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Body Contouring Surgical Options: Masculinization and Androgenization

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Richman on February 22, 2024.

This article gives an overview of gender affirming liposuction, otherwise known as FTM body contouring, body masculinization surgery (BMS) or androgenizing body sculpting. We go over what the procedure consists of, its benefits, its risks, the recovery process and the long-lasting results that it can yield. Likewise, we review the most common areas that patients who have gone through a full estrogenic puberty frequently wish to target with liposuction to masculinize or androgenize their body shapes: flanks (the space between the ribs and the hip), waist, hips, abdomen, inner thighs, outer thighs, the chest, arms, chest, back and buttocks.

Sometimes, individuals may consider body contouring to relieve feelings of gender dysphoria or discomfort caused by fat distribution. Specifically, many patients consider upper and lower body liposuction to be a necessary and transformative step in their journey towards physical and mental well-being.

Benefits and Risks of Gender-Affirming Liposuction

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that can be used to target unwanted fat from various regions of the body. Many patients choose liposuction to diminish the curvature of their waist and hips. It’s also frequently used to slim and contour conventionally “feminine” lower body weight around the thighs and buttocks. Stubborn fat deposits in these areas are often the result of or at least reminiscent of an estrogenic puberty, which can cause body dysphoria in some people.

Liposuction is a versatile procedure with a variety of benefits including:

• Safe, effective fat removal
• Potential reduction in cellulite
• More sculpted contours
• Reduction in gender dysphoria
• Long-lasting results

Generally speaking, liposuction is considered very safe. However, all surgical procedures carry potential risks that should be carefully considered. Choosing a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ley, Dr. Facque or Dr. Mosser is the best way to ensure a successful outcome with liposuction.

Temporary side effects may include mild-to-moderate discomfort, bruising and swelling. Though rare, more serious complications may include infection, fluid build-up, nerve damage or blood clots. Prior to undergoing surgery, your surgeon will discuss these risks with you in-depth.

Upper and Lower Body Liposuction: What Areas Can Be Treated

Many of our patients desire to have liposuction in several different body areas. You can find a general overview of how targeting certain areas with liposuction can masculinize or androgenize the overall body form, click here. Some of the most commonly treated regions include:

• Flanks (the space between the ribs and the hip)
• Waist/hips, and abdomen 
• Inner and outer thighs (saddlebag area)
• Upper body, chest, and back
• Buttocks

For patients interested in buttock liposuction, it is important to note that we take a conservative approach to this procedure to reduce the risk of loose or droopy skin following surgery. As a general rule, your surgeon will let you know the best ways to prepare for surgery at your consultation.

The Liposuction Procedure

In most cases, liposuction is a very straightforward procedure. Most patients are best suited to have general anesthesia because of the extent of liposuction to be performed and the desire to reach a complete aesthetic endpoint without having issues with patient comfort. Once you are asleep from anesthesia, your surgeon will initiate surgery by making very small, strategically placed incisions near the target treatment areas.

Through these incisions, they will insert a cannula which is a small suctioning tool attached to a vacuum. Using gentle back and forth motions, your surgeon will break-up fat deposits and suction them away. Body contouring surgery is generally completed in 1-2 hours, though the actual length of your procedure will depend on the regions being treated.

Recovering from Upper and Lower Body Liposuction

For most patients, the recovery process is easily tolerated. General discomfort, bruising, and localized discomfort are common during the first several days. Post-surgical swelling may be present for a few weeks, depending on your body’s natural healing response.

It’s recommended that all liposuction patients spend the first couple of days resting and recuperating in bed, with limited physical activity. Once you’re feeling up to it, you can gradually begin to resume light physical activity. Assuming your job is relatively sedentary, you’ll be able to resume work within a week. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least a month until your body is almost fully recovered.

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