Many people who experience gender dysphoria find their chest area frustrating. This area tends to represent masculine or feminine identity. With a 98% “worth it” rating on RealSelf, top surgery can affirm your gender identity. Whether you want a more masculine or feminine chest, top surgery can help you achieve your goals.
What is Transgender Top Surgery?
Top surgery is a procedure for transgender individuals who wish to alter the appearance of their chest. It is a gender-affirming surgery that contours the chest to create a more masculine or feminine appearance, depending on the individual’s desired outcome.
Transgender men commonly seek this surgery, as well as non-binary individuals assigned female at birth who wish to have a more masculine chest. The procedure is also performed on transgender women and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth who wish to have a more feminine chest. Your LPS surgeons specialize in top surgery and creating your desired appearance.
How to Prepare for Top Surgery
Each top surgery procedure is different, but good pre-surgery plans can help you recover more quickly after surgery. We recommend these preparation steps:
- Do not smoke since this slows the healing process
- Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications like aspirin and ibuprofen
- Eat a nutritious diet and stay active to prepare your body for healing
- Make plans to have someone drive you home and help you for a day or two
You can celebrate your upcoming procedure by buying a few new tops you can look forward to wearing with your new chest shape. You can also discuss the procedure with your loved ones so they know what to expect.
How is Transgender Surgery Performed?
The surgical techniques used in top surgery can vary depending on your anatomy and desired outcome.
For transgender men and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, your LPS surgeon removes breast tissue and excess skin from the chest and contours the remaining tissue to create a more masculine appearance. The nipples and areolas may be altered to look more masculine.
For transgender women and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth, the surgery typically includes breast augmentation. It often uses implants or fat transfer to create a more feminine appearance. Your LPS surgeon may also reposition the nipples to a more feminine position.
What are the Benefits of Top Surgery?
Top surgery can have numerous benefits for transgender individuals. The surgery can help alleviate feelings of dysphoria and improve body confidence. Feeling more at home in your own body can help improve self-esteem and enhance your gender identity.
The surgery can also have practical benefits, such as allowing individuals to wear clothing that they feel more comfortable in and making it easier to participate in activities like swimming and sports. Many people feel freer to live a life that affirms their gender identity after top surgery.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about 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.