Is it possible to have top surgery without having the nipples removed, revised, or graphed on? I enjoy the sensation in my nipples and do not want to lose that. Or would a breast reduction be a better option? Basically I want a flat chest with my original nipples.
Answer: FTM "Top Surgery" chest masculinization without nipple-grafting
Yes, it is definitely possible to leave the nipples attached (as in a breast reduction, only a more "extreme" form of the same), in order to retain at least some sensation, especially if you are starting at a C/D-cup or smaller with a relatively minimal "drooping" effect. I agree that healing after full-thickness nipple grafting is often unpredictable, with high potential for partial nipple loss, thickened scars, pigmentation irregularities, etc., which is why this alternative "nipple-sparing" technique (with the incisions closed in an "anchor"-pattern) was developed and refined.
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Answer: FTM "Top Surgery" chest masculinization without nipple-grafting
Yes, it is definitely possible to leave the nipples attached (as in a breast reduction, only a more "extreme" form of the same), in order to retain at least some sensation, especially if you are starting at a C/D-cup or smaller with a relatively minimal "drooping" effect. I agree that healing after full-thickness nipple grafting is often unpredictable, with high potential for partial nipple loss, thickened scars, pigmentation irregularities, etc., which is why this alternative "nipple-sparing" technique (with the incisions closed in an "anchor"-pattern) was developed and refined.
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Answer: FTM Top Surgery While Not Altering the Nipples Yes, this is possible. There are several methods used which depend upon the patient’s breast or chest #size before surgery. Considerations include the #laxity of skin, the #size of the #areola, the amount of #fat and recent weight #gain or weight #loss. The most common procedures which are described include the #periareola, #buttonhole, #double incision, and #anchor patterns. I often use #liposuction along with the double #incision for larger breasts, and, some variation for smaller breasts; depending upon the position of the areola. The female breast nipple and areola are often centered on the breast. However, the nipple and areola are lower and closer to the outside edge of the #pectoralis muscle in the male patient. Shaping the side of the chest may also be required and can be performed with #suctioning; along with contouring of the muscle, as noted above, to provide the best definition for the chest. Being each person varies, it’s important to be realistic about your goals and what is achievable. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend the type best suited for you. The most important decision to be made before performing any surgical procedure is determining whether you are an ideal #candidate.It's best to begin seeking a plastic surgeon with #board #certification and experience in this type of procedure. You should feel comfortable with your surgeon and his or her office staff. They should be open-minded regarding gender surgery. It’s important for your surgeon to have an aesthetic eye for body contouring, you should be comfortable with the surgical facility that your doctor uses and it should be certified.
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Answer: FTM Top Surgery While Not Altering the Nipples Yes, this is possible. There are several methods used which depend upon the patient’s breast or chest #size before surgery. Considerations include the #laxity of skin, the #size of the #areola, the amount of #fat and recent weight #gain or weight #loss. The most common procedures which are described include the #periareola, #buttonhole, #double incision, and #anchor patterns. I often use #liposuction along with the double #incision for larger breasts, and, some variation for smaller breasts; depending upon the position of the areola. The female breast nipple and areola are often centered on the breast. However, the nipple and areola are lower and closer to the outside edge of the #pectoralis muscle in the male patient. Shaping the side of the chest may also be required and can be performed with #suctioning; along with contouring of the muscle, as noted above, to provide the best definition for the chest. Being each person varies, it’s important to be realistic about your goals and what is achievable. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend the type best suited for you. The most important decision to be made before performing any surgical procedure is determining whether you are an ideal #candidate.It's best to begin seeking a plastic surgeon with #board #certification and experience in this type of procedure. You should feel comfortable with your surgeon and his or her office staff. They should be open-minded regarding gender surgery. It’s important for your surgeon to have an aesthetic eye for body contouring, you should be comfortable with the surgical facility that your doctor uses and it should be certified.
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February 8, 2017
Answer: In FTM top surgery can I keep my nipples how they are now? You do not show any of your pictures in order to determine which operation you are a candidate for. In general though, you cannot leave your nipples (areolas) surgically unchanged and still have an acceptable cosmetic outcome. Either FTM top surgery or breast reduction would both alter the nipple areolar complex although in different ways. Also of note, a breast reduction is not top surgery many reasons. A skin sparing nipple sparing mastectomy, as done for some cases of breast cancer, can be done if you are an A cup or small B. In that case, there is also still no way to guarantee sparing of the nerves for nipple sensation. If you are a large B cup or larger and you did this, your remaining breast skin would be deflated and unpredictably wrinkled and indented to your chest wall. I'm sorry, but there is no magic. Top surgery is done how it is for very specific reasons. If we could spare the nipples completely and still have the desired cosmetic outcome, we would all do that.
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February 8, 2017
Answer: In FTM top surgery can I keep my nipples how they are now? You do not show any of your pictures in order to determine which operation you are a candidate for. In general though, you cannot leave your nipples (areolas) surgically unchanged and still have an acceptable cosmetic outcome. Either FTM top surgery or breast reduction would both alter the nipple areolar complex although in different ways. Also of note, a breast reduction is not top surgery many reasons. A skin sparing nipple sparing mastectomy, as done for some cases of breast cancer, can be done if you are an A cup or small B. In that case, there is also still no way to guarantee sparing of the nerves for nipple sensation. If you are a large B cup or larger and you did this, your remaining breast skin would be deflated and unpredictably wrinkled and indented to your chest wall. I'm sorry, but there is no magic. Top surgery is done how it is for very specific reasons. If we could spare the nipples completely and still have the desired cosmetic outcome, we would all do that.
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January 3, 2017
Answer: Preserving nipple sensation with FTM chest masculinization In general I agree with the other doctors that have posted. I have a frank conversation with each patient as to what is realistically attainable. Depending on the patients anatomy and amount of skin below the nipple a non cumbersome pedicle and be developed and sculpted to appear as pectoral muscle bulk. For patients that do not derive significant pleasure from their nipples this is a wasted venture and adds complexity. For those that strongly desire nipple sensation it can be very advantageous and no vertical scar is necessary. Healing is quicker and more reliable than with free nipple grafts. The technique has to be tweaked for the individual's body, chest wall and skin excess. Not all patients are reasonable candidates for sensate nipple FTM chest masculinization. I hope this helps!Rian A. Maercks M.D.
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January 3, 2017
Answer: Preserving nipple sensation with FTM chest masculinization In general I agree with the other doctors that have posted. I have a frank conversation with each patient as to what is realistically attainable. Depending on the patients anatomy and amount of skin below the nipple a non cumbersome pedicle and be developed and sculpted to appear as pectoral muscle bulk. For patients that do not derive significant pleasure from their nipples this is a wasted venture and adds complexity. For those that strongly desire nipple sensation it can be very advantageous and no vertical scar is necessary. Healing is quicker and more reliable than with free nipple grafts. The technique has to be tweaked for the individual's body, chest wall and skin excess. Not all patients are reasonable candidates for sensate nipple FTM chest masculinization. I hope this helps!Rian A. Maercks M.D.
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May 19, 2016
Answer: Nipple sparing top surgery Thank you for your question. In my experience, most trans men (like yourself) want as tight and flat a chest as possible with as much definition to the pectoralis muscle as possible. This would not be able to be achieved with a breast reduction alone as there will still be a "pedicle" of breast tissue beneath the skin flaps that is necessary to keep the nipple areola complex alive and sensate. The reason to do the breast reduction method then becomes solely to maintain as much nipple sensitivity as possible for those trans men that postop maintenance of erotic sensation of the nipples is important. Even with this technique there is no guarantee of maintenance of nipple sensation. With the standard double incision top surgery with free nipple grafts, the contour is usually superior, scar placement can be optimized into the inframammary crease only ( as opposed to the breast reduction anchor configuration which is periareolar, vertical AND inframammary), and nipple placement can be achieved into a more masculine position further lateral on the pectoralis muscle. I hope this helps and best of luck with your transition!!
Helpful
May 19, 2016
Answer: Nipple sparing top surgery Thank you for your question. In my experience, most trans men (like yourself) want as tight and flat a chest as possible with as much definition to the pectoralis muscle as possible. This would not be able to be achieved with a breast reduction alone as there will still be a "pedicle" of breast tissue beneath the skin flaps that is necessary to keep the nipple areola complex alive and sensate. The reason to do the breast reduction method then becomes solely to maintain as much nipple sensitivity as possible for those trans men that postop maintenance of erotic sensation of the nipples is important. Even with this technique there is no guarantee of maintenance of nipple sensation. With the standard double incision top surgery with free nipple grafts, the contour is usually superior, scar placement can be optimized into the inframammary crease only ( as opposed to the breast reduction anchor configuration which is periareolar, vertical AND inframammary), and nipple placement can be achieved into a more masculine position further lateral on the pectoralis muscle. I hope this helps and best of luck with your transition!!
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May 14, 2016
Answer: No promises! Any breast reduction technique whether the nipples are not relocated (rare) can alter sensation. No surgeon should promise the preservation of nipple sensation following breast surgery even if liposuction is the only approach used. You have to be willing to possibly diminish or lose sensation with Top surgery.
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May 14, 2016
Answer: No promises! Any breast reduction technique whether the nipples are not relocated (rare) can alter sensation. No surgeon should promise the preservation of nipple sensation following breast surgery even if liposuction is the only approach used. You have to be willing to possibly diminish or lose sensation with Top surgery.
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