How to Work with a Plastic Surgeon for Top Surgery
If you’re transitioning from male to female or female to male, top surgery may be part of your plans. As a recent article in Self magazine notes, the chest is one of the most obvious gender-associated physical traits—that’s why many individuals choose breast augmentation or breast reduction as part of their transition.
The article offered several things for transgender people to think over as they make decisions. One important consideration is that cosmetic surgery, while it may be a big step, can be ultimately healthier than daily chest binding for transgender men or silicone injections for transgender women. In addition, affirming one’s gender through a safe cosmetic procedure can have a positive life-changing impact.
Top Surgery Details
The Self article highlighted other aspects of transgender top surgery patients should learn about. It may be helpful to start a list as you get ready to set up appointments with plastic surgeons. Here are some topics to jot down so you’ll remember to explore them in your consultation:
• Scarring: Depending on the extent of tissue removal or the strategy for breast enlargement, transgender individuals may have visible scars after breast surgery. You and your surgeon can discuss possible tradeoffs between size and scars.
• Nipple sensation: Feeling in the nipples can be affected by breast procedures, particularly breast reduction. Most patients eventually have at least some sensation return, but you need to know that this aspect of breast surgery is somewhat unpredictable.
• Breast cancer: If you’re a transgender man, it’s helpful to know as much as possible about your risk of breast cancer and share it with your surgeon. This may impact just how much tissue the two of you decide to remove. For transgender women, the Self article pointed to other very helpful information about breast cancer on the U.C.S.F website to read over.
• Other important medical history: You should be prepared to be completely open with your plastic surgeon. He or she will want to know if you’re on hormone therapy, what other medication you may be taking, whether you have been binding your chest and certainly whether you have had silicone injections. All these details and more will impact surgery strategy.
Your Choice of Plastic Surgeon
There’s an additional point we would like to make to people transitioning: your choice of plastic surgeon is critical. Breast surgery is commonly performed by most cosmetic surgeons across the country, but that doesn’t mean each one has the experience or sensitivity to be a good partner for you. We have worked with literally tens of thousands of breast surgery patients over thirty years in practice in New York—top surgery patients among them. Here are some thoughts:
Female to male top surgery: If you’ll take a moment to explore our website focused on plastic surgery for men, including man boob treatment, you’ll see that male breast reduction is a leading specialty of our practice. We treat hundreds of men with excess breast tissue annually, more than possibly any other surgeon in the world. In fact, our practice is unique in serving almost as many men as women. We know how to sculpt the masculine contours you’re looking for.
Male to female top surgery: While just about any cosmetic surgeon can give you breast implants or fat injections, there’s far more we consider in creating a breast enlargement plan for our New York top surgery patients. We evaluate your physique—including the size of your pectoral muscles, your skin quality, the overall shape of your chest and more. Our goal is to create a feminine look for your chest that harmonizes with the rest of your body and safeguards your future health.
Another key advantage of our practice is our staff. Most of us have been together for many years, and we work seamlessly as a team to ensure safe, rewarding results for every person we treat. We are a diverse group of trained professionals, and we welcome transgender people to our New York offices. You can even fly-in for surgery—our staff can help with the arrangements.
One way to explore the possibilities is to send us a quick email. Tell us about yourself and what you’re looking for and we’ll get right back to you.
