#Are you interested in having Breast Reduction Surgery?

[housecow]

Would you ever consider breast reduction surgery, just to make some task easier or do you consider it a waste?

most of the time you have to meet a bmi threshold to get the surgery, i’d need to lose like 100lbs for that. i didn’t even meet that in the before pic i posted recently… not interested tbh. maybe if (big if!!!) i lose major weight?? it’s too much hassle and i enjoy knowing one day they’ll make me a lil helpless 🥰

[sergle]

hey! no worries if you’re not wanting to talk about it, but I’m a trans guy interested in getting a breast reduction instead of top surgery, but there’s insanely little info that I’m able to find. Would you be willing to talk about your experience with me a little? (no worries if not)

little are you aware, I love re-talking about the process for the reduction and am very annoying abt it! you'll have to be more specific tho, if you're more curious about surgeon hunting, or the prep, the day of the operation, or things that have to do w healing. also I've talked about it a LOT in the annals of my blog, I got riddy the titties late September last year so allll the posts from around then are about this exact thing.

[dhddmods]

Sex Alteration Guide (Bottom Surgery, Top Surgery, & Beyond!)

Hello! Just wanted to share our compiled list of sex alterations that can be performed. Thought it might be interesting for people who want to know.

If you want to learn about intersex types, we recommend reading our post here! And reblog it, please, to share awareness on intersex topics!

Trigger warning for mentions of genital mutilations on children, sexual activity, and sexual assault.

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Tracheal Shave: A procedure to shave down an Adam's Apple. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons, or chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their Adam's Apple.

Feminizing Laryngyoplasty: A procedure to shave the voice box, reducing the size of the Adam's Apple and increasing the pitch of the voice. This is chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their voice, and elected for a permanent change instead of vocal practice.

Breast Lift/Mastopexy: A procedure to lift sagging breasts. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons by people that were unhappy with their breasts.

Breast Augmentation: A procedure to (re)create breasts or reshape/increase the size of breasts, using implants or fat transplants from the thigh, buttocks, or abdomen. This is either done after a breast has been damaged/removed, for people with amastia or tubular breasts, or for aesthetic personal reasons by people that were unhappy with their breasts. It may also be chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their chest. It can also be done to create extra breasts if desired.

Breast Reduction: A procedure to reduce the size of a breast. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons, due to injury/damage, or to reduce the weight of large breasts. It may also be chosen by cis-men with gynecomastia, and transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their breasts.

Mastectomy: A procedure to remove a breast. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons, due to injury/damage, or chosen by people with accessory breasts that wish to have the spare breasts removed. It may also be chosen by cis-men with gynecomastia, and transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their breasts.

Areola Reduction: A procedure to reduce the size of the areola. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons by people that were unhappy with their areola size. It could be reduction of the size they were born with/developed during puberty, a reduction after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding caused nipple stretching, or it could be done to someone who had nipple (re)construction and were unhappy with the size the surgeon created.

Nipple Reduction: A procedure to reduce the size of a nipple. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons by people that were unhappy with their nipple size. It could be a reduction of the size they were born with, a reduction after long-term breastfeeding caused nipple stretching, or it could be done to someone who had nipple (re)construction and was unhappy with the size the surgeon created.

Nipple Excision: A procedure to remove a nipple. This is done for aesthetic/personal reasons, due to injury/damage, or chosen by people with accessory nipples that wish to have the spare nipples removed. It may also chosen by transgender, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their nipples.

Nipple (Re)construction: A procedure to create or recreate a nipple, using the skin from the chest, abdomen, inner thigh, buttocks, or (if present) previously existing nipples. This is either done after a nipple has been damaged/removed, for people born with athelia, or for those unhappy with inverted nipples. It can also be done to create extra nipples for aesthetic/personal reasons, or for non-binary or altersex people that wished for their body to have a specific appearance. When created from scratch, tattoos can be given for pigmentation of the nipple.

Vastectomy: A procedure to snip the vas deferens, in order to prevent the release of sperm (or eggs, in some cases of ovotestes.) This is done as a form of birth control, and can sometimes be reversible.

Tubal Ligation: A procedure to tie or snip the fallopian tubes, in order to prevent eggs from being fertilized (or sperm from being released, in some cases of ovotestes.) This is done as a form of birth control, and can sometimes be reversible.

Salpingectomy: A procedure to remove a fallopian tube. This could be done due to injury/damage or as a form of birth control.

Orchiopexy: A procedure done to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum. It is done on intersex people as a way to prevent testicular cancer, preserve fertility, and/or prevent inguinal hernias. It is one of the few intersex surgeries that are acceptable to do on infants.

Gonadectomy: A procedure done to remove a gonad (ovary, teste, or ovoteste.) When done to an ovary, it is known as an Oophorectomy. When done to a testicle, it is known as an Orchiectomy. This is done due to injury/damage or as a form of birth control. It may also be chosen by transgender, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their gonads.

Hysterectomy: A procedure to remove the uterus. This could be done due to injury/damage, as a form of birth control, to stop painful menstruation, or to stop a uterus prolapse. It may also be chosen by transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that have no desire for a uterus, or have a uterus incompatible with pregnancy.

Trachelectomy: A procedure to remove a cervix. This is done due to injury/damage, a deformed cervix, to remove a hypoplastic cervix that does not release menstruation efficiently, or to remove a second cervix in cervical duplication.

Cervical (Re)construction: A procedure to create or recreate a cervix. This is either done after a cervix has been damaged, or for intersex people with cervical agenesis or cervical hypoplasia (to prevent menstrual fluids from getting trapped inside and/or to allow for easier pregnancy.)

Hysteroplasty/Uteroplasty/Metroplasty: A procedure done to those with a bicornuate uterus, septate uterus, or uterus didelphys to merge both sides/remove any blockage between them. This is done to lower risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

Prostatectomy: A procedure done to remove the prostate. This is done due to injury/damage.

Penis Splitting: A procedure done to split the penis (or ambiguous genitalia that has a penis-like structure) open. It could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons, for additional sexual enjoyment, or to assist with urination in those with a shallow, blocked, or absent urethra. It may also be chosen by trans-women & non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their penis.

It is also explored as a cultural practice in some Australian, Africa, South American, and Oceanic locations.

Meatotomy: When only the urethral area of the glans is split open.

Subincision: When only the underside of the penis is split open, but the top-side is left closed. This split can give the penis a labia-like appearance, and allow for easier time with sex toys that do urethral penetration. This could be only on the glans or down to the shaft.

Genital Bisection: When the penis is split open completely. This could be only on the glans or down to the shaft.

Perineal Urethrostomy: A procedure done to open a urethra beneath the penis, on the perineum. It could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons or to assist with urination in those with a shallow, blocked, or absent urethra. It may also be chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with the placement of their urethra.

Urethroplasty: A procedure to create or repair a urethra. This could be done due to injury/damage, because of urethral blockage or an tight urethra, chosen by those with metoidioplasties/phalloplasties or vulvoplasities, or chosen by intersex people with urethral traits. For intersex people with urethral agenesis, it is necessary for urination.

Circumcision: A procedure to remove the foreskin. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons, due to injury/damage, or to assist with urination and hygiene if urine was consistently trapped in the foreskin. It is also done as a cultural practice in several African and Oceanic cultures, as well as a religious practice for Jews, Muslims, some Christians/Catholics, and a couple smaller Abrahamic religions.

Dorsal Slits: A procedure to remove a piece of the foreskin, leaving a slit on the upperside of the penis that exposes the urethra on the glans. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons or to assist with urination and hygiene if urine was consistently trapped in the foreskin. It is also explored as a cultural practice by some Filipinos and Pacific Islanders. A Ventril Slit is the same, but on the bottomside of the penis.

Prepuitioplasty: A procedure similar to a dorsal slit, except the top of the foreskin isn't cut, and after the slit is removed, the foreskin is sewn back together. It is done to make the foreskin looser, to treat those with phimosis (foreskin that will not retract).

Hoodectomy: A procedure to remove part or all of the clitoral hood, or to reduce its size. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons (for example, someone with a long clitoral hood may choose to reduce its size) or due to injury/damage. It may also be done as a form of circumcision or dorsal slits for transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people who wish to indulge in those practices.

Labiaplasty: A procedure to remove, reduce, or create labia (usually the labia minora, but this could apply to the labia majora too.) This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons (for example, someone with labial hypertrophy or stretched labia may choose to reduce its size) or due to injury/damage. It may also be chosen to create labia for transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that wished for more neutral/feminine genitals, or alternatively to remove labia for transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that wish for more neutral/masculine genitals.

Labia Stretching: A procedure to stretch out the labia minora, gradually increasing its length. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons or for additional sexual enjoyment. It is also explored as a cultural practice by some African communities.

Vulvectomy: A procedure to remove part or all of the outer vulva (labia, hood, clitoris, & hymen.) This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons or due to injury/damage. It may also be chosen by transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their vulva.

Infibulation: A procedure to stitch close the vulva, leaving open enough for menstruation and urination (and in some cases, penetration.) In some cases, the labia, clitoris, and/or hood may be removed as well. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons, however it is sadly usually done as a form of genital mutilation of AFAB/AXAB minors in some African, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures.

Hymenotomy: A procedure to open up the hymen of an intersex person that has a imperforate, microperforate, cribriform, or septate hymen. This is either done because of menstrual/sexual fluids getting trapped inside, to allow for easier penetration, or for aesthetic/personal reasons.

Hymen Reconstruction Surgery/Hymenorrhaphy: A procedure to create or repair a hymen in those with a vagina. This is usually done as a way to fake virginity or "become virgin again", which is influenced by the logical fallacy that hymens break/are stretched during penetrative sex (which is not always the case. They could remain intact, or be stretched by activities like stretching, gymnastics, yoga, horseback riding, etc.) It is sometimes done as a therapeutic procedure for victims of sexual assault/abuse that experienced hymen tearing/stretching during the attack.

Vaginectomy: A procedure to close, tighten, or remove a piece of the vagina. This could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons, due to to injury/damage, or to to block of prolapsing organs. It may also be chosen by transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their vagina.

Vulvoplasty: A procedure to create or repair a vulva. If this includes the creation or repair of a vaginal entry, it is called a Vaginoplasty. This could be done due to injury/damage, or chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their genitals. Labiaplasties and clitoroplasties are often a part of these procedures.

A Phallus-Preserving Vulvoplasty/Phallus-Preserving Vaginoplasty is when a person with a penis chooses to have a vulvoplasty/vaginoplasty, while keeping their penis intact.

Clitoroidectomy: A procedure to remove part or all of the clitoris. This could be due to injury/damage or for aesthetic/personal reasons. It may also be chosen by non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their clitoris.

Clitoroplasty: A procedure to create or repair a clitoris. This could be due to injury/damage or genital mutilation. It may also be chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their small or absent clitoris. For those that had a penis/psuedophallus pre-surgery, either the head or the shaft is used to create/repair the clitoris. For those that lost their clitoris, the recreated clitoris may just be for appearance - it can only be sexually stimulating if the internal clitoral tissue remained sufficiently intact. For those born without any phallus (clitoris, penis, or pseudophallus), the clitoris is created from the labia or scrotum, and is only for appearance.

Metoidioplasty: A procedure to "release" a clitoris enlarged by androgens, by cutting the ligaments that attach it to the pubic bone, allowing it to stand taller when erect, like a typical penis. They can choose to have a scrotoplasty (possibly with prosthetic testes) and/or a urethroplasty (where the urethra is opened on the head of the phallus) if desired. This procedure can be chosen by transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that had a large clitoris.

Phalloplasty: A procedure to create or repair a penis. When done only for the glans, it is known as a Glansplasty. When done only for a scrotum, is is known as a Scrotoplasty. This could be done due to injury/damage, or chosen by transmasculine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their genitals.

For those that had a vulva (or vulva-like genitals) previously, they can choose to have a scrotoplasty (possibly with prosthetic testes) and/or a urethroplasty (where the urethra is opened on the head of the phallus) if desired. If they had a clitoris/phallus previously, the penis is crafted using either some or all of the nerves to induce sexual sensation. If erection is not naturally possible, an implant is placed inside of the penis, in order to activate it manually.

Penectomy: A procedure to remove part or all of a penis. This could be done due to injury/damage or aesthetic/personal reasons. It may also be chosen by transfeminine, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their penis.

Genital Nullification: A procedure to remove the genitals, creating a smooth area in its place. Only the urethra (and optionally, sexually stimulating nerves) are left behind. If the sexually stimulating nerves are kept, they can be tactile (buried under the skin, but stimulated through touch) or visual (a lump of nerves, similar to a clitoris.) It may be chosen by transgender, non-binary, altersex, or intersex people that were unhappy with their genitals.

Genital Beading: A procedure to insert beads into the shaft of a penis/phallus or labia. It could be done for aesthetic/personal reasons or for extra sexual stimulation during intercourse (like ribbed condoms/ribbed dildos), almost like "built-in" sex toys. It may also be chosen by altersex or non-binary people that wished for their genitals to have a specific appearance. The beads could be any shape, though they are typically round.

[beaft]

I’m a cis woman, but I felt similarly about my chest for a long time. I got a reduction last year which removed something like 3/4 of my breast tissue. Despite it not being a Gender Thing, I also had relatives tell me I was mutilating my body. The morning of my surgery, I tried to talk myself out of it. “They’re not that bad, I’ve lived with them for twenty years, I can live with them for the rest of my life.” But I went through with it and I’m so glad I did. I didn’t realize just how bad my body dysphoria actually was until after surgery.

All of this is to say, you’re making the right choice, you won’t regret it, and anyone telling you you’re mutilating yourself is wrong. Just make sure you follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter. No smoking, no alcohol, consume plenty of protein, and take it extremely easy for a few weeks.

it's really interesting to get a perspective from someone who got a similar procedure done for different reasons! i'm glad you were able to ease your dysphoria, and also sorry to hear that your family gave you such a hard time about it. the attitudes that some people have towards breasts are crazy to me - they're treated like some kind of ~sacred symbol of womanhood~, when in reality they're just a regular body part that you should be able to adjust (or get rid of) in whatever way makes you feel happy and healthy.

anyway -- thank you so much for this, i appreciate it <3 i have given up smoking (4 weeks now!) and i'll give up alcohol just as soon as i finish the last can of pink gin i have in the fridge hehe

[solradguy]

I must admit that the anime being revealed barely a day after you had complained about Xtra got a good laugh out of me. And given the two characters being on the poll, I do now wonder if they're maybe starting to show a bit too much at this point. Especially with maskless Unika already leading to a lot of speculation as is. I suppose at least it shows they aren't kidding when they say anyone is possible (though pour one out for Lightning the Argent not having any representation here).

I'm getting ready for bed and it's late so the blue light filter is activated on my phone and I almost got so mad because for a moment I thought Mizuha had a red eye and a brown eye, and Unika has two red eyes. So there was almost insanely solid evidence for them maybe being the same person. Mizuha actually has two brown eyes though, the shading is just weird:

I guess Mizuha could still have been subjected to Gear experiments or something and got red eyes like how Sol did before they retconned it, but she also would had to have gotten a significant breast reduction surgery rofl

I'll flip my lid if Mizuha and/or Tyr actually get mentioned in the damn anime after going completely ignored in everything since Xtra released 21 years ago hahah It's interesting they've been teasing Xtra in these recent surveys though. They've made zero effort to make it available outside of Japan, it's seriously not mentioned in the lore anywhere, and there are so many other (& more interesting) characters they could bring back instead. Maybe they've got a localized Xtra on the "merch they could do if western fans want it bad enough" table or something

[wyrddogs]

Long shot, but I don't know where else to start asking.

Is there a way to de-boob that doesn't involve transitioning? My insurance covers top surgery, but I have negative interest in going on T. I don't even particularly want top surgery, I just want the boobs yeeted. I'm also not really sure how to ask my doctor about it.

A relative got a breast reduction for back pain, but they told me you can only do it for upper back pain, and I mostly have lower back pain.

I'm in the US, in California.

[meefy]

💭🎻🩹🎶💯🌈🤍🎂 for ALL your AnS OCs! Also don't be shy to throw in your new genshin OCs if you want 👀

Girlie I'm gonna try not to write a novel and I'm sorry these took forever!! A nice intro to my Genshin OCs though...

💭 THOUGHT BALLOON — what is your oc's MBTI, enneagram, and/or other personality aspects (if known/interested in)?

I don't really do the personality tests but I will list 3 of their main character traits!

AnS OCs:

Féanne: headstrong, independent, freethinker

Feiran: quiet, meek, placid

Aleyan: people-pleaser, loyal, angry

Xyvie: shy, gentle, creative

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara: Melancholy, pessimistic, curious

Almira: extroverted, athletic, outspoken

🎻 VIOLIN — does your oc play any instruments? what is their skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced/virtuoso/etc)?

AnS OCs:

Féanne, Feiran and Aleyan never learned to play instruments because they were not given the time to do so; Feiran and Aleyan had other knightly duties to attend to, and Féanne was not particularly interested anyway. Féanne considers herself too awkward with her hands to play an instrument regardless! Xyvie never learned either, but she'd probably become interested after seeing Raji play...so maybe he'd show her some beginner pieces, etc.

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara and Almira learned to play piano - Ellzara used her right hand, Almira used her left - but they stopped as adolescents because Ellzara was no longer interested, and nothing her sister could say would change her mind. They got up to a decent level, maybe intermediate.

🩹 ADHESIVE BANDAGE — does your oc have any physical and/or mental disabilities?

All my OCs are written as Autistic (because I am and cannot imagine how to not write them as such). But most if not all of them have other mental and physical health conditions, the majority of which are based on my own.

AnS OCs:

Féanne: she has Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder controlled with remedies from the Lyrias pharmacy. She also takes the last week of her cycle off from work to rest at home.

Feiran: would probably meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress from his upbringing/treatment from his brother and father. For him it comes out in fawning/freezing and learned helplessness. He also has nightmares and occasionally sleepwalks and has since he was a child. After leaving home and choosing his own path, Feiran would probably try to tackle some of that trauma and dismantle it...

Aleyan: also has some serious post-traumatic stress disorder from his upbringing that manifests in being overly offensive (the whole "hurt them before they hurt you" mindset). He tries very hard to shove all of his fears and nightmares aside and believes in the fallacy that "strong men don't cry", so he likely won't be tackling his inner demons anytime soon.

Xyvie: has social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Physically, she had an appendectomy as a teenager as well as a breast reduction to help her back pain. She broke her coccyx as a child falling out of a tree and she has permanent nerve and muscle damage as a result and chronic pain along the length of her spine. She also has a heart defect called a myxomatous mitral valve, and the surgery to repair it failed, so she has heart palpitations and gets out of breath easily and is known to have fainting spells. Probably my most ill OC.

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara and Almira are conjoined twins, specifically thoraco-omphalo-ischiopagus tetrabrachius dipus twins. They share a pericardium (lining around the hearts) and most of their circulatory, reproductive (3 ovaries), digestive (conjoined livers), and excretory (3 kidneys) systems along with a pelvis and a pair of legs (each twin controls the leg on their side of the body). They have separate spines, lungs, stomachs, arms, and nervous systems. I am careful labelling them as disabled because many conjoined twins don't consider themselves as such...so with that in mind and given the circumstances of their birth and life, I'll say while neither sees themselves as physically disabled, Ellzara sees herself being conjoined as a disadvantage; she was seen as the incarnation of a god by many locals and lost out on a more typical life for a young woman as a result. She also fears she is a burden to her sister, who is stronger and the more physically agile (and also has a Vision) of the two.

🎶 MUSICAL NOTES — what type of music does your oc like? do they listen to music very often?

AnS OCs: Listen to music whenever it happens to be around. They rarely seek out an opportunity to do so (except for Xyvie with Raji!).

Féanne: likes the ballroom dancing music that can typically be heard at soirees - it's the only thing she really liked about those events.

Feiran: same as his sister.

Aleyan: he'd probably be a big fan of the 1812 Overture.

Xyvie: anything slow and gentle. She really likes listening to Raji play of course...

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara: likes what we'd consider folk music, the faster paced the better. She will drag Almira downtown to listen to it if it's playing in a tavern; it's the only time she'll tolerate a crowd.

Almira: not a particular fan of music, other than what's traditional for Inazuma. She wants to return there to hear it again...

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

AnS OCs:

Féanne: she can't cook to save her life, she likes to collect fun little trinkets or figures from gift shops, and as creative as her mind is her dexterity with crafts or handwriting is atrocious.

Feiran: he can't read more than one book at a time, he's scared of the dark, and he's clumsy and injury prone even outside of knighthood.

Aleyan: his fondest memories are of sparring with his father as a child, he wishes he had more spare time to crochet, and the thought of getting married makes him gag.

Xyvie:

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara: she will try anything - food, drink, activity - at least once, she views her sister as both her best friend and her greatest obstacle, and she has terrible insomnia.

Almira: she loves shopping at bustling markets, she can't think of anything that genuinely scares her, and she gets homesick easily.

🌈 RAINBOW — what is your oc's sexual orientation/gender identity? what pronouns do they use?

All my OCs are asexual, because that's how I myself am, but they have different romantic orientations and gender identities!

AnS OCs:

Féanne: nonbinary greyromantic adult who uses she/they pronouns. Sex-positive.

Feiran: cis aromantic man who uses he/him pronouns. Sex-repulsed.

Aleyan: cis aromantic man who uses he/him pronouns. Sex-repulsed.

Xyvie: cis demiromantic woman who uses she/her pronouns. Sex-neutral.

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara: cis demiromantic woman who uses she/her pronouns. Sex-positive.

Almira: nonbinary heteroromantic adult who uses she/they pronouns. Sex-neutral.

🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits?

AnS OCs:

Féanne: dry sense of humour, always brutally honest, will defend those she loves till her knuckles bleed.

Feiran: tries to avoid conflict at all costs, rarely wears his heart on his sleeve, will almost never make decisions by himself.

Aleyan: quick to anger, tries to impress others, numbs his emotions with sweets and alcohol.

Xyvie: slow to warm up to others, stuck in her habits of living, hides her troubles so not to bother others.

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara: overlooks potential roadblocks in a plan, tends to see faults in objectively neutral things, cusses more than is probably necessary.

Almira: trigger happy when it's not needed, keeps herself too busy, charges into danger without thinking.

🎂 BIRTHDAY CAKE — when is your oc's birthday? how old are they? what are their sun, moon, & rising signs (if known)? what about their tarot card, ruling planet, & ruling number (if known)? do they fit the typical traits of these sun, moon, & rising signs?

I don't follow astrology or anything of that sort but I'll do their birthdays!

AnS OCs:

Féanne: March 18th, 26 years old

Feiran: March 19th, 26 years old

Aleyan: December 24th, 31 years old

Xyvie: August 6th, 23 years old

Genshin Impact OCs:

Ellzara and Almira: February 26th, 22 years old

[littleapocalypsekitten]

Okay, I just felt myself getting irrationally angry at something (or perhaps rationally, well within my rights, but it just hit me like a wave). I was watching something called "Apologetics Roadshow" on Youtube. I'd seen a couple of episodes of the guy. Rather wary of him, but I'd liked something I saw in counter of the "hurp-de-durp, theists r dumb!" arguments that so many ill-informed, self-important anti-theists (mostly anti-Christians, actually, since most don't research other religions at all, or even most forms of Christianity much). He seemed somewhat progressive (although I avoided his videos regarding Islam entirely), or at least not-fundie. Just a guy talking about Christianity in a rational manner and I could take or leave what I wanted. I still identify as a Progressive Christian, although I veer into unconventional spiritual territory and am not entirely sure what I am anymore. This stuff is still an interest of mine, though. Anyway, I got interested in a video he posted about the loss of his son. Specifically, he addressed horrible comments he got about it. His son was disabled with a genetic muscle disorder and while he got a lot of support, he apparently got a few comments going "Your son is dirt now!" and being angry at him for bringing a disabled child into the world or not letting him die at birth, I guess. (It's not like he and his wife knew, the kid surprised them). Predictably, the Youtuber brought up Real Things That The Nazis Did to humble people who make such horrible, abelist comments. He also did a sermon about the Abraham sacrificing Isaac story and the Angel of the Lord coming to the rescue and concluded it to be basically God, himself, reversing the old Pagan system of sacrificing to Gods into God sacrificing for us. (His take). However, he then went onto going on about how when society rejects God in Christ / this idea, people revert into child-sacrifice. He gave some example of sex trafficking that went on in England and then... ugh... he said the thing that made me click away from the video: "And here in America, parents are putting their children on operating tables subjecting them to Mengele-like mutilation..." I immediately recognised that as an anti-trans red flag and was "Um, buddy, DOESN'T HAPPEN!" If he'd done a modicum of research, he'd know that... top and bottom surgeries do not happen on underage kids? At least I do not think so? Like, at all? I'm pretty sure you have to be at least 16 for a top surgery (correct me if I'm wrong) and it has to have parental consent as well as be desired by the patient (and this is a thing done with cisgendered people as well, as breast reduction surgery is a thing and cancer is a thing). And I'm fairly certain that bottom means you have to be fully-adult, joinin' the Army age at least and well-vetted by psych docs. Like, the most even a teenager can do with gender-stuff is some hormone therapy (which, again, applies to cigendered people with medical conditions, too). And the way he said it, that "parents are subjecting their kids" - um, no they ain't! I don't think there's even such a thing as parents who are forcing their kids to change genders! (Exception being the intersex community? As babies)? And here I thought the lament against modern "child sacrifice" was going to be the old saw of abortion-politics. Um... congratulations transgender persons? You've officially supplanted abortion as the society boogeyman? I guess? I don't even have a dog in this fight, really. I'm a cisgendered old bat who used to be conservative and is repentant of that time in my life and I don't have anyone in my family who is openly trans, so it's more like.... "dammit, I hate it when people don't do the research and get the facts wrong!" And when they say obvious wrong things! He said it like he thinks it's some kind of fad for parents to force their kids to get gender reassignment surgeries against their will and that annoys me.

[nuvomica]

Fam like this has zero hate in it but how is gender affirming surgery any different from the ones you hate? It's literally purging the parts of your body that you or society can't accept and it's kind of just as devastating and sad. I agree with you that people should do whatever they want with their body but also like it's kind of awful to see someone suffer so much that they have to go to surgical solutions.

This is why it's so interesting to me!! And this post is super rambly with no clear answer because I'm me and I'm learning all the time!!!!!!

Your opinion is yours, but it is super interesting that upon the topic of surgery, your mind goes to 'purging the parts you hate'. Gender affirming surgeries aren't always 'cosmetic', aren't always found through suffering. Who am I to draw lines and cast aspersions? To me, it feels like as much of a grey area as most debates are, especially as I try to stay aware of my own inherent biases vs my personal issues with gender and appearance.

For example, breast surgeries. Done to combat cancer. Reductions because of back pain. Reductions for convenience. Implants for gender affirmation (for trans and cis ppl). Implants because of previous medical reductions. Or literally any number of reasons.

At what level is it 'okay' to get something done, if in my opinion, there is a level of 'not okay' at all? 'Okay' being a loose term as it is, because I certainly don't mean morally, but as a point of, say, condemning societal pressures on people. It would be presumptuous of me to ever look at something someone does for themself and say, "well that's not okay."

Is convenience a medical reasons or a cosmetic reason? Or is it neither. Is it that there is not enough clothing and aid out there for someone who is inconvenienced by large breast size? Is it that there isn't any clothing that fits cutely, that t-shirts stretch, that lingerie doesn't come in that size? Or is it inconvenient enough that it either causes their back to ache if they're too active for too long or with chronic pain that doesn't ease at all?

What about those who get surgery on their tubes or uterus, not for 'medical' reasons, but for comfort? For taking control back? For (here it is again) convenience? For gender transitioning? How could I ever hate a surgery like that?

Meanwhile, in my personal view, seeing someone get a nose job for purely cosmetic reasons is sad to me. Why did they feel they have to do that? What sort of pressure have they face throughout their life to take them to that point? But what right do I have to judge? None, other than that I am a part of the same society that made them feel their nose was not acceptable. I do not have a broad, hooked, high bridged, or flat bridged nose, so what standing do I have to judge at all?

What about someone who loves plastic surgery as they love art? For whom body modification is a joy, or as I said before, is about control. Should I be pitying them? I don't, right up until they change something I personally view as 'sad' to change. Isn't that strange? Where did I find this moral high ground from which to look down and feel pity? What arbitrary measure have I developed for what parts of the body are 'sad' to alter?

I wouldn't go up to a stranger in public and say, "I'm so sorry you got your nose done." So why do I feel comfortable pitying the actress who had a face lift? (Rhetorical, I know the objectification of celebrities is a core reason here, but it serves my point).

It goes further. At what point is a surgery 'just' a body mod? Someone getting an ear piercing to combat headaches or allergies. Someone getting their ears or genitalia taken off so they just have a hole. Someone gets bottom surgery. Someone getting their earlobe pierced. Someone getting their eyebrows tattooed because theirs don't naturally suit their gender expression 'right'. Someone getting the name of a loved one on their arm. Someone getting laser hair removal. Someone getting their eyeball tattooed. Getting their incisors capped to points. Veneers. Tongue splits. Acrylic nails. My view is already biased by a Eurocentric upbringing and the conservative nature of my town, so.

With my own biases, I do feel a hate for buccal fat removal. I do feel a hate for cosmetic nose jobs. I do feel a hate for brow lifts. I do feel a hate for hair transplants. I won't deny that. You're right, I do feel shitty that gender is so ingrained in appearance and the value therein that trans ppl can feel so devastatingly unhappy about their own bodies. At the same time, I don't feel someone getting top or bottom surgery is 'wrong' in doing so, and I do not pity them.

Oh not to even bring up teeth. This debate starts all over again at teeth. Cosmetic, comfort, medical.

My original post and my continued thoughts are never a condemnation of the individual undergoing a surgery, only on the pressures of industry and society. It's my frustrations with sexism, racism, transphobia, and fatphobia.

Gender affirming surgeries happen all the time for cis people, including very invasive ones, and I just want to be extra aware of the hypocrisy and more intense scrutiny towards trans people getting similar surgeries, you know? Especially as someone who experiences dysmorphia but not gender dysphoria.

It just comes down to all these questions, and then further still down to personal philosophy. As is the case for most of my personal philosophies, I find it hard to make blanket statements set in stone, because there's always context. There's always further understanding to be gained, if not in my own, then in hearing of how others understand.

What right do I have to feel sad? To hate?

Where is the defining line between cosmetic, comfort, and medical, if there is one?

[primal-slayer]

Re-designing Wonder Woman

Various writers/artists talk through redesigning Wonder Woman

CBR News: Diana's new costume was revealed in "Wonder Woman" #41. In her own words, it was finally time for her to leave the 'girl behind' and embrace then woman that she's become. What can you tell us about the new design and why it represents Diana as a god, a queen and a warrior for justice?

Meredith Finch: One of things Dave and I discussed was that the initial costume that she wore was the one that she put on when she left Themyscira and went into the world of men. At that time, she wasn't part of the Justice League. She was just herself. I wanted the costume to be more in line with what other members of the Justice League are wearing. I also wanted it to be in line with the fact that she is a queen now. If you look at the costume that Hippolyta wore -- traditionally, queens tend to put on much more ceremonial costumes. And, she's also a warrior, so I wanted to be a really strong, solid costume. It hints at the Amazon culture but also fits in the modern world.

When making a major decision, like changing an iconic costume, how much credence lies with fandom and those that have loved the costume since the days of the Linda Carter TV series and the George Perez miniseries and what serves your story and new readers of the title?

If you look at the sketch designs that Dave did (published in "Wonder Woman" #41) for the new costume, first and foremost, they are all intended to be reflective of the character. And when you find something that works, it's like a title for a book: It just works. Dave did quite a few costume designs, and once he did the one that we landed on, it worked instantly for both of us. Getting approval from DC Editorial was fairly easy, because looking at it, the costume just has a synergy with the character. It's strong and reflective of who Diana is, and is still very recognizable as a Wonder Woman costume.

Does the costume have any special properties, or is Diana powerful enough that she does not need any extra protection?

The nice thing is that because it's a new suit, if we decide that we want to add something to it, we'll be able to do that. But looking at who she is right now, she's not just Wonder Woman and an Amazon princess -- she's Wonder Woman and the God of War. As a god, she really is invincible. The suit is much more a reflection of who she is than an addition to who she is. But to be fair, it was designed by Hephaestus, so I am sure there is something special in there because he does love her. https://www.cbr.com/finch-on-signifi...ys-redemption/

“She’s been locked into pretty much the exact same outfit since her debut in 1941,” Mr. Straczynski wrote. “If you’re going to make a statement about bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century, you need to be bold and you need to make it visual. I wanted to toughen her up, and give her a modern sensibility.”

He added, “What woman only wears only one outfit for 60-plus years?”

Given Wonder Woman’s pre-eminence as a female character in the largely male superhero pantheon, her looks have always been a matter of more than casual interest, to both fanboys and feminists. In a 2006 interview about her work on the series, the novelist Jodi Picoult said: “One of the first things I did was ask if we could give her breast-reduction surgery, because as a woman, I know you wouldn’t fight crime in a bustier. But I was somehow shot down by DC.” The new costume was designed by the artist Jim Lee, who in February was named co-publisher of DC, alongside Dan DiDio. Given the assignment, “my first reaction was, ‘Oh my gosh,’ ” Mr. Lee said in an interview. But he welcomed the challenge: “When these characters become so branded that you can’t change things, they become ossified.”

The new look — with an understated “W” insignia, a midnight blue jacket and a flinty fusion of black tights and boots — is darker than the famed swimsuit-style outfit, and aims to be contemporary, functional and, as Tim Gunn of “Project Runway” might say, less costumey.

Given the hope that the character will one day have her own international film franchise (a feature has long been gestating at Warner Entertainment, DC’s parent company), one test of the design was to imagine how it would look standing next to, say, Batman’s politically neutral ensemble. “The original costume was the American flag brought to life,” Mr. Lee said. “This one is a little more universal.”

Mr. Lee has drawn his share of sexy superheroines (the X-Men’s Rogue among them), some in skimpy costume, and knows what many fans will ask: “Why am I covering up her legs?” Ultimately, he wanted her to look strong “without screaming, ‘I’m a superhero.’ ”

The arrival of Issue 600 is a bit of comic-book sleight of hand, or, as DC calls it, a return to historical numbering. Wonder Woman’s first self-titled series, which begin in 1942, ended with No. 329. The character was then overhauled, her previous continuity erased, and she starred in Volume 2 as a heroine new to the world. That incarnation lasted 226 issues. Another new direction spurred a third volume (and, to collectors who care about such things, another Issue No. 1) that ran for 44 issues. Do the math, and what would have been Issue No. 45 is now Volume 1, No. 600.

The new costume will almost certainly be better received than the curveball thrown Wonder Woman in 1968, when she lost her powers, dressed mod and practiced martial arts. It took the attention of no less than Gloria Steinem to protest the change, and to help get the Amazon back into her star-spangled duds. Ms. Steinem went on to use Wonder Woman, resplendent in red, white and blue, on the cover of the first issue of Ms. magazine in 1972. A cover line proclaimed, “Wonder Woman for President.”

That’s the kind of attention Mr. Straczynski thinks she deserves: “Wonder Woman is a strong, dynamic, vibrant character who should be selling in the top 20, and I’m going to do all I can to get her there.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/30/bo...S8G9WNUsmwNo5Q

I got to design the Wonder Woman costume for our Earth Two series, with just some small tweaks by Jim Lee. It’s my version of her battle armor as apposed to a classic variant. It was the most appropriate direction considering the context.

Truthfully, I like the middle ground between pure fantasy and practicality. I want to know how a costume works, what all the parts are for, where did it come from, what it’s made of. I want there to be a practical nature but for that to not limit the design. https://sciencefiction.com/2012/03/1...-nicola-scott/

IGN: I'm glad you brought up the costume. Both you and Nicola are obviously drawing Diana at very different points in her life. Can you talk about the process of redesigning her look and what influences you drew from?

Sharp: Yeah, there's the basic one from the New 52. There's elements of that. There's also elements from the film version. With the one I'm doing, Greg was like, "Do you like the film costume?", and I said I really liked it. So let's just do that. That's settled. I was very happy to adapt that look for what I was doing with the costume. Nic's has slight variations. I talked about this with Greg. She'll wear different outfits. For instance, the cape is ceremonial. It's not always going to be there. We're of the belief that these characters live in a real universe. Obviously it's a fictional universe, but they wouldn't continue to wear the same clothes all the time. It's just ridiculous to assume that they would. So there are variations, and that's fine with me.

Scott: In the Year One story, I had asked if we could take the film costume and make it just a little more comic book-y and a little brighter and shinier. This is her first outing wearing a Wonder Woman costume. It's freshly minted. The breastplate has just come out of the forge and it's just been dyed. It's fresh. It's her first adventure off the island.

Sharp: Whereas mine is all tattered and beaten up and scuffed.

Scott: And probably has pieces replaced. It's a more mature outfit, where mine is meant to make her look a little more optimistic. https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05...s-diana-prince

MFT: Did you design the costume? How did you approach the task of a Victorian-era Wonder Woman design?

PW: Yes, I based it on a Victorian/Western showgirl. I looked at the original costume, hence the eagle, but stylized it to give it a more turn-of-the-century feel. I looked at Art Nouveau artists like Alphonse Mucha especially and some of the Pre-Raphealite painters like Holman Hunt, Millais, and the more stylistic Dante Gabriel Rosetti and also Victorian painters Alma Tadema and John William Waterhouse. It was important for me to understand Victorian scruples as much as their idealization of beauty. https://fanbasepress.com/press/featu...oman-amazonia/

]JF: From my perspective I’m really inspired by the designs that these film-makers are coming up with in these movies. A lot of the times I sit there and I look at these designs and go, “These are great! Why aren’t we thinking about these designs in comics? How come we didn’t think of that first?” I have to say, it’s really cool to see that Ben Affleck’s Batman costume looks like it does in the comics. It’s taking its cue from the comics, you know? So I made a joke on Twitter that I’d been drawing Ben Affleck’s Batman for the last three years. I draw this guy with a giant chin in a Batman suit.

We came up with our Wonder Woman design, and a lot of people would think that our Wonder Woman design is based off of the movie Wonder Woman, but actually it’s based off of an old drawing I did five years ago that Geoff found and really liked. So we used that as a costume. Then it just so happened that, “Oh, Cool! There’s a Wonder Woman costume that kind of goes in that same direction!” I think with the comics, visually, we want these characters to look as classic as possible. The more classic you make your characters look, the longer life your book has. It can transcend time. It’s not stuck in a time period where it’s, “Well, remember when they did that?” It’s these characters are in their classic looks.

We really talked about that because we want this book to be as big as possible. We want it to be as timeless as possible, and we want fans to come to our Justice League to see the characters in their classic designs, and just dive into the story and go from there. We want to deliver the best visual and story book that we possibly can. We want you to feel like you’re getting your money’s worth with these books, every single month. That’s our goal. http://www.multiversitycomics.com/in...war-interview/

Wonder Woman isn’t wearing her traditional costume but pants. Tell me a bit about how you came up with the look? Which do you prefer? Are these Amazon pants or off the shelf pants?

“You know what Lois like to see when she gets home? Pants. Pants on everyone.” As for these pants, they're store-bought. Or maybe “borrowed.” We’ll get to a more traditional look (or an amalgam of the various “traditional” takes) later in the arc. I had one idea for that one. Jorge took it, and ran with it and gave it his own twist, and it looks GREAT. As for her “vigilante” look when we meet her, we were going for something a little more urban combat-y. Pockets. Knives. Hair up. Some of her Agent Diana Prince look, mixed in with a bit of her (in hindsight, unjustly) lamented “Odyssey" look. Of course, we’d be remiss to not have her bracelets/gauntlets. She can’t NOT have those. Therein lies madness. https://dcwomenkickingass.tumblr.com...der-woman-once

Themyscira is just the start of Paquette’s visual re-imagining. “My first thought when Wonder Woman with Grant was mentioned was ‘I don’t want her to be dressed as an American flag.’ Not because an American flag is wrong but it made no sense. She’s coming from such a rich, wonderful culture with so much iconography (Greek culture), so why does she not use that, and why would she dress up as a flag? She’s not Captain America. But at the same time, I understood that this kind of iconic colour/texture is something that’s recognizable, so in that aspect it does have value. If I could reach the same design with a few differences, but make it so it’s not coming from the flag, it’s coming from a natural extension of her culture, I could live with this. The retro-engineering of her costume into something that makes sense is already embedded into the story.” He details some of the changes he has in mind. “The animal associated to Aphrodite is a dove so instead of an eagle on [Wonder Woman’s] breastplate, it will be more of a dove. It’s not the American eagle, it’s the Aphrodite dove. Stuff that creates [the letter] W is by accident, so it’s not like she already has a letter of the alphabet on her [costume]. In the end I’ve created a structure so it feels inevitable for Wonder Woman to look the way she does.” https://thatshelf.com/interview-yanick-paquette-on-wonder-woman/

[sergle]

I am very interested in getting a breast reduction due to both huge honkin' titties and noticeable asymmetry. Do you know what the rules are about having to lose weight before a surgeon will agree to do the reduction? I'm fat but at a stable weight and I don't want to diet. If I paid out of pocket, is that less of an issue?

It really is going to depend on what type of surgeon you go to--I had one surgeon not really bring up my weight At All, and I had another one who COMPLETELY fucking grilled me about it. That is to say, there aren't actually any rules, it's just the specific standards that vary surgeon by surgeon. The only Actual important thing is- and you already said this- being at a stable weight. Drastically inflating or deflating after you got a reduction obviously impacts the results, lol. Paying out of pocket vs going through insurance would also def factor in, I think if you're paying through insurance then some plans LITERALLY require you to be below a specific BMI before they'll let you have a single penny? I know some of them are strict. Paying out of pocket was my Only option, so I don't have experience on the other side of things. Not the reduction expert here, but my personal advice would be:

IF you have insurance, dig around in their policies and google around to see if there is some type of BMI rule they have

When searching for a surgeon, their before/after galleries are the best resource, and if there are no pictures of fat patients? That's not by accident. Pass.

When you have a consult with a surgeon (these are usually cheap or free, you can start consulting anytime even if you're not ready for surgery yet), tell them upfront what you told me: that you're at a stable weight and you don't foresee any large fluctuations happening anytime soon.

[hazardworld]

Dustin's a Damn Good Ally (Original) Pt. 6

Chapter 6— Scars and Black Sweatshirts

Ao3 Link

Originally Posted 1.1.23/Edited 9.2.23

Summary: Dustin's turn! I've tagged him as queer only because I didn't want to ruin the surprise. When this is a series, his actual label will be in future fics. (fyi i had one in the words but as of now I'm using part of it for Monster Town S2E4 so...yeah)

(Queer author saying queer is used both positive and negative here)

———

Eddie was taken aback at how accepting Dustin was.

It was clear he didn’t care about sexualities, even if he was straight. That was metal as fuck in its own right, but even more interesting was how the kid seemed to have an innate sense of gaydar in him.

As good as if he was gay himself.

Either way, Eddie found himself having a movie night with Steve and his adopted siblings/children, fully able to kiss and hand-hold and love his boyfriend, without judgement from the other two in between them (aka the only reason Steve and Eddie weren’t cuddling: the redhead on Eddie’s right, next to the brunet on Steve’s left)

Eddie had found himself a family full of love, and for fuck’s sake, he was happy.

The movie in question was the Breakfast Club, something everyone found comforting and sweet, and hopefully not inducing nightmares from trauma Eddie wasn’t technically supposed to know about but forced all three to tell him after everyone had screaming nightmare after screaming nightmare.

Besides, Eddie thought it was similar to their dynamic: found family from all walks of life, not to mention is was secretly a personal favorite of his.

About an hour in, Dustin went to go get popcorn, but the movie was quickly stopped as Steve gently pushed him back down into his seat.

…ok?

Eddie looked up in confusion as Max and Steve put on determined looks, and Dustin’s confused face quickly turned into a panicked one.

Eddie pretended not to see (or be hurt by) the way Dustin's fearful eyes kept going back and forth, mostly directed at him.

"Max, you know where the sweatshirt is, yeah?" She nodded and ran upstairs, while Steve ran into the kitchen, Eddie mentally agreeing to follow behind.

"Steve, what’s going on? Is Dustin ok?" Steve gave a little huff, and started looking through cabinets.

"Babe, I love you, but it’s something Dustin needs to tell you. Not my place." Steve grinned as he spotted and swiped a large bottle of hydrogen peroxide. "Grab the paper towels on your way. C’mon." Eddie grabbed the roll, trailing behind like a lost puppy.

By now, Max had returned, and was helping a crying Dustin tie a black sweatshirt around his waist, and Eddie saw the dark red stain on the Harrington’s pristine couch.

Oh.

That made…so much sense.

Eddie remembered coming out to Wayne: the day after his middle school graduation, saying that he was Eddie, and that’s who he’d be in high school.

How scared he’d been that someone who he trusted and loved could turn on him so easily, just for saying who he was.

How kind Wayne had been, saying Eddie was his boy, and how tightly they hugged afterwards.

Now, the roles were reversed: Wayne’s job now his.

So, Eddie did the best thing he could, and tore off his shirt.

Well, he didn’t literally tear it off, but he threw it over his head so fast it was almost like tearing it.

Either way, it had exactly the effect intended, because the second Dustin caught sight of his bare chest, he gasped.

Under Eddie’s chest were two long, slightly mangled scars of the breast reduction surgery that had "gone too far."

News flash, it hadn’t.

And the scars that reminded Eddie of what had once been now brought one of his favorite kids joy, because Eddie was just like him.

"Eddie?" Eddie grinned and nodded, and Dustin just crashed into him, into a hug.

"I thought…I thought you’d hate me…being gay is one thing…" Eddie gently shushed him and pulled him in tighter.

"Don’t worry kiddo, I could never hate you for being trans. It’d be kinda hypocritical, no?" Dustin giggled in his arms. Eddie caught the wide grin from Steve and the approving smile—the equivalent to Steve’s wide grin—from Max, and he smiled warmly.

Max snatched the paper towels from his hand, making it clear his job today was comfort, as she and Steve got to work on the stain.

Eddie stayed shirtless the rest of the night, pretending not to see the little glances Dustin gave the scars as the movie continued.

———

And that's a wrap!

A few bits that may be integrated later, idk: - Dustin knows Steve's safe because he got his first period at Steve's house (spring '85) - Eddie gives Dustin a few of his own black sweatshirts after the fact - Dustin (plus Nancy and Lucas) can sew, and he makes his own binders out of sports bras

Special thanks to a few of my friends who beta read (aka I just read this aloud to you at some point), especially "the Dipper to my Mabel" (I don't think they have an ao3/tumblr acct) and @octopiys.

Please PLEASE read the new version. Yes, it may have the same plotline, but I've added a bunch of fun details that give the story more character.

Chapter 5/6

[c-kiddo]

Something I've noticed from the few UK top surgeries I've seen is that their scar lines are remarkably straight and thin! Whereas, American surgeries seem to end up with many more thick and crooked lines. Just something interesting to me! Maybe Americans aren't as careful with themselves during the healing process or maybe UK top surgeons just perform neater surgeries. Interested to find out which it is but that seems to be a very hard census to run.

oh huh i feel like i haven't looked at scars enough to notice this. my scars are very thin and parts have got v close to my skin tone already though :-o but, see, there is actually one thing i did notice - in the run-up to surgery i was doing all this research of course, on what to bring and eat and use, and all the american videos they had SO much stuff for like after surgery and before compared to non-americans i watched who just kinda left things alone to heal. like, things that when i actually spoke to the surgeon he was like no thats unnecessary you just have to keep it clean and safe and it'll be fine. (i was ready to be redoing dressings like th american videos but actually i just kept things totally untouched for a bit over a week, then had a new dressing on one side for reason i will say next, and then basically not much at all... so maybe that effects things?).. i also didn't have drains, which i've noticed being more common with americans i think, because my surgeon didnt want to have them when again theyre not necessary. i had a small fluid/dead blood build up on one side under the incision but it was just drained manually (im not scared of needles to its fine) and the other side didnt need anything.. so i wonder if the drains effect it at all? i've seen people having problems with the hole where they enter i think, things reopening which, scary. Another thought that just occurred to me is that people in america seem to travel very far (yknow because its a big country) to go to specific surgeons whereas here its like,, get it on the nhs or go to a private cosmetic surgeon, so idk if there's difference there. .. my surgeon also didn't do incisions that i've seen on (again) mostly american peoples videos. . like inverted-t (he advised against this because its mostly for breast reduction and doesnt lay as flat and is harder to heal sometimes) and button and fish-mouth and that double incision thats connected in the middle (though correct me if im wrong but i think this is used more so for if youre heavier weight? iirc?) .. i just had double incision w nipple grafts and hm ye, it turned out v neat. ok this is a long ramble, but ya. if there rly is a noticeable comparable different between places thatd be interesting to figure out for sure . this is just thinking out loud because thats an interesting thing to bring up ngl

[fox-steward]

i want to apologize for the wall of vent text im dropping into your inbox, but as a detransitioner, what do you recommend for breast dysphoria?

my main source of dysphoria has always been my large chest which always felt disproportionate to the rest of my body. bras have always been uncomfortable but not wearing one also feels uncomfortable (i am autistic with sensory issues) i used to bind but the sensory issues got even worse.

excuse my crude language but they just feel like useless sacks of fat that get in the way of everything. their only purpose is feed babies, and i don't plan on having children. even though i am attracted to women, the thought of someone sexualizing or touching my chest makes me physically nauseous. i don't even consider myself butch, i'm very femme in my interests and tastes but the thought of wearing the clothes i'd want to wear involves showing off my body and even thinking about it even trying to type it makes me want to throw up.

i've always wanted to pursue breast reduction surgery or even a double mastectomy/"top surgery", but i'm making a last ditch effort hail mary to learn how to "love my body" before i do anything drastic.

any help is appreciated

- questioning desisting 🎀

i wish i could help, or offer wisdom, or something.

it sounds like your breasts are uncomfortable for you physically, with or without a bra or constriction. some women have breast reduction surgeries for these reasons. my sister (a heterosexual, gender conforming woman) had a reduction for this reason. it’s up to you to sort out your reasoning, though from this little glimpse, i would venture there is some trauma attached to your relationship with your body and i highly encourage you to seek out a therapist to have these important conversations with.

also want to note that “loving one’s body” isn’t a destination; you don’t get there and just stay there. it’s a feeling, feelings are fleeting, bodies are always changing. cultivating a practice of self acceptance has been helpful to me—accepting my body, accepting my feelings about my body, accepting my limitations, etc.

wishing the best for you

[sizablelad]

saw a friend of a friend say they “are vehemently against plastic surgery” and…..i know what type of surgery they’re talking about, and if i was to say “well, what do you mean by that” they would be like “you know what type of surgery i’m talking about”. but the problem is a LOT of surgery is plastic surgery. and a lot of elective surgeries that someone who is ‘against plastic surgery’ would consider Good surgeries are. well. elective plastic surgery. where do you draw the line? tummy tucks? skin grafts for burn corrections? cleft palate surgery? top surgery? breast reductions? a family friend had a daughter with a very difficult birth. she was born with her intestines outside her stomach and so when the doctors put them back, she was sewn up. and didn’t have a belly button. and it was a HUGE point of self consciousness for her for years. so she got elective plastic surgery at 15 to give her a belly button. was she just conforming to what is expected for a body to look like? i mean, it’s such a small surgery, and even if no one else cared about her not having a belly button, SHE obviously cared. so was it her moral obligation to not get the surgery and make a Stand for diverse bodies by never having a belly button? maybe she should’ve waited until she wasn’t a teenager because her brain hasn’t fully developed and her anxiety around this issue would’ve reduced. thousands of dollars spent on a pointless surgery at 15…..and yet she is much happier with her body now.

i’m usually amenable to general statements like this, like i try not to be a pedantic bitch, but i think this is an opinion that a lot of people have that is interesting to interrogate, because a lot of people have a different idea about what constitutes ‘good’ or ‘bad’ elective plastic surgery, and i think it’s a very philosophical discussion with a lot to consider other than “””natural””” body=good, body modification=bad. anyway.