What will my Top Surgery scars look like?

Scarring on the skin typically occurs after trauma occurs to the skin, resulting in areas of fibrous tissue that replaces healthy skin. Scarring can occur due to wounds, burns, acne, and surgery. The formation of scars is a very normal part of the healing process after your FTM Top Surgery, but the way in which your body responds to injury and trauma is dependent on a variety of factors, which include age, genetics, skin colour, and location on the body.

While some transmen are proud of their scars and wear them like a badge of honour, others seek ways to treat them and reduce their appearance. Although permanent scarring as a result of FTM Top Surgery is almost inevitable, many patients feel that their final results are completely worth it.When it comes to Top Surgery, the resulting scars are the direct result of the surgical techniques used during your procedure and the way your body responds when healing. After your one on one private consultation with Dr. McLean, you will better understand which procedure would work best for you and the incision patterns that will be required to achieve your goal.As mentioned earlier, the resulting scars from the Top Surgery procedure are a result of the surgical technique required in the removal of skin and breast tissue. Generally, keyhole and peri-areolar incision patterns are less invasive and thus, result in less scarring than a double incision mastectomy would leave behind. Keyhole incisions work best for those with small breasts with limited to no overhang. This technique will require incisions that run around the bottom of the areola, leaving the nipple in tact. It is particularly advantageous because there is no long scar left behind and is a great choice if you have small breasts and tight skin, which will contour your chest. A Double Incision Mastectomy is designed for patients with larger or overhanging breasts, or with loose skin. This procedure requires a larger incision to remove excess skin and breast tissue, resulting in two horizontal incisions, one below the breast and the other to relocate the nipple. These incisions will be joined to create one scar.In the 6 weeks following your procedure, your scars will look the most prominent and appear raised and darker than the rest of your skin. Over time, they will gradually fade and flatten. The final appearance of your scars should be apparent within 12 to 18 months.