Can any of you girls who have had breast augmentation answer some questions?

[missmolly]

Hello all, while I am still at the beginning of my transition, breast augmentation is a surgery I do plan on getting one day and while that is a long way away I figured its never too early to start researching the process as well as begin the process to start saving & budgetting.

1. How much money do you recommend I save for the process?

2. Just how important is it to get a surgeon who has worked with MTF individuals? I don't exactly live in a mecca of the trans community(I live in Tennessee) and while there are plastic surgeons around here who do breast augmentation, all the doctors I see those in the MTF community recommend seem to exist in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and other cities not around where I live. Would it be worth paying the extra travelling costs to see a doctor who has experience with transwomen?

3. If travelling a good distance to see a reputable doctor is the way to go, would I need to do the initial consultation in person? And if I were to get the surgery there, how long would I need to get a hotel room for to recover(i.e. how long would I need to stay in a hotel until I could fly home or drive home)

4. Would I need anyone to come along with me to assist me in the recovery process in the days following the surgery?

5. Would I need a letter from a therapist to get the procedure done or are there doctors out there who don't require it.

6. How far in advance should I begin the process to get a consultation and schedule the surgery. I understand doctors have waiting lists.

Thank you everyone.

[Rachel]

I had scheduled my BA with GCS so the weight time was not just for the BA. I paid for a he GCS and BA at the same time which was $30,000. I went to Dr Mcginn . The doctor you choose needs to have worked on trans. They are I'll need to make a breast of pocket for rack implant. My operation was 2 hours under general anesthesia.

I am a 42 b. I had 555 cc cohesive silicone mentor implants partially under pressure the muscle.

[Miss Clara]

1. How much money do you recommend I save for the process?

It depends on the type of implant you end up using.  Saline $4500;Silicone gel $5500;Gummy Bears $6500

2. Just how important is it to get a surgeon who has worked with MTF individuals? I don't exactly live in a mecca of the trans community(I live in Tennessee) and while there are plastic surgeons around here who do breast augmentation, all the doctors I see those in the MTF community recommend seem to exist in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and other cities not around where I live. Would it be worth paying the extra travelling costs to see a doctor who has experience with transwomen?

I went to a surgeon who does natal women almost exclusively.  From a technical standpoint it makes no difference.  I'm very happy with the results my surgeon achieved.  Not all plastic surgeons encourage trans women clientele, however, so you'll have to enquire.  More important is finding a surgeon who is willing to work with you to obtain the best possible result.  He or she should not be biased toward one method and product.  Avoid the BA mills.

3. If traveling a good distance to see a reputable doctor is the way to go, would I need to do the initial consultation in person? And if I were to get the surgery there, how long would I need to get a hotel room for to recover(i.e. how long would I need to stay in a hotel until I could fly home or drive home)

An in-person consultation is very important for obtaining an optimal outcome.  Your surgeon will want to take measurements, discuss your objectives, demonstrate and experiment with various implant types and sizes, do a 3D imaging simulation, etc. 

You'll be taking a risk flying home right away.  Complications do occur: seromas, hematomas, infections, to call out a few.  I would stay for several days or until your doctor clears you to return home.

4. Would I need anyone to come along with me to assist me in the recovery process in the days following the surgery?

You shouldn't drive a car the day of the surgery.  You'll also be VERY sore for a few days if the implants are placed under the pectoral muscles.  You'll wish you had someone to help out.

5. Would I need a letter from a therapist to get the procedure done or are there doctors out there who don't require it.

No.

6. How far in advance should I begin the process to get a consultation and schedule the surgery. I understand doctors have waiting lists.

If you go to a plastic surgeon who doesn't specialize in trans women, the waiting list is short.  I waited just 2 weeks, if I recall correctly.  Otherwise, it varies widely with the surgeon.

Thank you everyone.

Bottom line:  As a woman, you're going to love having them.  Good luck!

[Nancys Girl]

Hello all, while I am still at the beginning of my transition, breast augmentation is a surgery I do plan on getting one day and while that is a long way away I figured its never too early to start researching the process as well as begin the process to start saving & budgetting.

1. How much money do you recommend I save for the process?

2. Just how important is it to get a surgeon who has worked with MTF individuals? I don't exactly live in a mecca of the trans community(I live in Tennessee) and while there are plastic surgeons around here who do breast augmentation, all the doctors I see those in the MTF community recommend seem to exist in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and other cities not around where I live. Would it be worth paying the extra travelling costs to see a doctor who has experience with transwomen?

3. If travelling a good distance to see a reputable doctor is the way to go, would I need to do the initial consultation in person? And if I were to get the surgery there, how long would I need to get a hotel room for to recover(i.e. how long would I need to stay in a hotel until I could fly home or drive home)

4. Would I need anyone to come along with me to assist me in the recovery process in the days following the surgery?

5. Would I need a letter from a therapist to get the procedure done or are there doctors out there who don't require it.

6. How far in advance should I begin the process to get a consultation and schedule the surgery. I understand doctors have waiting lists.

Thank you everyone.

This thread is getting old but I just had top surgery and wanted to help out.
1. I paid $6000, parts and labor.  This was for silicone.
2. My surgeon does the vast majority of his work with women.  There weren't any trans surgeons in my area either, so I emailed everyone that had a good reputation.  Two answered in the affirmative, that they had done transgender patients before.  A third one said he hadn't, but that he "thought he could help".  No thank you.
3. They use the same anesthesia that they use for colonoscopies and so on- what's called "twilight sleep".  I'm an old lady and have had two colonoscopies.  Trust me, you'll never know you were asleep.
4. You will definitely need someone with you, and my surgeon also required that someone be with you for 24 hours after surgery.
5. I have read (but haven't verified) that WPATH requires a letter for top surgery.  My surgeon asked for a copy of a letter my therapist wrote in support of bottom surgery and was happy with that.
6. I needed only three weeks.

Hope this helps.  I love mine- having all kinds of fun showing them off and watching people whose eyes keep trying to look at them without my noticing.