September 25, 2024 | Gender-affirming surgery
According to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau (posted by usafacts.org), approximately 3 million Americans identify as transgender. For many transgender people, part of their journey toward truly feeling like who they are meant to be includes plastic surgery. This blog discusses the transgender surgeries that Dr. Agullo performs so that you are aware of your options when seeking gender-affirming care in El Paso.
What Is Gender-Affirming Surgery?
Everyone’s gender journey is different. Choosing to undergo gender-affirming procedures can be a significant step in someone’s path to feeling like their true self. Gender-affirming surgery is a procedure or set of procedures designed to help align your body’s physical characteristics with your gender identity. At Southwest Plastic Surgery, we offer top surgery to change the profile of the torso, facial feminization and masculinization surgeries, and other cosmetic procedures to give you the shape and appearance that makes you feel more like yourself.
The benefits of gender-affirming surgery include feeling more comfortable in your skin and relieving you from the emotional toll that body dysmorphia can bring. It can also restore your confidence, allowing you to feel more fulfilled and contributing to a better quality of life.
Male-to-Female Surgery Options
The purpose of male-to-female (MTF) transgender surgery is to soften masculine facial features and create natural curves inherent to the female body. These procedures may include:
Breast Augmentation
Many MTF patients have undergone hormone therapy prior to surgery, and so they may have some breast growth. If you only want to add a small amount of volume to your breasts, you may decide that fat transfer breast augmentation is the right procedure for you. Fat transfer breast augmentation uses fat from your own body to increase the size of your breasts by about one cup size. If you wish for a larger bust, then you can choose breast augmentation with implants.
Buttock Augmentation
If you wish to add to your curves by boosting the size of your booty, then choosing buttock augmentation is an option. For some, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) fits the bill. A BBL uses fat harvested via liposuction from areas of your body with excess fat and strategically injected into your buttocks. The result is a naturally rounded, bigger behind. For patients who may not have enough extra fat or who don’t want a BBL, silicone butt implants can be placed to lift and shape their buttocks while adding volume. If you want a rounder, more feminine buttocks without surgery, you may choose to have Sculptra® Aesthetic filler injections to achieve your goals.
Facial Feminization
Men typically have wider noses and more square jawlines than women, so patients often want to soften their facial features when transitioning from male to female. Some of the facial feminization options you have include:
- Rhinoplasty to give you a narrower, more refined nose
- Buccal fat pad removal to augment your face shape
- Fat transfer to add a more feminine shape to your face
- Lip augmentation to shape and define your lips while adding volume
- Jaw refinement to soften a chiseled jaw
- Adam’s apple reduction
- Hair transplant to fill in a receding hairline
Female-to-Male Surgery Options
Most patients who choose to undergo surgery to transition from female to male desire to create a more masculine face and body contour. Some of the procedures to achieve this include:
Female-to-Male Top Surgery
During this surgery, female breasts are removed using one of two techniques. One technique uses an incision along the outside edge of the areola (periareolar) to remove glandular breast tissue and fat. The second technique is typically for removing larger or drooping breasts and uses an incision made across the breast under the nipple. The glandular tissue, fat, and excess skin are removed, and the skin is tightened.
Pectoral Augmentation
Similar to breast augmentation, pectoral augmentation offers two options. Fat transfer can be used to give a bit of natural volume and masculine definition to the pecs. For more noticeable definition, silicone pectoral implants can be inserted into the area where your breast was previously.
Body Masculinization
Because men and women carry their weight differently, you may wish to undergo liposuction to create a straighter, less curvy appearance, especially around your stomach and hips.
Facial Masculinization
Liposuction can also be performed around the neck and jaw to give you a more defined jawline. Injectable fillers can be used to change or augment the shape of your jaw, while buccal fat pad removal can make your face appear more angular.
Learn More About Transgender Surgery in El Paso
When you’re ready to take the next step in your transgender transformation journey, let Dr. Frank Agullo help. His skill and care for his patients are evident in the way he listens and creates a treatment plan unique to your desires, allowing you to step into the next phase of your life looking like the person you’ve always felt like on the inside. To schedule a consultation, call (915) 590-7900 or complete the online contact form.
