Gender Affirmation Surgery Overview
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.
Facts About Gender Affirmation 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 After FtM Top Surgery
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 may 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 two weeks after surgery.
Sex
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
Most patients are able to return to work within one week of surgery, depending on their 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 as 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 of MtF Top Surgery
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
You are able to shower 24-48 hours after surgery.
Exercise
You should do mild/gentle stretching exercises immediately after surgery to prevent your arm and chest muscles from getting tight. Walking and light exercise is ok one week after surgery with your new breasts well supported. No arm exercises (other than stretching) for three weeks.
Sex
Wait two weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
Depending on your type of work you can resume light office work as soon as you feel you are able to do so. Some patients are able to return to work 24-48 hours after surgery. Most people take about one 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
