One Year After Surgery and Six Months on Testosterone

So I'm going to keep it short and sweet! One Year!

Voice! Bare with me, I feel really dumb taking these videos, so a lot of the time I don't know what to say!

Regular

Skipping right to the six months

                                     

Eight Months

Hey guys! It's been eight months since I've had my surgery. I've had three testosterone shots and am currently setting myself up for giving myself the shots. I don't feel any different yet; rather disappointed at this point. Hopefully getting my needles and such won't be too expensive. Currently my insurance doesn't cover anything so every time I go to get a shot it costs me $500 plus, out of pocket. I've been working out consistently and feel strong some days and other days it's like the Testosterone has worn off and I feel weak and kinda weird. In this area too I don't feel much different. Christi says that my shoulders are broader and that my arms have gained mass. I am up ten pounds, but it doesn't look it, which is good and bad I guess.

Here's my pic!

Testosterone

Hey everyone! On March fifth on got my FIRST TESTOSTERONE SHOT! It was super exciting. I've waited so long and to finally just walk in to my doctors and get my shot was an excellent feeling. As for how I feel, I feel no different. Everything seems the same. I go back April fourth for my next shot and hopefully from there on I'll be able to give them to myself and avoid the doctors visit. I'll still have to go back in every so often to get basic labs done to check my levels.

I got a gym membership and am ready to start pounding the weights again after my surgery. Hopefully now I will get the results I want! I'm super excited to see how things go and change just in the next two months. My voice should be one of the first things to change :)

I did give in and have a conversation with my mom. I told her everything. I told her about starting testosterone and that I had chest surgery. Unfortuantely she is still not accepting and said some pretty hurtful things. I was very upset after we talked, but I think I did a good job of putting it behind me quickly and not letting it effect my life choices. I wish for once she could leave God out of it. I don't forsee being around her much. She just stresses me out and adds more of a burden. It saddens me that I have failed in her eyes, not because I agree, but because she can't see all the great things I have become and done. I'm "broken" to her.

Thanks for the love and support friends! Sometimes its the things you guys say that get me through the day!

Five Months and Three Days!

      Hey everyone! So it's been five months since my original surgery and just over three weeks on the areola reduction surgery! Overall I'm feeling great! I am still massaging and wearing the silicone sheeting to help the scar tissue. The discoloration from the steroid shots has gone, along with the overall tenderness. I'm hoping to get a workout regime started soon and to stick with it.

PICTURES!!!!

 I'd like to take some time and send a few shout-outs. I clearly should've done this sooner, sorry!
              First and foremost I'd like to thank Christi for her endless love, strength, and support. I truly don't think I would have been able to go through all of this with out her. From the encouragement and security shes given, to the drain tubes and long car rides, I am forever grateful to have her in my life! Thank you Kerry for watching the dogs and taking Landon to let me have some down time to rest and recover, but most of all for your support as well. David and Teege, thanks for your continued support and the get well gifts. Misty Brum, thank you for checking in and for bringing me prunes (I guess)! Also for lending me Bones to occupy my down time! Annie, thanks for your continued support and inspiration! My friends up north: Kathy and Kelly your constant checking in on me. I'd also like to send a special thank you to my extended family that has really kept me involved in their lives and for your acceptance! I am blessed to have amazing cousins (including the married in ones)! Nathan, you're an inspiration to me! I am pleasantly surprised by the love and support I receive day in and day out by everyone! I'm the happiest I have ever been and I'm so glad that all of you are in my life! I can only wish that my immediate family will come around. Thank you everyone! Much Love!!!!

Evan

Four months and Areola Reduction Surgery

Hey everyone! So it's been a while since I updated so I thought I'd do a quick update. On January 21st I went back to Dr. King and had areola reduction surgery. This procedure took an hour in half. I was awake for the entire procedure, which had its pros and cons. I was laid flat on my back, raised up in the air with lots of bright lights. They stuck a grounding patch on my leg in case they needed to cauterize any bleeding (I was told I probably wouldn't need this). The nurse then washed my entire upper body. My arms were placed at my sides, but not tight to my body. They then placed sterilized towels all around my arms, waist, and neck. Then the fun began! They took a huge needle out and stabbed me multiple times on each side of my chest to numb all the nerves. Once they were done on both sides he started to cut! I couldn't watch because I was trying to stay calm and still. Basically what they did was cut the areola down smaller and then did a purse-cinch stitch all the way around the nipple. Unfortunately I felt every stitch and pull. I had a really hard time trying to not think about what they were doing. Of course nothing can ever go perfectly smooth and I began to bleed a lot. So they had to cauterize all around my nipple. The stitching and numbing hurt, but smelling and seeing your own flesh burn took the cake. It was horrendous to say the least. I tried to not look as much as possible, but I could see the reflection of my chest in his glasses. Plus asking and using all the different tools I could see all the blood. Normally this kind of stuff doesn't bother me, but when its yourself, it's a whole different ballgame. Once they finished the right side then they went to left. At first it was pretty numb, but once they started to cut I could feel it. They knew I felt it from me jerking around, whoops! They ended up cauterizing both sides and cleaned my nipples and chest up and then put medical adhesive on them. I had to let it dry for a little bit and I was free to go!!!! I go back in two weeks for a check up. He'll remove the glue and check the stitches. I should not have to have any more surgical procedures done on my chest. I have one scar that the scar tissue I just can't seem to get rid of. This potentially could lead to a steroid injection.



CAUTION PICTURES!!!!





This was right before I left for the surgery. took the pictures myself so they aren't the best, or straight :)

 

 

This is about eight hours after the surgery.

 

I developed a white ring around my nipple from all the pulling and such. The pain afterwards wasn't horrendous, but I won't lie it hurts. The best way I can describe it is that it's like someone is giving you a titty twister constantly.

 

Here's to a speedy recovery!!! Thanks for your support! Special thanks to Christi, my love and my nurse. I don't know what I'd do without her!