Female-to-Male | FTM Top Surgery allows Trans-men to Get ready for Beach Season

·       Do you know many trans-men dealing with gender dysphoria?

·       Do you know that top surgery (FTM) is only allowed by board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons specializing in gender-affirming procedures?

·       Do you know the outlook after FTM surgery is excellent, and the recovery process may take a few months for the pain and scars to fade?

·       Do you know that most trans-men undergoing FTM surgeries are 18 or older, but younger ones can also consider if their legal guardians and mental health professionals consent that top surgery is appropriate?

What is FTM's top Surgery?

Breast tissue is a source of gender dysphoria for trans-men once they start experiencing and noticing them, usually after the commencement of testosterone-replacement therapy. Exogenous testosterone is used in transgender men to induce virilization and suppress feminizing characteristics. After the therapy, as a result, trans-men will notice several changes in their bodies, including a deepening of the voice, the growth of body hair, and an increase in muscle mass. However, all these masculine changes occur after the hormone therapy, but unfortunately, no changes take place in the breast's size and appearance. Thus, it is recommended to undergo FTM top surgery, i.e., chest masculinization surgery helps achieve the masculine chest by removing enlarged breast tissues, excess fat, and skin and repositioning the nipples to create a natural-looking flat chest.

Female-to-male or FTM top surgery, also called chest masculinization surgery, is a popular procedure at Kaesthetics, Bangalore, headed by Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS., M CH., a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. In the word of Dr. Karishma, "trans-men experience discord due to the difference between their self-identified gender and biological sex. Trans-men are individuals who were assigned female at birth but identify as men. Therefore, it is inevitable to perform FTM surgery to restore their masculinity in terms of their body characteristics. And FTM (Female-to-male) top surgery, chest masculinization is one of them."

Note: There are many techniques available to perform chest masculinization surgery, and selecting a specific is solely based on the amount of breast tissue, the presence of excess skin, the quality of the skin tone, the size of the nipple, and areola, the desire for nipple sensation, and the patient's preferences all contributing to the decision on which technique is employed.

What happens during FTM top surgery?

The female-to-male (FTM) top surgery removes both breasts with a double mastectomy. Excess skin and enlarged breast tissue near your breasts and fat are excised. Furthermore, the nipple and areola (dark-colored skin surrounding the nipple) were repositioned, making other changes to create a natural, flat chest.

What to expect after top surgery?

Like other surgical procedures, you can expect physical restrictions following the surgery for the first few weeks to achieve a smooth healing experience. Since FTM top surgery is an outpatient procedure, most patients require three-to-four weeks before they are cleared to resume work. Most trans-men are able to work out without restrictions by eight weeks after their procedure. As far as complications are concerned, it depends on the type of procedure and may include bleeding, infections, loss of nipple sensation, scarring, or uneven nipples which sometimes require revision surgery, or the chances of discomfort are very minimal with the expert hands of a plastic surgeon. One must note that side effects, such as bleeding and infections, are a part of the healing response that settles down once you complete the recovery period.

What type of surgeon performs this procedure?

Only board-certified plastic and reconstruction surgeons specializing in gender-affirming procedures can perform FTM top surgery. An experienced plastic surgeon with a significant number of successful cases done before can give you the best results possible.

Improved confidence and a sense of self-esteem with one's gender identity:

Top FTM or chest masculinization surgery restores self-confidence and self-esteem. It enhances masculine appearance in trans-men, as they can flaunt their bare chest in the swimming pool or go shirtless in the gym and focus more on improving their washboard abs. Even though the healing period transgresses over the first several months, trans-men grow accustomed to the new chest contour. Having a masculine chest after FTM surgery allows trans-men to identify more closely with their gender identity, improves confidence, and can help alleviate gender dysphoria.

Get in touch with Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics at +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your one-on-one consultation today.