The goal of female to male chest surgery is not only to reduce the size of the breasts, but to masculinize the chest. This can require reducing the nipple and areolar complex, altering the position of the nipple, and reshaping the volume of the breast tissue. Decisions are based on the degree of drooping (or ptosis), volume, and skin quality. Dr. Davis utilizes several different techniques and the choice of method depends depends on your individual anatomy and preferences. As always, Dr. Davis takes ample time so that your final decision is both well-informed and personalized.
For patients with a small amount of tissue, the fat and glandular tissue can be removed through a tiny incision hidden around the nipple. If the areolar size needs to be reduced, this can be performed leaving a scar around the areola with sensation intact at the same time. For patients with greater volume, then the so-called “double incision” or keyhole techniques are often required moving the nipple to its new position as a free graft or based on a pedicle (stalk) of underlying glandular tissue. While this can give an excellent cosmetic result, the new nipple can lose some or all of its sensation depending on the technique required.
Initially, the chest will be swollen and the scars will require several months to fade. Dr. Davis aims to achieve a chest physique that is congruent with each patient’s body and body image. Perhaps the ultimate goal is for patients’ to feel comfortable and unselfconscious at a beach or any other activity for which they feel like taking their shirt off.
Patients can be expected to be wrapped about their chest for the first several days after the procedure. Dr. Davis asks that the dressing be left in place, and generally, while sponging off is fine, a full shower will need to wait three or four days. Any post-operative tenderness is ameliorated with appropriate pain relief, and Dr. Davis asks that patients refrain from strenuous physical activity for three to four weeks to prevent swelling and bleeding. Patients generally feel good enough after a week or two, that Dr. Davis likes to think of his role as reminding patients to take it easy still after the first week to allow optimal healing. To promote the greatest contraction of the tissues, patients are asked to wear a compression garment under their regular clothes for four to six weeks after their procedure.
Patients will generally have several appointments in quick succession following their surgery, with the first being on the first postoperative day. If drains have been placed, these will generally be removed in the the first week. Dr. Davis and his staff are committed to the care and well being of every patient. Dr. Davis sees his patients frequently in the postoperative period and continues to follow their progress for an extended period. The staff is also available to patients for any future needs they may have.
For those patients that hail from out of town, Dr. Davis stays in close contact and asks that your plans include several days to a week or more in town after your procedure.
