Dr. Lorelei Grunwaldt has performed TOP surgery on hundreds of Pittsburgh teens, young adults, and more mature adults. Top surgery in Pittsburgh can be done for female to male (FTM) transition or male to female (MTF) transition. During your consultation and before any surgery, Dr. Grunwaldt will answer all you or your child’s questions about the TOP surgery procedure. Before proceeding with surgery, it is critical to understand what is involved.
Benefits of TOP Surgery
TOP surgery in Pittsburgh performed by Dr. Lorelei Grunwaldt can be the next step in your gender transition, and it has many benefits. Top surgery in Pittsburgh can make you feel at one with your body and help you to have the self confidence that you or your teen would like.
TOP surgery performed by Dr. Grunwaldt will give you or your loved one the confidence they would like to wear the clothes they want to wear and to swim and work out and feel confident about themselves.
FTM TOP Surgery
FTM TOP surgery can benefit people by helping with hygiene and comfort as it can eliminate the need for tight binders which may cause rib pain or discomfort in the chest as well as rashes or skin irritation.
FTM TOP surgery can help to reshape and resize the nipple and areola as well as reposition both on the chest.
Another benefit that patients in Pittsburgh will see after FTM TOP surgery by Dr. Grunwaldt is that the contour of their chest will be symmetric and smooth. The removal of chest skin and tissue is done in a way that will aim to minimize scarring and achieve the look that you or your child is looking for.
MTF TOP Surgery
MTF TOP Surgery performed by Dr. Grunwaldt will augment you or your adolescent’s chest to achieve the contour and fullness that you would like.
One benefit of MTF TOP surgery is that it can help with asymmetry between the two sides of the chest. The augmentation will fill out the chest and improve the shape and achieve better symmetry. If the skin is loose it will tighten this up and lift the chest tissue.
Who is a Candidate for TOP Surgery
Individuals who want to have TOP surgery have many reasons for wanting the surgery. One of the biggest is the fact that it boosts self-esteem. It allows patients to feel good in their own body and really be happy.
TOP surgery can also help a patient feel good about themselves because it either removes or augments tissue on the chest. It helps balance out asymmetry in the two sides of the chest, and it allows the nipples and areolas to be the size, shape, and location that the patient would like.
Most healthy children, adolescents, or adults are candidates for TOP surgery. If a patient is smoking or vaping with nicotine products, they will need to stop this at least a month before surgery.
Ultimately, TOP surgery can improve a candidate’s life considerably. It can improve body confidence issues. Ultimately, Dr. Grunwaldt will perform the TOP surgery you desire and will outline a comprehensive treatment plan that will work wonders.
Recovery from TOP Surgery
Recovery from MTF TOP Surgery
The recovery from MTF TOP surgery depends on the type of augmentation that is done. If implants are used, it also depends on where the implants are placed. If they are placed on top of the chest muscle, the recovery time is slightly shorter than if they are placed underneath it.
Most patients will have some discomfort after MTF TOP surgery. If implants are used, and they are placed above the chest muscle, there is less pain than if they are placed below the chest muscle.
Patients will be prescribed pain medicine to take after the surgery. It is normal to be sore and tired for the first few days after the procedure. Tightness may also be felt.
A special bra will be given to you after the surgery to be worn for the first six weeks. This bra will support the augmentation and allow healing to occur. Most MTF TOP surgery patients will be back to work in a week or so as long as this does not involve heavy lifting.
For the first six weeks after MTF TOP surgery it is key to avoid strenuous activity that requires the patient to use the arms or chest muscles to lift anything more than 2.5 pounds. Also, for the first six weeks after surgery, the patient should avoid contact sports.
It is normal for the chest tissue to be sensitive and swollen during the first several months after surgery. Dr. Grunwaldt will provide the patient with specific instructions to allow for ideal healing.
Recovery from FTM TOP Surgery
The recovery from FTM TOP surgery depends on the type of procedure done. Dr. Grunwaldt performs keyhole, periareolar, and double incision FTM TOP surgery.
In all three types of procedures, a drain will be placed on each side of the chest. The patient will have a dressing placed around the chest that will also stay in place until the first visit after surgery.
In double incision FTM TOP surgery, there will be a special dressing over the nipple areolar complex that will stay in place until the first visit after surgery.
It is normal to be sore and fatigued for the first few days after FTM TOP surgery. You or your child will be prescribed pain medicine to use.
For the first six weeks after FTM TOP surgery, it is key to avoid strenuous activity that requires the patient to use the arms or chest muscles to lift anything more than 2.5 pounds. Also, for the first six weeks after surgery the patient should avoid contact sports.
It is normal for the chest tissue to be sensitive and swollen during the first several months after surgery. Dr. Grunwaldt will provide the patient with specific instructions to allow for ideal healing.
Reasons for TOP Surgery
TOP surgery can either augment or remove tissue from the chest. There are several different techniques that can be used for each type of procedure. Be sure to ask your surgeon the different approaches that are offered for TOP surgery.
TOP surgery can achieve the contour and shape of the chest that one is looking for. Here are some of the reasons people consider TOP Surgery:
- To increase the size of the chest/breasts to achieve a more feminine look
- To remove tissue on the chest and contour the chest to allow for a more masculine look
- As part of a transition in gender reassignment
- Candidates for TOP surgery should be in good physical and mental health.It is important to have realistic expectations prior to undergoing the surgery.
Risks of TOP Surgery
As a surgery that Dr. Grunwaldt has performed hundreds of times, TOP surgery patients can rest assured that Dr. Grunwaldt takes certain precautions and safety measures before completing your surgery. Though Dr. Grunwaldt does everything to prevent against complications, patients must understand that there are certain risks and complications inherent in this surgery.
One risk of TOP surgery is scarring. Although many patients will have scars that are difficult to see, some patients may have more noticeable scars.
Bleeding is uncommon but can occur after TOP surgery. Dr. Grunwaldt will take special steps to ensure the lowest possible risk of bleeding. Patients who are taking blood thinning medications need to let Dr. Grunwaldt know prior to surgery.
Another risk of TOP surgery is infection. Dr. Grunwaldt has a less than 1% infection risk. All TOP surgery patients will be on a course of antibiotics after surgery to minimize this risk even more.
Although there are risks with TOP surgery, Dr. Grunwaldt will ensure they are as low as they can possibly be. TOP surgery can have many benefits, and the minimal risk involved is often worth it once patients see the final result from surgery.