Body Feminization Surgery

Overview

To most people, the ideal female figure is the shapely "hourglass"—think of Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, and Kim Kardashian's tiny waist and beautiful hips. Body feminization surgery may be an option for transwomen who want to achieve this feminine ideal, as well as those who just want to seem more conventionally feminine.

Body feminization surgery often comprises trunk liposuction along with buttock augmentation. These operations have several advantages, including enhanced self-image and self-esteem, increased congruence between one's appearance and gender identity, and the capacity to more effectively "blend in" in society as a woman.

The feminine shape is defined by three characteristics: breasts, round buttocks, and a low waist-to-hip ratio. Buttock augmentation, often known as a "Brazilian butt lift," is the ideal surgery for producing a feminine, shapely backside. Male buttocks generally lack projection and are fatter in the flank areas, resulting in a semi-flat appearance with limited curvature in the lower back. Female buttocks, on the other hand, are rounder and fuller, with more projection and a "s-curve" shape.

The optimal method for creating an optimum waist-to-hip ratio, with a tapered waist and curved, feminine hips, is trunk liposuction. Depending on the patient's goals, trunk liposuction might target the waist, belly, "love handles," and mid/lower back. Removing excess fat from this area might result in a more streamlined, sculpted shape.

Body feminization is an essential part of the transwoman transition, providing both physical and psychological benefits. Because this treatment is so critical, it is critical to select a surgeon who has specific expertise and ability.

What's Body Feminization Surgery?

Body feminization, commonly known as transgender surgery or male-to-female body contouring, enables transsexual females to acquire feminine body traits.

The goal of body feminization is to give you the characteristics of a womanly form. This customized treatment involves a number of operations that can improve the contour of your hips and buttocks. The objective is to make you feel more at ease with your look and to ensure that your external appearance corresponds to your gender identification.

What is Ideal Female Body Shape?

While there is no specific type of body composition that reflects the "perfect" female physique because it is very subjective, the concept of the ideal female body shape can nevertheless be useful as a reference when contemplating the aims and advantages of Body Feminization Surgery.

Researchers have classified female body shapes into four main types:

Pear shape: Hip breadth is larger than breast width; weight is mostly carried in the hips, buttocks, and thighs.
Apple shape: Shoulders broader than hips, huge breast, less defined waist, narrower hips, tiny thighs; weight carried mostly in the face, bust, and belly.
Hourglass figure: A very thin waist with fat distributed evenly between the top and lower torso.
Rectangle shape: Even fat distribution through the waist, buttocks, chest, and face.

For some trans women, achieving a feminine body shape might be difficult. Hormone treatment and breast Augmentation, when paired with a healthy diet and exercise, are frequently the most effective methods for achieving a more feminine figure. However, many trans women will discover that feminizing some body shapes without surgical intervention is very difficult.

In general, women carry more body fat than males, and it is concentrated in the hips, buttocks, and thighs, resulting in the feminine curves. Men typically carry excess weight in the upper body, particularly the belly.

As a result, many transgender women carry excess weight in ways that emphasize a male body. It's no surprise, therefore, that Body Feminization Surgery is rapidly being seen as a vital component of male to female gender reassignment surgery.

Why it's done?

People who want feminizing surgery are bothered or distressed because their gender identification differs from the sex assigned at birth or because they have sex-related physical traits (gender dysphoria).

Feminizing surgery is a natural step for some transgender women, and it is vital to their sense of self. Many people, however, refuse to have surgery. Transgender persons have varied relationships with their bodies and must make individual decisions that best suit their needs.

Feminizing surgeries are typically deferred until adulthood. Options include:

Surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) alone.
Vaginoplasty, a technique that comprises the following steps:

Surgical removal of the penis (penectomy).
Surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy).
Surgical formation of a vagina using penile or colon tissue (vaginoplasty).
Surgical creation of a clitoris (clitoroplasty).

Surgery to enhance breast size using implants, the implantation of tissue expanders under breast tissue, or the transfer of fat from other regions of the body into the breast (top surgery for transgender women)
Plastic surgery treatments that change the jaw, chin, cheeks, forehead, nose, and regions surrounding the eyes, ears, or lips to produce a more feminine look (facial feminization surgery)
Body-contouring operations include stomach tucks (abdominoplasty), buttock lifts (gluteal augmentation), and a surgical procedure that removes fat from particular parts of the body using a suction method (liposuction)
Voice pitch-raising treatment and surgery (voice feminizing therapy and surgery)
Thyroid cartilage or Adam's apple reduction surgery (tracheal shave)
A surgery in which hair follicles from the back and sides of the head are removed and transplanted to balding regions (scalp hair transplant)
A laser hair removal process or a method that includes putting a small needle into each hair follicle and producing a pulse of electric current to injure and finally kill the follicle (electrolysis)

Feminizing surgery is not appropriate for all trans women. If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may advise you against having these surgeries:

Unmanaged behavioral health issues.
Significant health issues that are uncontrolled.
Any condition that impairs your capacity to provide informed consent.

How You Prepare For Body Feminization Surgery?

You'll meet with your surgeon before feminizing surgery. Consult a board-certified surgeon who is skilled in the operations you want. Your surgeon will explain your options and potential outcomes. The surgeon will advise you about the anesthetic, the site of the surgery, and any necessary follow-up treatments. Follow your doctor's precise advice for preparation for your procedures, such as eating and drinking guidelines, modifying existing medicines, and stopping smoking.

Although providing informed consent after addressing the risks and advantages of the treatment is an appropriate standard of care, most surgeons will ask you to satisfy specific criteria before undergoing feminizing surgery. To begin, your surgeon will assess your overall health to rule out or resolve any medical issues that may impair or contraindicate therapy. The evaluation might include:

A review of your personal and family medical history.
A physical exam, including an examination of your internal reproductive organs.
Blood tests evaluating your lipids, blood sugar, blood count, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and the hormone prolactin.
A review of your vaccinations.
Age and gender screenings.
Detection and treatment of cigarette use, drug and alcohol misuse, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Discussion about sperm freezing (sperm cryopreservation).

A behavioral health examination by a clinician with transgender health competence is also essential. The assessment might look at:

Gender dysphoria and your gender identity.
The influence of your gender identification at job, school, home, and in social settings, including discrimination, relationship abuse, and minority stress.
Mood disorders or other mental health issues.
Concerns about sexual health.
Risky practices, such as drug abuse and the use of nonmedical-grade silicone injections, as well as unauthorized hormone treatment or supplements.
Social support from family, friends, and peers are protective factors.
Your treatment objectives, risks, and expectations, as well as your future care plans.

What are the Main Body Feminization Surgeries?

Body Feminization consists of several surgeries that will depend on the specific characteristics of each patient.

These are some of the procedures most in demand by transgender women:

Breast augmentation.
Tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty.
Buttock augmentation or Gluteoplasty.
Three-dimensional liposculpture.
Thigh lift.
Vaginal aesthetics.

Breast Augmentation:

Breast implants and fat transfer augmentation are the two basic kinds of breast augmentation. There are other alternatives within those two categories depending on how you want your breasts to look and feel. Particular breast implants are only allowed by the FDA for certain ages. Before deciding on breast augmentation, it's critical to thoroughly study and understand the benefits and disadvantages of each option, as well as consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

The most popular kind of breast augmentation is breast implants. Breast implant options include:

Saline breast implants: These implants include sterile saline (salt water). If the implant ruptures inside your breast, your body will absorb the saline and eliminate it normally.
Structured saline breast implants: These are filled with sterile saline (salt water) and contain an interior structure that makes the implant feel more natural.
Silicone breast implants: Silicone gel is used to make these implants. If the implant ruptures, the gel may remain within the shell or flow into your breast. If you have silicone implants, you may need to see your plastic surgeon on a frequent basis to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
Form-stable breast implants: Also known as gummy bear breast implants, these implants retain their shape even if the implant shell cracks. They are stiffer and constructed of a thicker silicone gel than standard implants. Form-stable breast implants necessitate a larger incision in your skin during surgery.
Round breast implants: These implants make the breasts appear fuller. Because the implants are spherical all around, they usually don't affect the appearance of your breast if they rotate out of position.
Smooth breast implants: These implants provide the softest sensation of any type of implant. Smooth breast implants typically appear more natural than other implants.

Fat transfer breast augmentation, your surgeon will use liposuction to extract fat from another part of your body and inject it into your breasts during a fat transfer breast augmentation. This form of augmentation is typically used for women who seek a minor increase in breast size. In most circumstances, your surgeon will extract fat from one of the following locations:

Your belly.
Your flanks (the sides and lower back of your abdomen).
Your back.
Your thighs.

Buttock augmentation:

Buttock augmentation, also known as gluteal augmentation, is a surgical procedure that improves the contour, size, and/or form of the buttocks. This is accomplished by the use of buttock implants, fat grafting, or a combination of the two.

Buttock implants are silicone-filled implants that are surgically implanted deep inside the buttock tissues. Buttock enlargement via fat grafting is transferring fat from one place of the body to the tissues of the buttocks. This maneuver is also known as a Brazilian butt lift.

What buttock augmentation surgery can do:

Increase the fullness, roundness, and projection of your buttocks.
Improve your figure's equilibrium.
Improve your self-esteem and confidence.
A buttock lift can be achieved by surgical excision of soft tissue in addition to buttock augmentation techniques.

Excess sagging skin and fat are removed to provide a smoother and more attractive shape. A typical gluteal lift will not increase the size of the buttock, but it may enhance a dimpled, uneven skin surface. This operation can be combined with a body lift or done individually.

Abdominoplasty:

Abdominoplasty, often known as a Tummy Tuck, is a cosmetic treatment that flattens the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin. This surgery is advised for those who have extra abdominal fat as well as soft sagging skin tissue.

The physician will create an incision along the patient's bikini line during the Abdominoplasty operation, which commonly leaves a scar along the pubic hair line. The length of the scar will be determined by the amount of extra fat and skin removed.

A Tummy Tuck treatment normally takes three to four hours to perform, with a three-night hospital stay for improved post-surgery supervision.

Methods:

1. Abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition and repairing of sagging abdominal muscles

This surgery is advised for individuals who have extra fat, skin, or stretch marks as a result of significant weight reduction.

The surgeon will do the following during this procedure:

Create a surgical strategy depending on the patient's muscular laxity.
Make a cut along the bikini line.
Relaxed abdominal muscles should be repaired and tightened.
Dissolvable stitches should be used to secure the fat layer.
To avoid scarring, retouch the new umbilical cord.
Suture any extra skin around the pubic region.

2. Mini Abdominoplasty is recommended for patients who have moderate excess skin and stretch marks.

During the Mini Abdominal Lipectomy:

The surgeon will create a surgical strategy depending on the patient's muscle laxity
Make a cut along the bikini line.
Pull the extra fat and skin layer down.
Suture any extra skin around the pubic region.

Liposculpture

Liposculpture is a surgical technique that improves muscular tone and shapeliness. Unlike liposuction, which treats bigger regions, it addresses small pockets of fat.

Liposculpture does not merely remove fat; it also shifts it around to get the desired form. It can be especially beneficial in regions that do not react to diet and exercise.

Liposculpture works best if you have good skin elasticity, which is more common in individuals who are younger, have darker skin tones, don't smoke, and don't have significant sun damage.

The ideal applicant is nearing their optimal weight and has a BMI of less than 30. It may not be effective if you have weaker muscles or loose skin as a result of aging or pregnancy.

Types of liposculpture:

Liposculpture typically takes two to four hours. You will be given local anesthetic and maybe oral sedative. If the region is greater, you will be sedated or given general anesthetic.

After the procedure, you may be required to spend the night at the treatment center. Typically, just one treatment is required to produce the desired effects.

Tumescent liposculpture can be performed in three ways:

Power-assisted liposculpture (PAL): It uses a vibrating instrument to aid in the breakdown and removal of fat.
Ultrasound-assisted liposculpture (UAL): It uses ultrasonic energy to dissolve fat via a handpiece. This makes removing huge amounts of fat simpler, but it takes longer.
Laser-assisted liposculpture: It melts fat through low-energy waves.

Vaginal aesthetics

Genital affirmation surgery, also known as genital confirmation or genital reassignment surgery (or, more commonly, "gender change"), can be performed using a variety of procedures that allow the genitals to be conformed to the transgender person's gender.

There are three main vaginoplasty treatments accessible for transgender women: penile inversion vaginoplasty, vaginoplasty by grafting, and colovaginoplasty.

The following are the vaginoplasty techniques:

Penile inversion vaginoplasty:

Penile inversion vaginoplasty is performed when the size, thickness, length, and quality of the penis skin allow for the creation of a vaginal tunnel of adequate width and size to allow for normal sexual intercourse.

Colovaginoplasty:

When the penis is short or there has been a large circumcision previous to vaginoplasty, we adopt this method. It is also used when there is a lack of penile growth as a result of pre-puberty hormonal inhibitor usage. In that instance, the penile inversion procedure is not advised since the vaginal depth would be too shallow, preventing the trans woman from having a satisfying intercourse.

Vaginoplasty by grafting:

When a trans woman does not have the appropriate penis dimensions for a successful penile inversion but does not require a colovaginoplasty, she can undergo vaginoplasty with graft, which produces a vagina the right depth and proportions without using the rectosigmoid flap procedure.

Risks/Complications of Body Feminization Surgery

Many types of feminizing surgery, like any other major operation, carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and a severe response to anesthesia. Other potential issues include:

Incomplete wound healing.
Fluid buildup beneath the skin (seroma).
A firm clotted blood ballooning within your tissues (hematoma).
Skin feeling changes such as chronic discomfort, tingling, diminished sensation, or numbness.
Damaged or dead bodily tissue in the vagina and labia (tissue necrosis).
A blood clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lung (pulmonary embolism).
A fistula is an improper connection between two bodily components, such as the bladder or bowel entering the vagina.
Loss of sexual pleasure and functioning.
Urinary problems, such as incontinence.
Permanent scarring.
Dysfunction of the pelvic floor.
Worsening of an underlying behavioural health problem.

Is Body Feminization Surgery Safe?

Body feminization frequently comprises liposculpture and implant placement, both of which are safe operations to perform. The professional doctors are highly trained and entirely focused on this specific field of surgery, and their expertise allows them to offer the best operations for you and your expectations.

Does Body Feminization Surgery Hurt?

Because the treatments involved in body feminization may need several incisions on the skin, we usually put the patient under general anesthesia. To aid with pain reduction, we also recommend applying local anesthetic in the lower back, particularly for buttock implants. Because of the anaesthetic, the treatment is absolutely painless, although you may suffer some discomfort later.

Body Feminization Surgery Cost

Liposuction of the Abdomen or Flanks– at the same time as Breast Augmentation or Rhinoplasty, limit 1000 cc of fat removal - $1000

Liposuction Only – Multiple areas - $3500-$4500

Hourglass Lipo-Fat Transfer - $4500-$5000

Hourglass Lipo-Fat Transfer combined with Buttocks Feminization – Brazilian Butt Lift - $5000-$6000

Conclusion

Body feminization is the process through which a male to female transsexual undergoes a number of surgeries to feminize body contours and produce a softer, more attractive shape. These operations are designed to bring about the changes you desire and to bring the person you are on the inside to the outer.

These are some of the procedures most in demand by transgender women including breast augmentation, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, buttock augmentation, liposculpture & vaginal aesthetics.

Benefits of Body Feminization are to create a softer, more balanced and natural-looking feminine shape, allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin & improve self-image, confidence, and self-esteem.