optional but maybe helpful add-ons: -bendy straws -wet wipes and/or washcloths for face and hands -shave armpits/chest bc tape and binder can be a bitch -some people say they can't even lift a regular bottle of water right after surgery so i was suggested to get a small bottle so you can lift it -travel sickness meds for car ride home if you get nauseous easily/if it's a fairly long ride. ginger is also good for nausea -dry shampoo is good -some say they get chaffing under arms bc the surgical binder is on tight around there so have some sort of a cloth to tuck under your binder that might be useful -leading up to surgery along with the vitamins i'd try eat as clean as you can and especially drink lots of water so you give your body optimal grounds to recover -bc you'll be in bed a lot so have things to do books, games, music -also bc you're recovering you body will need a lot of sleep, even through the day so if you may have an issue sleeping a lot then eye masks, ear plugs if in a busy environment may help and if needed some sleep meds hope that was helpful, best of luck!
Your voooooiiiice ! It's so manly and Disney-prince smoooooth. I'm so happy for you for sounding like that. You go Alex ! This year is going to be great for you. I'm sure. :)
wow I remember a few years ago when you used to cry about bullying at school, and now your transition is going so fast and it's like you're lightyears away from the old you, and growing into this whole new person and its so amazing that i get to witness that!!
This is really exciting! I've seen bendy straws & baby wipes suggested in the comments. Maybe some dry shampoo - because I don't think you can have a proper bath/shower for a while :D x
one thing you might want to take is baby wipes or similar, seen a lot of guys say that obviously because washing is gonna be difficult for a while they were really useful for the first few days!
That bruising stuff helps so much!! I used to work in a nursery and the kids bruised so easily from falls and stuff and the cream stuff worked magically!
i'm so freaking happy for you! i really hope to be in the same position so you some day. you were the first person i found when i was figuring my gender out almost two years ago and i can't believe how far you've come, i'm really, really happy for you :D
i've been away from youtube for months because of school and its the first video of yours that i've seen since then and i'm honestly so impressed by the change in your voice and body
A few things you may want to add are: Baby wipes The little squeezey bottles of squash to flavour your water Slippers A pillow to protect yourself when coming home I also found taking some colouring/something to entertain me whilst I was in hospital really helped make the stay easier. Hope all goes well! :)
I'm sure you have already done this, but you may want to watch a couple of other videos of guys talking about what to take. I've seen one that talked about how the doctor gives you some of the gauze and such you need, but there are better products guys have figured out to take that is much more comfortable on your skin. Also, Arnica is AMAZING!! I'm very much an all natural guy and this is an amazing healing herb!! SO excited for you!! I look forward to your videos!! Much Love!
The recliner sofa was my everything for the first week. If you can't sleep flat on your back in a bed (I could NOT, the combination of incisions+pressure from the bandages would cause me pain in any position but reclined) you can get a pretty decent sleep in the recliner! I also cut my hair shorter than usual so I wouldn't have to deal with it (no bed head). Look into Bromelain for post op swelling (Dr Garamone suggests it along with the Arnica). I'm just about 2 months post op now - the first week is the hardest but let yourself be pampered and taken care of and plan to watch a bunch of RU-vid - some of your vids helped get me through that first week. Best wishes Alex - you won't regret it! :)
Really wish you the absolute best. You're a wonderful guy - so I hope this surgery will be over quickly and you suffer as little pain as possible. Really, really happy for you.
Hearing you talk about this stuff makes me feel even more excited about my own surgery which is hopefully gonna happen in about 2 to 3 months. Happy for you, it's gonna be great! 👍
Grab some bendy straws! Super helpful during the first week or so to help you drink because lifting cups or your arms is just a pain. And congrats! This is super exciting!
Alex you can watch Sherlock Season 4 while you're in recovery! That should be great! I'm legit really excited for you, fingers crossed that everything goes great!!!!!
Hi, I just started watching your channel yesterday and have subscribed. What you are doing is truly inspiring and I wish you all the best with your endeavor.
Get none alcoholic deodorant/antiperspirant, a really good one that reduces sweating and smell because you will find it difficult and since you are on T you will probably be sweating a lot more than usual and being stuck in a hospital room where the heating is turned up with no deoderant is not nice. Also bring babywipes and soft cloths, just use a warm, damp cloth to wipe areas near the surgical incisions such as your armpits as baby wipes have a lot of chemicals which could be dangerous! Also, please do a live younow session before surgery
Alex, my heart swells with each video of your dream coming true. I pray that pain is minimal, and recovery quick. You look so happy. I am overjoyed for you. Will wait for each new video with baited breath. LOTS of luck, love you young man.
if you're travelling back by car then i really recommend having a pillow to put between you and the seat belt. and i found that putting a pillow behind my knees while i was having to sleep on my back really helped me to be more comfortable too. good luck!
don't worry. as far as my experiences (one) with surgery go, it'll feel like you're sleeping when on the anesthesia. you'll have no awareness whatsoever until you wake up. i was actually kind of disappointed when i woke up and realized i didn't remember falling asleep because it just wasn't as cool as i expected.
Mesmo eu sendo um brasileiro, eu amo os videos do Alex, e estou bastante orgulhoso de ver ele conseguindo passar por toda essa sua transição, e espero continuar acompanhando a sua vida e seu canal por muito e muito tempo ^^
Vitamin C is also really helpful for this condition called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Basically, after injuries/surgery there is a very low chance of having the pain be permanent but the vit C reduces that even further if you take like 1000mg a day after the injury/surgery (at least according to something I saw a few years ago when I first got the condition). This isn't intended to worry you, more like another great reason to be taking the stuff. Good luck!
I hope you recover fast. Take good care of yourself. After only 3 short days you'll be able to lift you water cup and trow away those drinking straws of confinement. Remember to stay relaxed when your draining tubes get removed. It's actually more annoying then painful. Trust me, I have experience. Accept when the removal cause bleeding, that's rather painful. But that rarely ever happens.
you said arnica correctly. that stuff is amazing and works best if you don't chew them but suck on them and put them under your tongue because of all the blood vessels there. So exited for you 💕💕
OMG LOOK HOW MUCH LITTLE ALEX HAS CHANGED!!!!!! I Just watched a video of him and his voice was like 10 octaves higher and his face was so small and he was sooo cute and NOW hes a MAN MAN!!!! AND EVEN MORE HANDSOME! LOVE YOU LOADS @alexbertie
Ive just got my top surgery date for June this year which im super excited about! And well this is just a thank you for being probably the best trans guy i always go to on here for information. You have really helped me through my transition and now im even making youtube videos too, hopefully i get to pass on this knowledge and help others like you have helped me.
I've learnt recently that access to a bidet is sort of useful with the T-Rex-syndrome. And drinking lots of yarrow tea before and fter the OP helps with the healing process. Good luck!
Showers are the worst for any surgery for two weeks I had to have my mom help me with hair. Not fun but at least you know you aren't gonna be in pain from having to reach or have anything go wrong. Id also suggest the cover your stitches during the shower with a towel or something and wash the area after the water pressure was never kind to my stitches. Just remember the pain is temporary and its well worth it for your goal. :)
I'm glad for you, I'm from Mexico and that surgery is something I want since I have memory and unfortunately it's very expensive and the government does not help ... how lucky you are
Baby wipes are good. Also I was told to bring dressing gown and slippers for the day to stop you getting cold before you head down for surgery because you might not be first on the list and the hospital gown is not warm at all
I actually didn't need much. I took Tylenol and the antibiotics they gave me. I only wore the post op binder while I was sleeping. Also, the drains get ITCHY! Showering helps. A neck pillow was also very useful for sleeping sitting up
I think the same kind of medication you can take for sea sickness, may help with nausea you may feel from the anesthesia. Ask your doctor about it though. Good luck!
Although I have never gotten top surgery I would advise you to get a water bottle/cup that has a long straw built in because it is easier to drink through the straw while the cup is at chest level rather than having to lift a cup up to your mouth
Every time I think about too surgery, I get a surge of excitement and like "holy shit when I'm old enough I can get top surgery" but also like "AAHHH" cuz it feels so daunting almost
Arnica is fucking amazing my mom uses it a lot cus she's a boxer. I have hay fever and Benedryl did fuck all in the summer months for my itchy eyes and bad noes. But yh nice list it's probably all you need really maybe something to do but that's it. Good luck you're such an inspiration
i don't know how long you stay in the hospital before or after but maybe take a book or a gameboy to keep your mind active while your waiting, Sudoku and word searches are pretty good too. I haven't had this sort of surgery but i did get surgery on my arm and i was pretty bored afterwards. drink bottle that had a straw in it might help.
