Transgender Surgery

What does the transgender surgery involve

The procedure places implants either beneath the breast tissue or under the chest muscle to create the volume and shape that hormones did not produce. It follows the same core technique as breast augmentation, though the planning is different.

The transgender female patients usually possess smaller chest base, less amount of prior breast development, as well as specific skin quality. All these factors will define what kind of implants are required in terms of size and projection, as well as placement points for those. A surgeon aware of such aspects will perform the procedure in his own unique way, thus, providing an outcome that will be distinctive to transgender breast implant surgery patients.

There are two basic types of implants utilised during the procedure, silicone gel and saline implants. In general, surgeons recommend silicone implants since they provide more natural feeling. The choice among those and their shapes and projections is determined at the consultation session.

The surgery is done under general anaesthesia and lasts for one to two hours. All incisions are made within the natural crease under the breast to ensure minimal scar visibility. The results regarding volume can be seen immediately, while the final look will develop in several weeks time.

Who is suitable for gender affirmation surgery

Most patients are either on hormone therapy or have completed it. Some come in with a small amount of breast tissue already present from hormones; others have seen very little development. Both situations are workable, though the surgical approach differs.

General health matters here. Smoking has greater effects on wound healing than we would expect and increases our risks for complications quite significantly, so it is very important to quit smoking well ahead of our surgery date. However, apart from this, the key prerequisite is having realistic expectations about our surgery.

What happens on the day

Pre-operative checks are completed on arrival. Once anaesthesia is administered, the surgical team creates a pocket beneath the breast tissue or chest muscle, positions the implant, and closes the incision. The procedure is usually done within two hours. Most patients are discharged the same day after a period of observation in recovery.

Recovery after transgender breast implant surgery

The chest feels tight and sore in the first few days. Swelling is visible and the implants sit higher than their final position initially. This is all normal. The prescribed drugs take care of the pain, and most people feel the first week is the hardest physically.

Lifting objects that are too heavy or stressing out the pectoral muscles has to be avoided for four to six weeks. Routine activities can be carried out easily after a week or ten days. The implants drop and settle into their final position over two to three months. During this period, wearing a supportive surgical bra helps the process along. Scars fade over six to twelve months and become difficult to notice in most cases.

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