Preparing for Gender-Affirming Chest Surgery
Things to Buy Before Chest-Affirming Surgery
Your surgery date may be given to you at the time of consultation, or at a later date. Once your surgery date is confirmed, here is a list of things to consider purchasing ahead of time for your surgery.
1) A bottle of Tylenol (acetaminophen) and a bottle of Advil (Ibuprofen)
2) Meal ‘prep’ to have available the week after surgery for convenience. High protein sources are required for healing.
3) Bandage supplies for after surgery:
3.5 inch bandage with non-stick padding in center (examples include ‘Opsite’ or ‘Tegaderm’ or any equivalent),
Extra gauze for reinforcement of the post-operative dressing as necessary
Medical tape.
4) Vaseline or Polysporin ointment
5) Gravol and/or Benadryl. After surgery, some people might have itchiness from the bandages. Either Gravol or Benadryl can be helpful. Also Gravol can be used if there is any nausea after surgery.
6) Over-the-counter “stool softener” to prevent constipation which is a side affect of the stronger pain medications prescribed on the day of surgery. However, not everyone ends up using the stronger pain medication - most people only require tylenol and advil.
Exercise and Eat Healthy Before Your Top Surgery
Leading up to surgery, we encourage you to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising leading up to surgery. We encourage working out your chest muscles at the gym (pectoralis muscle with bench press or push-ups for example) for increased muscle definition. Staying active before surgery makes it easier for Dr. Mckee and his team with chest contouring and shaping during the procedure.
Active Phone Number
Make sure that Dr. Mckee’s office has 2 active phone numbers for you on our records. We will need a reliable phone number in order to call you around the time of surgery. A backup support person’s number can be useful as well. If your phone number changes, please notify Dr. Mckee’s office of the change.
Plan your Support system
You will NOT be able to leave the surgical facility after surgery by yourself. Someone will need to pick you up from the surgical facility after surgery and monitor you that evening. Arrange this ahead of time. For the days after surgery, it would be a nice bonus to have a schedule of support people checking in on you occasionally. For patients from out of town, you would plan to stay in Vancouver the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and most likely the next night as well.
Avoid Nicotine Before and After Chest Construction Surgery
Nicotine products (such a cigarettes, cigars, vaping, nicotine patch) should not be used for 3 weeks before surgery, and 3 weeks after surgery. It is too risky given the increased complications that are associated with nicotine and healing.
Smoking cessation supplies are provided at no-cost to people with MSP at any pharmacy in BC. If stopping smoking for 3 weeks will be impossible for you, there are other surgeons in BC that may be more comfortable with the increased risks and complications associated. You may call Trans Care BC for more information on your options.
Marijuana does not have the same devastating effects as nicotine when it comes to healing. It can be used safely in moderation. The only reason to avoid smoking marijuana for a week prior to surgery, is because your throat may be a little irritated during surgery from the breathing apparatus used during the procedure while you are under general anesthesia. Avoid breathing any fumes in general for a week before surgery.
Route Planning to the Surgery Location
Plan your route to the hospital or surgery center for the day of surgery. Use maps ahead of time to find the location (as soon as the time and location of your procedure are given to you). Do not wait until the night before.
Burnaby General Hospital
New Westminster Surgery Center
False Creek Healthcare Center (ClearPoint Health Network)
Shaving Chest & Armpit hair
The advantage of shaving your chest and/or armpits before top surgery is so that the large adhesive dressing applied on the day of surgery does not hurt as much when it moves and rubs after surgery, or when it is removed by the doctor 1 week after surgery. Shaving the hair in these area will likely help to minimize discomfort after surgery. It is a personal preference to shave your chest or armpit, but not a requirement.
