Wonder from Down Under

I'm completely back to my usual routine & able to lift my chonky cat again. Still massaging & moisturizing the scar tissue daily to help it loosen up. I'm very pleased with the outcome!

Still getting some weird nerve sensations, feels like an itch I need to scratch but it's in the numb parts of my chest so it's completely unsatisfying 😭 I've been told it'll stop happening over time. The far ends of the scars are still a little sensitive as well, but it's barely noticable unless i'm clumsy & side smash a doorframe or something (yes, it's happened a few times lol)

Here is my big-boned boy Quill as pet tax ❤️

Feeling sick rn though. 3 days of class wrecked me, & the packed public transport for 2hrs each day both morning + afternoon school rushes definitely didn't help (n95 on at all times too 💀).

Regardless i'm feeling fantastic, just 6 more days of the steri-strips on my incisions then i'm free!!

Now to continue catching up on uni work & the 3 assignments due over the next 3wks. 3k essay on integrative theory in counselling, a 45min planned co-facilitated group therapy session, & another 3k essay on the experience of being a co-facilitator + self-critique 🤞

The massages are definitely helping the swelling, they're making me a little sore but it's worth it. Moisturizing the incisions & working it in is helping break down the scar tissue, so everything's flattening out nicely.

I can finally get loose t-shirts & jumpers on, as well as put my own socks & shoes on without issue! The tighter fitting clothes have to wait but i'm loving how it looks. Almost time to start working on losing some weight & building muscle!

My italian heritage is really shining through 😂 I was clean-shaven the day of surgery, it's definitely making the itching of the healing incisions worse lol

It's going to take some getting used to, having clothing on parts of my chest that have never touched them before. As well as the slight sensation I have in the grafts against fabric too. It's.. odd to say the least. Some parts of my chest are overly sensitive to the point fabric hurts a little, & other parts still feel like they've been novacaine'd.

I'm so excited to go swimming when it gets warmer here though 🥺 there's a local hot pool that i'm really keen to go visit once i'm fully healed & no longer risking any infections or whatnot. I haven't been swimming in over a decade due to dysphoria, but now i'm psyched!

Having top surgery in the middle of Aotearoa's South Island Winter has been An Experience for sure. I miss my tight-fitting thermal layers that kept me nice & toasty, a thick fluffy gown is a close second but i'm looking forward to getting back into normal clothes again since I've just been wearing trackpants with a loose button up underneath the gown nearly 24/7. We've run out of firewood & it's too expensive/difficult to get more rn so it's all about the layers.

End of day 14! Feeling better each day & the nerve twinges/novacaine sensation are the weirdest things about top surgery at this point. These dang dressings do not want to stay on either, thank goodness for medical tape! Still can't wear regular shirts either 💀

The free waxing sessions are nearing their end, but my chest hair is coming back & not helping with the itch factor rn lmao. Makes me so glad I never had a post-op binder, I don't think my neurodivergent ass could have handled that tbh

Hope y'all are ready for more topless photos as things progress lol

Despite that, it's so nice being able to wrap a towel around just my lower half & love what I see in the mirror. Looking at my new flat chest brings me joy every time. Every button up shirt fits like i'd always imagined it would too, what an awesome feeling.

I've also been able to start sleeping slightly flatter on my back which is *so much more comfortable*. I'm not a back sleeper so sleep has been awful lately (stiff back, neck, & shoulders too ugh), thank goodness I have plenty of time off to recoup so I can just nap when i'm tired at the moment.

It's day 12 & i'm already reducing basic pain relief, getting more range of motion back, as well as gaining more independence day-by-day.

Now to wait til i'm healed enough to get my celebratory tattoo under my scars

The incisions & grafts are healing beautifully, & between dressing changes the nurse let me see my bare chest in the mirror for the first time, it's everything I hoped for 🥺

It feels like (pun fully intended) that a huge weight has been lifted off me & I truly Did Not Realise just how much it was impacting my mental health until it was gone

This is absolutely a dream come true after waiting over a decade on the public waiting list!

I will be having top surgery on July 5th!! 🥳