Transgender Breast implants. Do I have to go on hormones?

Question

I am a transgender woman, I'm contemplating going on hormones. My question is do I have to go on hormones if I want Breast implants or can I get Breast implants without going on hormones?

Orna Fisher, MD · Answer

In general, most do go on hormones prior to getting breast augmentation. You don't absolutely have to take hormones if you don't want to. However, one reason to consider taking hormones is in order to develop increased breast tissue. By having more of your own breast tissue, the result of breast augmentation is far better.

Gary J. Alter, MD · Answer

You should be on ideal estrogen dose for 18 months prior to a breast augmentation.  Your breasts will grow and max out at 18 months, so the implants can be placed and adjusted for the your breast size.

Joel B. Beck, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question!  As a general rule, I have recommended that my transgender women patients seek a well qualified hormone specialist to assist in their transition process.  Usually they will need to be on the Estrogen and possibly progesterone for up to 2 years prior to breast augmentation.  If they stop seeing results earlier than this time, I will perform the operation earlier.  Typically, the younger you start the hormone therapy, the better the results.  Even with good breast development, you may still want to be augmented to have fuller breasts.  At our office where I see a number of transgender patients, we recommend hormone therapy and a letter from their therapists prior to surgery.  I hope this helps

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In general, a safe and predictable approach would be to use fat grafting or breast implants, or possibly both.  As a transgender, you may not have a lot of soft tissue coverage for your breast implants, and fat grafting may be able to provide a more natural feel.  I would visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in more detail.

Babak Dadvand, MD · Answer

Hi Amber,Thank you for the post. I recommend that transgender women be on hormone therapy prior to breast augmentation surgery. You will get a hormone induced increase in your breast size which not only will aid in implant size selection but also will expand the skin to give a more pleasing aesthetic result for your augmentation. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Transgender Breast implants. Do I have to go on hormones?

Answers (5)

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