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Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation

Table of contents:

Breasts have always been a symbol of femininity. Women naturally have larger breasts than men due to the high amount of estrogen in their bodies. Bigger breasts can boost your self-confidence and bring you one step closer to your true identity. It is therefore not surprising that breast enlargement can be an important part of the feminization of the body and the transition from male to female (MtF).

Breast enlargement can be an important step in the transition from man to woman. It can make you feel more feminine and attractive. Many women choose to undergo breast enlargement because it makes them feel more at home in their own body.

Differences between the breasts of a trans woman and a genetic woman:

  • A trans woman's chest is naturally wider. To create a beautifully proportioned body, a larger cup size may be recommended.
  • A trans woman has thicker pectoral muscles and the skin around her breasts is tighter. This makes it more difficult to place large implants (but not impossible).

The above-mentioned differences are actually quite minor, and one should not worry too much about them. Our surgeon has many years of experience in Body Feminization Surgery for transgender women. He understands exactly what your body needs. For example, you do not have to worry that your skin will not be able to stretch enough for the placement of the desired implants. Even if your skin is too tight to insert the implants as desired, we have a number of solutions to help you:

  • We may insert smaller implants first to allow your skin to adapt and gradually stretch. At a later date we would then perform a second operation to place larger implants.
  • It is also possible to work with a tissue expander. The tissue expander is inserted into the chest and gradually filled with salt water using injections. This way the skin can be gradually stretched.
  • A third option is to use your own fatty tissue. In such cases, Dr Doornaert performs liposuction and injects the fatty tissue into your breasts. This procedure is done in several steps, so that your skin has sufficient time to stretch.
Female Breast Tissue vs. male breast tissue

In reality, there is not much difference between breast augmentation for a trans woman and a genetic woman, mainly because a genetic man's breast tissue is not much different from that of a woman. One of the main differences is that genetic women have more fatty tissue in their breasts than transgender women. But if you undergo female hormone therapy, this fatty tissue can build up quite well. On average, transgender women can achieve an A-cup this way. We use our expertise to guide you through this entire process. Although the differences between surgery for a trans woman and a genetic woman are quite small, we recommend that you choose a surgeon who specializes in surgery for transgender women. Personal advice and professional support are central.

Implants or fat transplantation?

MtF breast implants

For young transgender women it is usually easier to create extra fatty tissue in the breasts with the help of female hormone therapy. Some people can generally develop an A cup this way. But unfortunately HRT does not work the same way for everyone. Especially for transgender women over the age of 35, it is more difficult to develop breasts without surgical intervention. In such cases, MtF breast enlargement with implants is a better solution. You are more or less free to choose which implants you want. But we also take into account the amount of breast tissue and skin you have, the size of your chest and the extent to which your breasts sag.

  • Do you want a rough or smooth texture on the outside of the implant?
  • What size do you want?
  • Do you want saline or silicone implants?
  • What shape do you want? Round or drop-shaped?
  • What kind of profile do you want? Low-medium-high-full-oval-oval height?
  • What volume do you want?

An implant can be placed in front of or behind the pectoral muscle. When choosing the placement of the implant, we take into account your figure and the amount of fat, breast and mammary gland tissue. After your first consultation with Dr Doornaert it will become clear what the best option is.

Liposculpture or fat grafting

Another way to perform an MtF breast enlargement is to transplant your own fat tissue. You first undergo liposuction, which removes fat from other parts of your body, such as the abdomen, hips or thighs. The fat cells are then injected into your breasts. This method leaves no scars. However, liposculpture is not suitable for all trans women. That is why it is best to make an appointment with Dr Maarten Doornaert to discover what options you have.

The price of a breast enlargement

The surgical costs depend on a number of factors. After the first consultation, Dr Doornaert can give you an indication of the costs of your breast enlargement. Do you live abroad and is it difficult to come to an initial consultation in Antwerp or London? Then you can book a consultation via Skype!