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Before & After
Gender dysphoria is a condition where a patient experiences extreme distress and/or life hindrances due to not identifying with their gender assigned at birth. The condition can lead to mental and physical health problems if not treated properly. There are various treatment options for gender dysphoria including therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical procedures. For female-to-male transgender people, the breasts can cause dysphoria. Top surgery can permanently alleviate or reduce gender dysphoria. Dr. Alberico Sessa of Sarasota Surgical Arts offers the best FTM top surgery Sarasota provides.
Female-to-male top surgery is a gender affirming surgery that removes the breasts and creates a male chest. FTM top surgery can treat gender dysphoria and is one of the first steps of a physical transition for transgender men. With more insurance companies covering transgender surgeries and more acceptance of transgender individuals, the number of FTM top surgeries has increased dramatically in the past decades.
While similar to mastectomy surgery, top surgery uses slightly different techniques for masculinizing the chest. This may include changing the location of the incisions, performing liposuction to sculpt a more masculine contour, and repositioning the nipples and areolas (not always seen during mastectomy).
Transgender people have always existed throughout history. Many would dress as their identified gender and some lived completely as their gender identity. It was not until 1912 that the first gender affirming surgery was performed in Germany on a transgender woman. Eventually, in 1945, the first recorded female-to-male surgery took place.
Since then, transgender people and gender affirming procedures have become more visible and accepted. It was not until the 2000s that top surgery became more widely accepted among surgeons. Even in the late twentieth century, not many surgeons performed top surgery due to backlash from the medical community and society.
Today, the number of surgeons performing transgender and gender affirming surgeries has grown exponentially. The procedures also do not carry a stigma within the medical community much anymore. Today’s transgender patients receive better care and options when seeking out top surgery.
FTM top surgery comes with benefits and advantages. Patients seeking top surgery often do not need to be reminded of the benefits. However, there are many advantages to top surgery beyond aiding in transgender transition. Some of the benefits of FTM top surgery include:
Every patient’s anatomy and goals are different. Therefore, not every FTM top surgery will look the same. There are several ways to perform top surgery. The most commonly utilized techniques include double incision, keyhole, and liposuction. The best top surgery technique for you will depend on your anatomy, the results you want, and your medical history.
The double incision top surgery technique is the most frequently performed type of FTM top surgery. This technique features two incisions on either side of the chest. Through these incisions, Dr. Sessa removes skin, breast glands, tissue, and nipples. In most cases, the nipples are repositioned after Dr. Sessa sculpts your new chest.
Benefits of the double incision FTM top surgery technique include:
For a small number of transgender male patients, the periareolar–also known as the keyhole or buttonhole technique–may offer satisfactory results. This technique keeps the nipples intact and simply removes unnecessary glands and tissue. The periareolar method only works for patients with little existing breast tissue and good skin laxity. It consists of a small incision around the nipple.
Benefits of this technique include:
Liposuction is already sometimes performed along with the two aforementioned techniques to provide a more masculine contour. However, in some cases, liposuction itself may provide adequate results. The most common use of liposuction for top surgery is revision surgery. Most patients will need more than liposuction to see optimal results.
Benefits of this technique include:
The best way to find out the right technique and if you are a candidate for Sarasota FTM top surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alberico Sessa at Sarasota Surgical Arts. At a consultation, you will meet with Dr. Sessa where he will want to know about your goals for surgery. He will also review your medical history and some aspects of your lifestyle. Finally, Dr. Sessa will physically examine your chest.
Using the information from your conversation and the physical examination, Dr. Sessa can determine if you are a viable candidate for FTM top surgery in Sarasota. He will also make a recommendation of the best technique to achieve your goals and that suits your anatomy. Dr. Sessa will describe the procedure in detail and the expected outcome.
Before leaving the Sarasota Surgical Arts office, you will receive a personalized price quote for the procedure and financing information. You can then schedule surgery at any point you feel comfortable.
On the day of your top surgery, you will come to Dr. Sessa’s state accredited surgery center. After check-in and taking your vitals, you will meet with Dr. Sessa where he will make pre-surgical markings and review the surgical plan. A licensed anesthesia provider will then place you under general anesthesia.
As discussed, there are multiple surgical techniques for FTM top surgery. Double incision top surgery is the most common one. During this procedure, Dr. Sessa will make an incision on one side of the chest. He will remove extra skin, fat, breast tissue, breast glands, and nipples. He may also use liposuction to sculpt away uneven fat pockets.
Most patients will then have the nipples repositioned on the chest. Once Dr. Sessa creates the desired contour, he will stitch the incisions and finish the surgery. All in all, the surgery takes around one hour to complete. Some more extensive surgeries may take up to two hours.
Recovering after FTM top surgery in Sarasota is generally well tolerated by most patients. Over the few days after surgery, patients may see bruising, swelling, redness, and pain settle in. This is normal and most major side effects cease within two weeks or so. Dr. Sessa will prescribe medications to make your recovery more comfortable. Patients often stop using prescription painkillers within the first week.
Patients usually need around one week off work depending on the physicality of their job. Some may require more. Dr. Sessa will limit strenuous activities and exercise for around six to eight weeks. At this point, patients can often return to their full routine. Dr. Sessa will monitor your healing to determine when you can go back to work and all your activities.
Yes, once your incisions are fully healed patients can partake in building their pectoral muscles. The amount of time it will take for this to be a safe activity will vary from patient to patient. Therefore, Dr. Sessa can provide a better timeline based on your medical history and healing after surgery.
No, you do not have to be on hormone therapy to get FTM top surgery. It is okay if you are, though Dr. Sessa may request that you temporarily stop their use before and after surgery.
In the majority of cases, patients do not feel their nipples after surgery. Some patients may never see nipple sensation fully return. For others, it may take a few months for it to return. This is one of the risks of top surgery and Dr. Sessa will discuss this with you during your consultation. He will make every effort to preserve nipple sensation.
No, many non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals seek out top surgery. It is not exclusive to FTM patients. There are many reasons patients may seek top surgery and Dr. Sessa works with a diverse population of top surgery patients.
The cost of FTM top surgery varies based on the extent of the surgery, technique, and other specifics of the procedure. The best way to find out how much your Sarasota top surgery will be is to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Alberico Sessa is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon in Sarasota, Florida. He has performed thousands of successful surgeries of all types. Dr. Sessa continues to refine his skills to take on the newest and most advanced procedures. He specializes in surgeries of the breast and body, including top surgery. Dr. Alberico Sessa provides the best FTM top surgery Sarasota offers.
Sarasota Surgical Arts is a premier cosmetic surgery practice. Steps away from Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota Surgical Arts sees many patients who travel to Florida for their services. They also offer amenities for out of town patients. Sarasota Surgical Arts is the top destination in Florida for cosmetic and transgender surgery.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 941-923-1736. You can also reach us online through our Price Simulator™, chat, and contact form.