MTF Breast Augmentation

For many women, having breasts is an integral part of being female. For transgender women, hormone replacement therapy alone may not be enough to develop the breasts you hope to have. MTF breast augmentation, using saline or silicone breast implants, can create a more feminine breast size and shape that flatters your figure.*

An experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. David Dellinger holds board certifications in both plastic/reconstructive and general surgery, and has performing thousands of plastic surgery procedures over his two decades in practice. At Elysian Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dellinger works with women and transgender women in the Austin area and beyond who are interested in improving their figures with breast enhancement surgery.

Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512-229-1978 to learn more your options for male-to-female breast enhancement.

• You won’t be just another face at Elysian Plastic Surgery. We draw on our expertise to provide compassionate, knowledgeable care from your first contact through your final visit.
• We offer a variety of non-surgical cosmetic treatments that can help feminize your appearance, such as laser hair removal, BOTOX® injections to lift your brows and JUVÉDERM® for fuller cheeks and plumper lips.
• A recognized name in plastic surgery, Dr. Dellinger constantly updates his training and education to ensure that he stays current on the latest techniques and innovations in plastic surgery.

Transgender women at various stages in their transition can be good candidates for MTF breast augmentation. You should be at least 18 years old, physically healthy and have realistic expectations. Although you can have MTF breast augmentation at any point during your transition, you may want to wait and see how your breasts develop with hormone replacement therapy.

During your consultation, Dr. Dellinger will perform a physical examination and talk with you about your goals and how best to achieve your dream look. Depending on your concerns, Dr. Dellinger may suggest combining your breast augmentation with other procedures to feminize your face or body.

If you don’t have much breast development, your skin may not be able to accommodate the breast implant size you had envisioned. You still may be able to see good results with a two-part breast augmentation procedure to place temporary tissue expanders to prepare your skin, tissue and muscles for breast implants.

Dellinger will help you pick the best type of breast implant to create your ideal results. Breast implants are filled with saline or silicone and come in a range of profiles to find the right one for your figure. Dr. Dellinger can also guide you in deciding if subglandular or submuscular placement works best with your natural shape and which incision makes sense for you.

MTF breast augmentation can be performed as an outpatient procedure under general or local anesthesia at a hospital or surgery center.

Although you may be able to go home the same day, you may have some swelling, bruising and discomfort for several days. You should plan on taking about a week off to recuperate. You will have to wear a special bra to support your breasts around the clock for the first 2 weeks, then during waking hours for another 4 weeks. You can go for short, easy walks to promote blood circulation and healing soon after your breast augmentation but you should avoid vigorous physical activities for the first few weeks. You can resume some light exercise after 2 weeks.*

There will be a noticeable, long-lasting change in the size and shape of your breasts. Your final results take about 3 to 6 months to develop as your breast implants gradually soften and settle.*

To schedule your MTF breast augmentation consultation, please call our Austin plastic surgery practice at 512-229-1978 or request a consultation online.

How much does MTF breast augmentation surgery cost?

The cost of MTF breast surgery can vary greatly depending on your unique situation and needs. The typical cost for MTF breast augmentation averages $6,750, according to reviews on RealSelf. It does not account for other aspects of the procedure, including the anesthesia and facility fees. The cost of surgery will vary depending on other variables such as the invasiveness of the surgery, your surgeon’s experience, whether you are combining procedures and your geographical location.

Does insurance cover MTF breast augmentation?

Some insurance companies in Texas due cover MTF breast augmentation provided you meet specific criteria. However, you would need to contact your insurance company to find out for sure what is covered. If insurance does not cover gender affirming top surgery, we do offer affordable financing options for our patients.

At what age can MTF breast augmentation be performed?

MTF breast surgery follows the same guidelines as cisgender breast augmentation. People who are 18 years and older are eligible to have saline implants, and ages 22 and over are allowed to have silicone breast implants, according to the FDA.

Do I have to take hormone replacement therapy to have MTF breast augmentation?

No, HRT is not a requirement to have MTF breast surgery. For best results, we typically recommend being on hormones for at least 12 months before considering having MTF breast surgery. However, if for some reason you are not wanting to or are not able to take hormones, we will be happy to discuss your options.

How can I prepare for MTF top surgery?

It’s important to have realistic expectations for your surgery and outcomes and understand the risks involved in this type of surgery. It is important that you understand the procedure and what its limitations are.Dr. Dellinger will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare before and after your surgery.

If you are currently taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), he may recommend reducing or stopping it before surgery and while your recover as estrogen has been known to increase the risk of blood clotting. These guidelines are designed to optimize your recovery and healing and should be strictly followed. Some things you can do now to get you started, include:

• Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before and after the procedure.
• Stop taking or reduce the intake of blood-thinning medications such as aspirin.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients to aid in healing.
• Arrange for someone to take you to and from your surgery as you won’t be able to drive yourself.
• Enlist a trusted friend or family member to assist you around the house for a few days after surgery.

Are there risks that are more common with MTF breast augmentation?

MTF breast augmentation is generally a safe procedure but carries the same risks as cisgender breast augmentation. As with most surgical procedures, you should monitor your healing and inform Dr. Dellinger if you are noticing anything unusual. Some possible risks include excessive bleeding, infection, capsular contracture, poor healing of the incisions and surrounding tissue and prolonged loss of nipple sensation.

Transgender women and non-binary people seeking MTF breast augmentation can be more prone to breast implant malposition, wear the implant moves out of position. Dr. Dellinger utilizes advanced techniques during surgery to help minimize this risk. However, if implant malposition occurs, a breast revision may be necessary.

*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.