Criteria for Breast/Chest Surgery (one referral):
- Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria;
- Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment;
- Age of majority in a given country (if younger, follow the SOC for children and adolescents);
- If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.
Hormone therapy is not a pre-requisite.
2 weeks before TOP surgery
About two weeks before FTM top surgery, you should:
- Stop taking medications, vitamins, and supplements that are known to thin the blood. This may include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), certain herbs such as Gingko Biloba and St. John’s Wort, large doses of Vitamin E, and diet pills.
- Stop smoking cigarettes
- Minimize caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Start eating well, get adequate sleep, and take a daily multi-vitamin and any other supplements that Dr. Delgado recommends.
1 week before surgery
In addition to the instructions listed above, you’ll also need to:
- Stop drinking alcohol and caffeine
- Contact us immediately if you become ill so we can advise you on what medications you can take and determine if your surgery needs to be rescheduled.
- Prepare for your recovery from top surgery. You’ll probably want to spend about a week at home while you are recovering from FTM top surgery, so it’s a good idea to make your home as comfortable as possible ahead of time. Get your house clean and tidy. Order some new books and movies so you’ll have something to do while you’re resting and recovering. Stock up on your favorite healthy foods and do some cooking in advance so you can continue to eat well with minimal effort.
- Arrange for your transportation home. You won’t be able to drive after your FTM top surgery, so make sure you arrange for a friend or family member to bring you home. You should also have someone stay with you for the first several days so you can get help with daily activities.
Night before surgery
On the night before your top surgery, we recommend that you:
- Eat a healthy dinner.
- Absolutely do not consume any food or drinks after midnight.
- Sleep as much as possible so you’ll be in the best shape for surgery in the morning.
Morning of surgery
The big day is finally here! There are a few things you should do in the morning before heading to the surgical center for your top surgery:
- Shower and wash your hair.
- Do not apply lotion, hair products, cologne, deodorant, or any other body products after your shower.
- Remove any piercings and/or jewelery.
- Wear your glasses if you need them (contacts cannot be worn during surgery).
