ravenoli:

Hey everyone! I’ve been waiting to make a post with some top surgery advice and now that I’m finally feeling a little better I thought I’d take a shot. I’ve already made a post about my personal experience, so feel free to read that and maybe get an idea of what your day might be like. I also dealt with a minor complication after surgery, which I’ve posted about here. It was nothing too serious, but feel free to read it if you want to learn about a not-so-common experience. Now, on to the good stuff!

Leading up to surgery:

• Drink plenty of fluids and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle–this will help during surgery and during recovery!
• Make sure you have an after surgery buddy. I’m not sure I would’ve survived without @gaydogdad to hand me things I couldn’t reach (that were usually 6 inches away). 
• If you feel anxious, call and talk to your surgeon/staff. It’s totally normal to worry and they will help you out any way they can. 

The day of surgery:

• Wear loose clothes! Many surgeons will recommend wearing a button-up, but mine only allowed zip-up sweaters. I strongly recommend going with the sweater instead of button-up shirt! You might think that a shirt will be loose enough, but once the swelling and soreness sets in you’re going to want something loose and comfy. Basketball/workout shorts are also your best friend because pulling your pants down to pee is not a fun experience the first day or so. Also, flipflops/sandals. Comfort is the key on surgery day!
• Your surgeon will likely give you instructions with what to bring to the facility on surgery day (prescriptions, clothes, inhalers, etc.). Be sure to review them and pack your bag the night before!
• You are going to feel nervous/anxious/excited/scared/happy (basically every emotion ever) and that’s totally okay! This is a big day! You are also probably going to feel like you’re forgetting to do something or that you haven’t done everything your doctor said–at least, that’s how I felt the entire morning. Chances are, you’re fine. Your nerves will trick you into thinking you should be doing more, but your number one concern should be relaxing and mentally preparing yourself for the day!
• Communicate with your doctor/staff! Don’t be shy to ask questions about what is going to happen or concerns you may have. That’s why they are there. 

Recovery:

• Rest, rest, rest! ‘Nuff said. 
• Figure out the most comfortable position/place for you. I stayed on the couch for a few days because it was really hard to sit up from laying flat on my back in bed. Sometimes I even slept sitting straight up. Just figure out what works best for you and get plenty of sleep/rest.
• Listen to your doctor! Don’t overexert yourself just because you start feeling better. Don’t stop wearing your compression shirt because the swelling subsided. Don’t forget to take your medicine. Basically, be the ideal patient. 
• Listen to your body! If you feel tired, sleep. If your muscles are sore, take a break from whatever  you’re doing. If you’re hungry, eat. Surgery is exhausting and it takes a lot out of you. Don’t think “well it’s been a week so I should be able to do _____” because that’s not always how it works. Everyone heals differently. 
• That being said, I know guys who stopped taking pain pills after the first day and others (including myself) who needed them for a longer period of time. As long as you are using them the way they’re intended, don’t be ashamed that you are in pain. Take care of yourself the best way you can!
• My doctor provided a post-op package as well with some helpful contents that I’ll list here just so you have an idea of some things you may need but didn’t think about:
• Melatonin (sleep, sleep, sleep!)
• Sleep mask and ear plugs (sleep, sleep, sleep during the day!)
• Dulcolax (helps relieve constipation that most people experience from pain killers and anesthesia) 
• Probiotic Pearls (helps your immune system and your tummy!)
• Arnica Montana (an herb that helps with swelling and bruising)
• Benadryl (in case you’re itchy; also helps sleep)
• White Petroleum Jelly (for post-op massages)
• Additional Gauze/Dressings (they gave me maternity pads and they worked wonders absorbing the fluid from my drains)

Well, that’s all I have for now! I hope this can help some folks in the future and I am always open to answering questions you may have about hormones or surgery or anything in general.