FTM Top Surgery

Female to male top surgery, also known as FTM Surgery, is aimed at transgender men who want to achieve a more masculine-looking chest that appears flatter and contoured. There are several types of FTM top surgery. The most common procedure involves surgically removing breast tissue, also known as a mastectomy, and eliminating excess skin and fat. The nipple and areola complex is often repositioned to achieve a more natural look. Many trans men prefer smaller areola dimensions, which can be surgically reduced as part of an areola reduction procedure. The most appropriate type of female-to-male top surgery will depend on the existing breast size and the skin and soft tissues inherent elasticity surrounding the breasts.

Previous treatments for achieving a flatter chest often involved chest binding. This method of flattening the chest often causes injury to the skin and is linked with difficulty in breathing due to the tightness of the binder. FTM top surgery is considered the most effective cosmetic surgery procedure for trans men wanting to achieve a flat looking chest.

Female-to-male top surgery is increasingly requested by trans men who want to achieve a masculine-looking chest with natural contours. FTM surgery is one of the best ways to treat symptoms of gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is linked with feelings of significant distress and is most often due to a mismatch between a person’s gender identity and biological sex.

Female to male gender surgery is highly effective for treating gender dysphoria. Anxiety and depression are frequently associated with this condition. FTM top surgery has been proven to lead to a significant boost in confidence and emotional well-being. This helps many trans men have an improved quality of life and a better ability to form more robust personal and professional relationships.

FTM top surgery is ideal for trans men diagnosed with gender dysphoria, affecting their quality of life. Current guidelines recommend that trans men live in their chosen gender for at least 12 months and have completed an in-depth psychological assessment before being considered for the female-to-male top surgery. All patients should be aged over 18 before they can be considered for FTM top surgery. There are certain preoperative steps which patients should take to ensure they are optimally prepared for surgery. Smokers should stop at least four weeks before surgery. Any significant medical conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, should be well controlled. Being significantly overweight increases the risks of surgery, and we advise your body mass index should be 25 or below. Your surgeon must also be fully assured that you are in the best possible mental condition prior to FTM surgery. As with any type of surgical procedure, it is important to have realistic expectations of what female to male gender surgery can achieve.

FTM top surgery involves several different surgical techniques to create a more masculine and flatter-looking chest. The most appropriate surgical method used will vary based on the existing size of the breasts, the size of the nipples and areola and how much skin laxity is present. Those who have lost significant amounts of weight may have significantly more skin laxity, requiring a more invasive procedure. Female-to-male top surgery is most commonly performed under general anaesthetic, and the procedure takes approximately three hours to carry out. FTM top surgery is an outpatient procedure which means you’ll be able to go home later the same day once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic.

Double incision top surgery with free nipple grafting

This is the most commonly performed type of FTM talk surgery. The procedure involves surgical removal of the nipples and areola and reducing their size if required. Incisions will then be made to remove breast tissue as part of a mastectomy procedure. Liposuction is then used to remove excess fat. Excess skin over the breasts is also removed to tighten and flatten the chest. Your surgeon will reconstruct the chest and minimise the appearance of indentations or puckering with the meticulous surgical technique. The detached nipple and areola complex are then fixed back in the new position on the flat chest.

Periareolar top surgery

Periareolar top surgery, also known as double incision surgery, is ideal for trans men with smaller chests. The procedure involves a circumferential incision around the margins of the areola. A second incision is then made around the first incision. Any breast tissue is surgically removed, with liposuction performed to remove excess fat. The two edges of the skin are then stitched back together, which helps to create smaller-looking areolas.

In some cases, your surgeon may recommend inverted T surgery, especially if you have a larger chest with extra skin. The incision for this procedure involves making an anchor-shaped incision, and the nipple and areola are not affected. This procedure preserves nipple sensitivity, although an extra vertical incision will be required as part of the technique. This technique is often preferred by trans men who would like to preserve nipple sensation, and the risk of nipple loss is minimised. A drawback of the procedure is that some residual tissue must be preserved to ensure adequate blood supply to the nipple. This means the surgeon may be unable to completely flatten the chest compared with double incision periareolar top surgery.

Keyhole top surgery

Keyhole top surgery is ideal for trans men with smaller chests and tighter skin. The procedure involves making a small incision at the lower margin of the areola. The areola remains attached to the underlying breast tissue. Breast tissue is then carefully removed. Liposuction may be performed to remove excess fat. As with other types of FTM surgery, the size of the areola can be surgically reduced if necessary. This procedure helps to preserve nipple sensitivity with the added benefit of achieving a good level of chest flatness.

After surgery, it is normal to feel mild to moderate discomfort and stiffness. Any discomfort is most commonly felt during the first few days after FTM surgery. You will be prescribed painkillers by your surgeon to help keep you comfortable throughout your recovery. Most patients can return to work approximately two weeks after surgery, although this depends on the type of surgical technique used as well as your overall state of health. Strenuous activity must be avoided for six weeks after surgery. Most pain and swelling will resolve over the first few weeks after surgery. We would advise sleeping on your back for at least two weeks to avoid putting any pressure on your chest. Your surgeon will provide customised recommendations for minimising scarring after FTM top surgery. If you fail to follow your surgeon’s instructions in full, you may increase the risk of developing unsightly scarring after surgery. As part of the surgery, your surgeon may insert wound drains to prevent seroma or haematoma formation. These will be removed approximately 3 to 4 weeks after your procedure.

Every patient is different, and the cost of FTM top surgery in London will vary depending on the surgical technique used. Double incision top surgery with free nipple grafting will cost more than keyhole top surgery. Once you have consulted with your surgeon, you will receive a comprehensive quotation from your dedicated patient coordinator. FTN top surgery cost includes your surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist fee and facility fee. Postoperative checkups are included as part of the surgical package.

RELATED: Finance Options

As with any type of surgery, there are certain risks involved with FTM top surgery. When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, the risks of surgery are considered minimal. Your surgeon will discuss the potential risks and complications associated with FTM surgery at your consultation, which may include:

• Bleeding and haematoma formation – a blood collection beneath the skin at the surgery site.
• Seroma – straw-coloured fluid collecting at the site of surgery.
• Wound infection.
• Nipple necrosis or death of nipple
• Loss of nipple grafts.
• Altered skin sensation.
• Altered nipple sensitivity.
• Anaesthetic risks including anaphylaxis
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism