GENDER AFFIRMATION SURGERY

Gender affirmation surgery refers to a procedure or series of procedures that change a person’s physical appearance in ways that better match their identity. Patients who are either transgender or gender non-binary are typically those who choose to have these procedures done—although not everyone who falls into these categories chooses to have gender affirmation surgery.

The process may include procedures—such as facial surgery and top surgery— that are designed to help transgender or non-binary patients transition. Gender affirmation surgery can improve the well-being of individuals who have long wished that their outer appearance matched their inner self.

There are numerous types of cosmetic surgery procedures offered to improve the gender affirmation experience of transgender individuals. Transfeminine top surgery and transmasculine top surgery are two options available at The Waldorf Center.

Top surgery involves reshaping the chest to make it look more traditionally masculine or feminine.

Specific procedures may involve either the removal of breast tissue or augmentation to create the look of breast mounds. For some patients, the nipples are also replaced or repositioned.

In addition to altering your physical appearance, this gender affirmation surgery can also help individuals with affirming how they think or feel about themselves.

Transfeminine top surgery aims to give the chest a more feminine appearance. This may involve augmentation with implants, augmentation with fat grafting, or a combination of these two techniques. By creating or enhancing the size and shape of the breasts, the surgery can provide a more traditionally feminine silhouette. These surgeries are similar to the procedures used for standard breast augmentation and breast reconstruction.

For transmasculine top surgery as part of gender affirmation surgery, the surgeon may perform a breast reduction or mastectomy to achieve a more masculine or non-binary appearance by making the chest shape look like a more typical man’s chest. The surgeon will remove breast tissue and skin as a way of flattening the chest, remove the crease that runs along the bottom of the breast, sculpt the chest, make the pectoral muscles look more pronounced, reduce the size of the nipples and areolas, reposition the nipples and areolas, or even remove the nipples entirely. This will be similar to the procedure involved in breast reduction.

Having chest or face surgery is a personal decision, and there are many reasons someone may decide to have cosmetic or reconstructive surgery to alter their appearance.

Wondering whether you could benefit from gender affirmation surgery? The procedure is ideal for individuals who have been diagnosed with ongoing or documented gender dysphoria, have the legal and mental ability to make responsible medical decisions for themselves, are under the care of a mental health professional who can provide a letter that supports their choice to have this surgery, have been living as a member of their self-identified gender, are of the age to give consent, and are also successfully addressing other physical and mental health concerns.

You can talk to our team to discuss which surgical options might be right for you. The most suitable gender affirmation surgery strategy will depend on several factors, such as your body type, health, and goals.

It’s important that you’re mentally prepared for your surgery, that you ask us any questions you have about the process, and that you make a plan for recovery. Transfeminine top surgery patients may be recommended to undergo one year of estrogen therapy to maximize natural breast growth prior to having breast implants.

The recovery timeline for gender affirmation surgery varies depending on which type of surgery you have. It’s critical to follow all of the aftercare guidelines we provide.

The Waldorf Center also provides surgical facial feminization and non-surgical facial feminization treatments, which consist of a series of procedures designed to make the face appear more feminine.