Male to female gender confirmation top surgery refers to the surgical procedure of enhancing the chest to feminize it using either implants or a fat transfer to enhance the contour and size of the breasts. This procedure is an ideal option for transgender women who are ready to match their true gender identity and feel more confident in their own body.
Male to female transgender surgery is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Either implants or fat grafting will be used to create the breasts. In some patients, a tissue expansion procedure may needed to be done before the breast augmentation . This will be discussed during your Phoenix transgender surgery consultation with Dr. Craft, along with how much enlargement and projection is desired.
Breast augmentation for trans women is very similar to breast augmentation for cis women, but there are a few things to keep in mind; for example, MTF patients tend to have different nipple positioning than cis women, as well as wider chests and thicker muscles.
For trans women, there is typically a handful of steps to take when transitioning, although each individual will choose for herself which steps she wants to take. For some, only one or a few of these steps are enough to make her feel whole. These steps can include hormone therapy, laser hair removal, and transgender surgery including breast implants, the removal of testes, facial feminization surgery, reducing the Adam’s apple, and/or construction of a vagina.
One of the reasons why breast enhancement is so popular for trans women is because breasts are a timeless symbol of femininity. Receiving them can have an incredibly positive impact on a trans woman’s psychological and emotional wellbeing, as breasts have the ability to line up identity with physical appearance. Usually, patients who are ready for MTF gender confirmation top surgery have already been living for a while as their self-assigned gender, but for many, receiving breasts can make you feel truly complete.
Either saline or silicone implants will be used. Our implants are all FDA approved to ensure comfort and safety. The type of implants to be used will be determined by Dr. Craft’s professional opinion weighed against the goals of the patient.
To begin the procedure, incisions will be made so that the implant can be inserted. The incisions are made either along the fold of the breast; in the armpit, or around the areola. Along the fold of the breast is the most common, but the exact type of incision used will be determined by Dr. Craft after he discusses the patient’s personal goals.
Once the incisions have been made, the implants will either be placed behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. Dr. Craft will ensure that the implants look exactly right and symmetrical as he places them. Once they are positioned, he will close and suture the incisions.
If a patient only wants a modest breast size, she may be a great candidate for a breast augmentation with fat grafting procedure. Dr. Craft will take excess fat from one area of the body (such as the abdomen, love handles, or thighs) via liposuction and transfer it inside the tissue around the natural breasts to make them appear more feminized.
After your Phoenix MTF top surgery with implants, you will be given a compression garment that you must wear around your breasts for 5 to 7 days. This will help to reduce swelling, and will be removed during your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Craft, at which point you can begin wearing a softer sports bra (which you will need to wear for six weeks).
While every patient heals differently, here are some basics. Most patients will need someone to stay with them during recovery to help with daily tasks, as you won’t be able to put your arms above your head comfortably for about two weeks. “Lifting your arms” means that you won’t be able to do something as simple as brushing your hair to something more important, like lifting pets and children. You also should not drive for one week post-op.
Patients can typically return to desk-type jobs after 2 to 3 weeks, but high-intensity workouts need to be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks. Light exercise for the lower body is okay after two weeks.
To achieve the most natural-looking breasts, it’s very important to choose a surgeon whose area of expertise is both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. An artistic eye is also a critical element. This is why Dr. Randall Craft at CraftMD is an excellent choice for your male to female surgery in Phoenix. He is a double board-certified, Harvard-trained surgeon who specializes in reconstructive breast surgery and provides patient-centric, compassionate care with an 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 for your TG surgery, please call (602) 786-6973 or contact us online.
Swelling and bruising will greatly subside around 3 to 4 weeks post-op, and should be completely gone by the 9-month mark. Patients will look better and better each day, but should expect final results to take up to a year.
