Breast augmentation for transfeminine patients: methods, complications, and outcomes

Gender-affirming procedures are critical steps in helping transgender patients reach identity actualization and maximal quality of life. Although there are many techniques for gender-affirming care, surgical breast augmentation, or "top surgery," is often cited as the most important-and sometimes only-procedure sought by transfeminine patients. Unfortunately, years of individual and systemic prejudice placed barriers between transgender patients and the healthcare providers needed to affirm gender identity. Policy has recently begun to change as research proving the safety, need, and outcomes of breast augmentation in transfeminine patients dismantles long-established systemic inequalities. With this change, more patients are seeking knowledgeable and respectful providers who can address their unique gender-affirming needs. Overall, breast augmentation in transfeminine patients is technically similar to procedures performed in cisgender peers, but with significant considerations. The most common method of augmentation relies on breast implants, since removable prostheses, exogenous hormones, and fat grafting alone often produce unsatisfactory results. Special attention needs to be directed towards anatomic differences in transgender versus cisgender patients in order to achieve optimal size and position of the breast and nipple-areolar complex. Complications for transfeminine patients undergoing breast augmentation are rare, and complication rates are equivalent with cisgender peers who pursue similar procedures. Short- and long-term benefits to quality of life have been well-documented. The aim of this review is to give providers the technical knowledge concerning breast augmentation options, pre-surgical evaluation, post-surgical care, and special considerations in transfeminine patients so that provider and patient can have a successful, respectful partnership in reaching gender-affirming goals.