Transgender Breast Augmentation

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m currently looking for a surgeon to do my transgender breast augmentation, I’ve done my research for a few years and now. Looking for a surgeon, a little about my profile: I’m a transgender girl with a small rib cage and an overall very small frame and build. I’ve been on hormones for about two years now and believe I’ve achieved all I can naturally. I definitely know that I want to do cohesive gel ( “gummy bear”) implants, if you offer them (I think I read that you do). And would love to hear back from you! 

I also would like to ask about removing ribs 11 12 and maybe 10, I know you’ve recently removed them from two women before and I’ve read your feedback on RealSelf.com about the procedure. I’d love to hear back from you on what you recommend! Much appreciated!

A: All silicone breast implants today are of the highly cohesive gel variety known as the urban term, gummy bear breast implants. All three existing breast implant manufacturers use the same silicone gel today. What implant size, shape and profile remain to be determined. (volume in ccs, round versus tear drop shaped and medium vs. high profiles) Such selections are based on what your breast augmentation goals are.

The role of lower rib removal is for narrowing of the anatomic waist. This is for patients who are unable to achieve a more hourglass shape or any inward indentation at the level of the waistline at the umbilical level. This is often a particular body contouring issue in male to female transgender patients whose ribcages are phenotypcally wider with greater outward rib flare.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana