Dr. Randall Craft performs FTM gender confirmation top surgery in Phoenix for trans men who want to remove their natural breasts in order to match their physical appearance with their true identity.

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FTM gender confirmation top surgery

Female to male gender confirmation top surgery (or transgender mastectomy) refers to the surgical procedure of removing the breast tissue to masculinize the chest. This can be a life-changing procedure for trans men whose breasts have been causing them emotional damage, or if they want their physical appearance to align more closely with who they truly are.

Transitioning into the real you

For trans men, there are several steps that can be taken when transitioning, although each individual will choose for himself exactly which steps he wants to take. For some, only one or a few of these steps are enough to make him feel whole. These steps can include taking testosterone, which will lower the voice, grow masculine hair, thicken the skin, stop the menstrual cycle, and more. There’s also removal of the breasts, bulking up in the gym, removal of internal female reproductive organs, phalloplasty, and metoidioplasty.

A big reason why FTM top surgery is so important for trans men is because breasts are so connected to the idea of femininity, and having them can make a trans man feel trapped within his own body—and this can have a significant negative impact on their self-esteem and life. Although many patients who are ready for FTM top surgery in Phoenix have already been living for a while as their self-assigned gender, undergoing a transgender mastectomy to remove the breasts can make them truly feel like who they really are.

Gender confirmation top surgery details

FTM gender confirmation top surgery is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure removes breast tissue in order to flatten and masculinize the chest, and does so with a few different techniques. Dr. Craft will go over these techniques with you during your initial consultation to determine which one is right for your specific needs. The existing breasts and nipple position will be a factor in which method is right for you. Each of these techniques can also incorporate liposuction to remove excess fat and enhance the outcome.

Double incision technique

Marks are made on the breasts to guide Dr. Craft as he performs the surgery. The areolas are removed from the chest, prepared for re-attachment, and stored. Liposuction may be done, but this will depend on the patient. The incisions are made along the fold of the breast, and a second incision is made higher up on the breast.

The breast tissue and excess skin are removed, and the skin edges are then lined up perfectly and sutured closed. The new location for the areolas and nipples is chosen, and they are then placed. A double incision technique achieves the tightest and flattest results, and also allows for full customization of the areolas. The downside is that sensation may be lost or enhanced in the nipples, and there are considerable scars. A double incision technique is best for those with excess skin of the chest.

Keyhole incision technique

The incision is made along the bottom border of the areola, and the breast tissue is removed directly through this small hole. Dr. Craft will use a metal retractor and headlight to develop a layer superficial to the breast tissue, out to the edges of the breast tissue in every direction. With the skin elevated, Dr. Craft will remove the breast tissue from the underlying muscle and excise it through the hole. The incisions are then closed with sutures. This method is best for those with minimal excess skin and breast tissue. The areola is not re-sized with the keyhole technique.

Periareolar incision technique

The incisions are made around the areolas, which are re-sized to the standard size for male areolas. A curved incision is then made to remove the breast tissue, the skin is tightened, and the incisions are closed with sutures, leaving behind a smooth, flat, symmetrical chest. This technique is best for patients with mild to moderate skin excess, and results in scarring that is minimally visible.

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Why choose Dr. Craft?

We cannot overstate the importance of selecting a surgeon for your female to male top procedure who is a specialist in top reconstructive surgery. You will want someone who meets the criteria, and who also has an artistic eye and provides patient-centric care. This is why Dr. Randall Craft is an excellent choice for FTM gender confirmation top surgery in Phoenix. He is a double board-certified, Harvard-trained surgeon who specializes in reconstructive surgery, with a constant emphasis on safety. Dr. Craft is proud to be able to provide this life-changing procedure, and he looks forward to meeting you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Craft, please call (602) 786-6973 or contact us online.

Recovery

After your FTM top surgery, you will be given a compression garment to wear for 5 to 7 days to help with swelling and to help the contours of your new chest to stay in place. Some patients will need to use drains for about a week to collect excess fluid.

Patients should expect to experience bruising, swelling, and bloating. Many are able to return to desk-type work between 2 and 3 weeks. You may return to light exercise in two weeks, but any strenuous activity should be avoided for two months after the surgery.

Your dressings will be changed at your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Craft, and your compression garment will be given to you, which is necessary to wear for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Additional Resources

Risk of Breast cancer in female-to-male transsexual surgery

Female to Male Surgery in Phoenix