Undergoing top surgery is a significant milestone for transgender men in the journey to align physical appearance with gender identity. Female-to-male (FTM) top surgery provides transitioning men a way to affirm their gender identity while also feeling comfortable and confident in their appearance.
What is FTM Top Surgery?
FTM top surgery involves removing breast tissue as well as reshaping the chest and repositioning the nipple for a more masculine appearance. It is a highly customized procedure. Everyone’s body is different and at the Trans Top Surgery Center, your FTM top surgery procedure will be designed just for you. At your consult, Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg will ask what your goals are for the procedure and will discuss ways to accomplish your vision. He will create a surgical plan to provide natural-looking results that complement your body type.
Key Factors to Consider
In making the decision to have chest contouring surgery, there are three key factors to keep in mind.
1. Personal Goals
Defining your personal goals and expectations for top surgery is crucial. Do you desire a completely flat chest or a more body-blending contour? Do you want a nipple graft? (Lately in Dr. Lincenberg’s practice, about 10 percent of men choose not to save the nipples based on a variety of reasons.) Understanding your aesthetic preferences will help guide the decision-making process.
2. Surgeon’s Expertise
Choosing a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in transgender surgeries is vital. Dr. Lincenberg has performed FTM top surgery for over 22 years. That much experience has given him the knowledge on how to accomplish a patient’s personal preferences on many different body types.
In the process he has developed new techniques to achieve the many variations of results that each person desires, based on their body type. For example, some men have large breasts that meet in the middle resulting in an overhang of skin over the sternum, requiring removal of skin in the center of the chest. Thus, the double incision method of FTM top surgery becomes a single incision.
Perhaps the most important factor in considering top surgery is partnering with a plastic surgeon who has worked extensively with transgender patients. Two decades of experience performing FTM top surgery has not only given Dr. Lincenberg the surgical expertise, but the insight needed to guide his patients through this process. Take a look at this tv news story about FTM top surgery that Dr. Lincenberg performed for two transgender men who are identical twins and had their surgery on the same day.
3. Body Type and Breast Size
Body type and breast size play a significant role in determining the most suitable surgical approach for your top surgery. Consulting with a surgeon will help identify the best technique based on individual physical characteristics.
Types of FTM Top Surgery
There are several types of FTM top surgery, also referred to as chest masculinization surgery, chest contouring surgery or gender affirmation surgery. Deciding on which type is best for you is a determination you and your surgeon should make together.
Double Incision Procedure
The double incision procedure is the most common procedure that transgender men choose for their female-to-male top surgery. It provides superior results for moderate to large breasted patients. In this procedure, the surgeon will remove the nipples before removing the breast tissue and excess skin, then reduce and reposition the nipple and areola for natural-looking results. It is the best surgical option for patients with a significant amount of breast tissue and excess skin.
Lollipop Top Surgery
The lollipop top surgery is the least common approach to FTM chest contouring surgery. Sometimes referred to as the comma surgery, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola, and moves downward — similar to the shape of a comma. It is an effective top surgery approach that results in minimal scarring, but it is best for patients who have less breast tissue and minimal excess skin.
Alternative and Additional Techniques
Liposuction or Chest-Plasty
This actually is an alternative technique to optimize appearance. In many cases, FTM top surgery patients will have liposuction or chest-plasty performed in tandem with their surgical procedure. Liposuction is used in the chest area to remove excess or unwanted fat, and to create a smooth, contoured appearance. Patients who have additional fat AND redundant skin in specific areas on the chest and back may require a chest-plasty to achieve the desired results from their top surgery procedure.
Quilting Technique
Quilting is a technique originally developed in other operations to reduce infections and seromas. It is a method of suturing the skin flaps to the underlying musculature which provides the advantage of avoiding drains after the surgery. It does add time to the overall surgery.
Choosing the right type of FTM top surgery is a deeply personal decision that should be based on your goals, body type, and the expertise of your surgeon. As you begin to explore your options for FTM top surgery, you can review the Trans Top Surgery Center website for additional information. Once you are ready to take the next step forward, schedule your consultation with Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg. At this appointment, you and Dr. Lincenberg will discuss the best surgical plan for your needs as well as review your FTM top surgery cost.