Sex Reassignment Surgery in the Female-to-Male | Ocean Clinic
Top Surgery Mastectomy

Sex Reassignment Surgery in the Female-to-Male

Removal of breasts and tightening of the skin envelope in trans men is the key procedure in female-to-male top reassignment surgery. Many trans men are very uncomfortable and inhibited by their breasts, and resort to binding their chest for long periods. Unsurprisingly, they experience an enormous amount of relief following breast removal, and significant enhancement in their life-quality. One of the goals of this procedure is to keep the scars as short as possible and preferably avoid the horizontal scars completely. This can be further supported by a simultaneous contouring liposuction, which forms an essential part of every such procedure, creating further skin shrinking and shorter scars. Essentially,we aim to give a more masculine chest contour,and the shortest possible scars , giving enhanced self confidence, which contributes considerably to the healing of gender dysphoria. Moreover, being able to swim do sports, dress as desired and be free from chest -binding underneath t-shirts are just few examples reflecting the post-operative advantages of every trans man.

  • Technical term
    Mastectomy
  • Duration of surgery
    1-3 hours
  • Anaesthesia
    general
  • Discharge from clinic
    same day
  • Fit for society
    4-5 days
  • Back to work
    7-10 days
  • Aftercare and recovery
    special compression vest for 4-6 weeks

What to know before Sex Reassignment Surgery

What to Know Before Sex Reassignment Surgery in the Female-to-Male. Ocean Clinic

The surgical technique consists of removal of glandular and fat tissue of the breast, a total release of the submammary fold, tightening of the skin envelope, contouring liposuction, reduction of the areola and moving it to a more lateral position. The nipple is usually not detached from its underlying blood supply. Very rarely and only in the case of very large breasts, the nipple is detached and used as a free graft. All anatomic landmarks and measurements should be respected, analogously to the correct shape and position of the male breast and nipple.

Ocean clinic group is totally dedicated to keeping the scars as minimal and short as possible,as experience has shown us that these can be rather stigmatising for many trans men. However, scars are not only defined by the surgical technique used, but more importantly, the size of your breasts.

Periareolar: circular, around your nipple (areola), barely visible between the normal and the hyperipigmented skin (majority of cases)

Horizontal: additional horizontal scars, to the left and right from the nipple, out towards the axilla. The length varies according to the breast size

Patient testimony

Sports, swimming, tank top – I feel confident about myself. Scars are barely visible. Amazing outcome.

C. (25)

Ocean Clinic is dedicated to minimising post-op pain. We routinely perform a temporary local anaesthesiablock of relevant sensory nerves, thus considerably lowering discomfort in the early post-operative period. With an additional combination of comprehensive post-op medication, you should be free of pain.

We will provide you with a special compression vest to be worn for at least 6 weeks. This will contribute to the desired masculine contour and the skin shrinkage after the surgery.

Standard risks, relating to any kind of surgical procedures (e.g. haematoma, infection). Avoiding smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery and 6 weeks post surgery enhances the wound healing process. The likelihood of nipple necrosis is extremely rare.

Liposuction only in case of very small breasts. This however will not alter the shape or position of your nipples.

Routinely performing top-surgery in trans men. Numerous congress and symposium participations on sex reassignment surgery (SRS) and breast removal in trans man. Organisers of international symposiums about SRS at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Advocates of a simultaneous liposuction - a step to be always performed. Using this fat for masculinisation of other body areas. Dedicated to keeping the scars as minimal as possible. Exclusive inter-disciplinary treatment programme for post-operative breast scarring.

The next step

Sex Reassignment Surgery in the Female-to-Male after surgery and beyond. Ocean Clinic