Transgender man behind viral top surgery video opens up about why he shared footage

A social media user, who is transgender, decided to share a very special moment with his followers to inspire and educate others.

Last week, Sol Hall, 22, of Victoria, Australia posted a now-viral video to Twitter showing the results of his top surgery, also referred to as male chest reconstruction, in which breast tissue is removed. In the video, he is lying in a hospital bed as a doctor removes the bandages wrapped around his chest. When Hall’s new flat chest was revealed, the trans man became visibly emotional.

“I’d like to share my very personal chest reveal moment with the world,” he wrote, “to hopefully show that despite the endless negative experiences we trans people have, we also get to experience some of the best feelings in the world. Use this video to manifest your own future if you need to.”

Hall’s video received many messages of support.

Hall told Yahoo Lifestyle that he first realized he wanted the chest surgery in 2016 after seeing other trans men share their journeys.

“Seeing the euphoria that trans people felt because of a flat chest resonated with me and inspired me so much that it led to me taking the first step in exploring my own gender identity,” he said. “It also gave me a positive goal to work towards. I really wanted to share my video in hopes that I could have the same positive influence on other trans people.”

Hall also explained why the moment made him so emotional.

“A massive weight was literally and metaphorically lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “I also just could not believe that I was looking down at MY flat chest, not just watching someone else’s video. It felt like I’d been waiting for so long that when I finally did see the results, I was overwhelmed with disbelief, but in the best way.”

He admitted that he was taken aback that his video went viral and was even more surprised when LGBTQ activist and artist Chella Man came across his video, noting that Man’s own top surgery had inspired him.

“I think it’s really important for the trans community to see so many people band together to support and defend us, including both fellow trans people and cis allies. Although I’ve gotten quite a lot of transphobic responses, for every bad comment, there’s a hundred supportive ones. That’s what matters. I’ve received a lot of private messages from closeted, questioning or just struggling people, saying how they needed to see my video,” Hall said.

Calling his mother his “biggest ally,” Hall said that her paying for his surgery made the process a lot easier, as many trans people who seek gender-confirming surgery cannot afford it nor find insurance to cover it. He also wanted people to understand why this surgery was so vital.

“Having this surgery wasn’t a choice for me, it was survival. If I hadn’t pursued this, I wouldn’t be here today. My whole life has been held back because I was never living as my true self and my chest was one of the biggest obstacles for me,” he shared.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Dwyane Wade says trans daughter Zaya has identified as a girl since age 3: 'I knew early on that I had to check myself'

• Trans teen goes viral after friends surprise him with money for a name change

• Inside the 'nocebo effect': How Googling medication's side effects can actually cause them

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