Introduction
Male-to-female gender confirmation top surgery refers to the surgical procedure of enhancing the chest to feminize it using either implants or a fat transfer to enhance the contour and size of the breasts. This procedure is an ideal option for transgender women who are ready to match their true gender identity and feel more confident in their own body.
For trans women, there are typically a handful of steps to take when transitioning, although each individual will choose for herself which steps she wants to take. For some, only one or a few of these steps are enough to make her feel whole. These steps can include hormone therapy, laser hair removal, and transgender surgery, including breast implants, the removal of testes, facial feminization surgery, reducing the Adam’s apple, and/or the construction of a vagina.
One of the reasons why breast enhancement is so popular for trans women is that breasts are a timeless symbol of femininity. Receiving them can have an incredibly positive impact on a trans woman’s psychological and emotional well-being, as breasts have the ability to align identity with physical appearance. Usually, patients who are ready for MTF gender confirmation top surgery have already been living for a while as their self-assigned gender, but for many, receiving breasts can make them feel truly complete.
Male-to-female transgender surgery is performed under regional nerve blocks and IV anesthesia. Either implants or fat grafting will be used to create the breasts. In some patients, a tissue expansion procedure may need to be done before the breast augmentation. This will be discussed during your Phoenix transgender surgery consultation with Dr. Craft, along with how much enlargement and projection is desired.
Breast augmentation for trans women is very similar to breast augmentation for cis women, but there are a few things to keep in mind; for example, MTF patients tend to have different nipple positioning than cis women, as well as wider chests and thicker muscles. The skin can also have reduced elasticity or stretch, limiting the initial implant size or requiring a two-stage procedure to achieve the desired outcome.
Ideal candidates for MTF top surgery are healthy, non-smoking individuals who are realistic in their expectations, have completed a private consultation with Dr. Craft and his team, and are willing to follow all instructions and guidelines for recovery. The WPATH Standards of Care states that individuals with persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria and the full ability to consent to treatment can be approved for gender-affirming top surgery.
When top surgery is performed with artistry and mastery by double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Craft in Scottsdale, AZ, patients enjoy the following benefits:
Your unique top surgery journey begins with a private consultation with Dr. Craft and his team. This initial visit involves an open and honest discussion about your goals, addressing your questions, and exploring the specific techniques used. The doctor will also go over the recovery time, costs, and risks associated with MTF top surgery.
Either saline or silicone implants will be used. Our implants are all FDA-approved to ensure comfort and safety. Dr. Craft’s professional opinion will determine the type of implants to be used, taking into account the patient’s goals.
To begin the procedure, incisions will be made to insert the implant. The incisions are made either along the fold of the breast, in the armpit, or around the areola. Along the fold of the breast is the most common type of incision, but the exact type used will be determined by Dr. Craft after he discusses the patient’s personal goals.
Once the incisions have been made, the implants will either be placed behind the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. Dr. Craft will ensure that the implants look exactly right and symmetrical as he places them. Once they are positioned, he will close and suture the incisions.
If a patient only wants a modest breast size, she may be a great candidate for a breast augmentation with fat grafting procedure. Dr. Craft will take excess fat from one area of the body (such as the abdomen, love handles, or thighs) via liposuction and transfer it into the tissue around the natural breasts to make them appear more feminine.
After your Phoenix MTF top surgery with implants, you will be given a compression garment that you must wear around your breasts for 5 to 7 days. This will help to reduce swelling, and will be removed during your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Craft, at which point you can begin wearing a softer sports bra (which you will need to wear for six weeks).
While every patient heals differently, here are some basics. Most patients will need someone to stay with them during recovery to help with daily tasks, as you won’t be able to put your arms above your head comfortably for about two weeks. “Lifting your arms” means that you won’t be able to do something as simple as brushing your hair, to something more important, like lifting pets and children. You should also avoid driving for one week post-op.
Patients can typically return to desk-type jobs after 2 to 3 weeks; however, high-intensity workouts should be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks. Light exercise for the lower body is okay after two weeks.
Swelling and bruising will subside significantly around 3 to 4 weeks post-op and should be completely gone by the 9-month mark. Patients will look better and better each day, but should expect final results to take up to a year.
The cost of male-to-female top surgery in the Phoenix area varies depending on whether you select implants or fat grafting breast augmentation, as well as other factors. Dr. Craft will ensure that you leave your private consultation with a clear, personalized quote for the services.
Our Ethos
To achieve the most natural-looking breasts, it’s very important to choose a surgeon whose area of expertise is both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. An artistic eye is also a critical element. This is why Dr. Randall Craft at CraftMD is an excellent choice for your male-to-female surgery in Phoenix. He is a double-board-certified, Harvard-trained surgeon specializing in reconstructive breast surgery, providing patient-centric, compassionate care with an emphasis on safety. Both Dr. Craft and our Anesthesiologist, Dr. Andersen, are proud members of the LGBT community and create a comfortable, discreet, and respectful environment so you can focus on becoming your best self.
Dr. Craft is affiliated with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM).