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, which will depend on the tightness of the skin on the chest. Tissue expanders may be required to 1st stretch out the skin prior to inserting breast implants in a later procedure.

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 with natural-looking breasts that have feminine characteristics.

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.

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, although 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 more 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 gold standard 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.

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 top surgery start from £6000. 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 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. Patience can look forward to having natural-looking breasts with an appearance you have always desired.

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.