Week 1 Update!

Week 1 update!

Day of everyone was extremely respectful and kind, they were great with giving clear instructions and making sure I knew what was going on. They created a very easy going atmosphere.

I briefly got to see Dr. Mundy before going back and she checked in with the desired scar placements.

Even coming out of anesthesia, the nurses were very kind and attentive, making sure I was comfortable and not in pain. She went over how to clear the drains as well as providing a paper with the steps.

Dr. Mundy and her team were VERY attentive and able to see me quickly when we had an issue with the suction on one of the drain sites. They were also available to answer and clarifying questions to given instructions that differed between the original instruction packet. I was able to shower 48 hours after the procedure, I believe it was because I did not get nipple graphs.

For the week 1 post operation visit, I saw Dr. Mundys assistant, PA Bes. PA Bes was open to and made sure to explain in detail any questions we had, including drain site care, binder care, use of the binder(I was mild swelling so the instructions differed), what to expect for the next week and how to get moving. She was once again very kind and checked in if I wanted to be talked through what was going on when she removed my drains, or if I would prefer distraction. Bes showed my mom what the site discharge could look like and what to expect. She made sure we were stocked on anything we would need for the rest of the week and gave advice/alternative ways to keep the gauze pads in place if the tape was irritating my skin.

I've rarely seen reviews/posts on top surgery with John Hopkins, probably due to their strict privacy policy, but I wanted to note on my experience.

As of writing this I am 5 days from my set date with Dr. Mundy at Hopkins. I've had a very welcoming experience, everyone I interacted with was extremely respectful of my name and pronouns (I am an enby, and had my name legally changed during the process).

I had a short wait for a consult because I chose to go with Dr Mundy dispute her being new. Dr Laing had a much longer wait list, as she is the known sergoen at Hopkins. The consult was very very brief and I did not ask many questions, partially due to nurves and how much I've prepped for surgery. I did not know at the time, but you must request to see patient results due to their privacy policy. Even without seeing photos, Dr Mundy made me feel extremely comfortable and went over everything with me and I feel comfortable going into surgery without seeing photos. Her assistant went over everything Dr Mundy did as well when she came to take photos. Both her and Dr Mundy were extremely respectful and made sure myself and my mother who accompanied me felt sucure in our understanding.

I was extremely lucky and was at least partially due to scheduling with Dr Mundy that from a May consultant I was able to schedule surgery with her in early July. With scheduling we were very clear on our limitations with travel and school in the fall and they were amazing at following them.

Some thoughts I've had that I wish was handled better was doctor preference. A lot of Hopkins preparation documents and instructions simply saying "follow doctors preference"( ex, soap for showering day of, drinking limitations, etc) Except I never went over preferences with Dr. Mundy. They did clear up the drinking limitaions with the surgery prep call before my surgery date, but I was never instructed on which soap to use, simple told to follow doctors preference or instructions. I understand Dr Mundy is new to Hopkins and she may not be as familiar with their policies, and Hopkins does provide a general soap guild line that I will be following, but still feel it should be noted.