Hello, everybody. I'm new to this forum. I am considering top surgery. (Actually, full disclosure, I am not thinking of full top surgery right now, but about a very radical breast reduction, just this side of actual chest reconstruction). However I have some upper body injuries from overuse. Basicaly a bunch of symptoms in my hands neck and shoulders.

I've been told that fascia is very much involved in these injuries and that top surgeries and breast reductions injure the fascia further. But I don't want to keep putting this off. I'm wondering what the aftereffects have been for folks, what questions I should be asking the surgeons, what kinds of therapies I can pursue to regain optimal health etc.

I don't want to injure myself further and suffer from chronic problems (I already have some I'm trying to cure) but I also don't really want to keep living with my chest the way it is right now.

Thank you for any guidance. I'm just beginning to explore this journey again.

-jpek

Thanks for your question! I can't speak about chronic upper body injuries, but I consulted with two massage therapists about how my chest healed, and neither of them suggested that top surgery injured the fascia in any significant way. (Some women who have mastectomy for cancer treatment have the chest fascia removed completely.)

It does look like the fascia on my right side healed differently from the left: my pec muscle on that side is pulled slightly toward my armpit. I wonder if dedicated massage therapy after surgery could have helped avoid this minor issue with my chest. (Massage seems pretty important to good healing and scar reduction.)

I recommend speaking with a registered masseuse about this, especially one that does post-op breast work.

This article includes some information about post-op massage in relation to scar reduction, and while this isn't specific to your question you might find it interesting nonetheless.
http://transguys.com/features/scar-care#preopmassage

I hope this helps!

Thanks, Joshua! I will check this out. A couple of questions. I've never known massage therapists who specialize in post-op breast work. How does one go about finding them?

Also, wondering if you would mind saying how old you were when you got the surgery and what kind of health/fitness level you were in? Not trying to pry, just trying to figure out how to stack my odds for best results and what to expect, realistically.

-jpek

Some Google searches with local keywords (your geo location) could turn up some massage therapists with this specialty. Also, some surgeons who do trans procedures have affiliations with complimentary practitioners. For example, Dr. Mosser in SF has a recommended massage therapist, Michelle Bravo.

I got top surgery when I was 34. I was in good health and fitness.