Most transgender women begin their gender confirmation journey with hormone therapy and supportive counseling.
While some transwomen are content simply living as their affirmed gender, others believe that MTF surgery is necessary for them to live the life as the person they know they are.
But what is Male-To-Female surgery, and how is it done?
Continue reading this article to find out.
Dr. Gary J. Rosenbaum is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast-related surgeries.
If you’re looking for a doctor who understands your needs and can help you with how to detransition MTF through breast restoration, schedule a consultation here.
When it comes to MTF top surgery, it mainly involves breast surgeries. After all, many transgender women associate full, round breasts with femininity and beauty.
But while hormone therapy usually causes some breast tissue to grow, patients who want a larger bust may consider breast augmentation.
Breast augmentation is the most common MTF top surgery among transgender people. It involves either the insertion of breast implants into the chest or fat grafting from the abdomen to the chest.
Depending on your individual needs and anatomy, your surgeon may place the implants either over (subglandular placement) or under (submuscular placement) the chest wall muscle.
Here are your two breast augmentation options.
Your doctor may insert silicone or saline implants above or below the pectoralis major muscle to increase breast volume and create a more feminine chest. Doctors create incisions for implant insertion near the armpit or at the base of the breast.
Fat harvested from your abdomen can add volume to your breasts. You may need several rounds of treatment to achieve your desired breast volume.
This option does not necessitate the use of implants.
For MTF bottom surgeries, most people spend days in the hospital after surgery. Vaginoplasty recovery can take up to three months and requires intensive post-operative care. Thus, it is important to have someone to help take care of you after surgery.
It may take one to two days for people to regain full mobility after an orchiectomy. They may be able to return to work within a few days to a week of the procedure.
The surgical area must completely heal first before the patient can have sex. That’s because sexual activities may delay wound healing and cause complications.
Johns Hopkins University advises abstinence from sexual activities within 12 weeks after a vaginoplasty. It may take two to eight weeks to recover from an orchiectomy fully. You’re prohibited from certain activities, such as driving or heavy lifting, for a few weeks after surgery.
Follow your doctor’s post-op MTF surgery guidelines before participating in any sexual activity.
After vaginoplasty, you need to use a vaginal dilator to stretch the vaginal canal and keep it open. Dilation twice a day for at least ten minutes may be required following surgery. This is to prevent loss of vaginal depth and width.
Your health care provider will give instructions on using a dilator safely and properly.
Keeping the genital area clean and free of infection after a vaginoplasty is vital. You must keep the vagina dry on the outside. An absorbent pad placed between the labia may help absorb any excess moisture.
Once your doctor gives you the go signal to bathe, gently wash the area with soap and water. Remember to avoid scrubbing or allow shower spray to reach the surgical site.
You may need to douche one to two times per week, depending on the amount of vaginal discharge. If there is a lot of discharge, more frequent douching may be necessary.
Mild discomfort, bruising, and swelling around the surgical site are normal after an orchiectomy. To avoid infection, you may use topical antibiotics.
You should consult with a healthcare professional if you have questions about post-op MtF surgery recovery. Remember, it may take some time to heal, recover, and adjust to sex and intimacy after surgery, so be patient with your recovery.
And if you’re planning to undergo MTF detransition surgery, book a consultation with Dr. Gary Rosenbaum to discuss your needs and desires.
Coombs, D., Grover, R., & Gurunluoglu, R. (2019, February 1). Breast augmentation surgery: Clinical considerations. Breast augmentation surgery: Clinical considerations. https://www.ccjm.org/content/86/2/111
Meltzer, T. (2016, June 17). Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare | Gender Affirming Health Program. UCSF Transgender Care. Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/vaginoplasty