I'm Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide For You and Me
Written, designed, and illustrated by Rimona Eskayo, the 96 pages of “I’m Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide for Me and You” interrupt the sterile, dehumanizing realm of the operating room to offer a meditation on the political dimensions of medical gatekeeping and trans liberation.
Part-essay, part-handbook, and full-on love poem to their community, this project draws upon Rimona's experiences alongside the knowledge of trans scholars, healthcare experts, and friends. Filled with practical insights like the difference between periareolar and keyhole procedures, how to get a therapist’s letter of approval, and what to expect from recovery, the work also delves into the personal — guiding conversations for talking about top surgery with loved ones and offering first-hand narratives from a handful of Portland-based artists, educators, and activists.
Book Details
Books are risograph printed on 80# text paper, measuring 8x8” and bound with tangerine-colored plastic coils. Each book is handmade and will have small variations between copies. This second edition of 410 books was printed with care in July 2023 by Cereal Box Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio — a city built on the homelands of the Adena, Hopewell, Myaamia (Miami), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/ Shawnee), and Wazhazhe Manzhan (Osage) Peoples who continue to survive and resist US empire.
Please do not use or reproduce without permission from the author. This includes academic purposes. Thanks for supporting an independent artist! ☺ All rights reserved © 2022 Rimona Eskayo
On Tiered Pricing and Free Books
Free books for trans people of color are partially funded by Regional Arts and Culture Council and higher-tiered book sales. Please note that there are a limited number of free books available, with priority to trans people of color. If you’re able to buy a book, please do. If you’re a trans person who can afford to pay at the general audience tier, please do.
Please do not order free books as gifts — to order a book for a trans friend, please pay at one of the General Public tiers. You’re welcome to email me with any questions about tiered pricing. Your sales support continued printing of this book and free and lower-tiered pricing options!
Fundraiser for Black and Beyond the Binary Collective
A portion of the funds (20-40%, increasing with price) from each book sold goes to Black and Beyond the Binary Collective (BBBC). The first edition of this book raised $2,396 for BBBC’s Housing Safety Fund. For bulk orders or to arrange a training for your school or workplace, contact Rimona at rimoskyo@gmail.com.
Stocked By
You can also find I’m Having Top Surgery at the following independent shops and bookstores:
Arcata, CA
Asheville, NC
Downtown Books & News
67 North Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
Eugene, OR
Books With Pictures Eugene
99 W Broadway Suite C, Eugene, OR 97401
Northampton, MA
MXED GREENS
2 Conz St #20, Northampton, MA 01060
Portland, OR
Books With Pictures
1401 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202
Floating World Comics
1223 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232
Outlet
2500 NE Sandy Blvd Ste E, Portland, OR 97232 (by appointment only)
Seattle, WA
Left Bank Books
92 Pike St. #B, Seattle, WA 98101
Want to stock I’m Having Top Surgery at your shop, clinic, or bookstore?
Send me an email. Do you have I’m Having Top Surgery available to read or check out at a public library or community space? Send an email and I’ll make sure to update my library list!