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McLean Clinic provides leading gender affirming procedures, specializing in double incision top surgery. Through these procedures, we have helped thousands of transgender and non-binary patients live happier and healthier lives by diminishing feelings of gender/breast dysphoria.
Are you ready to start your surgical gender confirmation journey?
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Plastic Surgery experience
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Top Surgery
Experience
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Gender Affirming
Surgeries Performed
A double incision mastectomy is a top surgery technique. As the name implies, two incisions are created on the bottom border of the pectoral muscle or the chest area. The skin is then lifted to surgically remove the breast tissues underneath. In double incision top surgery, the nipples are removed to be resized and repositioned by grafting to suit the new masculine appearance of the chest.
Your plastic surgeon may also recommend adding contouring with your double incision top surgery as a preventive measure for dog ears, which refers to the excess skin and fat that develops on the side of the incision site.
A double incision mastectomy is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately two hours. General anesthesia is used to make the process comfortable and painless.
In keyhole top surgery, no excess skin is surgically removed. For this reason, a keyhole mastectomy is only recommended for patients who have naturally small breasts and/or high skin elasticity around the treatment area.
An ideal candidate for keyhole top surgery would be someone considered to be more flat-chested in the range of an A-B cup breast size.
Every gender affirmation surgery is a life-changing journey that involves not only physical but emotional and mental preparation as well. It contributes to the success of your double incision mastectomy and also puts your heart and mind in the right place, which is very important in transitioning.
You will receive comprehensive instructions on how to prepare for your double incision top surgery procedure during your surgical consultations at McLean Clinic.
To speed up the healing process after a double incision mastectomy, you should eat healthy, exercise, and give up smoking a month prior to the procedure. Caffeine and alcohol consumption should also be limited. You may also have to stop taking certain medications prior to your surgery. Make sure you ask your doctor what medications you can and cannot take.
It's normal to feel a little nervous before any surgical procedure, especially one as life-changing as top surgery. Consider scheduling an appointment with your therapist to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, as well as connecting with family and friends for support. Your surgeon can answer any questions you might have about the procedure, what to expect after the surgery, or how to prepare.
The recovery process for each patient who undergoes a double incision mastectomy is different. It may be necessary for you to take extended time off of work, depending on your type of employment. Most patients are able to return to desk roles one week post-surgery.
Check with your insurance provider if they cover gender affirmation surgery. If they do, make sure you know what documents you need to submit. Your primary care physician may also order a physical examination and laboratory tests for you. Bring a copy of the results to the clinic a day before your surgery.
Purchase any pain management medication and antibiotics recommended by your doctor before your procedure. Place them near the bed, since your mobility will be limited for the first few days post-op. It's also a good idea to put toiletries and essentials on a lower shelf so that you won't have to reach for them.
Since double incision top surgery is an outpatient medical procedure, you will be sent home a couple of hours after you wake up from the anesthesia. It’s important to follow the specific directives and recovery instructions provided by your surgeon, including:
After your double incision mastectomy, you won't be able to drive, so arrange for someone to pick you up from the clinic. It would also be helpful to arrange for someone to assist you in doing everyday tasks during your recovery, such as doing your laundry, preparing meals, etc. If you are living alone or travelling from abroad to get your top surgery in Canada, inquire with your clinic if they can make special arrangements for a caregiver.
You will be instructed to wear a compression binder for up to six weeks after your top surgery. Wearing a chest binder after a double incision mastectomy has a lot of benefits, which include: Preventing the fluid discharge; Minimizing scarring; Lessening discomfort; Keeping the sutured skin together and stopping it from stretching.
Other top surgery centres discharge patients with medical drains to collect blood, pus, and fluid buildup. These drains are very restricting and are usually a source of significant discomfort for most top surgery patients. At McLean Clinic, we use advanced surgical techniques that no longer require the use of post-surgical drains or tubes, which makes maintaining the treatment site more manageable at home and the post-op experience smoother and faster for our patients.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to recovery time. Every individual heals differently. Some may bounce back on their feet faster than others. If you work in an office with a desk job, you may feel better enough to report after a week of sufficient rest. You may be strong enough to do some light walking by this time, too. Pace yourself carefully. We strongly advise against heavy lifting and doing other strenuous activities for up to six weeks as much as possible, because it can lead to bleeding.
As with any medical procedure, there are potential complications associated with top surgery. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this aspect with you in detail upon consultation and explain strategies and precautions that he or you can do to mitigate these risks. Although it is not common, wound infection, fluid buildup, and nausea and vomiting are some of the most common side effects after going through any surgical operation.
Double incision top surgery is a gender affirming procedure that can be life-changing. It's unfortunate that transgender discrimination still exists within healthcare, and being harassed or misgendered can deter transgender patients from seeking routine or urgent care.
McLean Clinic is known to be one of the most accepting and welcoming surgical centres for the LGBTQAI+ community—not just in Canada, but worldwide as well. Our many years of experience have given us insight into how gender affirming surgical procedures can make a difference in the lives of the transgender and non-binary community. Thousands of patients have been delighted by the results of our expert gender affirmation surgeons. At McLean Clinic, you can rest assured that you'll have a safe, comfortable, and stress-free surgical experience because of our kind and caring staff.
Don’t hesitate to contact McLean Clinic today to learn more about double incision top surgery and other types of top surgery. A member of our staff will be more than happy to assist you.
