Becoming You: Navigating Female to Male Gender Confirmation Procedures

Female to Male (FTM) gender confirmation surgery can help when you want to change your body to have more typically male characteristics. These procedures are also known as masculinizing gender affirmation surgeries. 

Introduction to FTM Gender Confirmation Surgery

Gender confirmation surgery is one part of a holistic approach to transgender and gender-affirmation care that includes physical, emotional, and social aspects. Gender confirmation surgery plays a pivotal role in aligning one's physical appearance with gender identity. People who choose gender affirmation surgery often experience an improved quality of life and reduced gender dysphoria and psychological stress. 

When receiving gender-affirmation care, a supportive healthcare team is crucial to fostering better outcomes and reducing adverse outcomes. 

Understanding Your Options

FTM gender confirmation procedures vary widely, encompassing top surgeries and bottom surgeries. Each procedure targets different aspects of masculinization and is chosen based on personal goals and health considerations.

Preparing for Surgery: Physical and Mental Health Considerations

Pre-surgical preparation involves thorough physical and psychological evaluations to ensure candidates are ready for the changes and challenges ahead. It is essential to be in optimal health, which might include lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or adjusting medications. Surgical outcomes are improved when a patient is a healthy weight and does not have any underlying health issues or conditions. Mental health support is equally important, as patients need to cope with the emotional impacts of such a life-changing experience.

The Emotional Journey: Support Systems and Resources

Transgender patients often face challenges, such as bullying, discrimination, harassment, and gender dysphoria, that can affect mental health outcomes. The emotional and psychological aspects of transitioning can be difficult. 

Building a supportive community of family, friends, and support groups can help and support you as you transition to your affirmed gender identity. Professional mental health support not only can help you with your emotional journey, but it may also be an insurance requirement if you are considering gender confirmation surgery.

Additional Procedures for Body Affirmation

FTM surgical procedures that can change the face and contour the body to have more typically male characteristics include:

Facial Masculinization 

A series of facial reconstructive procedures that can add more masculine features to one’s face. Facial masculinization procedures include the cheek, forehead, jaw, and/or chin augmentation.

• Patients may not be good candidates if the bones of their head and face are not done developing.
• Recovery will depend on the procedures, but expect to go home with facial bandages, splints, and wound dressings. Bruising, swelling, and pain are commonly experienced for 2-3 weeks following the procedure.

Chest Masculinization

Also known as “top surgery,” this is a procedure to give the chest a more masculine contour and appearance by removing breast tissue and resizing and replacing the nipples. 

• Body mass may be a consideration; many surgeons will not perform this procedure if body mass index (BMI) is over 32. 
• After surgery, a surgical compression garment wraps the chest and should be worn at all times until a postoperative appointment. Pain and swelling are to be expected, and strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided for about 6 weeks.

Buttock Masculinization

Removing fat from the buttock region can create a more masculine body contour. This is done through liposuction, which uses suction to remove fat from targeted areas of the body. 

• With any liposuction of the buttocks, sitting or lying down on the butt should be avoided for at least two weeks. 
• It can take 2-3 months to fully recover from liposuction of the buttocks.

What to Expect After Surgery: Healing and Living Your Truth

The recovery process for FTM surgeries involves both short-term and long-term adjustments. Initially, managing pain and healing is the focus, but over time, your priority will be adapting to changes in your new body and identity. Continued care and regular follow-up visits are crucial to monitor your health and maintain the results of a FTM surgery. 

Choosing the Right Surgeon and Clinic

When choosing a surgeon for your gender confirmation surgery, begin with The Plastic Surgery Center. Our team of world-renowned, board-certified plastic surgeons are distinguished for their superior knowledge, training, and experience with revolutionary procedures such as gender confirmation surgeries. 

Our patients receive personalized care and support throughout the recovery process at our private, state-of-the-art surgical facility. The Plastic Surgery Center is accredited according to the stringent standards of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF). Explore our patient success stories and before-and-after photos to learn more about our transformative gender confirmation surgery results.