Top surgery allows patients to undergo gender affirmation surgery to alter the appearance of their chest accordingly.
FEMALE-TO-MALE (FTM) TOP SURGERY:
This procedure involves the removal of breast tissue. Dr. Peter Butler, Dr. Jocelyn Leveque, or Dr. Nathan Patterson will then contour the chest to reflect a more masculine appearance. After surgery, your surgeon may want to perform some “touch up” liposuction in the office in order to achieve the best final result. Increasingly, insurance companies are considering this a reconstructive procedure and may cover all or part of the cost of the surgery.
Goal
To remove breast tissue and create a more male chest contour.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight.
Anesthesia
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to care for others or drive a car.
Recovery
This is an outpatient procedure. An overnight hospital stay is usually not required.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others. You will not be allowed to drive until you can quickly move your head without pain.
Walking After Surgery
You are encouraged to walk around the house as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You remove dressings and shower 48 hours after surgery.
Exercise
You should do mild/gentle stretching exercises immediately after surgery to prevent your arm and chest muscles from getting tight. Exercise with limits guided by pain is ok 2 weeks after surgery.
Sex
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period. After 2 weeks, sex is ok ONLY if your partner is able to resist touching your new chest. You are the only person allowed to touch your chest for 6 weeks following surgery.
Work
1 week or less depending on your type of work.
Swelling
Usually, it peaks around 3 days and gradually goes away.
Bruising
Should subside within 1-2 weeks.
Inherent Risks & Complications
Hematoma, Infection, Contour irregularities, Poor scarring, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
MALE-TO-FEMALE (MTF) TOP SURGERY:
Dr. Leveque, Dr. Butler or Dr. Nathan Patterson will use breast implants to create a more feminine appearance. Drs. Butler, Patterson, and Leveque use Vectra 3D technology that allows patients to see how different size implants will look on YOUR body.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies categorize this procedure a breast augmentation and will not cover the cost of the procedure.
Goal
Create a more feminine or female appearance.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight and avoid using any nicotine-containing substances.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
This is an outpatient surgery and patients go home after surgery.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to care for others or drive a car.
Walking After Surgery
You are encouraged to walk around the house as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower.
Exercise
You should do mild/gentle stretching exercises immediately after surgery to prevent your arm and chest muscles from getting tight. Light exercise is ok 1 week after surgery with your new breasts well supported. No arm exercises (other than stretching) for 3 weeks.
Sex
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period. After 2 weeks, sex is ok ONLY if your partner is able to resist touching your new breasts. You are the only person allowed to touch your breasts for the 6 weeks following surgery.
Work
Depending on your type of work you can resume light office work as soon as you feel you are able to do so. Most people take about 1 week off work following this surgery.
Swelling
Usually, it peaks around 3 days and gradually goes away.
Bruising
If present, it should subside within 1-2 weeks.
Inherent Risks & Complications
Hematoma, Infection, Implant malposition, Numbness, Capsular contracture, Implant rupture, Poor scarring, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
