Curves Can Cause Dysphoria
For some patients unwanted curves may lead to just as much dysphoria as other parts of the body such as the breasts.
Many patients dislike the “muffin top” area which can signal to some a more “feminine” silhouette. Patients usually request a more “straight up and down”, athletic look rather than the curves which make the waste appear narrow compared to the pelvis and hips.
Some patients may have larger thighs which can cause dysphoria. In some cases, patients may have lost a lot of weight and have a lot of loose skin or loose muscles from carrying children.
Testosterone may help give a more masculine shape – this usually happens slowly over the first 2 years but for many the curves persist despite years on testosterone.
Working out and exercise can certainly help, but many patients find it impossible to “spot reduce” or eliminate those curves and the shape stays the same.
The most effective way to permanently eliminate these curves is often surgery.
Dr. Gallagher uses a range of techniques to help give a more masculine, muscular appearance to the patient’s torso.
Depending on the patient’s problem areas and preferences a combination of liposuction, fat grafting and lifts or tummy tuck can be used as an individualized approach to help give a more affirming appearance.
The Advantage of Torso Masculinization
Most commonly we use liposuction to specifically target these areas. This can be hidden through very small incisions that will disappear with time. Once the fat cells from those curves are removed, they should not come back in the same place in the future if the patient were to gain weight.
Some patients will choose to masculinize the entire torso with a tummy tuck. This can involve tightening of the six pack muscles if needed.
Other patients can remove extra abdominal skin and get a monslift at the same time. A monslift brings bottom growth more to the front and helps masculinize the pubic area. This can be done as part of bottom surgery or by itself.
Who is a candidate?
Many patients who chose this surgery add it on as part of their top surgery. It can of course however be done at any time. Torso masculinization usually works best with a BMI of around 22-32 but we can usually offer it up to a BMI of 39.
Dr Gallagher will work with you to identify the problem areas you want to work on and recommend exactly which technique will give you the best most natural results.
What is involved?
Typically, if a patient adds this procedure to top surgery it adds about an hour to the procedure. Depending on what exactly is needed it may be between 1 and 3 hours if scheduled by itself (we are allowed to remove more fat when done alone).
Typically, more patients just experience some soreness with the procedure as well as swelling and bruising. In the first few days the patient will wear and foam and after the first visit the patient will have a binder to wear for at least six weeks after surgery. The binder is just worn under clothes while folks get back to their daily activities. The binder helps decreases swelling and may help shrink the skin to the new anatomy.
It can take up to 6 months to see the final result after this surgery as it causes a lot of swelling.
Most patients return to work in around 2 weeks and strenuous activity in 6 weeks when added to top surgery. This is the usual time frame for recovery from top surgery, so it doesn’t add much to recovery. When done alone recovery just depends on how extensive the surgery was.
