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Top surgery gender affirmation in Columbus is designed to allow transgender people to acquire a physically gender-congruent appearance. Transgender people whose gender identification does not correspond to their body may feel distress due to the body they were born with. With top surgery, feelings of gender dysphoria can be reduced, improving quality of life.

What Is Top Surgery Gender Affirmation?

“Top surgery” is an umbrella term for any procedure that alters the appearance of a transgender person’s chest.

FTM top surgery removes the breasts and makes the chest look more traditionally masculine.
MTF top surgery involves the placement of breast implants to create a more traditionally feminine chest appearance.

These procedures are some of the most popular methods of gender affirmation. When performed by Dr. Jason Lichten, a well-respected and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, they are quite safe and can produce excellent results.

Top Surgery Gender Affirmation Standards

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has established guidelines that can serve as a good beginning point for anyone considering top surgery for gender affirmation.

Criteria for top surgery gender affirmation selection include diagnosed and well-documented gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is defined as the feeling of disquiet caused by a conflict between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.

WPATH also requires that patients who want to undergo top surgery for gender affirmation have the ability to make a fully informed decision and agree to treatment. Additional guidelines include the age of majority, referral letters for surgical procedures, and well-controlled physical or mental health issues.

Top Surgery Gender Affirmation Preparation

It is important to keep in mind that patients cannot self-refer for top surgery. You will need a referral from your physician before meeting with Dr. Lichten for your consultation.

During your consultation, you and Dr. Lichten will discuss your top surgery goals, and he will answer any questions you may have. He will also perform a physical examination, and photographs will be taken for your medical records.

Additionally, Dr. Lichten will evaluate your overall health and consider your family history, including past surgeries and lifestyle habits like smoking. Medications you’re currently taking and any pre-existing conditions will also be taken into account.

Before treatment is recommended, you will undergo blood tests to check your hormone levels and how well your liver and kidneys are working. These can also be used to ensure that you do not have an infection, blood problem, or anemia that hasn’t yet been discovered.

A mammogram may be used to detect any underlying breast problems. Additional imaging, such as ultrasonography and MRI, may be required.

It is critical to be honest with Dr. Lichten about your health. If you have underlying health issues that increase the chance of complications, you may have to postpone top surgery for a time. Dr. Lichten can advise you on the optimal time to have surgery.

MTF Top Surgery

To further increase the breast development that has been achieved from continuing hormone therapy, trans women can elect to undergo MTF top surgery.

MTF top surgery is also known as feminizing chest surgery or transfeminine top surgery. Its purpose is to increase the size, shape, or fullness of the breasts through augmentation.

The Breast augmentation technique involves placing breast implants or tissue expanders under chest tissue. In some cases, excess fat is taken from other parts of the body (reducing them in size), purified, and then injected into the chest tissue.

FTM Top Surgery

FTM top surgery is also called masculinizing chest surgery or transmasculine top surgery. Mastectomy and chest reshaping are the procedures employed to accomplish this.

Transmasculine individuals can undergo a bilateral mastectomy, in which both breasts are removed. Typically, a tiny quantity of breast tissue is saved and used to create a manlier chest appearance.

Recovery After Top Surgery Gender Affirmation

You will require follow-up care in the weeks following the operation. Discuss the recovery process with Dr. Lichten during your consultation, since it varies from patient to patient.

You will need to take care of incisions as they heal. This will require being very gentle with the area. You must avoid physically strenuous activities for several weeks, and time off from work will be required.

Post-surgical bruising and swelling will be present for a time. Wearing post-surgical garments as directed will aid in amelioration of these issues. Once all healing is complete, patients will be able to see their full and final results.

Find Out More

If you have received a referral for top surgery gender affirmation in Columbus, contact us today to arrange a consultation with Dr. Jason Lichten.