Some say definitely is, some say it isn't, and others say it depends on the type of procedure. Does anyone know if top surgery is reversible?
I'm not even going to ask why you're asking, but all surgeons in the states require a letter from a therapist for the purposes of making sure you don't regret the surgery, are emotionally stable, and understand the consequences.
However, since they also remove skin and resize your nipples (in most cases), it would be hard to reverse the process unless you still had extra skin and it was very elastic. I suppose there's other options in plastic surgery to make your nipples at least appear bigger. The harder part is finding a doctor who would actually do it. Wanting to reverse a previous procedure obviously would sound off alarm bells to any surgeon.
Quote from: Jamison on March 15, 2013, 12:41:10 AM
However, since they also remove skin and resize your nipples (in most cases), it would be hard to reverse the process unless you still had extra skin and it was very elastic. I suppose there's other options in plastic surgery to make your nipples at least appear bigger. The harder part is finding a doctor who would actually do it. Wanting to reverse a previous procedure obviously would sound off alarm bells to any surgeon.
Sounds plausible. It doesn't seem like it'd be an easy thing to reverse.
maybe a combo of kickstarting a second female puberty and some plastic surgery could reverse it. hypothetically.
I don't see why not. they do breast reconstruction on women with breast cancer who have had mastectomies. You won't get the actual glands back though, so nursing a baby would be out. But yeah, I think you could if you really wanted to.
Quote from: tomthom on March 15, 2013, 01:17:48 AM
maybe a combo of kickstarting a second female puberty
No, impossible. Once the breast and glands are gone 'kickstarting a second female puberty' won't help.
No amount of estrogen would help...anymore.
Plastic surgery, yes.
Thats kind of what I meant actually. Sorry, I didnt word that question well. I meant could someone who had a surgeon create a flat chest for them be able to have breasts created for them later on with plastic surgery? It doesn't matter if the breasts function like biological breasts or not, just that they look like breasts.
oh yeah. then it's totally reversible as long as nothing got botched the first time around and if your medical condition allows it.
Agai though, just carefully consider it the first time around. stay in a binder for a year at least. as a FTM you have that advantage of being able to go out in public and test it out much more readily than us MTFs.
Possible? Yes.
The hard part would be finding a surgeon willing to do the surgery for you.
Like the others pointed out, that's a giant red flag.
Surgeons might think; ''Oh well this person is confused/delusional and I don't want to catch a law suit so I'll just refuse.''
Ultimately the best solution would be to not get top surgery until you're one-hundred percent sure it's right for you.
I'm involved in a couple of cases at the moment of MtF who want revision post surgery. They understand there is no way to reconstruct what has been removed - they are in the same position as FtM in that respect.
In both cases there was a desire to try SRS and gender reassignment to see how it was. Both are still trans* people, they just regret the surgery they had as they wish they had not had their penis removed and had a vaginal construction.
I would suggest that if you have ANY doubts of any sort not to have top surgery. Yes a plastic reconstruction is possible but they would have no feeling like what you had removed.
There is NO onus on a trans* person to have any sort of surgery to 'prove ' they are trans.
You will not be any less of a man if you keep your breasts. Your gender is between your ears, not on your chest, in your tummy or between your legs.
NEVER get pressured into doing something that you may regret.
Cindy
I appreciate the concern. Just exploring all possible options. Thanks everyone.
Old topic, but in case you are still wondering...
My research has shown that you can reverse it in that you can get expanders put in the way that a woman who gets implants after a mastectomy does prior to reconstruction (if she doens't get reconstruction at the time of mastectomy). From there they will expand the skin over a period of time and then put in a silicone/saline implant. The problem is that most implants they make are a C are larger because most women who want implants are looking for at least a C. Subsequently, if you would prefer a breast size smaller than a C, you may have a hard time finding that.
I would suggest meeting with a surgeon (any plastic surgeon who does breast reduction will do), and find out how small s/he can get your chest with a normal reduction. From there, make your decision.
One other problem you may run into is if you get free nipple grafts at the time of your top surgery, they will be in the "male placement" when you get the reconstruction/breast augmentation. My understanding is that they cannot be removed/moved somewhere else again. You should look at pics of transwomen who got breast implants to see nipple placement.
Good Luck.
Quote from: Cindy on April 06, 2013, 05:04:49 AM
I'm involved in a couple of cases at the moment of MtF who want revision post surgery. they are in the same position as FtM in that respect.
In both cases there was a desire to try SRS and gender reassignment to see how it was
Cindy
Good grief....
incredible!
so even if you stop getting T after a top surgery they won't grow back? phew that's a relief
My gosh I guess that would depend on how you would define reversal. And what surgery you got. And my gosh if you're asking this question maybe you should just do binding for awhile before approaching any physicians. They have a ton of questions and reservations even for people who are totally sure, and you might ruin your chances with your surgeon of choice if you ask questions like this before you know what you want.
OK lets get this clear.
Once something is removed it is only possible to reconstruct something similar, if you have the money.
For an MtF after GRS, forget it. You may let the vagina heal up but no way will you get a penis back.
For an FtM if you have had complete top surgery you are in a 'worse' condition than MtF in getting a BA, there is too much stretching and scarring. Yes there are exceptions.
To be brutal there is a very good reason for full psychiatric assessment prior to and post gender reassignment.
The suicide rate in post op is the same as in pre op. Why? Surgery doesn't make you deal with life problems.
Sorry.
No fixes without fixing between the ears.
Cindy