Transgender breast augmentation or male-to-female (MTF) top surgery is crucial in the transition journey of transgender women. Here’s everything you need about male-to-female top surgery.

Understanding Transgender Breast Augmentation

MTF breast augmentation refers to a surgery procedure aimed at transforming a male chest into a woman-looking chest, ensuring the patient has a feminine breast in terms of shape and size. This type of surgery is crucial for individuals who want to align their bodies with their gender identity to avoid gender dysphoria. It results in a natural-looking breast, enhancing the patient’s self-esteem and confidence.

So, is Transgender Breast Augmentation Safe and Effective?

In a 2019 study involving 34 patients, 92.7% said they were satisfied with the results, with 100% saying they saw an improvement in their gender dysphoria and would opt for the surgery again. With such data, it may be safe to say that breast augmentation in transgender women is safe and effective, leading to patient satisfaction and self-acceptance.

How is MTF Different from Traditional Breast Augmentation?

MTF breast augmentation follows a similar procedure to traditional augmentation, with key differences in preparation.

Before surgery, transgender women are required to undergo three months of counseling and receive a letter of recommendation from a mental health professional. In some instances, a transitioning woman may need to take female hormones to help encourage breast development before the surgery, helping achieve the desired size and shape of the breasts. The recovery time is the same for both MTF and traditional breast augmentation, although transgender augmentation may take much longer to settle to achieve a natural contour.

MTF Breast Augmentation Process and Techniques

To achieve personalized breast surgery results, your surgeon will design your breast augmentation surgery based on your goals. The surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis. Your doctor will put you under general anesthesia before proceeding to make about 1” long incision and a “pocket” for the implants for each breast. The surgeon will make the incision carefully, ensuring that no scarring is visible. Once your Dr. inserts the implants and positions them, they will close the incision. The surgery will take about 1 hour.

If you don’t achieve much breast development from hormone therapy, your skin tissue may not be enough to accommodate a larger implant as you desire. If this is the case, your surgeon can decide to break your MTF breast surgery into two stages. In the first stage, the surgeon will place skin expanders to create room for implants. After that, they will fill the expanders gradually to slowly stretch the skin tissue, allowing room for breast implant insertion in stage two.

Types of Breast Implants

Saline Implants

Saline implants are filled with saline (sterile salt water) solution to form a rounder and fluid-filled implant. The surgeon puts them into the breast empty and then fills them when in place.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants are filled with silicone gel to form a firmer, smoother, and natural-looking implant. They are more expensive than saline implants and require a bigger incision.

How to Choose Breast Implants

One of the important things to consider when choosing your breast implant is your overall physique. Ideally, you want to ensure that your breast appears natural and balanced after the implant.

Different implants have varying shapes and profiles. For example, a medium or low-profile implant has a lower projection and more width than a high-profile implant. Depending on how much projection, width, and volume you want, your surgeon will recommend the best breast implant size and shape. They will also allow you to try different breast implants, ensuring you choose one that matches your body physique and preference.

Silicone implants are popular for transgender patients because they are ideal for people with small breast tissue and have a natural look and feel.

Breast Implant vs. Fat Transfer

Your surgeon can use implants or fat-transfer breast augmentation, depending on your goals. With breast implants, your surgeon easily predicts the outcome, allowing them to determine the exact size and shape.

On the other hand, fat transfer uses a two-in-two procedure. The surgeon can use liposuction to remove fat from thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and other target body areas, purify the fat and put it into your chest to increase breast size. Generally, fat transfer involves smaller incisions than implants and results in a small change in breast size.

Who is Eligible for Transgender Breast Augmentation Surgery?

• Individuals 18 years old or older
• Be physically healthy and have realistic expectations
• Ability to make an informed decision and consent to treatment
• Quit smoking or tobacco use at least 6-8 weeks before the surgery

Recovery after MTF Breast Augmentation Surgery

The recovery time for MTF surgery patients varies from person to person, with most of them able to resume non-strenuous activities within one week. However, you will have to wait several months for full recovery, ensuring that inflammation reduces and implants settle in their exact location.

Allow yourself enough rest in the first 2-3 days after the surgery to give your body enough time to heal. During this time, ensure you have someone to take care of you. You may experience swelling, pain, and discomfort as you heal, which you can manage with medications prescribed by your doctor.

Follow all the post-operative instructions your doctor provides you throughout recovery to minimize risks and accelerate recovery. In addition, you may require mental support to help cope with any emotional changes that come with your new body. LGBTQ and All offers trans-friendly therapists and psychologists to offer mental help, ensuring you adapt to your new body.

Potential Risks of MTF Top Surgery

• Implant displacement
• Nipple sensitivity changes
• Excessive scar tissue can change the implant shape
• Seroma (fluid collection under the skin after surgery)
• Bleeding and hematoma formation under the breast area
• Breast asymmetry (one breast is different in size, shape, or position compared to the other)

We Can Help Find the Best MTF Surgery and Mental Support

The results of your transgender breast augmentation surgery will largely depend on the surgeon you choose and the counseling you get (both prior and post-surgery. At LGBTQ and All, we can help find a reputable MTF surgeon and LGBTQ-friendly mental professionals to support you during the entire process. Visit our directory today to access our resources for a smooth MTF surgery procedure.