Feminizing Breast Surgery with Tissue Expanders/Implants

Feminizing Breast Surgery with Tissue Expanders/Implants

 

Gender affirming surgery, like feminizing breast surgery, can help your body more closely match the gender you identify with. It can be a part of your journey to become more like your true self.

This surgery is also called top surgery or breast augmentation.

 

Types of breast surgeries

Breast Surgery with Tissue Expanders and Implants

This surgery has two steps: 

  • First, a tissue expander (inflatable implant) is placed in the chest. It can be placed:
    • Under the chest muscle,
    • On top of the chest muscle, or
    • Dual plane, where the upper half of the implant is placed under the chest muscle, and the lower half sits over the chest muscle
  • The tissue expander slowly stretches your skin so that an implant can safely be placed of the size you wish for the look you want. The tissue expander is put in mostly empty during surgery. It is then filled with saline weekly in the office until your skin has been stretched enough. The tissue expander is then left in place for 2 months to help create the shape of the breast. 
  • At a second surgery, the tissue expander is switched out for a permanent implant. 

Breast Surgery with Implants

This surgery has one step where the the implant is placed:

  • Under the muscle in your chest,
  • On top of the muscle in your chest, or
  • Dual plane, where the upper half of the implant is placed under the muscle in your chest, and the lower half sits over the muscle in your chest

 

What to expect

  • Each of these outpatient surgeries take about 2 to 3 hours. 
  • You will have activity limits for 6 weeks after surgery.
  • The scars for these surgeries are usually along the underside of the breast or chest. 

Surgery risks can include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Problems with healing

Other long-term risks can include:

  • Thickened, painful scar tissue that forms around the implant, called capsular contracture.
  • Asymmetry. All people have differences between the right and left side of the chest. Our goal is that your breasts can fit equally well in a bra.
  • A need for future surgery. Although breast implants are often referred to as “permanent” implants, they may need to be replaced in the future. 

 

© 2021 – February 26, 2021, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.