts hanging from my chest. I could be standing naked in the mirror and look right past them, as though they weren't really there. The same held true when taking showers or baths.

Be so ashamed of my female looking chest, I was extremely modest during sexual encounters -- rarely (if ever) removing my undershirt. Even on those few occasions where she would be allowed to view my body in its entire nakedness, she was never allowed to touch those breasts.

Bottom Line: Pre-chest surgery, I felt extremely angry having to live in a body possessing a female chest.

After chest surgery, I experienced an immediate sense of comfortableness with my new male chest. Having always been extremely modest about others seeing my chest, I thought maybe there might me an adjustment period for fully accepting the change. This was definitely not the case.

Five days after surgery, I was in Dr. Brownstein's office getting the dressing changed. I proudly displayed my new chest to those friends who accompanied me to San Francisco. I felt absolutely no hesitation or reservation about showing off my new male chest.

During the first 3-4 weeks after chest surgery, I found myself proudly displaying my new flat look in the mirror several times a day. I now love wearing clothing that emphasizes my flatness. At times, I even find myself sticking my chest out proudly in public and walking with a level of confidence I only dreamed about before sugery. It is the greatest feeling I have ever known to be at peace with my upper body.

I can also share that during sexual relations with women now, I generally waste no time removing my shirt. It is fantastic to feel her hands and face on my skin. I am 2 1/2 months post-op, so there are a few more months of healing to take place. There is a lack of sensation in the nipples themselves at this point, but that is the only area I lack feeling. The scar tissue will be a long time healing.

Bottom Line: Post-chest surgery did not involve any "detachment process" from my female chest. My male chest has simply felt "natural" from day one. Dr. Brownstein did a superb job in creating the convex shape and look of a male chest.