What Is A Double Incision Mastectomy?

A double incision mastectomy is a specific kind of surgery that’s often used for female-to-male (FTM) top surgery. The main goal of this procedure is to get rid of large or sagging breasts. This surgery is also really useful if you’ve got loose or baggy skin around the chest area. The end result is a chest that looks much flatter and tighter, giving it a more masculine appearance.

Centre for Surgery in London is an expert clinic when it comes to plastic surgery, and that includes FTM Top Surgery. One of the options we offer is the double incision mastectomy, specially designed to help you achieve a more masculine-looking chest.

How is the Double Incision Mastectomy Carried Out?

In a double incision mastectomy, the surgical procedure involves making two long, horizontal cuts across the chest. These incisions are strategically placed above and below the pectoral muscle, but don’t worry—the muscle itself isn’t touched or altered in any way. Once the incisions are made, the next step involves peeling back the skin to give the surgeon better access to the breast tissue that needs to be removed.

At this point, the surgeon carefully cuts away and removes the unwanted breast tissue. To complement this and achieve a more masculine shape to the chest, liposuction is often carried out at the same time. This step helps to get rid of any additional fat and tissue that might be lingering around the chest area. By using liposuction along with the mastectomy, the surgeon is able to create a more contoured, flatter, and ultimately more masculine-looking chest.

Is a Double Incision Mastectomy an Inpatient or Outpatient Procedure?

A double incision mastectomy is actually an outpatient procedure, which means you won’t have to stay overnight at our Baker Street clinic. You’ll be administered general anaesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable and don’t feel any pain during the surgery. Typically, the whole procedure takes around 2 hours to complete.

After the surgery, it’s important to have someone arranged to pick you up, as you won’t be in a condition to drive yourself home. This is because the effects of the anaesthesia will still be present, and it’s not safe to operate a vehicle under those circumstances. So, make sure you’ve got transportation sorted for after the procedure.

Is Nipple Sensation Affected After a Double Incision Mastectomy?

In most cases of a double incision mastectomy, the nipples are actually taken off temporarily. They are then resized to better match a masculine chest and grafted back onto the skin. Because of this process, many patients do experience a reduced level of nipple sensation following the surgery.

RELATED: What Is The Risk of Losing My Nipple In an FTM Top Surgery?

There are some exceptional instances where the surgeon may be able to keep the original areola complex intact, thereby preserving some nerve sensations. However, these cases are relatively rare. More often than not, removal and grafting of the nipples are required.

The advantage of grafting is that it allows for more precise control over the size, placement, and position of the nipples, making them better aligned with a masculine chest aesthetic. But it’s important to note that the process often does lead to limited sensation in the nipple area.

Will There Be Scarring After a Double Incision Mastectomy?

Yes, like many types of surgery, a double incision mastectomy will result in some scarring. The scars from this procedure are horizontal and will be located on both sides of your chest. However, the good news is that these scars generally fade over time and become less visible as they heal. With proper aftercare and time, you’ll find that the scars become increasingly less noticeable, though it’s important to note that some level of scarring will always remain.

RELATED: FTM/N Top Surgery Scars – Treatment, Healing and Fading