|
|
 |
|
Testimonial |
|
When I was finally in a position to have chest reconstruction surgery, I took the matter very seriously. I researched various SRS surgeons and I consequently found that Dr. Brownstein's name kept coming up as "the best around". I knew that I was having a surgery whose purpose was to make my body look attractive to me, and I wanted to get the best possible results. I knew I would have to live with the results for the rest of my life, because once the cutting is done, there is no going back to the way that it was before. So I chose Dr. Brownstein because I believed he was the best artist to do this work on the canvas that is my body. I had fears about the surgery. I was afraid that the doctor would be difficult to speak to, especially for a shy person like me. That fear was alleviated after my first conversation with Dr. Brownstein. He spoke to me as if I were an equal partner in the surgery. He shared with me small personal items, about his dog Frank, which put me at ease. I was also afraid of the surgery itself, of being put under anesthesia, and being cut open, rearranged, and sewn back together. I had seen the results of a couple of surgeries, done by other doctors, that didn't come out just right, and had to be redone. After more research, I discovered many FTMs that have had chest reconstruction surgery with Dr. Brownstein. I spoke with them, and they all assured me that their experience with Dr. B was safe, and professional, and that Dr. B had a great deal of experience in this particular type of surgery (over 25 years). There was not one former patient that I spoke with who had anything but glowing praise for Dr. B, and for the surgical work that he had performed for them. So I scheduled an appointment for surgery with Dr. B. The staff at his office is very Trans friendly and very Trans respectful, which put me at ease. Prior to my surgery, I had several oversights on my part, which caused me to be remiss in my part of the arrangement. Each time, the office staff was kind, and accommodating, and they patiently worked out every problem with me. Several days before surgery, I had my mandatory pre-op consultation with Dr. B. He patiently answered all my questions, in layman's language that I could understand. He gave me some post-op instructions to review. The papers included his cell phone number, and his home phone number. There was an invitation to call him, at anytime, even at his home, if I had a problem, a question or "just needed some reassurance". I knew at that point that I was in good hands, with a person whose primary concern was for the comfort and welfare of his patients! On the morning of my surgery, I was nervous as I arrived at the medical facility. However the staff there was respectful and professional, which helped me to relax. There was a problem with my bank, which refused to release all the money that was waiting in my account to pay for the surgery. The staff at the medical facility made accommodations for that problem as well. A nurse took me back to the surgical area, and I got in a gown. She was respectful, and kind, recognizing my apprehension, and reassuring me. Then the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself, and asked if I had any questions or concerns. Then the nurse came in again, and asked if I wanted my friend (who had driven me there), to come back and sit with me... I said YES. The nurse came back with my friend, which of course made me feel less alone and more at ease. She then put an IV in my arm, and guess what... she got it right the first time, with almost NO pain! Then Dr. B came in, and told me some last minute info, and marked some marks on my chest. Next thing I knew, I was put on a gurney, wheeled into the surgery room, and fell asleep. I woke up, and was taken home. I was given pain prescriptions, which we filled right in Dr. B's medical facility building, which was very convenient. I took the pain pills for the first day, but then stopped taking them. I personally never felt any pain, whatsoever, from the moment that I woke up, until this day, 9 months later. I know this is not the case with every surgery, but it is true with mine. Plus, I am not one of those tough guys about pain; I am a big baby when it comes to pain. But, I never had any pain, even on the day when he pulled the drains out, and took the stitches out. During the week after surgery, everything went perfectly. The drain tubes that are slipped under the skin to prevent fluid build up worked just right. I was comfortable in the surgical binder that Dr. B put on me to keep the skin adhered to the muscle during recovery. I had several questions during this week, and called Dr. B for answers. Most times, he got right on the phone with me to answer my questions, including the time that I had to call his house at 9:30 at night. Once when I called he was busy, but he called me back within a short period of time. He was always kind and reassuring during these calls. On the 8th day after surgery, the sutures were removed, and I was sent home to Az. Dr. B told me to keep in touch, and let him know how things were going. I followed, to the letter, every post-op instruction that Dr. B had given me. I wanted the best possible healing results. I have medicated both the nipple graphs, and the suture scars every day since the surgery, with various healing medicines. My scars are fading quickly, and by the 12 month mark I believe they will probably be mostly invisible. I don't have hardly any noticeable "dog ears" under my arms where the scars end. I did push ups to work out my chest muscles for months prior to surgery, so that I could have a good surgical result. My nipple graphs are slowly moving into final position, as my peck muscles develop. They are exactly where they need to be, in the lower, outer, quadrant of the peck, just like bio-males. My nipples are relatively round and nicely sized. I have most of my sensation returning to my right peck, and the right nipple will respond to cold and other stimulus. On my left side I have about half the sensation returned so far. I expect to get full sensation on both sides eventually. My desire prior to surgery was to have a chest that would pass for bio-male, at a passing glance. And I wanted my chest to be "attractive" so that there were no ugly scars, imbalances, mistakes, etc. My surgery achieved this and so much more. Every day, more and more I love looking at the work of art that Dr. B has created on my chest. My unnatural shame of having female breasts is gone, and I now am filled with pride at the gorgeous male chest that I see in my mirror. Feel free to Contact me if you have any questions. D'avid |