Which FTM Top Surgery Procedure Is Right For Me?

For a lot of transmen, getting FTM top surgery is key to achieving a masculine physical appearance that aligns with who they are inside. By removing excess breast tissue, chest masculinization is a great way to achieve a flatter looking chest that hugs the muscle of your body for a more contoured frame.

Since FTM top surgery is such a monumental step in a transman’s transition, it’s important to make sure you choose the procedure that’s right for your body type. McLean Clinic understands you may have questions and concerns regarding the various procedures involved and is committed to working with each patient to ease any anxiety associated with them. Their ultimate goal is to make sure each patient leaves with an appearance that best reflects how they truly feel about themselves and make sure that the process is as smooth as possible. If you’re in the process of looking into what type of top surgery is right for you, check out the most popular options below:

For medium to large breasts

A double incision mastectomy is recommended to those who have medium to large breasts with a slight overhang. During this procedure, two horizontal incisions are made across the chest at the top and bottom of the pectoral muscle. Following that, all the breast tissue is removed as well as the nipple, which is later resized and repositioned on the chest for a masculine aesthetic. Sometimes this procedure is paired with liposuction to shape the chest area for a firmer look.

The Results

There are a number of great advantages to this procedure including nipple size, position and scar placement. When it comes to scarring, the two horizontal incisions are joined to create one scar. While scarring may not be ideal for some, over time scarring does fade and becomes less apparent. The most distinct part of this procedure is the removal of the areola and nipple complex which is later resized and grafted back onto the chest. While patients have reported reduced nipple sensation after this procedure, the results highly resemble the masculine figure which patients prefer.

For small breasts

For those with smaller breasts and tighter skin around their chest, the keyhole or periareolar mastectomy might be the best route. Unlike the double incision mastectomy, the nipple does not get removed in this procedure. Instead, a small incision is made around the bottom of the areola where breast tissue is removed. To help encourage the skin to shape the chest, drains are inserted under each arm to collect any excess fluid that may try and accumulate under the empty skin.

The Results

Unlike the double incision procedure where the nipple is removed and repositioned to a desired position of the chest, in this surgery the position of your nipple is determined by its current location on the chest. Since no skin is removed in this procedure, if there ends up being too much excess skin, it may not contour the muscles of your chest as firmly as you desire. Follow up procedures are possible to correct this but may cause additional scarring. To avoid complications, good candidates for this procedure must already exhibit tight skin on their chest area for the best results possible.

Recovery

While recovery varies from person to person, we generally find that patients are able to go back to their regular routine two weeks post-operation. To assist with recovery, patients will be given a compression binder after surgery. Keeping it on and wearing it high on the chest will help reduce swelling and provide comfort. While patients do report experiencing swelling and bruising, this can be managed with ice packs. Pain during recovery also varies from patient to patient but can be managed with pain medications prescribed by your surgeon. To help ensure the best results after surgery, the McLean Clinic team will provide you with a comprehensive aftercare kit for a speedy recovery.

Potential Complications

As with most surgical procedures, there is always the risk of complications. Some of the potential risks associated with FTM top surgery include infection, blood clots, or reactions to anesthesia. Visible scarring, reduced nipple sensation and additional corrective surgery are other factors patients need to keep in mind when planning for this procedure. The keyhole mastectomy specifically has a higher risk of bleeding or fluid collection under the skin, which needs to be monitored carefully after the procedure is done.In order to avoid any complications, it’s important for patients to be transparent about their current health status so your cosmetic surgeon can plan their procedure accordingly. To help ensure a smooth and easy recovery process, patients should not smoke or drink alcohol weeks prior to their operation.As all procedures go, results and recovery are different for everyone, which is why it’s important to go to an experienced clinic that can deliver the best results. McLean Clinic is widely recognized for its specialization in FTM and MTF surgery transformations. Dr. McLean has cemented himself in the industry as a “Top Surgeon” for “Top Surgery”, attracting patients from all over the Greater Toronto Area. Combining his compassionate and thorough approach, Dr. McLean, as well as the entire team, will walk you through all your FTM top surgery options and make sure that no matter which procedure you choose to go with, it will yield satisfying results.