FTM Top Surgery: Your Readiness

As a transgender individual, it’s a good bet that you’ve made quite a few key decisions in your life. FTM top surgery is one more. Even if you’re feeling pretty certain the procedure is for you, we hope you will come in for your consultation with Dr. Jacobs with information to share and an open mind. There’s still a lot to learn, and the more you let us know about you and the more you soak up from us, the better decisions you’ll make.

It’s important for us to know about your journey so far, your physical and emotional health and your support system. We want to be sure we have a complete picture of you as a unique individual. We’ll give you full details about the surgery and answer all your questions, taking all the time you need to have an honest, complete information exchange. Of course, follow-up conversations are welcome, whether by email, phone or in person.

Dr. Jacobs and his staff have many, many years of experience working with people of all kinds, and it would be their privilege to share in this part of your transformation. Call 212-570-6080 to get started.

Psychological Readiness

We evaluate each patient’s psychological readiness for surgery, no matter what kind of procedure they are planning. With transgender individuals, this step of the process is even more critical. We know that top surgery changes lives, not just bodies, and preparation is essential in every aspect of the word.

It will be very helpful if you can bring a letter of recommendation from your primary care physician or counselor. It’s likely that we will also want to have a conversation with one or both of them to hear their perspective. If you have identified and lived as a male for some time if you’ve begun hormone therapy and if you have many healthy relationships in your life, we will probably see you as a great candidate for FTM top surgery.

As we talk through some of these topics, please know that it’s not our intention to be intrusive! Knowing that female to male surgery is permanent and creates a profound life transition, we simply want to be certain it’s time to proceed.

We also want you to be aware that it may take some time to get used to the change in your body after surgery. Even if you have been waiting for FTM surgery for some time, it will take a while to adjust to your new appearance.

Physical Readiness

Dr. Jacobs and his staff will talk with you about preparing for FTM breast surgery when you come in for your consultation. You may need to stop taking certain medication temporarily, and you will definitely need to gather supplies.

Here are some steps you can plan right now.

• Quit smoking: If you smoke or use tobacco in other ways, surgery is a great time to finally quit. Smoking can impair healing, and for that reason, we will require that you at least stop for a period before and after top surgery. Stopping completely is best.
• Work toward a healthy weight: If you’re trying to lose weight, it is ok to continue during the pre-op period as long as you don’t go overboard. It’s important to give your body the nutrients it needs including protein, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re underweight, try to fuel your body and help it get ready to heal quickly.
• Fitness activities: If you enjoy lifting weight, aerobic exercise or other fitness routines, you can continue right up to the big day of surgery. Do retain some energy for the healing process, though.
• Get your home ready: Most people like to return home after surgery to clean sheets, fresh towels, some easy to prepare meals in the fridge and so on. You may want to put new books and magazines next to the bed, download some soothing music and have some movies ready to watch. Give some thought to the items that will help you relax – it will pay off during your recovery period.

Preparing for Your Consultation

You can also make the most of your consultation with Dr. Jacobs if you spend a little time getting ready. You may want to:

• Prepare questions: Even if you are good at not getting sidetracked, it is easy for things to slip through the cracks during the excitement and enjoyment of the consultation. Bringing a list of questions with you is good insurance that this won’t happen.
• Take notes: You may be successful at remembering all your questions, only to forget some of the detailed information Dr. Jacobs will give you. Bring a notepad or laptop to help you jot down key points.
• Bring photos: Showing Dr. Jacobs images of the results you’re aiming for can be useful. Even though you can only look like you, not someone else, photos can provide a starting place for discussion.
• Bring a friend: If you’re comfortable with the idea, bringing someone with you to your appointment can assist you in recalling details. It can also help to have someone informed to talk things over with afterward.

Your consultation with Dr. Jacobs is so critical. It’s the opportunity for you to fully understand all aspects of surgery and share a bit of yourself with a plastic surgeon who’s very experienced in the physical and psychological outcomes of cosmetic procedures. It will give you the chance to see how well the two of you “click.”

Why not get started by calling us at 212-570-6080 to schedule an appointment?