Body masculinization involves a series of surgeries that transforms your feminine curves into a masculine physique. Though surgery alone may not give you your desired outcomes, it will transform your body to a spectacular amount.
The prominent areas that differ a male from a female body are the buttocks, chest and hips.
Body contouring does not necessarily need prior testosterone therapy, though being on testosterone medications will help in the masculinization of the body.
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Things to consider before the surgery
The skeletal frame of a person highly determines the body shape and distribution of fat and muscles. The most that surgeries can do is to transform the feminine structure to a masculine frame, but before your expectations skyrocket, do bear in mind that there is a significant difference between a person assigned female by birth and those who were born a male. However, there is a guarantee for improved self-esteem and self-worth.
Body contouring to masculinize the body is not a weight loss program; rather it is a sculpting treatment. You will need to check your weight and keep it ideal before the surgery for maximum results.
There are potential risks and complications involved in each procedure. You can avoid them by paying attention to pre-op and post-op instructions. Your surgeon will run a full evaluation before you decide on the approaches to get a male body.
Eligibility for the Body Masculinization Surgery
- Non- smoker, or should have given up smoking at least two weeks before the surgery
- Should be 18 years and above
- The patient’s weight must be proportionate to their frame
- Should have taken hormone therapy for at least one year
What is the ideal male physique?
There is no single preference for the ideal male physique, but the general features that define the masculinity of a person are composed of broad shoulders, well-defined jaws, strong chest, and less fat distribution to the buttocks and hips. All the mentioned attributes can be summed up to a V-shaped body.
The challenge to obtain a natural V-shaped masculine body for trans-men is challenging, and the road to this structure involves many surgeries. Besides surgery, exercises that will build muscles around the shoulder and upper part of the torso are some ways to get a body close to the desired V-shape.
Fat distribution is different between a man and a woman. While women carry fat more on the hips, thighs and buttocks, men tend to distribute fat to the upper part of their body.
This female pattern of weight gain and fat distribution makes it necessary for a transgender man to undergo several masculinization surgeries and therapies.
Focus areas in FTM Body Contouring
The areas commonly treated to obtain the much desired V-shape body are:
- Upper torso (chest and back)
- Abdomen (tummy tuck)
- Hips
- Flanks
- Buttocks
- Thighs (inner and outer)
Methods for Body Masculinization
Mastectomy: Removing breasts to flatten the chest is called mastectomy. This may involve procedures like double incision for large breasts and keyhole incision for smaller breasts. A small amount of fat is left for the natural appearance of the male chest.
Women have larger areolas and nipples that protrude more than men. Nipple grafting is included with this surgery where the areola and nipples are resized and reshaped.
Abdominoplasty: Also known as a tummy tuck, this procedure aims to make the abdomen firmer and thinner. Excess skin and fats are removed from the lower and middle abdomen, tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.
There is another way to the tummy tuck procedure called mini-abdominoplasty, usually chosen by patients having a small amount of excess skin below the navel.
Liposuction: Body contouring using liposuction is a safe procedure which removes fats from target areas using suction methods. For the upper torso, liposuction is treated on underarms, flanks or love handles, thighs and other areas that need contouring to create a typical male body.
Liposuction is usually performed on an outpatient setting under general or local anesthesia. This procedure leaves almost no scars as the incisions are small. One surgery can treat multiple regions. Often, liposuction is combined with abdominoplasty for the thighs and hips. Surgeons usually use this combination to produce good results.
Buttocks: In the female body, fat is distributed mostly to the buttocks adding curves. Liposuction is used to accomplish the reduction of prominent female curves from the buttocks to create a flatter and firmer masculine buttock. Removing the excess fat from the buttock will emphasize in creating the V-shape body.
Recovery and Post-Op
For the first week, you will be required to take rest. Pain and discomfort after the surgery will be managed with prescribed medications. You will be wearing a compression garment for two to four weeks.
Resuming work can be expected after a week, provided you avoid strenuous work and heavy exercise. By six weeks you can expect to resume full activities.
Risks and complications
- Your body may react to the use of anesthesia
- Since large incisions are made, infection of the wound site is inevitable. But with proper care and prescribed antibiotics, they can be managed.
- Incisions will leave permanent scarring
- After the surgery, risks of hematoma and seroma can occur
- If the healing is taking a long time, you may experience skin ischemia or necrosis
- Contouring may either give you a desirable result or may leave asymmetries, but you can hope for them to diminish over time
- A common problem after surgery is the numbness of tissues surrounding the wound region, which is free from pain.
FAQS
Can I go for body contouring surgery after top surgery?
A: Yes. In fact, body contouring can be an option at any point. This approach can be made before, after and during a top surgery under the same anesthesia.
What is the right age for body masculinization surgery?
A: There is no particular age to have this surgery, provided you are 18 years and above.
I have the habit of smoking, when should I quit before and after the surgery?
A: You should quit smoking at least two weeks before and after the surgery. Better if you take advantage of the surgery instructions to quit smoking for good.
How many days do I have to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
A: Depending on the procedure, it could be an outpatient one where no hospital stay is recommended or a more invasive one with anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks of in-hospital stay.
References:
http://www.rumergendersurgery.com/body-masculinization/
https://thetranscenter.com/transmen/body-masculinization-procedures/
https://www.ftmsurgery.net/body-masculinization-surgery/
