How Will Chest Reconstruction or Breast Augmentation Surgery Affect Quality of Life?

If you have a friend, relative or loved one who is dissatisfied living in the sex and gender identities assigned to them at birth, that person may identify as transgender and/or gender non-conforming.

What’s in a Term?

‘Transgenderism’ it is not currently classified as a diagnostic condition, nor is this term used in the WPATH Standards of Care, but is generally used as a catchall description for identifying as a sex and/or gender other than those assigned at birth.

‘Transsexualism’, ‘gender diversity’, ‘gender variance’, ‘gender dysphoria’, and ‘gender identity disorder (GID)’ are all terms used by both the medical and lay establishment– as well as by transgender individuals themselves–to describe a physical, mental and emotional condition that can be altered in order to obtain greater personal satisfaction and an improved quality of life.

Friends and Family

Whatever the preferred terminology, lending support to a loved one in their gender transition can be a complicated and difficult undertaking that requires love, understanding and a willingness to go beyond traditional social conventions and preconceived religious, moral or psychological beliefs about gender identity. There are several places to begin:

• First, acknowledge that your loved one has a valid and significant reason for wanting to make a transition. Recognize that disparity between a person’s self-identification and the identities they were assigned at birth can have a detrimental effect on every aspect of their life.
• Second, seek information, education and support, both for your loved one and for the family and friends that make up their support group. One resource is TransFamily, a support group for transgender and transsexual people, their parents, partners, children, other family members, and friends. The Straight Spouse Network (SSN), www.transfamily.org, another good resource, is an international organization that provides personal, confidential support and information to heterosexual spouses/partners, current or former, of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender mates and mixed-orientation couples for constructively resolving problems www.straightspouse.org. For more sources, see Helpful Links.
• Help your loved one explore the various remedies available, from altering hair, wardrobe and superficial attributes to living in their desired gender, psychological counseling, hormone therapy, and gender confirmation surgery such as chest reconstruction, breast augmentation and/or, genital reassignment surgery.
• Be flexible and accommodating in helping your loved one try various lifestyle alterations or therapy, assisting with changes in name, dress, living accommodations and social situations.
• Acknowledge that there are many valid paths through the gender confirmation process, and no “right” or “wrong” way. Express your concerns but stay positive in your support. Help collect information from reputable sources of valid information, and help find competent medical and psychological support. One source is Anne M. Vitale, Ph.D., the professional website of a noted psychologist specializing in treating gender dysphoria. The site includes a comprehensive list of additional resources for relatives of transgender individuals, www.avitale.com.

Finding a Plastic Surgeon

Transgender patients consulting with San Francisco plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Mosser, will find a warm welcome and understanding ally. He encourages his patients to bring a partner or family member along for support during a consultation, and he and his team are ready and willing to consult and coordinate with the other medical and psychological professionals on the patient’s support team. Dr. Mosser does not view gender dysphoria as a disorder, acknowledges that GID is an outdated medical term, and he views sex reassignment surgery as ‘gender confirmation surgery,’ a tool used to confirm what is already a fact.

Increasing Quality of Life

Dr. Mosser finds performing such surgeries fulfilling because he sees the immense relief his patients feel when surgery is complete, akin to a great weight being lifted off their shoulders. Top surgery can allow a patient to be one step closer to living comfortably in their own skin. Wardrobe, cosmetics, hormone therapy, emotional support, social adjustments, and name change can go a long way towards stress relief and gender identity satisfaction, but top surgery or breast augmentation often is the culmination to achieving gender confirmation satisfaction.

Numerous clinical studies and extensive Internet “first person” forums and blogs report that FTM chest reconstruction and MTF breast augmentation surgery result in high levels of satisfaction. As a member of the support team for someone who has made a successful transition and now enjoys an improved quality of life, you can also share in a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.