Breast Augmentation for Gender Affirmation: Before Your Surgery
What is breast augmentation surgery for gender affirmation?
Breast augmentation surgery for gender affirmation changes the size and shape of your breasts to align with your gender identity. The doctor will place an implant under the breast tissue or chest muscle. An implant is a soft silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution or silicone gel.
The doctor will make cuts (incisions) under the breast or around the nipple. The doctor will place the implant and adjust it to the correct shape, size, and position. Then the doctor will close the cuts.
You will be asleep during surgery. You will go home the same day. Most people can go back to work or their normal routine in 3 to 6 weeks. You will have scars from the cuts, but they will fade.
Over time, you will need surgery to replace your implants. Implants last about 10 to 15 years.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
- If you are taking hormones, your doctor will tell you whether to keep taking them or to stop before your surgery.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
- If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking slows healing and increases surgery risks. Your doctor may require that you quit for a period of time before and after surgery. You have the best chance for a healthy recovery if you quit smoking completely. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any changes in your physical or mental health that might affect the surgery or your recovery.
What happens on the day of surgery?
- Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
- Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
- Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.
At the hospital or surgery centre
- Bring a picture ID.
- The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.
- You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You will be asleep during the surgery.
- The surgery will take about 2 hours.
When should you call your doctor?
- You have questions or concerns.
- You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
- You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
- You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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Current as of: October 23, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
