What are the risks of chest masculinization surgery?

The decision to have surgery is extremely personal. You'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Your mental health is very important. Surgery affects everyone in a different way. There is not enough research to say if this surgery will improve or worsen your mental health or improve or alleviate your gender dysphoria.

This surgery is considered permanent and may be impossible to reverse. Some patients later report regret about their decision to have gender surgery. There is not yet good data on the number of patients who regret their surgery or choose to detransition afterwards.

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedures you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

Risks of surgery

The possible risks of chest masculinization surgery include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, poor healing of incisions, hematoma, loss of nipple sensation, loss of the nipple and areola and anesthesia risks. Some patients also have uneven nipples or other surgical defects that require an additional surgery.

Other risks

Although the breast tissue is removed during the procedure (mastectomy), and growth of breast tissue is suppressed by testosterone therapy, the risk of developing breast cancer is not zero. Careful monitoring of breast health through self-exam is essential to your long-term health.