Here’s a quick thread on Post-Surgical Depression for those in the trans community!

Post-Surgical Depression can be combination of:
-Feeling gross and bloated from the medication
-Not being able to do the things you used to (at least for a few weeks)
-The results not being what you expected (it’s swollen and bruised and generally nasty-lookin while it heals)

But I think a lot of people mistake this feeling as one of regret, like
“Oh, I’m feeling depressed even though I had a surgery that is supposed to make me feel better about myself. Maybe I *did* make a mistake.”

No!
This feeling is completely normal, even for people who have had non-elective surgeries.
Surgery is hard on the body, and most trans surgeries are pretty major operations. Of course you’re not going to feel 100% back to normal afterwards.

I have had five surgeries in the past, so I was prepared for it after my Top Surgery—but it still sucks.
My chest is bruised and I have tubes sticking out of my armpits.
I can’t lift anything, so I have to rely on other peopled or help—Something I *hate* doing.

I have had to remind myself this past week that everything is going to be fine, and once this is all healed I will be happier than I have ever been.
But these next few weeks and months are going to be hard.

This is in NO way meant to deter you from getting the surgery you need—but you *do* need to manage your expectations.
Prepare to be waylaid for a few weeks afterwards, and THEN be prepared to wait a few months for it to heal completely before it looks the way it should.

I hope that this thread helps at least one person. I know it’s something that I wish was said to me after my first surgery.
You got this