I had my top surgery completed, May 6, 2005 by Dr. Perry Johnson in Omaha, Nebraska. I chose Dr. Johnson because he was local, had good outcomes, and charged a lot less than other surgeons. He offers free consultations and free revisions (if using a local vs. general anesthetic). I paid out-of-pocket for my surgery which ended up costing me $5,350 (contact his office for updated pricing).

Waking up and seeing a flat chest after fifteen years of struggling with breasts was the most surreal feeling in the world. People ask me if I was nervous before going in for surgery and I can honestly say I wasn't. I just wanted a flat chest so I didn't think about anything else.

I loved my experience with Dr. Johnson and his staff and am extremely happy with my results.

Working Out

I have always been a very athletic person, but in order to get ready for surgery I became more dedicated to the weight room. I focused on lifting heavier weights with the hope of building up my pectoral muscles prior to surgery. I felt the more defined and contoured my muscles were, the easier it would be for the surgeon to sculpt my chest. I wasn't on T yet, so everything I did in the weight room was ruled by estrogen and hard work.

I've always crosstrained so my routine was alternating muscle groups:
  • Back
  • Chest
  • Arms
  • Legs

Cardio included alternating:

  • Running (4-6 miles)
  • Biking (45 minutes)
  • Elliptical machine (45 minutes)
I worked out 6 days a week and rested 1 day out of the week (typically on Sundays).
Items for Recovery

The week of my surgery, I went out and purchased:

  • 2 pairs of draw-string pajama bottoms
  • Mederma scar cream
  • Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E
  • Bendy straws
  • Lots of gatorade
  • Jell-O and Pudding
Surgery & Recovery

Operating Room Time: 2 hours

Waking up from anesthesia: 45 minutes

I wore a zip-up sweat shirt, pajama pants, and slippers to surgery (those are the easiest things to slip on after they are done.) I also left all of my jewlery at home, including my watch, rings, earrings and necklace (they don't allow metal into the operating room).

After waking up I was wheeled out to my car and my girlfriend drove me home (you cannot drive yourself, or have a taxi take you somewhere after surgery). Some people get sick from the anesthesia, but I felt pretty comfortable on the way home (Lincoln is 45 minutes away from Omaha).

For recovery, I spent a week out on our reclining couch, sleeping, drinking a lot of fluids, and watching a lot of movies. I couldn't raise my arms, and for the first three days I battled waves of nausea from the anesthesia wearing off...I did not, however, throw up.

I became pretty depressed by the third day because I felt lonely and really worthless. This feeling stuck with me up until the next week when I went back to work.

I began wearing t-shirts after three weeks and quit wrapping myself with ace bandages after 35 days.

I deeply massaged my scars two times a day for 5 minutes each with Cocoa Butter with Vit. E. After several years my scars are flat and a shade of white or light pink.

I began running 36 days after surgery and began lifting again 50 days after surgery.