I’m Back…Now that I Can Breathe Again.
Yes…you’ve probably noticed that it’s been quite some time since I added anything at all to my blog. Truth of the matter is that I didn’t want to add anything until I had a couple of consults with new plastic surgeons — one from Beth Israel in Boston — Dr. Adam Tobias, and another in NC, Dr. Adeyemi (Yemi) Ogunleye. I literally had to prepare myself, because I wasn’t sure if either would be able to help me…and to be honest — I was terrified.
I came away from the first appointment (with Dr. Tobias) with mixed feelings. I can’t even describe what I felt — mostly let down…and even a bit confused and afraid of what I could potentially have to go through just to try and get a more normal looking chest…and there is no guarantee. Dr. Tobias’ suggestion is a combination of procedures and surgeries — both uncomfortable, scary and (of course) not guaranteed to give me what I want. He suggested tissue expanders — two below my scar and two above my scar (first procedure). Tissue expansion enables the body to “grow” extra skin for use in reconstructing part of the body. But it involves a surgery to put them in and expand them, and frequent visits to further expand (By the time the expanders were full, I would be walking around with what looks like four coconuts on my upper torso — as if I don’t already look like a bit of a freak), and, when the skin has stretched enough to cover the affected area, a second operation to remove the expander and reposition the new tissue to “fix” my chest. It would require me to stay in Boston for at least 6–8 months, if not longer. Now, being in Boston for that long certainly isn’t a bad thing — though I would definitely miss my wife.
So…I thought, “Okay…okay. That’s scary, but maybe it’s worth it. Of course my wife was concerned about more issues with blood flow during the surgeries.
But…at least I had an option.
I knew I had the consultation coming up with Dr. Yemi, and for some reason I just had a very positive feeling about it. Maybe because my friend told me how wonderful he is…and what a great surgeon he is…and well, it doesn’t hurt that he is UNC’s Director of Transgender Surgery AND he has handled/fixed complications for other patients.
Take a look at his video! He’s amazing! And even better in person.
And when I met him in person…I knew he was absolutely the right plastic surgeon for me. I felt completely comfortable with him and his recommendations. And I feel good about putting my health in his hands.
So, Dr. Yemi’s recommendation is to cut out the scar and do fat transfer to fix the overall shape of my chest and make my pecs/chest area look more normal. He plans to “clean up” the scar and make it “less messy” than it is now — with all the scar tissue. This will be an outpatient procedure that will take place in Chapel Hill in September (outpatient) if all goes well. Dr. Yemi said it may require two procedures — if I’m not completely happy with the first — just to do a bit more fat transfer. But…that’s still less invasive than Dr. Tobias’ recommendation.
We’re currently waiting on BCBS to approve the surgery, and Dr. Yemi’s office will contact me to give me a date.
So…though I like Dr. Tobias, and understand his recommendation, I think the best option is to put it all in the hands of Dr. Yemi. His procedure is less invasive with less downtime…and less opportunity for complications — though I know there could still be complications.
So, please keep your fingers (and toes crossed). If you pray, say a prayer. Send positive thoughts. Whatever you do to send as much positive energy my way…please do it. I need all the good energy I can get. And hopefully when the procedure(s) are done…I will no longer be embarrassed about my chest…and might even be able to go outside without a shirt on, without being afraid of people gawking at me or asking me what happened.
Much love to all of you. I’m going to try and record and post another video soon.
Liam
