Top surgery is done for those who are interested in altering their chest size, shape, and overall appearance. In top surgery, surgeons remove breast tissue and reshape the nipples to create a more masculine or feminine chest for transgender and non-binary people. Basically, this surgery is performed by plastic surgeons who have experience in gender affirmation surgery; they are specifically trained in transgender surgery. This procedure can be done for anyone who is interested in achieving a more masculine or flat-appearing chest, or for an individual who is looking for a more feminine shape and size of chest.
There are mainly two types of surgeries:
Female to Male (FTM) or Female to Non-Binary(FTN) Top Surgery:
In this surgery, breast tissue is removed by surgeons and contoured to make the chest flat and give a male appearance. This surgery may take almost 2 to 4 hours, and there are a number of procedures that can be used to make the chest flatter or more masculine. Double incision, periareolar and keyhole are the common techniques used by surgeons.
Double incision Top Surgery with nipple graft
This surgery is also known as bilateral mastectomy with nipple graft, and this procedure is recommended mainly for people who have large breasts and bodies. Surgeons make two horizontal cuts, one on the left and one on the right side of the chest. The greater the amount of tissue present in the chest before the surgery, the larger the incisions. Incisions are kept separate but meet at the midline of the chest. The areolas and nipple are removed and then reshaped to make the chest flatter and more masculine. The nipple does not have sensation immediately after the surgery, but the patient may regain some sensation 12 months after the surgery.
Keyhole Top Surgery for a More Masculine Chest
This surgery is recommended for people who have very little tissue and do not have extra skin. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a cut on the lower half of the areola and extracts extra tissue through this hole. Before closing the incision, the nipple and areola may be made slightly smaller. This procedure may not be successful when this approach is applied to people who have a large, drooping or sagging chest, so this approach is used less by surgeons.
Male To Female(MTF) or Male to Non-Binary(MTN) Top Surgery
This surgery is also known as mammoplasty or breast augmentation, and this surgery is done within 1 to 2 hours. For the duration of the surgery, the patient is put under anesthesia, and the procedure used by the surgeon will be based on your desired chest size, the type of implant used, and the incision location. You have a choice to select silicone implants or saline implants, while silicone implants have a softer and more natural appearance as compared to saline implants. But saline implants are less costly, and they can be inserted through a small incision.
Conclusion
The decision to get top surgery helps to decrease gender dysphoria and increase self-confidence in transgender people. For many transgender and non-binary people, this is more than surgery; the process can be emotionally challenging to go through. It is more important to find a surgeon with whom you can be comfortable and have proper training in transgender affirmation surgery. If you are looking for the best surgeon for transgender affirmation surgery, then you can visit VJ’s Transgender Clinic. Dr. C Vijay Kumar, with his expert team, can provide you with the best procedure and treatment for transgender affirmation surgery.
FAQs
Will I have to go through severe pain after surgery?
No, doctors will prescribe certain medications after surgery, which will work as nerve blocks, and pain is easy to manage after surgery.
How should I prepare for surgery?
Before surgery, you should have a healthy body and must follow a healthy diet. Exercise daily, avoid any type of drugs, and it is important to tell the doctor your medication history.
