Am I a Good Candidate for Female to Male Top Surgery?
Determining whether you are a good candidate for Female to Male (FTM) Top Surgery involves a careful evaluation of your specific circumstances and goals. To help you assess your candidacy, consider the following factors:
- Gender Identity: Female To Male top surgery is typically for individuals who identify as transgender men or those assigned female at birth (AFAB) who wish to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. If you identify as such and experience gender dysphoria related to your chest, you may be a candidate.
- Age: Many surgeons prefer candidates to be at least 18 years old before considering Female To Male (FTM) top surgery.
- Hormone Therapy: Some individuals choose to undergo hormone therapy as part of their transition process before top surgery. While it’s not always a requirement, hormone therapy can help with chest tissue changes, and many surgeons may recommend it or require a certain duration of hormone therapy before surgery.
- Physical Health: You should be in good overall health to undergo surgery safely, your surgeon will assess your medical history.
- Realistic Expectations: Understand the potential outcomes and limitations of the surgery. While FTM Top Surgery can provide significant chest masculinisation, individual results can vary based on factors like pre-surgical chest size and skin elasticity.
- Consultation with a Qualified Surgeon: Schedule a consultation with a qualified and experienced gender-affirming Surgeon. They will evaluate your specific situation, discuss your goals, and help determine your suitability for the procedure.
What are the Reasons for Female to Male Top Surgery?
Female to Male (FTM) Top Surgery offers several potential Reasons to transgender men or individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) who wish to masculinise their chest and align their physical appearance with their gender identity. These Reasons may include:
Reduction of Gender Dysphoria: One of the primary benefits is the alleviation of gender dysphoria related to the chest.
Physical Comfort: The removal of breast tissue can eliminate physical discomfort, including issues like chest binding, chafing, and feeling restricted in clothing.
Alignment with Gender Identity: Female to Male top surgery changes the chest so that it’s more congruent with their gender identity.
Reduction of Psychological Distress: Many individuals experience reduced psychological distress following top surgery.
It’s essential to consult with experienced healthcare professionals and surgeons to determine the most appropriate surgical approach and understand all the potential reasons and considerations specific to your individual case.
What to Expect During Female to Male Top Surgery?
Although every surgery is tailored to the patients needs the steps are generally as follows:
Anaesthetic:
On the day of surgery, you will be placed under general anaesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
Incision:
The Surgeon will make incisions based on the chosen technique. Common incision types include periareolar (keyhole), double incision and inverted-T or anchor-shaped incisions.
Procedure:
Breast tissue will be removed which includes glandular tissue and fat. The chest will be reshaped to a more masculine shape, which may involve liposuction. The nipples will be resized and repositioned to create a male chest appearance
Recovery:
After the surgery, you will be moved to a recovery area where medical staff will monitor your condition and ensure a safe awakening from the anaesthetic. You will be provided with a compression garment to wear. This helps reduce swelling, support the chest, and aid in the healing process.
Risks and Complications
Like all invasive surgery Female to Male Top Surgery has several risks and potential complications. These can include;
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Poor Wound Healing
- Scarring
- Changes in Sensation
- Asymmetry
- Seroma
- Hematoma
- Necrosis
- Anesthesia Risks
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
- Need for revision surgery
All surgery has risks – for detailed information about the risks and potential complications of Female to Male Top Surgery please visit the risks of surgery page.
Recovery
Typically the recovery period involves post operative care including pain management, wound healing, and wearing compression garments. Patients will likely experience some level of swelling, bruising, and discomfort.
After surgery your chest will be wrapped and compressed for several weeks. Some additional precautions that need to be taken after the procedure include; avoiding heavy lifting or chest exercises for up to three months and sleeping in an elevated position for a few weeks.
Attend all scheduled follow up appointments with your Surgeon. These visits are essential for monitoring your progress and addressing any concerns or questions you may have. Follow your Surgeon’s recommendations for scar care, which may include using scar creams or silicone sheets and undergoing laser scar treatment.
Remember that the specific recovery timeline can vary from person to person and individual experiences may differ. Your Surgeon will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and it is important to follow them closely for the best possible outcome.
Open communication with your surgeon and a commitment to your recovery plan will help ensure a successful recovery from Surgery.
How Much Does Female to Male Top Surgery Cost?
The price usually depends on the type of surgery you are having, different surgical techniques used, hormone therapy and further follow-ups as well as the Surgeon and hospital fees.
For accurate and personalised information regarding the cost of your surgery, it is best to schedule a consultation with a qualified Plastic Surgeon. During the consultation your surgeon will provide you with a quote listing all the expenses. They can also address any specific concerns you may have.
Medicare typically covers medically necessary services and procedures. Whether Female to Male Top Surgery is considered medically necessary and eligible for coverage can vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific requirements of Medicare and your Surgeon will be able to advise on this.
FAQ About Female to Male Top Surgery
How can I know which surgical method is best for me?
- The best way to find out is by consulting your Surgeon.
- Not all patients and body types are the same.
- Female To Male Top Surgery is a very personalised surgical procedure that differs for each and every patient.
What is FTM top surgery called?
- Other names for FTM top surgery include; Masculinising Chest Therapy or Subcutaneous Mastectomy.
- This procedure is is different from a Reductive Mammoplasty as it removes all the glandular tissue, and leaves only the pectoral muscle and the skin.
How old do you have to be to get top surgery in Australia?
To get a top FTM or female to male surgery in Australia, you should be at least 18 years of age.
What should I wear after top surgery?
- After the top FTM surgery, your surgeon will instruct you to wear a compression garment.
- You may need to wear it for several weeks.
- A compression garment help to reduce swelling and keep the tissues in place as they reconnect.
- Over the compression garment, you may wear loose, comfortable clothes, but beware not to get too hot.
How long do you have to sleep on your back after top surgery?
- You should sleep on your back after a female-to-male top surgery for several weeks.
- You should also sleep in a alleviated position.
- If your recovery demands more or less time sleeping on your back, your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will inform you of that.
- It is important always to follow the doctor’s advice.
Can breasts grow back after top surgery?
- Breasts cannot grow back after a female to male top surgery.
- There will be swelling for the first few weeks after the surgery, but once it subsides, you will be able to see the approximate shape and size of your new chest.
- Be mindful that gaining weight may result in fat tissue increasing in volume and the breast growing.
- Also, if you do not strictly follow the hormonal therapy regimen, a drop in testosterone levels may make more fat tissue deposit in the chest area.
How much does it cost for FTM top surgery?
- In general, you should expect the cost of an FTM top surgery to start at around $12,000.
- For a more specific quote, contact Coco Ruby Plastic Surgeons in Melbourne.
- He will be able to assess your situation properly and provide a particular price.
Why Choose Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery?
Not all Surgeons have the same experience or intensive training and testing qualifications. Be sure you learn the differences between a Plastic Surgeon, a General Surgeon, a Cosmetic Surgeon or other types of Surgeon.
Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon means you are choosing an accredited recognised plastic surgeon that performs surgery in an accredited hospital. Look for members of FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) memberships. ASPS (Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons) ASAPS (Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) or ISAPS (International Society Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) as some of the Qualifications of your Plastic Surgeon.
