Is It Allowed/Accepted for a Male to Get Female Breast Implants Without a Sex Change Operation?

         Yes, this can be done and is done.  There are genotypic males who have breast implants without completing a sex change.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of breast augmentations each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

The short answer to your question is yes, it most certainly is possible to do breast augmentation for genetic male transgender patients without a full gender reassignment, and in fact, I happen to have a number of such patients.  The important consideration for me has always been a patient's motivations.  For me, it is important that the patient be truly identified as transgender, meaning that she has undergone appropriate psychological evaluation, has identified herself as female socially meaning she has transformed her identity, dresses as female, and essentially lives life as a female, and she has no inclination to return to a masculine role or identity.  This I believe is very important, not as a matter of personal judgment, rather as a matter of patient safety and ethics.  While I understand that in some instances a person's sexual motivations or fetish may dictate that he undergo such a procedure, caution should be exercised here because this is real surgery that we are considering with real risks and real implications, and although breast implants certainly can be taken out later, the fact is that this person will have had his body altered surgically forever.  While a true transgender patient is subject to the same risks, I believe that the chances of a "change of heart " and a desire to remove breast implants at a later time is very low in those people.  This is to be contrasted with a person who still identifies as a male and is still not certain about gender identity and is experimenting or an identified male who is exploring alternative sexual expression.  The best advice I can give along these lines is to seek the advice of a plastic surgeon who has experience in dealing with transgender patients, who is comfortable discussing all aspects of this issue, and who can advise you ethically and objectively.  I hope this helps, good luck.

Thank you for the question.

I have had the opportunity to work with several men interested in breast implants ( to feminize the chest wall).  This is a different situation from trans gender patients in transition and from men who are looking to augment their chest walls ( pectoralis implants).

Nevertheless, this subset of patients is somewhat uncommon;  it is very important to  understand patient motivation clearly and to educate  these patients about the long-term effects of having  feminized chest walls.

Best wishes.

Though they are done without fanfare as described by another poster, I personally would want to make sure this individual is properly motivated to do this and fully understands the ramifications of having it done without going 'all the way'.  If the reasons are legitimate, it certainly can be done but in my hands, scars could be an issue as it would have to go infra-mammary (I don't do the armpit or belly button approaches).

Yes it is done without fanfare by some plastic surgeons. Because it is an easily reversable operation there are no requirements except for good health. Dr. Foster

Maybe, but probably not with the situation you've described.  Having breast implants is a serious-enough decision for a biologically born woman.  It is that much more complex is someone who was born a physical male.  Your boyfriend would benefit from counseling (psychologic) to explore his feelings and why he wants this, to receive guidance, and to be directed to medical doctors to participate in his care and transformation.  Breast implants may be appropriate at some point in the future - but I think he has a long way to go before he gets to there.

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. E