I’m Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide For You and Me

Written, designed, illustrated, and risograph printed by me. Published in June 2022. Get your copy here or find at your local library.

Part-essay, part-handbook, and full-on love poem to my community, this 96-page risographed book draws upon my experiences of top surgery 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.

As both art object and educational cornerstone, I’m Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide For You and Me interrupts the dehumanizing realm of the operating room to offer a meditation on the political dimensions of medical gatekeeping and trans liberation.

Front cover.

Front cover.

Interior front cover.

Interior front cover.

Inner spread titled "Isn't it Just a Mastectomy? Nope. Keep getting regularly tested for breast cancer," with illustrated diagram on the right.

Inner spread titled "Isn't it Just a Mastectomy? Nope. Keep getting regularly tested for breast cancer," with illustrated diagram on the right.

Inner spread with surgical technique illustrations and descriptions, part of a larger section.

Inner spread with surgical technique illustrations and descriptions, part of a larger section.

Inner spread with illustration and a series of questions to bring your to appointments with your surgeon.

Inner spread with illustration and a series of questions to bring your to appointments with your surgeon.

  • I’m Getting Top Surgery is such an important piece of work. Not only does it present complex and hard-to-navigate medical information in a way that is concise and accessible; it also holds emotional space for trans readers and their loved ones, not shying away from the complexity of emotions they may experience. I am so grateful to have this resource available to my community.

    — Sarah Modene (she/her), Program Lead, Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center

  • I’m Having Top Surgery is the kind, honest, and thoughtful approach to top surgery that our community deserves. It's easy to get lost in the medical weeds; I'm Having Top Surgery reminds folks to tend to their emotional needs when navigating this topic with ourselves and others. Rimona invites us into this important conversation with delightful illustrations and insightful stories that remind us to treat our own trans journey with care.

    -— Aryn Zanca (they/them), Bridge 13 Community Education Supervisor, New Avenues for Youth

Because information by and for trans folks about our healthcare is becoming increasingly hard to access, it’s a priority for me to get I’m Having Top Surgery: An Illustrated Guide for You and Me into libraries across the country!

Browse this list (organized by state + city) to find a copy near you. If a book is only available for in-library use, it will be listed as “read.” If a copy can be checked out of the library, it will be noted and include a link to place a hold.

If you’ve got a copy of the book in a publicly-available space, I’d love to know about it! Please fill out this form to get your library listed.

Find a copy of I’m Having Top Surgery near you!

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