FTM Breast Augmentation
How is Breast Augmentation different from Implants?
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The transgender person who chooses to have breast augmentation (commonly referred to as “top surgery”) takes a major step in establishing a feminine identity. This is a procedure in which plastic surgeons like Dr. Javad Sajan shape the breasts to achieve a more feminine structure using breast implants.
MTF Breast Augmentation | Transgender Breast Augmentation in USA
Male-to-female transgender patients may see some natural breast growth if undergoing hormone therapy. This can include some changes in nipple appearance and the development of breast tissue. However, it is unlikely that an MTF patient will see breast growth to the extent they desire. Gender affirming breast augmentation can help transgender women see themselves in the body they imagined. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Javad Sajan performs the best MTF breast augmentation in Seattle USA.
Understanding
What Is MTF Breast Augmentation?
Male-to-female breast augmentation—usually shortened to MTF breast augmentation—is a gender affirming procedure that augments the breasts of transgender women. This can help treat and alleviate gender dysphoria. It also allows trans women to more easily wear their choice of clothing and not have to use inserts or stuff a bra to achieve the appearance of breasts.
Like with a traditional breast augmentation performed on a cisgender woman, Dr. Sajan uses breast implants to augment and shape the breasts. Modern silicone breast implants can result in natural looking and feeling breasts.
Breast Implant Selection
Choosing breast implants for an MTF breast augmentation in the USA does require different considerations than a traditional breast augmentation. First, transgender women are more likely to have a larger or wider chest. This means they may require larger implants to create proportionate breasts based on their body type.
Second, a natural look is often important to trans women. Therefore, they tend to gravitate towards silicone and gummy bear breast implants because of the natural look and feel they afford. Finally, due to a thicker chest muscle, textured breast implants may take a longer time to drop into place. Thus, many transgender patients choose smooth breast implants.
Transgender women pick out breast women in the same way as cisgender women. They will place a variety of different implants into their bra to see the difference. Dr. Sajan can also help a patient choose the optimal size and shape based on the patient’s existing anatomy.
Benefits Of MTF Breast Augmentation
Patients may experience several benefits from a gender affirming breast augmentation in Seattle, USA. A few possible benefits include:
- Create breasts proportional to the patient’s body
- Help reduce and treat gender dysphoria
- Fill out bras and clothing easier
- Enhance breast shape
- Provide cleavage
- Can look and feel natural
- Hidden incisions
- Quick procedure
- Immediate result
- Minimal recovery and downtime
- Versatile procedure with several customization options
- Complements other gender affirming surgeries
- Can combine with other procedures
The Differences Between Traditional Breast Augmentation & Transgender Breast Augmentation
The surgical technique for cisgender and transgender breast augmentation are nearly identical. However, there are a few small differences that require special attention and the precise skill of an experienced surgeon. Not accounting for these differences can factor into whether a patient sees a good or bad result. Below are the main differences between traditional and transgender breast augmentation.
Muscle Thickness
Transgender women—even if they have experienced reduced muscle mass due to hormone therapy—will have a thicker chest muscle. This does mean they may feel slightly more pain during recovery. Also, since the muscle constricts the implant more, they often take longer to drop for transgender patients.
Chest Width
Compared to cisgender women, transgender women tend to have wider chests. This may necessitate needing larger breast implants to account for this extra width.
Nipple Appearance
Transgender women tend to have smaller and closer together nipples. Often, these differences are slight, but patients should know what to expect from the results. Dr. Sajan will ensure the nipples are symmetrical and point forward.
Distance Between Breasts
Due to tending to have a wider chest, transgender women may notice that their breasts sit further apart. Sometimes placing large implants can address this and other times it will remain a natural part of the anatomy.
Dr. Sajan is an experienced MTF breast augmentation surgeon. He knows how to take into account differences to provide a successful outcome for transgender women undergoing top surgery.
Available Breast Augmentation Techniques
Multiple incision locations can accommodate the placement of breast implants. Patients may qualify for all of the incision types depending on their anatomy, goals, implant choice, and medical history. Sometimes Dr. Sajan may recommend one method over another based on the patient’s anatomy. Below are the four types of breast augmentation surgery.
Inframammary
The traditional breast augmentation technique places the incisions within the inframammary fold. This is the natural fold where the breasts meet the waist. If a transgender patient has some breast tissue and a defined, or forming fold, Dr. Sajan can likely use this incision location to place breast implants.
Periareolar
The periareolar technique uses a half moon incision around the areolas to hide it within the natural pigmentation change. However, this is not usually a favored method for gender affirming breast augmentation. This is because transgender women may have small areolas and nipples which can make this method non-viable. Though, it is a possibility for a patient with the right anatomy.
Transaxillary
A popular choice for transgender women is transaxillary breast augmentation which places breast implants through the armpit. This keeps the incision and scarring off of the breasts and can forego needing to cut the chest muscle. Given the right anatomy, Dr. Sajan can place nearly any size implant through this incision.
If the patient’s chosen size will not work through a transaxillary incision, he will suggest the optimal method. With that said, transgender patients are often ideal candidates for transaxillary breast augmentation. Plus, it may help make recovery less painful.
Transumbilical
The least popular method among both transgender and cisgender women is transumbilical breast augmentation. A small incision inside the belly button serves as the only external incision for placing the implants. Due to this, only saline breast implants can be placed this way. Few transgender breast augmentation patients choose saline implants, but it may be an option for those that do.
Transgender Breast Augmentation Results and Recovery
Similar to traditional breast augmentation, patients can expect some pressure and chest soreness. However, patients tend to bounce back quickly and return to work within a week or so. Patients may be instructed to sleep in a reclined position and will need to wear a surgical bra all the time until okayed to reduce how much it is worn.
Results can take slightly longer to come in because a transgender woman’s chest muscle is thicker and sometimes stronger. This can keep the implants higher for longer. Still, they should drop into place within the pocket and patients can consider results final at about one year after surgery.
FAQ
Is Hormone Therapy Required Before MTF Surgery?
Dr. Sajan does not require that patients have undergone hormone therapy before surgery. However, for MTF patients, it can help make the surgery easier, promote less pain during recovery, and provide better results. This is because MTF hormone therapy results in some breast tissue growth. This helps stretch the skin and provides some tissue with which to hide the implant.
Should I Do MTF Breast Augmentation Before FFS?
This is a totally personal decision that patients should discuss with Dr. Sajan. Not all trans women find it necessary to get both procedures. If a patient is interested in both, he will work with them to determine the right order. For some patients, it may be possible to perform FFS and MTF breast augmentation at the same time.
Should MTF Patients Get Breast Implants Over Or Under The Muscle?
Like with a cisgender woman, this depends on the circumstances. Since trans women may have less natural tissue, under the muscle placement helps prevent wrinkling and rippling. It also can look and feel more natural in everyday life. Most transgender breast augmentations involve under the muscle implant placement.
Over the muscle implants may be appropriate for certain patients. In particular, those bothered by the way an implant moves and can become distorted when flexing the chest muscles. Additionally, under the muscle placement usually holds the implants higher on the chest which is disadvantageous for transgender patients who have a naturally lower nipple position.
How Old Do You Need To Be To Get A Gender Affirming Breast Augmentation?
MTF breast augmentation is usually delayed until a patient is an adult. Comparatively, a patient can have FTM top surgery before the age of 18. Breast implants, however, should not be placed until 18 years old, unless in special circumstances. Even then, the FDA recommends that patients be 22 before getting silicone breast implants. Patients can get silicone breast implants before age 22, but it will likely negate any manufacturer warranty.
In some cases, MTF patients can begin hormone therapy before age 18. The breasts begin and continue to grow for around two years on HRT. This can provide an optimal timeline for getting MTF breast augmentation.
The Best MTF Transgender Breast Augmentation By Dr. Javad Sajan
Dr. Javad Sajan is a Seattle-based plastic surgeon who specializes in gender affirming surgery for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals. As one of the leaders in breast augmentation surgery, he customizes each MTF breast augmentation procedure. Dr. Sajan is an expert in breast augmentation, having performed many such procedures on both cisgender and transgender patients. He provides the best MTF breast augmentation available.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-209-0988. You can also reach out online via chat or contact form.
Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery
600 Broadway Suite 320 G
Seattle, WA 98122