The number of gender reassignment surgery procedures carried out in the US is growing.
Trans visibility is better than ever before, and with that, more and more patients have access to the treatment and care they need to make their transitions. This is partly because the number of surgeons offering these procedures is growing.
Each one provides before and after pictures to show you what to expect. These can give you a better of what it's like to transition as a trans woman.
When browsing these photos, it's not always easy to know what to look for. In this article, we give you a handy guide, so you can tell the difference between good male to female transition photos and bad ones.
WHAT GREAT MAN TO WOMAN SURGERY PICTURES LOOK LIKE
Here are the features you should look out for when browsing before and after pictures of gender reassignment surgery.
TOP SURGERY
Through male to female top surgery, transgender women can have their chests altered to match their gender identity. Instead of flat or muscular chests, they can get shapely, feminine breasts.
The appearance of before and after pictures of top surgery will differ according to the individual body shape of the patient, the size and shape they desire, and the type of implants they choose.
The most common type of implant is made of silicone. This is because they replicate the look and feel of natural breast tissue.
When implanted correctly, they should appear even, without one looking bigger than the other. They should also sit naturally on the chest. This means creating soft curves instead of obvious perfect circles.
If there is visible rippling or wrinkles around the breast area, it's likely that the patient has saline implants. This effect can occur when there isn't enough natural breast tissue surrounding the implants. For this reason, saline implants usually aren't recommended for gender reassignment surgery.
Some patients opt for cohesive gel implants, which are often referred to as 'gummy bear implants' because of their texture. These implants are teardrop-shaped, making them smaller at the top and larger at the bottom. This allows them to replicate a natural breast shape.
To further sculpt and define the breasts, surgeons can use fat grafting. During this procedure, fat is taken from other areas of the body and placed around the implants to soften their appearance.
Finally, the surgeon can alter the size, shape, and position of the nipples. In the best male to female transition photos, they appear symmetrical, evenly-sized and in proportion to the breasts.
As with any plastic surgery procedure, scarring is inevitable. However, a good surgeon will make it subtle. Usually, small scars can be seen underneath the breasts, in the crease where they meet the chest area. In most cases, they can only be seen when the breasts are lifted up.
BOTTOM SURGERY
It can be challenging to find pictures of vaginoplasty or 'bottom surgery' online. However, if you can find them, there are several things to look out for.
The clitoris, glans, and clitoral hood should be identifiable at the top of the vulva, as well as labia majora and labia minora lower down. Extensive stitching is usually placed on the outside of the labia majora, so it's common to see scarring in this area.
FACIAL FEMINIZATION SURGERY
Transitioning isn't just about 'top surgery' and 'bottom surgery.' There are several other procedures surgeons can offer to alter the face, providing more feminine features.
This is called 'facial feminization surgery.'
It's a blanket term, which may include multiple different treatments. Together, they make features smaller, softer and more feminine.
For example, jaw and chin contouring can be used to soften the jawline. Instead of an angled, chiseled jaw, patients should appear softer and rounder. Cheekbones can also be accentuated, giving the face more of a v-shape.
Lips can also be lifted and reshaped to appear plumper and more feminine. Good lip augmentation pictures should show a natural appearance, whereas bad ones look swollen and over-filled. Sometimes, fillers are poorly distributed, leaving lips uneven or with lumps underneath.
The appearance of the nose can also be altered if the patient wishes, either through rhinoplasty or non-surgical rhinoplasty. Large or angled noses can be reduced in size or given curves to give a less striking appearance.
It's important to also look at the neck area. The Adam's apple should not be detectable. This is because it should be reduced through a process called 'tracheal shaving.'
Any extra skin around the chin and neck can also be removed through a neck lift, which makes the area appear more slender and eliminates the appearance of a 'double chin.'
Some patients tend to have more pronounced foreheads and brow ridges. To make them flatter and less obvious, a procedure called 'frontal bossing' can be used.
A receding hairline and male pattern baldness can also be corrected. This is done through facial contouring, which brings the hairline forward.
As a final touch, Botox and brow lifts can be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the patient a more youthful complexion.
In all facial cosmetic surgeries, incisions should be made as small as possible and positioned in discreet places. This way, visible scar tissue can be minimized.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SURGEON
The quality of the results you achieve through gender reassignment surgery will depend on the surgeon you choose. That's why it's vital that you do your research and shop around for the right one.
Dr. Schwartz is an award-winning and nationally-renowned plastic surgeon with years of experience in providing treatment for transgender patients.
He'll work with you to design a treatment plan that gives you the results you're looking for, so you can feel comfortable in your skin. After the treatment, he and his team will also provide extensive aftercare to help you through the recovery process.
Look through his gallery of great man to woman surgery pictures to see what you can expect.
If you like what you see, book a personalized consultation to see what he can do for you.
