Chest Surgery for Breast Augmentation
Transfeminine chest surgery involves breast implants and sometimes fat grafting to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. It is typically performed after at least one year of hormone therapy to allow for maximal breast growth.
WPATH Standards of Care
The providers follow the WPATH Standards of Care, which recommend one letter from a qualified mental health care prior to the surgery:
Criteria for Breast Augmentation in Transfeminine Patients
- Persistent, well documented gender dysphoria;
- Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;
- Age of majority in a given country;
- If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.
Although not an explicit criterion, it is recommended that transfeminine patients undergo feminizing hormone therapy (minimum 12 months) prior to breast augmentation surgery. The purpose is to maximize breast growth in order to obtain better surgical (aesthetic results).
Top Surgery Doctors
What to Bring to Your Visit
Please bring or wear representative clothing including a bra and any prosthetics you have been using. Clothing should be form fitting. Please try to avoid loose, baggy clothing.
What to Expect During the Initial Consultation
You can expect to meet with two providers including the physician and physician assistant or resident for a 45 minute visit. During the visit, your providers will:
- Take a medical history.
- Peform a physical exam. They will take photographs and measurements (these are not shared as examples without your permission).
- Show you pictures of examples.
During the visit, you will try on implants. You are welcome to bring a close family member or friend with you. We encourage patients to return for a second visit to try on implants again. You don't need to make a decision during the initial consultation.
We will also discuss cost with and without insurance and letter(s) of support.
Preparing for Surgery & Recovery
How to Prepare for Your Surgery
Like any surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight. The pre-operative operating room team will call you one business day before to your surgery.
Recovery After Surgery
We recommend you take off one week if you have a sedentary job and four weeks if you have a manual labor or repetitive arm movement position at your job. Before you leave the hospital, we will give you:
- pain medication,
- a stool softener,
- nausea medication and
- antibiotics.
Expect to have a follow up visit within 48-72 hours. You will learn how to massage your implants at your follow up. You will need to massage your implants three times per day for several months after surgery.
Hospital Stay
This is an outpatient procedure, meaning you will be out of the hospital the same day. The surgery itself is about two hours, but expect to spend half of your day at the hospital.