Breasts are one of the most feminine features of a woman’s body. For many MTF patients, feminizing hormones produce mild to moderate breast development. While some individuals are quite satisfied with their results, some do not feel that they have achieved the fullness that they desire. A breast augmentation can enhance breast size, playing an important role in the feminization process.
Before MTF Breast Augmentation Surgery
Prior to breast augmentation surgery, and thorough examination is taken to evaluate your general health. Your doctor will go over the type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure, what results might realistically be expected and the possible risks and complications.
Preoperative instruction are important and include avoiding certain drugs, like aspirin that can cause excess bleeding. Antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. Photographs are taken before and after surgery in order to evaluate the final results. Birth control and other estrogen containing hormones may also be discontinued temporarily for the same reason.
The MTF Breast Augmentation Procedure
Breast augmentation is usually performed under general anesthesia with the patient asleep. Your surgeon may choose from a variety of surgical procedures, depending upon what changes are desired. The type of incision used will be determined by the goals of the patient. The traditional incisions are around the nipple or under the breast. The disadvantage of these incisions is leaving a scar on the anatomy we are trying to improve. Although these scars often fade with time, avoiding them is best.
If saline implants are used, a fantastic way to avoid breast scars is using the arm pit incision. A breast implant containing a silicone gel, a saline solution, or a combination of the two is inserted into the pocket which can be created above or below the chest muscle. In some cases, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry, inflatable breast implants may be used. With this procedure, your surgeon can adjust the amount of inflation.
After the breast implants are securely in place, small sutures are used to close the incisions. A breast augmentation typically takes less than an hour, depending upon the procedure and extent of the surgery.
Following MTF Breast Augmentation Surgery
Following breast augmentation surgery, the patient wears a surgical bra which is worn for several weeks. Pain connected with breast augmentation is controlled with oral narcotic medication. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection. Normal activities everyday activities are typically resumed in 1 week; however, strenuous exercises and overhead lifting must be avoided for one month.
The stitches that we use dissolve and do not need to be removed. Complications of infection and slow healing are rare; however there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure and will be thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Patients can minimize complications by carefully following directions given. In some cases in which the breast becomes too firm due to the formation of scar tissue, called capsular contracture, a second breast augmentation procedure may be necessary.
