Were you born in a body that doesn’t match your true gender? If so, transgender top surgery can help you feel more comfortable in your body. This surgery can help you achieve a more masculine or feminine-looking chest.
What is Transgender Top Surgery?
As experts in transgender procedures, the Longwood Plastic Surgery team will help you achieve your top surgery goals. Transgender top surgery is a reconstructive gender-affirming chest procedure. In the state of Massachusetts, many insurance companies cover gender-affirming surgeries as medically necessary.Â
How Does Transgender Top Surgery Work?
The presence or absence of breasts causes people to make assumptions about your gender. Transgender top surgery works by either creating feminine-looking breasts (Male to Female or MtF) or a flatter masculine-looking chest (Female to Male or FtM). Your LPS surgeon will take the time to understand your goals and develop a plan to help you achieve them.Â
Male to Female (MtF)
An MtF top surgery transforms a masculine chest into a more feminine one. This highly customized procedure may augment the natural breast tissue you already have or use implants to help you achieve the desired volume and projection.Â
Female to Male (FtM)
An FtM top surgery creates a flatter, masculine chest. If you have a small amount of breast tissue, your surgeon may perform a subcutaneous mastectomy (removing the breast tissue underneath the skin). If you have more breast tissue or excess skin, the surgeon may also resize and reposition the nipple to place it correctly on the chest.Â
What is Recovery Like From Transgender Top Surgery?
Your recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure. Most people can return to work and daily activities within a week. Your LPS surgeon will recommend waiting at least two weeks before resuming more strenuous activities. Avoid activities like lifting your hands above your head that could strain the chest area.Â
What Results Will I See From Transgender Top Surgery?
Many people feel like top surgery is their biggest gender-affirming surgery. Breasts, or not having breasts, causes people to make assumptions about your gender. This surgery can change the way the world sees and responds to you. Based on the treatment plan your surgeon developed with you, you will achieve results as unique as you.Â
Am I a Candidate for Transgender Top Surgery?
While all surgeries require a person to prepare physically, transgender top surgery also requires an emotional adjustment. Good candidates should feel emotionally prepared for the impact of losing or gaining this important aspect of the self.Â
Ideal candidates have no bleeding disorders or other major health problems. If you smoke, you will need to quit before your surgery. If you have reached close to your target weight at the time of surgery, you should maintain this weight to avoid changes in your results.Â
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about transgender top surgery? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction