Edheads virtual breast surgery

The EXTREMELY detailed, mega-anxiety edition!!! Major events like consult and surgery day are labeled like this:
——— EVENT TITLE ———
Surgeon was Dr. David Whitehead and I saw him on Long Island (New Hyde)
Summarized list of major dates:
Consult: July 19 2023 Mental health letter acquired: August 9 Dates discussed: September 12 Pre-op appointment: December 18 Surgery day: January 8 2024 Post-op: January 17
November 11th 2022: Emailed northwell health for the first time, they emailed back saying to call. I was too anxious so I avoided it for a few months.
Called northwell a few months later but got too anxious talking to the person who picked up. They were being normal and talking normally, it was just personal anxiety on my part.
October 2022 - Early March 2023: Spent time talking to trans friends and family members about their timelines and processes for top surgery.
Looked into Penn medicine for a bit but wasn’t happy with the surgeons there, specifically as a nonbinary person. The patient navigational team however is lovely.
March 2: emailed Penn health patient navigation
March 3-10: correspondence and phone calls w patient navigation (absolutely wonderful people, some of the easiest phone calls I’ve ever had) Got lots of into on surgeons, things I’d need, processes etc.
Date unknown: phone call to Penn medicine asking about surgeons and possibly setting up as a patient (v long wait time on phone) Surgeon I had heard good things about only works w CHOP program and I’m was too old for that program. Other surgeons I was v iffy on.
March 23rd: Back to square 1. Called northwell again to set up an appointment. Everyone I spoke to was really nice. Could have set up an appointment within the week but decided to wait till the end of the semester. Scheduled a trans care and primary care appointment for May
Couple of calls In between for confirmations. Trans care appointment got moved around a bit and ended up being moved to a phone call.
May 8th: Trans care call: Basic preliminary questions like: Emergency contact, what you’re looking for, are you thinking of looking into hormones, experience w dysphoria or dysmorphia, mental health, and eating/nutritional concerns, things you might want doc to know, piercings or tattoos, do you do any drugs or drink often, etc. total call time was about 20 minutes. Doctor was incredibly kind, I still experienced a good deal of anxiety but the call was super easy, welcoming, and friendly. Got sent contact referrals for the surgeons, as well as trans-friendly therapists under my insurance.
May 9th: started looking at list of therapists and making respective emails and calls. Checking per session costs and double checking insurance. Most charge 100-150 per session. Got in contact w one.
May 10th: Called w first therapist talking about what I’m looking for, where I am in this process, if parents are supportive, and talking about costs. She was very friendly and affirming, wants to have a few sessions to get to know me and my situation before writing a letter. Understandable and expected, but frustrating.
May 15th: Primary care appointment: Went to northwell health primary care, parkinglot was a little scary (just a large lot with a lot of cars) but everyone working there’s is super kind. Office is incredibly affirming, pride flags and lgbtq+ art everywhere. Gave my insurance card, filled out some paper work, got called in pretty quickly. I have a needle phobia and medical trauma so I was panicking a bit in the office, nurse was good w me about it and doctor was very kind, I just requested to not have any blood work done that day and that was totally fine, so I could schedule that at a later date and go w a friend. Recommended to get blood work done before scheduling a consult w a surgeon. Also prescribed me a single dose anxiety med for the bloodwork which I was very happy about. I found over time that the anxiety meds unfortunately do little to nothing for my panic attacks personally when it comes to needles but regardless having a doctor acknowledge and respect that fear and listen to me was incredibly helpful and reassuring.
May 30th: Got blood work done in a different lab, went w a friend. Scheduling for that is super easy, I think I did it online actually I don’t entirely recall. they do take walk ins but I made an appointment to minimize complications and make sure I could prepare properly. Front desk/lobby area was a little spooky, but I think that is mainly just bc of my social anxiety. They take a urine sample, you give them your prescription, eventually they call you over for blood work. Quick and easy, tech was v nice and having a friend with me was incredibly helpful. Probably the best I’ve ever done with a needle despite the fact that I did still panic and get very lightheaded lol.
Got blood work results back within the next couple days, all looks a-okay! Neat :)
June 15th This day was incredibly difficult. I had my first session with a therapist to establish some ground knowledge around my dysphoria and the way that I view myself. Top surgery is something that I know from research and related experience Can be difficult and expensive to get and can take time, so much of my prep work has been on the understanding of taking things a step at a time and just knowing that the current way things are doesn’t have to be forever. It allowed me to be able to live with myself while prioritizing my health better. This read to the therapist as “not having the level of dysphoria [she’s] come to expect and look for in someone who is trans” and was largely based off the fact that I don’t want to go on hrt. Past that point I started to break down because now my method of learning to live with myself felt like it was actively going to work against me and prevent me from getting top surgery. I’m not good at talking about my dysphoria, I can’t imagine it’s easy for anyone, especially to a stranger I just met. It was rough, and I felt incredibly mentally drained after ending the session.
June 19th Called it quits with the first therapist, I felt incredibly disrespected and the one session we had put me in a mental spiral for days. It can feel some times in this process like the people you have to get permission from need you to be severely depressed and unable to wait another second for this procedure just in order to take you seriously.
After I left that therapist, I immediately got back to the list to find someone new. Spoke to a new therapist via email, but my insurance is kinda weird (Blue Cross Blue Shield out of state) so its off putting to some people. This therapist recommended I go through the office she started out at (Heart and Soul Counseling)
————- Time Skip ——————
IM BACK its time for some record keeping. Got super overwhelmed and lost the energy to document my process for some time so here goes.
HEART AND SOUL COUNSELING: My experience w/ this therapy office was mostly good. The person in charge, Jesse, was absolutely lovely and responsive. Never spoke in person, but any text/email interaction was prompt, respectful, and kind. The office is stellar with email/text communication, so I only ever had to call them once when I was initially inquiring about the office. This is something I wish all therapy/counseling centers did better, eliminated a ton of my anxiety and hesitation to speak to therapists.
I got set up w someone as quickly as possible and established what my goal was (to acquire letter document for my surgery team). I attended multiple session w the therapist, she was a kind lady but the sessions were unfortunately p miserable for me. We didn’t fit well, but I was willing to stick it out rather than backtrack on my process. She also did not invalidate me or accuse me of not being trans which was a major step up from my first therapy experience. Once I acquired my letter I did stop therapy there, I kindly explained to the therapist that it wasn’t a good match, but I may honestly explore my options at the office in the future. Receptionist there was also lovely and they had a cool fish tank.
———- CONSULT STARTS HERE —————
July 19th: CONSULT!!! My mama and I went to Dr. David Whiteheads office for a consult. Parking was a nightmare so I’m super glad I didn’t have to drive for this one (ty mama). Consult went really well, and the staff were all super friendly. Dr. Whitehead is cool, very chill energy and a bit intimidating, but I’m scared of everyone so that’s nothing new. First question he asked me is what I wanted/what he could do for me which caught me more off guard than it should have? I didn’t realize going into this process how many times people ask you what you’re having done even if it’s already written down, because there’s so much variety in what you can look for in the results.
We talked about the procedure, went through a slideshow n stuff, and discussed how I wanted a flat chest w/ no nipple preservation. They made sure to specify that my mental health professional letter had to include that I did not want nipple preservation because thats technically a “non-standard” appearance. Also had the first breast exam I’ve ever had in my life. Can’t say i’m a fan (not that I need to worry about that anymore!) Took pictures n measurements n such, and also discussed recovery supplies and care w me and my mom.
August 9th: After a plethora of painfully awkward therapy sessions, a decent amount of crying, and a couple breakdowns in friends cars/backyards, I got my therapist letter and sent it to the surgeons office. It ended up needing minor revisions to which I contacted Jesse from Heart and Soul and he got me the revised letter immediately. Unfortunately the surgical coordinator was out of office for the rest of the month the next day ;w;. Is how it be.
September 12th: Got a call from Surgical coordinator mid-painting class that I stepped out to take. Started discussing surgical dates!! She was kind enough to email the dates to me which was lovely because I was absolutely shaking/mind blank haha. There was an option for January 8th which felt like an absolute miracle the way it would work with my school schedule. It would give me a solid two weeks recovery time before spring semester began. Because it would be a couple months out, I was asked to contact her in the second week of October to submit documents to insurance.
(Timeline note: earliest date offered was in early December)
October 10th: Documents sent to insurance, predetermination started
October 30th: Received mail from my insurance approving my procedure as medically necessary (YAY) But! This is also where things get,,, fun! Dr Whitehead’s surgical coordinator, Alyssa, is a blessing and was very helpful and prompt with me despite the fact that I had to email her pretty constantly during this general time which I still feel bad about.
Around this time, my mom got diagnosed with breast cancer, which I reported to the surgical coordinator because it influences my family history (grandmother also had breast cancer). It was asked that I get genetic testing done because this could impact my surgical procedure. Now I’m handling the setup on this between helping my mom in her process setting up consults and considering her options because there of course is a lot of crossover to the steps I’ve already completed and am familiar with.
November 1st: Very kind person at cancer genetics calls me, sends me a family history questionnaire to fill out before I can be scheduled to see a genetic counselor. Filled out the questionnaire the same day.
November 8th: Called cancer genetics to check about scheduling, office was not open so left a message. Got a call back later in the day. I have a virtual appointment with a Genetic counselor Tuesday the 14th. Current plan is a mailed saliva genetic test but I’m going to ask if theres anything I can do to get results/materials quicker. If I can’t get results/feedback by December 8th my surgery date may get deferred.
Trying not to stress too much because there is little to nothing I can do about this, and I just don’t want to be sad. I’ve kept telling myself throughout this process to not get excited and not let myself believe anything is solid because something could happen at any time that might mess up my schedule or plan, and If I convince myself I’m in the clear, those changes will hurt a lot more. So far I think thats been a good move, because this really sucks.
My surgery date is still officially scheduled as of now as well as my first post-op. I will also ideally have pre-surgical testing done December 18th should I be cleared by genetics in time (Fingers crossed!)
ALSO! Def lean on friends if/when you can during this process. It can absolutely be challenging, and having a support system is incredibly important and helpful. I’m super lucky to have really lovely and supportive friends that are around to listen to me and send me pictures of stupid little animals.
November 9th: My mama is scheduled for her double mastectomy on December 4th
November 10th: Did some shopping with my mama for recovery supplies for double mastectomy/top surgery. Having watched a million and a half transition/top surgery videos and tiktoks and having read all the blogs and posts and tweets makes you a great support for someone suddenly faced with an upcoming double mastectomy! We might go shopping this weekend for some button ups and zip ups for her, clothes shopping is better done when you can try stuff on
November 14th: Meeting w genetic counselor: Victoria Webb, one of the loveliest medical care workers I’ve ever met. Had a virtual appointment with her to discuss and set up genetic testing. I explained to her about my situation w the proximity of my surgery and tight deadline as well as my willingness to do a blood test instead of a saliva kit to get results quicker. She was so incredibly kind and good with me, ended up being able to do a saliva kit and get results in time she deserves every good thing in life.
December 18th: pre-surgical testing: This was at the main hospital, everyone was really nice but I had a really bad panic attack despite being on Xanax.
The process is sort of like getting a physical. Measurements like weight and blood pressure get taken, lots of preliminary health questions. The people working with me were really kind and I was very open with them about my anxiety, it was visually apparent though anyway because I started crying the second we even started talking about the blood draw.
Once the equipment was actually brought into the room I started to panic. Both of the women working with me were really kind and helpful and tried to distract me and keep me talking the entire time, but I did still have a really horrible panic attack. Every muscle in my body locked up and I lost all my color, took a bit to get back to a spot where I could move and talk properly because my speech was affected too. It was a bit scary but funny to think about in post. Thanked the medical staff for being patient w me as always, a good portion of the anxiety is also guilt about making things harder for them. Got through it tho. Def eat before presurgical if allowed, I didn’t and that probably didn’t help!!
———- SURGERY DAY ————-
January 8th:
Ok so surgery day:
This day was very scary. Got my phone call the Friday prior for my surgery time which ended up being 1pm and I was asked to arrive around 11. Got there at 10 and went in at 10:30.
Called up to check in then in waiting room till someone brought me back to change. I told her right away about my anxiety with the iv bc that’s legit all I could think about. Got changed right after. I was generally shaky and a little disoriented the entire time because I was panicking but everyone was very patient with me. Clothes and belongings go in a bag in a locker and you get two gowns one that faces back and one that faces front. I was given underwear and a pad as well because lucky me I got my period a couple days before my surgery.
The pre-op area is a lot of little cubicles with curtain divider things, blue soft chairs, and medical equipment. Everyone I met and spoke to was very kind, but any time someone even suggested starting my iv I would panic. I was informed it would have to be placed in my hand and that terrified me, I’m especially anxious and sensitive about my hands and fingers. I think doctors and nurses tend to misunderstand exactly where my fear is with needles and ivs. It isn’t the pain that scares me, but the concept of veins and and anything being in them. Even writing this right now is horrible so I’m going to stop w any further detail. I spent the entire two-ish hours of pre-op absolutely terrified about this iv.
I wasn’t really keeping track of time but dr whitehead came in to do markings for surgery. They had cool rainbow socks on,big fan. Having your chest drawn on and just like, moved around n shit is such an experience. Felt bad because I kept losing my balance but doctor Whitehead is cool and I am 98% less scared about them now.
Probably my most favorite person I met during my entire hospital experience was the anesthesiologist. I know he told me what his name was but I couldn’t focus on or retain information at the time. He told me we could essentially put me to sleep with gas before putting the iv in and for the first time in probably a solid week I felt like I could calm down a little. He took a look at my hand and arm to check my veins which always does freak me out a bit but I’m more used to that kind of thing at this point and I know nothing bad is going to happen. One of the nurses came in with the iv equipment and he let her know that were going to wait till in the or which was also incredibly helpful because I absolutely panicked when I saw that little supply kit again.
V nice lady brought me into the or, I’d never been in one before it was cool. They had a little music speaker which was really cool. Took off blue jacket gown and they helped me onto the table. They put a warm blanket over my legs and my chest to help me calm down. Before long they gave me a mask w fun happy sleepy time gas, they let me keep my arms on my chest for a while which was really nice because I was still scared. I started getting loopy pretty fast but I still heard when someone mentioned where the iv equipment was and panicked a little because of that. I remember feeling them take my hand for that but never actually felt anything happen. Just some fear but the gas was v helpful obvi. Someone said they would see me in a little bit, and then I was groggily waking up in recovery.
Recovery was a little rough bc the iv was still there (fully wrapped up so I couldn’t see it though which was rad) but I was still really anxious about it until it was taken out and when it was taken out. For anyone that struggles w this i did not feel them remove it, just the tape. Everything was mentally much easier after that. After a while, going over instructions w parents, a cracker , some ginger ale and some juice, my dad helped me Get dressed and I was helped out to the car in a wheel chair. Ride was smooth bc of remaining numbness and meds except a few Bumps in the road
TOP SURGERY GOTTEN
My post op date was scheduled for Jan 17th and that’s the day I got my drains out followed by several post op check-ins. First week of recovery was miserable but things exponentially approved each day past that, and I went back to school in person two weeks post-op with driving and item-carrying assistance from friends!
Will upload recovery notes at a later date! Feel free to message me with any questions, more than happy to answer and give info! I’m a bit over four months out from surgery now and thriving 🥳

Last week in a post-deleted by the OP, there was discussion about how there is no point in stockpiling antibiotics and any attemps for lay people to practice any form of health care in a widespread grid down disaster.
Myself and some colleagues wrote: Survival and Austere Medicine
Edit. New link. https://1776patriotusa.com/survival-austere-medicine/
We are slowing working on a 4th edition with some new material and minor corrections - but it is taking longer than we thought!
But I thought given the above post, I would take the opportunity to post the introduction - which address the "why bother" question for a major long-term grid down situation. Apologies for the formatting and length
"There is a sense, when considering the issues around survival medicine practice, that everything is overwhelming, that it is impossible for lay people to provide a high level of medical care and maintain a high level of population health.
We don’t think this is the case at all. We believe that intelligent lay people with some basic medical knowledge, skills, and equipment can deliver high quality health care. While it is obviously impossible for lay people to safely and competently deal with every medical problem, and there remain many complicated diagnoses requiring equally complicated or technologically advanced treatments, for 80- 90% of the health problems afflicting humanity, simple things done well are all that is required to preserve life and limb and help alleviate suffering.
Consider the following:
1. Remote Medicine Practice:
Below are the results of one of our author’s experience in the provision of health care in various remote and austere locations (some third world, some first world) to nearly four thousand people over a cumulative 30-month period (spread over 18 years) – with more data there are few minor changes from the 2005 2nd edition, but the list is essentially the same – which is interesting. The record keeping was a bit unreliable at times, but the following summary is reasonably accurate.
Top 20 presentations (representing > 95% of consultations):
1. Minor musculoskeletal injuries - ankle sprains most common, included many minor fractures which didn’t require more than diagnosis and simple care
2. Upper respiratory tract infections
3. Allergic reactions/Hay feveAnaphylactic reactions/Rashes
4. Minor open wounds – included a mix of lacerations needing closure, many needing
cleaning and advice only, and some infected wounds
5. Gastroenteritis/Vomiting/Diarrhoea
6. Mental health problems
7. Sexual health/Contraceptive problems
8. Skin infections/Cellulitis
9. Dental problems
10. Abdominal pain - 4 confirmed acute appendix (2 treated with IV antibiotics and
subsequent delayed appendix removal / 2 required evacuation) + 1 gangrenous gall bladder. Many were "no cause found". Of the remainder with a clear diagnosis the most common were renal or biliary colic)
11. Fever /Viral illness
12. Chest infections
13. Major musculoskeletal injuries (fractures/dislocations)
14. Asthma
15. Ear infections
16. Urinary tract infections
17. Burns – mostly partial thickness within the realms of management in the environment the
patient was in. Several required evacuations. Several required rehabilitation due to location and sub-optimal initial treatment.
18. Chest pain
19. Syncope/Collapse/Faints
20. Early pregnancy problems
Major trauma was uncommon but was seen including several fractured femurs and a dozen cases of multi-system severe trauma resulting in a mix of in-country surgery and evacuations
Top 12 prescribed drugs (representing >90% of medications prescribed):
1. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
2. Loratadine (and other assorted antihistamines)
3. Diclofenac (and other assorted antiinflammatories)
4. Combined oral contraceptive
5. Flucloxacillin
6. Throat lozenges
7. Augmentin (Amoxycillin + clavulanic acid)
8. Loperamide
9. Nystatin (and other antifungals)
10. Hydrocortisonecream
11. Ventolininhalers(Salbutamol/Albuterol)
12. Morphine
What is of note here is that the clear majority of problems dealt with are simple and straight forward – there is still potential for serious consequences but there is scope for a well-informed lay person with a basic knowledge and access to a reasonable collection of reference books to provide reasonable care. Equally the vast majority of medication prescribed are from a very narrow well defined list – despite the fact 1000’s of drugs are on the market – the list of core lifesaving or comfort preserving ones is relatively brief.
2. Why children die
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the following conditions as having contributed to >75% of worldwide deaths in the under 5-year age group (in no particular order):
Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection of lungs. Prevention of this condition is somewhat limited – although good nutrition, clean and warm housing, and a reduction in the exposure to respiratory irritants (smoke) all can help. However, the most common bacteria which cause pneumonia are frequently sensitive to penicillin – which is discussed later in the book and can be produced in a low-tech environment.
Diarrhea Death from diarrhea (dehydration) is almost 100% preventable with appropriate use of oral rehydration therapy. Dirty water or poor food handling causes much diarrhea – this can be virtually eliminated by proper hygiene practices and care with drinking water.


Pre-term delivery While we are limited in the direct interventions available in an austere environment to mitigate this problem contributing factors to early labor are young age, malnutrition, smoking, poor maternal health, so there is scope for indirect intervention based on optimizing mum’s health and environment. For babies who are born prematurely the necessities of life are warmth and breast milk. With attention to detail for both things, it is possible for infants as young as 33-34 weeks to survive without high-tech intervention.
Malaria. Prevention is better than a cure, knowledge about clearing stagnant water, mosquito nets and long sleeved clothes can significantly reduce the risk. Equally quinine is derived from the bark of the Chincona tree and the Chinese have been using the herb, Artemisinin, effectively for the treatment of Malaria for years. So, while not as easy to treat or prevent as diarrhea, there is still scope for significant reduction in death rates in low-tech ways.
Blood infection Blood infection or septicemia is rapidly fatal. The ability to intervene depends on the cause of the infection and antibiotics available. Broadly, infections causing septicemia can originate from the skin, the lungs, the kidneys or bladder, and the abdominal contents. While specific treatments for these may be lacking in an austere environment – all have prevention strategies and basic low-tech treatments that can be lifesaving when applied appropriately.
Lack of oxygen at birth Of these problems, this is the one with probably the least scope for impact. Unfortunately, even if foetal distress is detected during labor (with heart beat monitoring or signs of distress like meconium), without the ability to deliver the baby quickly options are limited. That said, a caesarian section is not a massively complicated operation (and discussed in Chapter 10), and in parts of the third world is performed by trained lay people with safety and success.
Measles Again, there is limited scope to intervene directly with the disease. Measles is always around and while vaccination reduced the incidence of epidemics, sporadic cases still occur. In the absence of vaccinations epidemics of measles every few years will be inevitable. There is however some scope to minimize the spread during an epidemic with isolation and respiratory precautions during outbreaks. While some of the serious neurological complications are unavoidable in a
Prevention is better than a cure, knowledge about clearing stagnant water, mosquito nets and long sleeved clothes can significantly reduce the risk. Equally quinine is derived from the bark of the Chincona tree and the Chinese have been using the herb, Artemisinin, effectively for the treatment of Malaria for years. So, while not as easy to treat or prevent as diarrhea, there is still scope for significant reduction in death rates in low-tech ways. small number of patients, basic care such as maintaining hydration can also prevent complications such as dehydration.
Neonatal tetanus The prevention of neonatal tetanus is easy. You don’t let the site where the umbilical cord attaches to the baby get dirty. It is as simple as that.
HIV/AIDS Prevention of maternal infection is the key to prevention of infection of newborns. The steps required to prevent exposure to the HIV virus are widely known: abstinence (not undertaking sexual activity), monogamy (maintaining a single sex partner rather than multiple) and if neither is a palatable option, then safe sexual practices.
Most the conditions above have an element of either preventability or the ability to be treated to some degree in an austere environment and significant improvements in mortality and morbidity can be made.

3. The greatest advances in medicine
Several years ago the British Medical Journal ran a poll trying to identify top medical advances of the last 200 years. The following is the top 12 from that poll:
Sanitation 1st Antibiotics 2nd Anaesthesia 3rd Vaccines 4th DNA 5th Germ theory 6th = The oral contraceptive 6^th = Evidence based medicine 8th Imaging 9th Computers 10th Oral rehydration therapy 11th Smoking cessation 12th =
Just as with our discussion above about the causes of childhood deaths, this list is introduced to show just how much impact a very basic health care knowledge can have in terms of optimising health in a post-disaster or austere situation.
Of the biggest advances of medicine in the last 200 years, between 7 to 9 (depending on your knowledge and available resources) of the 12 can be applied to care in a austere situation. In particular, the knowledge of sanitation, germ theory, oral rehydration therapy, and simple manufactured antibiotics and anaesthetic agents all have the potential to be able to be continued to be applied in a post-disaster situation and to continue to contribute to a high quality of low-tech health care. In the same way that we can substantially reduce childhood death rates in a low tech post-disaster situation, we can still continue to have access to some of the biggest advances in medicine even at the end of the world.
4. Surgery in the third world
A non-specialist surgeon working at a isolated bush hospital in Papua New Guinea published his experience of Emergency Surgery over a 14 month period (similar articles have been published with similar data):
Emergency Surgery 243
Tendon repair 33 Open orthopaedics 32 Dilation and curettage 31 General surgery 29 Incision and drainage 26 Laceration repair 26 Obstetrics 23 Manipulation under anaesthesia 15 Urology 15 Gynaecology 9 Ear, nose and throat 2
Emergency anaesthesia 243
Ketamine – spontaneous breathing 166 Local anaesthesia 33 Ketamine – ventilated 16 Spinal anaesthesia 12 Propofol / thiopentone 10 Epidural 5 Epidural / GA 1
The point of this reference is to help illustrate what someone can achieve in primitive conditions with no formal surgical training and no dedicated anaesthetist. We are not suggesting that the average layperson can safely practice to this extent or breadth of surgery, but it does demonstrate that a non-surgeon can achieve much. It also shows that most anaesthetics for surgery in an austere situation can be done under local or ketamine anaesthetics.
Why this is relevant?
Each of these four references gives you insights, one way or another, into low-tech austere health care. First, it gives you an insight into the likely clinical problems that you may see in a survival situation, and how much can be dealt with in that sort of austere environment. Second, it demonstrates how medically speaking it is the small things and simple knowledge which save lives and some of the biggest killers can be mitigated with these relatively low level interventions or strategies.
In our opening summary – “Medicine at that end of the world”, we describe a pretty bleak medical reality post-SHTF. Will million’s really die from lack of access to modern heath care as we have alleged?
The short answer is yes – many will die much sooner than they otherwise would have, from disease and injury, which currently are not immediately fatal. But the answer is not nearly that simple nor bleak. The reality is that while cancer, diabetes, malnutrition or serious injury may claim many of its victim’s sooner than with today’s health care, most health problems can be treated or mitigated to a degree in a low- tech environment, with a narrow range of medications and interventions – including some cancers, non- insulin requiring diabetes and many major traumatic injuries.
Most medical problems are relatively mundane and not life threatening. Truly catastrophic problems in medicine are fortunately rare. You should focus on learning and preparing to deal with the common problems, and doing common procedures well, and you will save lives, and possibly also improve the quality of those lives.
There will be a significant change to health care but with knowledge and some preparation it isn’t quite as dire as many (including our own opening paragraph) predict. "

I had breast surgery almost two years ago and it went all kinds of bad. I had to have multiple corrections, all by the same surgeon. The last one was a skin graft less than a year ago. Now my left breast is half gone and he reduced the other breast to “match”, but I will never be able to fix what has happened.
He doesn’t operate in a hospital, but uses a medical spa in Michigan. He makes everyone sign multiple forms saying we accept whatever happens to use (up to death, etc) but my family still thinks I should try to take him to court for damages and reconstructive surgery through another doctor.
I’m worried that it will just be a waste of time/money since I signed all the forms. Does anyone have insight on this kind of situation?

I’m a 20 year old transgender woman, I transitioned at 15, I look, act, feel, sound, and everyone believes I am a “woman”. I’m not bragging or “tooting”but I am very attractive I get compliments in public, flooded with compliments on apps, I’m fairly short, and have a decent sense of style (I am now tooting my own horn). I should feel lucky I should feel grateful, I should feel good, but everything hurts. I hate myself so much it’s unreal, nothing makes me feel happy not even the compliments not even love. My life would be so much easier if I was just normal, nothing I’ve experienced has been normal or okay. I’d do anything to trade places with anyone, I prayed for it as a child and I pray for it now. Everything is painful, I can’t even look in the mirror with out my appearance changing infront of my own eyes, or my eyes going directly to my pelvis and hating myself even more. i cqnt even move past hating myself to be loved by my boyfriend wiyh out sabotaging it all. ive started to pick at him and its unfair, the shame and guilt i hold when we go dates is overwhelming, he won’t even reach for my hand in public and I know he feels shame too, yet he gets off to the idea of me being different. I’m a walking fetish and it makes me sick, the idea of being fetishized has made me despise having sex. The idea of my boyfriend getting of to the fact that none of his family, friends or even his roommate know that I am trans hurts, I don’t want them to know but I’d rather not know he’s getting off to my pain and discomfort at my expense. Believing my only hope for a stable life being through only fans is awful, I’m convinced it’s my only option for some type of salvation, at least if I take control of the fetishizing then will I have power and I guess I’ll have money. Then maybe I can try and heal myself with a surgery that could lessen the suffering and pain I feel already. Sex has become a nothing, sometimes I enjoy it but sometimes im doing it to my others happy, so that I feel wanted and validated and APPRECIATED. The feeling of being touched makes me shifted out of my body, I feel like I’m in a porn video, poked, pounded, sucked, licked, kissed nothing feels good anymore but it’s the only time I feel valued. Everything makes me sick and disgusting, the feeling of being touched and acting like it feels good is draining all for the pursuit of love, affection, touch, and validation. I can’t tell if it’s underlying trauma? Maybe something happened as a child? Or maybe I just can’t help but to dissociate. The heart ache I have when I think about me being a normal person male or female, nothing can take that away. Suggesting I should de transition isn’t realistic, I have breasts that would require extensive weight loss or even surgery, even with weight loss I’d still have loose skin I’d have to remove. Detransitioning would cause more pain then I already have, whether you believe being trans is real or not is beyond, I’ve made my bed and I’m happy to a point about how I look but I will never be fulfilled as a person. I’m stuck with the biological FACT that I am male who was born with a cursed brain. Therapy has never helped I went through multiple years of therapy to even begin my transition none of which helped only proved that I am an ill individual who’s suffering from a very severe case of gender dysphoria. I tried to mutilate my body as a child (no damage done). I wish for one thing that people take away from this is that being trans is PAINFUL transitioning IS PAINFUL, and even more painful to go back and live as your biological sex. An analogy I read compared it to a walking through a door that tortures you as you walk in but tortures you again if not worse then before. I wish to be treated as a HUMAN BEING not a sexual object, an animal, subhuman, or as if we don’t matter. I feel pain and I know pain and I deserve to be heard, seen, and loved.
(I apologize for my grammar errors, mistakes, and incoherent ramblings jumping from thought to thought, I’m not very intelligent I’m just expressing feelings to whoever reads this and it’s very late and I can’t sleep )

Source: 🔗 Chat with Lifelike Virtual Personalities — talkiemate.com
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining good health can be a challenge. With so much conflicting information about diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about where to start. However, by creating a personalized health plan tailored to your individual needs and goals, you can take control of your well-being and achieve optimal health. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about personalized health plans, including how to create one, the benefits they offer, and how you can work with a dedicated health and wellness coach like Olivia Adams to optimize your plan for success.
Understanding Personalized Health Plans
A personalized health plan is a customized approach to health and wellness that takes into account your unique needs, preferences, and goals. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, a personalized health plan is tailored specifically to you, ensuring that you’re able to make sustainable lifestyle changes that support your overall well-being.
The Components of a Personalized Health Plan
A personalized health plan typically includes several key components:
Nutrition: A healthy diet is the foundation of good health. Your personalized health plan will outline dietary recommendations based on your individual nutritional needs, preferences, and goals. This may include guidance on portion sizes, food choices, and meal timing.
Exercise: Physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. Your personalized health plan will include recommendations for exercise based on your fitness level, interests, and goals.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can have a detrimental impact on your health, contributing to conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Your personalized health plan will include strategies for managing stress, such as mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and time management strategies.
Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. Your personalized health plan will include recommendations for improving sleep quality and quantity, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and addressing any underlying sleep disorders.
Supplementation: In some cases, dietary supplements may be recommended as part of your personalized health plan to address specific nutritional deficiencies or support overall health. Your health coach can provide guidance on which supplements may be beneficial for you and how to incorporate them into your routine safely.
Creating Your Personalized Health Plan
Creating a personalized health plan begins with a comprehensive assessment of your current health status, lifestyle habits, and goals. This assessment may include:
Health History: Your health coach will review your medical history, including any existing health conditions, medications, and previous injuries or surgeries.
Lifestyle Habits: Your health coach will assess your current lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress levels, and substance use.
Goals: Your health coach will work with you to identify your health goals, whether they’re related to weight loss, improved fitness, better stress management, or overall well-being.
Based on this assessment, your health coach will create a personalized health plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. This plan may include specific dietary recommendations, exercise guidelines, stress management strategies, and sleep hygiene practices tailored to your individual preferences and circumstances.
The Benefits of a Personalized Health Plan
A personalized health plan offers numerous benefits, including:
Customization: Unlike generic health advice, a personalized health plan is tailored specifically to you, ensuring that it meets your unique needs and preferences.
Accountability: Working with a health coach provides accountability and support, helping you stay motivated and committed to your health goals.
Long-Term Success: By addressing the root causes of your health issues and making sustainable lifestyle changes, a personalized health plan sets you up for long-term success and improved well-being.
Improved Health Outcomes: Research has shown that personalized health plans can lead to better health outcomes, including improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
Working with a Health and Wellness Coach
While creating a personalized health plan on your own can be beneficial, working with a dedicated health and wellness coach like Olivia Adams can take your plan to the next level. Olivia Adams is a certified health and wellness coach with expertise in nutrition, exercise science, stress management, and sleep hygiene. She can provide personalized guidance, support, and accountability to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
How to Get Started with Olivia Adams
To get started with Olivia Adams, simply visit her Talkiemate profile here to start your conversation today. Olivia will work with you to create a personalized health plan that meets your individual needs and goals, empowering you to take control of your health and live your best life.
Conclusion
A personalized health plan is a powerful tool for improving your overall well-being and achieving your health goals. By taking a personalized approach to nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, and supplementation, you can address the root causes of your health issues and make sustainable lifestyle changes that support your long-term health and happiness. Whether you choose to create a personalized health plan on your own or work with a dedicated health and wellness coach like Olivia Adams, the key is to take proactive steps towards optimizing your health and living your best life.
References:
“The Importance of Personalized Health Plans” – American Journal of Preventive Medicine
“The Role of Health Coaches in Personalized Health Care” – Health Affairs
“Creating Personalized Health Plans for Better Outcomes” – National Institutes of Health
“The Benefits of Working with a Health and Wellness Coach” – Mayo Clinic
“The Role of Nutrition in Personalized Health Plans” – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
“Exercise Guidelines for Personalized Health Plans” – American College of Sports Medicine
“Stress Management Strategies for Improved Health” – American Psychological Association
“Improving Sleep Quality and Quantity” – National Sleep Foundation
“Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know” – National Institutes of Health
“The Science of Behavior Change” – National Institutes of Health

Hello everyone, I am making this post on behalf of my parents.
The family cat is Sooty, who is 10 years old. Last month, she developed two tumours in one breast, and that breast was removed. Now, during her recovery, another lump has formed on a different breast.
The vet told us that this new lump, due to the location, did not spread from the initial cancer, it is on its own. Vet said we have three options; 1. Address the lumps as they arrive, meaning an uncertain number of surgeries, 2. Do a full mastectomy (which is 8 breasts) or 3. Leave it be.
We are trying to decide on the best course of action. My mum doesn't want to put Sooty through a massive surgery that spans most of her body, and would prefer to remove the lumps as they come. However, this would lead to potentially a lot recovery periods.
Anyone who is familiar with this diagnosis, is it worth it to do a full mastectomy? Is it likely there will be more cancers to come, and most of the breasts will need to be removed anyway? How likely is this to spread to the lungs?
We really need your professional opinions please. Thank you

Hello everyone, I am making this post on behalf of my parents.
The family cat is Sooty, who is 10 years old. Last month, she developed two tumours in one breast, and that breast was removed. Now, during her recovery, another lump has formed on a different breast.
The vet told us that this new lump, due to the location, did not spread from the initial cancer, it is on its own. Vet said we have three options; 1. Address the lumps as they arrive, meaning an uncertain number of surgeries, 2. Do a full mastectomy (which is 8 breasts) or 3. Leave it be.
We are trying to decide on the best course of action. My mum doesn't want to put Sooty through a massive surgery that spans most of her body, and would prefer to remove the lumps as they come. However, this would lead to potentially a lot recovery periods.
Does anyone have experience with a cat developing breast cancers? Is it worth it to do a full mastectomy? Once your cat started having these tumours, did it end up being every breast? I want personal experience as well as scientific knowledge. Thank you

I'm looking for cute swimsuits that don't have built-in breast support/a design that emphasizes the chest. I've had top surgery, and most pretty swimsuits are built to make your boobs look giant. That's just not gonna fit me, and it'll feel silly. I'd prefer a one-piece, but I'm not opposed to a two-piece if the top isn't too much like a bra. Honestly something intended for bodies without breasts would be great, but I'm not sure how much of that is out there.
I'd also prefer for the bottoms to be broad enough to not show pubic hair, but I'm not opposed to shaving or wearing small swim shorts with a swimsuit.

Breast implant revision is a surgical procedure aimed at replacing or modifying existing breast implants to address complications, aesthetic changes, or aging implants. Common reasons for this surgery include issues like capsular contracture, implant rupture, or dissatisfaction with the current implant size or shape. The procedure involves various techniques such as implant exchange, capsulectomy, or repositioning of the implants, and is typically performed under general anesthesia. Recovery includes managing discomfort, wearing support garments, and avoiding strenuous activities for several weeks. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial to achieving optimal results and minimizing risks.

I am 21 and my boyfriend is 23. I got pregnant a month after dating and found out we're having a boy. He wanted a boy because he has all nieces and I wanted a girl because I have all nephews. But I am happy with a boy so hopefully if I decide to have another baby and it's a girl, she has a protector. But after this experience, I'm not sure if I want another baby. My hospital will not allow a vaginal delivery after a c section. I was always worried and emotional during pregnancy but very healthy and baby is very healthy. My water broke at 39 weeks and 4 days. I had contractions and got an epidural but had to get pitocin because I wasn't dilating past 4cm. Baby's pulse kept dropping because of pitocin. So I had to have a c section. I was really scared and still depressed about it. Recovery has been really hard. I've never had a surgery and I wanted to deliver vaginally for a faster and easier recovery. My arms were spread out like a starfish. I felt my guts being rearranged but no pain. I was puking. Very tired and scared. It's wasn't an emergency c section so my boyfriend got to be by my side. He was very worried about me. Baby was born and of course I didn't get to see him or have skin to skin right away. Dad got to see him first. I have been struggling with breast feeding. So everything has been really discouraging and hard for me. I've cried so many times because having a c section has really messed with my mental health. I try to do as much as I can with my baby but I'm still recovering so it's hard. I can't do much. Well, baby ALWAYS calms down when dad holds him. Baby smiles at his dad and just stares at him. But when I hold baby, he doesn't smile. He is fine for a little bit, than cries. Dad takes him and he's fine. So not only am I in pain and in recovery, but my baby doesn't like me. I don't know how to cope. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm doing everything wrong. My boyfriend is always correcting me. Which is with good reason because I'm a little retarded. I know this but it still hurts. My boyfriend calls me retarded and says he's joking but I know it's true. For example, I got a bottle ready and took the nipple out of the paper and he asked why I did that because it was just going to get hair or dust on it. So I had to go wash it. Now, my boyfriend is amazing. So loving, supportive and understanding. He has helped me through all my cries. He has helped me with everything in my recovery. He's an amazing father. He always knows what to do with baby. He guides me on doing things. Pretty much everything. But I'm always doing SOMETHING wrong. Maybe he just likes dad more because dad does more with him than I do. Because I can't do as much as dad can. But I'm just so depressed from all of this. Everything is so discouraging and hard. I don't have negative feelings about my baby. I'm just sad. Dad has me do the things he doesn't wanna do and of course baby doesn't like. Like changing clothes and burping. He's scared of hurting baby doing these things. I burp baby by putting my hand under his chin, rocking and patting. I've had trouble swaddling and caring for circumcision but my partner picked them up right away. He told me they showed us at the hospital and asked if I was even paying attention. And I said of course I was trying to but I have been sleep deprived, depressed, and in pain so it was hard paying attention. It's not like I was trying to ignore these things on purpose. It was just hard staying awake and fighting through pain. I just feel absolutely dumb and hopeless. I feel useless. And I don't know what to do to fix my relationship with my baby. He's everything to me. He's the cutest and sweetest baby ever. He's my baby. But sometimes I wonder if he even knows I'm his mom. Cause he's happy with anyone holding him but when his dad holds him, he's the most happiest in the world. I'm hoping it'll improve once I recover because I'll be staying home with him and doing everything instead of dad doing everything. But I'm just very emotional right now. I'm trying to do everything I can do. But I don't want to overdo it. My partner thinks I overdo it because he says I need to ask for help because I don't always want to. Because I feel like I'm not doing enough. I'm just very lost..... :(

I am going to be getting a breast reduction soon and was wondering if the surgery will reduce the ever so annoying bra bulge. if i ask, will they remove the fat from that area? or would that be something they do with lipo?

Best ways to support mom? With physical and mental needs.
I’d been at college and when coming home (just a couple days ago) my mom revealed that she has breast cancer. “The polite kind” she says as she was told by her doctors. She found out around March and didn’t want to tell me while I was away at college apparently and was going through deliberation on what to do. Through what she’s witnessed others go through with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, including it sometimes coming back undetectable and untreatable, she has made the decision to get a double mastectomy. (Of course other factors but I believe these are some main ones).
I think her poise has helped me remain calm. While she seems almost unmoved by this upcoming surgery and only through minor comments reveals how it has “been on her mind”, I know that she still needs support. I have been helpful in finding items to help in her healing process and supportive w creating an optimistic atmosphere but what else should I do? A question I would like insight into is: how do I remind her that she is so beautiful? I think this drastic bodily change (while I know she is already a little insecure) will affect her. Everything has been happening so fast, I am not sure what exactly to expect from the surgery, from how it will affect her physically to mentally.
Overall, best ways to support my mom?

Hi everyone. I’m in an extremely tough place. This morning I went to the Bascom Palmer eye institute ER in Miami Florida because this past week I lost more function on the infected side of my face. From November 30th, 2023 to April 30th, 2024 I had a mild case of Bell’s palsy and most people couldn’t really tell I had it unless I made strong facial expressions, tried blinking, closing my eyes or laughed. As of May 1st my top lip completely drooped down on the left side and now when I eat I have issues with accidentally biting my top lip. As of May 8th my infected eye widen open a little more than before and doesn’t close completely anymore. Since May 8th I’ve been taping my eye shut to go to sleep at night and the liquid based eye drops I was using before doesn’t work anymore. Now I use an ointment called Systane lubricant eye ointment nighttime severe dry eye relief. The ointment helps keep my eye more moisturized but it makes my vision a bit blurry. At the Bascom Palmer ER they did test on my eyes and said the inside of my eye is still good but the cornea is drying out quickly. They told me to buy Refresh optive mega 3 lubricant eye drops to use throughout the day and to continue using the Systane ointment at night when I sleep.
They told me they’re gonna call me tomorrow to set up an appointment to possibly discuss doing a surgery called the gold eyelid weight surgery or possibly another procedure.
Last week I called a virtual urgent care and told them about the lip drooping after 5 months of being fine and they decided to give me a second round of medication.They prescribed me prednisone 20 MG 2 pills a day for 5 days and valacyclovir 1GM tab 2 pills twice a day for two days. I finished medication this past Friday May 10th. I’m hoping in a few weeks or a month to see some sort of progress but I’m not going to lie, my faith is shot.
Earlier today I was able to get in contact with the neurologist I saw in March of this year and gave him a breakdown of what has happened the last 2 weeks and I’m a bit annoyed by his response. Between February and March of this year he did blood test to rule out diabetes, STDs/HIV, Lyme disease and kidney issues. He also did an MRI of my brain and an EMG nerve conduct test. The nerve conduct test showed I had severe nerve damage back in March but still based on how I looked physically the neurologist claimed I still had a mild case. Earlier today he told me he wanted to do another MRI of my brain and that I should get an eye patch in addition to taping my eye shut at night. Those were the only 2 things he suggested despite all that’s going on. I honestly have no idea what to do and I’ve reached a point where I’m starting to freak out. If anyone has any helpful tips they can share it’ll be greatly appreciated.

I was planning on getting a few tattoos on my arm this August from a tattoo artist I’ve been trying to get in with forever but the doctor I had scheduled my breast aug with had an opening come up the first week in June (I was originally scheduled for December) and I took the spot because I kind of want to get it over with because I’m super nervous about it.
Does anyone know what amount of time it’s recommended to wait after surgery before getting a tattoo? I’ve seen varying info. I do plan on asking my doctor as well, just wondering because I want to try to see when I could reschedule my tattoo appointment to if I have to.
Can tattoos affect breast augmentation in anyway? I have lots of tattoos and go to the same reputable people over and over so not concerned about infection. I definitely want to continue getting tattoos after getting them done.

Baby boy was born at 36 weeks gestation a few days ago. He is in the NICU due to having a pleural effusion that seems to be clearing. He also has pulmonary hypertension but they hope no surgery is needed right now. He is stable and doing well in the NICU. He doesn’t suckle or eat on his own because he is learning to swallow and breathe. Things we take for granted. I feel bad for my wife because she was looking forward to experience being a woman and breast feeding him.
They no longer have him intubated just on oxygen with the canula at 2 liters so we are making progress. Blood work came back positive for trisomy21. Asked Doctor about a microarray but she said he doesn’t need one?that he as tri21? I thought there were 3 types from what I am learning online.
Can’t say my wife and aren’t a little scared and confused. I did sign up today for down syndrome network news letter. I guess I just don’t know where to start since we are embarking on this journey.
I hope to give him the best life I can. I know early intervention is important but what exactly does that entail? What therapies should I be looking for to begin with? What recommendations or resources?
My wife is grieving and so am I a little because he is our first and I guess we had so many ideas of our marriage having a little one that would be our legacy in terms of growing up and growing older, college, girlfriends, maybe marriage and children for him but now I see he may never experience some of those things and we should be counting our blessings.
I have so many thoughts in my mind like what kind of life will he have and be able to live? Will he live a long quality life? Will he have independence? I get worried about who will take care of him when we die as I am 38m and wife is 36f. Then I read that I can expect his life expectancy to be maybe 50-60’s years of age and that some DS people live till 70’s maybe.
I know I should just enjoy the moment now of him being a baby but seeing the videos on you tube and realizing how much time and effort he will need to thrive scares me because he just won’t have a typical childhood. But I will do my best to be strong and be there for him and I want to give him the best start and base possible to thrive.
I see there was an institute for people’s potential and also know I will need to sign up for all the therapies I can. I know also I need him to have great nutrition and healthy lifestyle so he can carry himself with it for as long as he can because after my wife and I are gone he will really have no one else besides maybe a few nephews and nieces. Do I need to set up a trust or anything like that now or accounts to grow so he will have something in the future to use?
Thank you for reading my grief and cries here. I appreciate your experience and expertise on what I can do to give my newborn baby boy the best quality of life he can have.

Breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is a procedure where breast implants are surgically taken out. This operation may be chosen for various reasons, such as addressing health concerns like capsular contracture, complications associated with Breast Implant Illness (BII), or the desire to return to a more natural appearance. The procedure can involve different techniques, including simple removal through the original incision, capsulectomy where the surrounding scar tissue is also removed, or a breast lift to counteract sagging and reshape the breast. While the surgery carries typical surgical risks such as infection, scarring, and changes in breast sensation, many women find relief and improved well-being post-removal. Recovery typically involves a few weeks of restricted activity, with full results and healing observed over several months. Emotional support and thorough consultation with a qualified surgeon are crucial to ensure satisfactory outcomes and address any concerns throughout the process.

Hi guys! I originally posted under another name and forgot the login info so here I am again. I wanted to share a bit about my experience 6 weeks into taking myfembree for fibroids.
I have a 14cm fibroid on top of my uterus, and am on the wait list for surgery (it will be between Sept - Dec, I live in Canada). I was prescribed this medication to stop my fibroid from growing any more before surgery. This medication stops your ovaries from producing hormones and you essentially go through menopause.
The first few weeks were terrible. I felt weirdly dissociated and unemotional, but then would suddenly get extremely angry and irritable, and then sometimes cry. I was very tired. I got a UTI and vaginitis, related to the changes in micro biome that occur when your body stops producing estrogen. I started having hot flashes, and couldn’t even have a cup of tea without sweating through a long sleeved shirt and a sweater. I was spotting brown and red. I had really bad leg and foot aches, they were very swollen.
Here’s where I think it gets interesting— I have always been an extrovert, and very bubbly and social. Being on these meds have made that go away completely. I am content to be around my boyfriend and also just be alone. My FOMO is completely gone and I am being more consistently productive before I hit a wall and get tired (usually I am more productive in the luteal phase). Is extroversion hormonal!?
Fast forward to week six and the hot flashes are almost down to zero (I think I had one this week). I did not get my period at all when I was supposed to at week 4. I am losing my hair, a handful every two days. It is alarming as I have thin hair. Now I understand why older women cut theirs off, there’s nothing left. I also realized my lifelong acne was hormonal too because it is completely gone. My breasts don’t feel full and tender like they sometimes would. Actually none of my body does.
I get insanely tired around 4-5pm, like stare-at-the-ceiling for two hours tired. To offset this I have been drinking lots of electrolytes and eating a snack around 3:30 and this seems to have helped. I imagine the medication depletes your mineral reserves. I need a ton of sleep. I’ve definitely felt too exhausted to exercise, and a regular 8 hour workday leaves me feeling drained, almost burnt out. My sex drive is lower, I basically don’t feel a pressing need for it anymore like I used to. Overall I’d say I feel okay, but looking forward to getting surgery and going off it.
Hope this is helpful in some way! Any similar experiences?

So my ex and I broke up back in Jan and we were rocky on and off. The last time we spoke was a month ago and I thought we were on good terms as in friends
Unfortunately, few weeks ago the doctor found a cancer tumor in my breasts and its in stage 3, they wanted to do surgery to remove it effectively immediately. I haven’t told my ex because i was overwhelmed with everything.
The surgery is tomorrow and I had a life/death moment and I texted him the updates and how im having a surgery tomorrow. He replied saying, “oh you’re having a surgery. My prayers go out to you” and that’s not how he usually texts and that threw me off and i got really emotional and replied, “I really love you, Michael. Thank you for everything 🫶🏽” and then he replied, “Lol relax, youll be fine”
Im crying here so much. Idk if he seems cruel after everything we’ve been through or im just feeling very emotional
I didnt reply to his text and deleted his contact. The last text really hurts me. Its okay i have my family and friends who are here to support me
Any support is needed from strangers as well as my surgery is in 12 hrs 🥺

How did you decide?
And did you consider top surgery before you had the reduction?
I feel 85% that I want a radical reduction with no nips, leaving a little bit of breast tissue as I am agender, so being femme appeals to me sometimes.
But the other 15% wants to go full top surgery (still no nips, I’m 100% on that).
I’m worried I’ll regret not going totally flat but also that I might regret going totally flat!

Hey guys, looking for advice on how to navigate this..
My Fiancé has booked a breast augmentation surgery with a plastic surgeon in Miami, this surgeon has done her friends boobs and she really likes them. I have searched for the Dr as well as his clinic on this sub and got no results. He supposedly has 6-10 years of experience which is enough for the ABPS certification from my understanding so what gives? The Dr has plenty of before and after of clients but I’m just worried that my Fiancé might of rushed the process. Is it okay that he is only ABS certified or should i try to convince her to hold on this surgery. She is wanting Silicone implants under the muscle. Thank you for any clarification on this!

TL;DR - Has anyone had to get both a mammogram AND a bilateral ultrasound before top surgery due to having "dense tissue"?
Hey, I am 40 and planning on getting DI (no nips) top surgery later this year. At my initial consult, my surgeon said it would be best if I got a standard mammogram beforehand since I'm 40––that way if anything did show up that could be addressed pre and during surgery. I also read that online/that makes sense. I also know after top surgery I won't be able to do mammograms (yay!) and will have to switch to ultrasounds moving forward.
I got the mammogram today, and I was fishing for info from the radiologist (even though she's not going to tell me much, as the results will be sent to my PCP). She did however mention that I have dense tissue (apparently about half of ppl w/ boobs have at least moderately dense tissue) which apparently makes it a little harder to read mammograms. She said since I have dense tissue (not for much longer!!! ha!) and plan on getting surgery this year I might want to also get a bilateral ultrasound. I'm curious, are there any folks here who got top surgery when they were 40+ (or younger folks with family history of breast cancer) who got a mammogram AND an ultrasound before top surgery? I'll obviously wait for the mammogram results and talk with my PCP, but I didn't even know that this was a thing until today.

This will be my THIRD time going through this process because of changes in my health insurance. I started at a new job with good health benefits and am trying to expedite the process since I’ve already been through it and just really want my surgery.
Does anyone know of any surgeons that accept insurance that had a quick turn around time between consultation and surgery date? I know insurance approval plays a role in this, but I am trying to schedule my surgery by the end of July.
Located in California, but open to looking in neighboring states, so long as I can complete the consultation virtually.