What is MTF top surgery?
Male-to-female top surgery is also known as male-to-female breast augmentation surgery and is now available at Centre for Surgery in London. MTF top surgery is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is designed to surgically transform the appearance of the male chest into female breasts. The procedure can also be performed to enhance breast size when used in conjunction with hormonal therapy for transgender females. This will help to impart a more feminine-looking size and shape of the breast. Male-to-female breast augmentation can also be achieved with fat transfer using fat removed from another body area, such as the abdomen or thighs.
In many cases, both breast implants and fat transfer can be combined. In some cases, the tissue may need to be stretched out, depending on the tightness of the skin on the chest. Tissue expanders may be required to stretch out the skin before inserting breast implants in a later procedure.
What are the benefits of MTF Top Surgery?
Male-to-female top surgery involves enhancing the size and shape of the breasts using silicone breast implants or a fat transfer procedure to create natural-looking results. This can lead to a significant boost in self-confidence. The procedure can also improve breast symmetry and enhance nipple projection. Most people who have male-to-female breast augmentation surgery have a condition known as gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria can result in a significant loss of self-confidence, which may cause people to experience anxiety and depression due to a mismatch between gender identity and biological sex.
Male-to-female breast augmentation surgery is a highly effective procedure to improve symptoms of gender dysphoria. Many people report a significant boost in emotional well-being with the alleviation of anxiety and depression symptoms following the MTF surgery procedure. The procedure can have a significant impact on the quality of life. Many trans women patients feel more comfortable with their identity by having natural-looking breasts that have feminine characteristics.
Am I a good candidate for MTF top surgery?
MTF surgery is ideally suited for trans women who may have received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and are distressed by how they look. Current guidelines recommend that you should be living as your chosen gender for at least 12 months. We also require a psychological assessment to be undertaken, and you must be over the age of 18 before your surgeon can consider you for MTF top surgery.
Your surgeon will give you detailed preoperative instructions, and this will include stopping smoking at least four weeks before the procedure. If you have any chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, they should be fully optimised before undergoing surgery. Patients who are overweight or obese will be advised to lose weight before being suitable for male-to-female breast surgery.
Your mental well-being will be assessed, and your surgeon will want to ensure you are in the best possible state of mind before undergoing FTM top surgery. As with any type of surgical procedure, it is important to have realistic expectations of what male-to-female breast augmentation can achieve. Your surgeon may advise a particular size of implant to suit your chest anatomy to minimise the risk of any complications occurring.
What does MTF top surgery involve?
Male to female top surgery is performed at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. The procedure shares similar principles to breast augmentation surgery carried out in women. However, the surgical technique for a male-to-female breast implant procedure will be different to account for the different anatomy and function. Trans women often have more highly developed chest musculature with a wider chest. The nipple and areola complex often appear much smaller with a shorter inter-nipple distance. Due to the larger size of the chest often found in trans women, the potential space between both breasts is often much larger, independent of the size of the breast implant chosen for the procedure.
Surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and takes approximately two hours to carry out. MTF top surgery is performed on an outpatient basis which means you will be able to go home later the same day once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic. Once you are in the operating theatre, you will be placed under general anaesthetic by your anaesthetist. The surgeon will begin by making an incision in the inframammary breast fold, which is approximately 5 cm long. The surgeon will then carefully dissect a pocket behind each breast to allow for the insertion of appropriately sized breast implants. Once the surgeon has checked the pocket for the appropriate size and haemostasis has been secured, the implants will be carefully inserted, and the surgeon may make minor pocket adjustments to ensure proper symmetry. Once the implants are in the correct position, the surgeon will then close the incisions using dissolvable stitches. Sterile dressings and a compression garment will then be applied to the incision sites. Saline implants are rarely used for this type of surgery due to the high risk of them rupturing or naturally decreasing in size over time. Silicone implants are considered the standard gold implant for MTF surgery as they have a more natural feel and appearance.
In some cases, your surgeon may find you have insufficient breast tissue coverage to cover the implant. In these cases, specialised tissue expanders will be placed in the area where implants will be placed. These tissue expanders are gradually enlarged with saline solution injections over several weeks and months to make the overlying skin stretch adequately. Breast implants can then be inserted approximately 3 to 6 months after tissue expanders treatment. Your surgeon will advise you during your consultation whether tissue expanders are necessary before a final MTF top surgery procedure.
How much does MTF breast augmentation cost?
The cost of MTF surgery will be determined by the type of breast augmentation technique used, whether with implants or fat transfer. In the UK, prices for MTF will be determined by the extent of surgical correction required. Other factors which will determine the price include the type and size of implants used. Saline implants are much cheaper than silicone implants, although they are rarely used in the UK due to their less natural feel.
Please call us today on 020 7993 4849 to get an approximate price for MTF Surgery. You will receive an accurate quotation once you’ve had a consultation with the surgeon. Your dedicated patient coordinator will also be able to discuss a range of finance options to help you spread the cost of your repayments.
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Is male to female top surgery worth it?
The mismatch between the gender assigned at birth and your experienced gender can cause significant distress for many trans women. If you are a transgender female and have developed a significant loss of self-confidence due to gender dysphoria and would like to achieve a more feminine-looking chest then MTF top surgery is definitely worth it. Patients can look forward to having natural-looking breasts with an appearance they have always desired.
What are the potential risks and side-effects of MTF top surgery?
As with any type of surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with MTF top surgery. Your surgeon will explain the risks and complications associated with this procedure at your consultation, which may include:
- Implant displacement
- Excessive scar tissue may alter the shape of the implant
- Changes in nipple sensitivity
- Significant breast asymmetry
- Bleeding and haematoma formation – a haematoma is a localised collection of blood which may accumulate at the site of surgery and may require a further procedure to evacuate it.
- Seroma – this is a collection of straw-coloured fluid beneath the skin.
Certain complications could occur after any surgical procedure, including excessive scarring, significant pain and discomfort, deep vein thrombosis or an anaphylactic reaction to the administered anaesthetic. These risks are considered very rare. When performed by an expert plastic surgeon, male-to-female top surgery is a very safe procedure and is regularly performed at our Baker Street clinic in London.
FAQs
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What are the benefits of MTF top surgery?Male-to-female breast surgery is designed to address symptoms of gender dysphoria, which people may experience by enhancing the appearance of the breasts. This often helps people to feel more comfortable with their preferred gender identity. People who have male-to-female breast augmentation often tell us how they have developed a significant boost in self-confidence and an improved sense of emotional well-being. They often feel much more connected with their new body shape.
This can have wide-ranging benefits in all aspects of a trans woman's life. Symptoms of anxiety and depression may disappear completely, and a trans woman may feel more confident in professional settings and socialising.
MTF top surgery results are designed to appear natural looking and long-lasting. For trans-women who are unhappy with their masculine features, top surgery can get rid of these undesirable physical characteristics. Centre for Surgery is well known as a specialist centre for gender surgery. Our consultant plastic surgeons have years of experience treating people with gender dysphoria using state-of-the-art surgical techniques. -
How to prepare for MTF top surgeryYour surgeon will give you detailed preoperative instructions, which contain information on preparing for surgery. If you have significant medical conditions such as high blood pressure, they should be optimised before surgery. If you are overweight, we advise losing weight to ensure your body mass index is 25 or below. Smoking should be stopped at least four weeks before surgery, and you should avoid smoking for four weeks after the procedure to minimise wound complications. If you are taking hormonal therapy, it is essential to take these as prescribed. The consultation is an ideal opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have, and it may be useful to have these written down and take these with you to your consultation so you do not forget anything.
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Is male to female breast augmentation painful?The vast majority who have male to female breast surgery experience mild discomfort, which can be easily controlled with prescription painkillers. The first few days after surgery are often when the breasts feel tight and swollen. Your surgeon will inject local anaesthetic during the procedure to ensure you are comfortable in the immediate recovery period. This should be supplemented with regular pain relief to ensure you are comfortable after surgery.
If you have any questions or concerns about pain relief after MTF top surgery, please get in touch with our nursing team, who will provide you with the necessary guidance. -
How to minimise scarring after MTF top surgery?As with any type of surgery, it is normal to expect a certain amount of scarring after top surgery. MTF top surgery involves making incisions which are approximately 5 cm in length. All incisions will result in the formation of a scar. The appearance of the scar will depend on the surgical method used to insert your implants. Most patients find scars after male-to-female top surgery to be fairly minimal. Over time, scars will continue to fade and flatten, although they do not disappear altogether. Your surgeon may recommend using bio oil to massage into scars to make them appear less prominent once the incisions have healed.
Excessive sun exposure, tanning beds and smoking should be avoided during the postoperative period, as these can make scars appear excessively prominent. You should also avoid interfering with the incisions, including scratching or scrubbing the scars, as these can increase the risk of developing hypertrophic or keloid scars.
Some factors, including skin type and age, cannot be altered. Dark-skinned people are more likely to develop thicker scars. Keloid scars are much more obvious than most types of scars. Sometimes a postoperative wound infection may cause scars to appear more obvious, and a longer period of time may be required for the resolution. The Centre for Surgery is an expert Centre for scar management and has a wide variety of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments to improve the appearance of surgical scars. -
How long do final results take to appear after MTF top surgery?Final results of male to female top surgery at Centre for Surgery take approximately six weeks to 12 weeks to appear once any bruising or swelling has disappeared. This procedure is designed to get rid of a masculine-appearing chest. Patients who have suffered from gender dysphoria for many years can look forward to a significant boost in self-confidence with a more feminine-looking body. Benefits can be wide-reaching with the enhancement of both personal and professional relationships.
What To Expect
Consultation
All patients will first need to have a consultation with the surgeon to determine suitability for MTF top surgery. At the consultation, we would encourage you to ask as many questions as you like to learn about how the procedure can benefit you. Your surgeon will be able to explain the pros and cons of the procedure. Your surgeon will also give you detailed information on potential risks and complications of male-to-female breast surgery and what to expect in the healing and recovery phase. A detailed medical history will be taken, including any previous operations you may have had and medicines you are currently taking, if any. This information will be used to determine your fitness for surgery.
If you are considered suitable for the procedure, we recommend you take at least two weeks to consider all aspects of the procedure before making a final decision as part of a two-week cooling-off period. During this time, please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns about the procedure, and if you would like to book a further consultation, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you.
Before your procedure
Once you are booked in for surgery, a preoperative medical assessment will be carried out by one of our specialist nurses. Before the day of your surgery, we would recommend you stop smoking at least four weeks beforehand, as smoking is associated with an increased risk of wound complications. You should avoid taking aspirin-containing medicines as this is associated with an increased risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. You will be required to abstain from food for six hours before surgery and be allowed to have clear fluids up to 2 hours before your admission time.
Surgery day
MTF breast surgery is performed at our Marylebone clinic under a general anaesthetic. Once you are under anaesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision in the skin crease below the nipples, then create a pocket to accommodate your chosen implants. The incisions for MTF breast implant surgery will vary depending on several factors and your preferences.
The procedure takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to perform. The incisions will be closed with dissolvable stitches, followed by a sterile dressing.
You will then be transferred to our dedicated recovery sweet, where you will be monitored until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. Any discomfort you experience can be easily controlled with prescription painkillers. Once you are ready for discharge, we will require a responsible adult escort to come and collect you and take you home. They should also look after you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
After your procedure
During the postoperative period, you should follow all of your surgeon's post-operative instructions to ensure you get the best results after male-to-female top surgery. The risk of complications may increase if you fail to follow these instructions.
We would advise taking approximately two weeks off work after surgery. It is important to wear the post-operative surgical bra for a minimum of six weeks to support your breasts. Strenuous exercise, including going to the gym, should be avoided for six weeks after surgery. It is normal to experience mild discomfort during the first two weeks after surgery. Painkillers prescribed to you by your surgeon can help to control any discomfort.
Bruising and swelling are common side effects of surgery and can be reduced with the application of cold packs. Full recovery after MTF top surgery takes approximately three months. As with any surgical procedure at the Centre for Surgery, you can call us on our dedicated nursing helpline if you have any questions or concerns about your recovery and healing.