Top surgery is a procedure for transgender men who wish to achieve more masculine contours on the upper torso by removing breast tissue. After obtaining the necessary approvals from your physician and therapist, your next step is to schedule a consultation with one or more plastic surgeons.
Dr. Ravinder Jarial is a West Palm Beach plastic surgeon who specializes in gender-affirming care. In this blog, he discusses some of the most important things to consider ahead of your consultation(s).
Research Surgical Options
There are three main ways that Dr. Jarial and his fellow surgeons typically perform top surgery. Familiarize yourself with the different approaches prior to your consultation so that you can understand which approach may be best for your body.
- Keyhole: This is most appropriate for small chested patients where the nipples do not need to be moved.
- Periareolar: Excess fat and tissue are removed from the breasts, with a circle of skin surrounding the nipples removed to flatten the chest.
- Double Incision: This requires multiple incisions on the breasts to adequately handle larger or drooping breasts.
Get Your Finances in Order
The good news is that many — but not all — insurance plans now cover gender-affirming care like top surgery. To determine what benefits you are entitled to, please check your health insurance policy. If you do not have insurance that will cover your surgery, make a financial plan. At Ultra Aesthetics, we accept financing through CareCredit, a top medical lender, to help our patients cover their out-of-pocket expenses.
Your Willingness to Travel
Not everyone lives in a community with a great plastic surgeon who performs this procedure. Therefore, many transgender patients decide to travel for top surgery to get the quality of care they are looking for. Contemplate the feasibility of traveling to another city or state.
What Do You Want in a Surgeon?
The most important decision you will make on this journey is who you select as your plastic surgeon. Take it from patients who have previously had top surgery: choosing a doctor who is not only skilled but also knowledgeable and compassionate about transgender issues, can make the experience that much easier.
Dr. Jarial receives glowing reviews from transgender patients because of his professionalism, kindness, and advanced techniques. He takes pride in providing this essential care to patients who wish to embrace their gender. To meet with Dr. Jarial to discuss top surgery in greater detail, please schedule a consultation at Ultra Aesthetics by calling (561) 249-0390.
