MTF Top Surgery Scars: Seven Questions About Scars After Transfeminine Top Surgery
If you’re considering transfeminine top surgery, you’ve reached an exciting step in your gender affirmation journey. You’ve likely thought a lot about the size and shape you’d like your breast implants to be, and may already be envisioning your gorgeous, feminine results. However, it’s also completely natural to have questions about what to expect after your MTF surgery, especially when it comes to scarring. While the goal of MTF top surgery is to create a natural-looking, feminine silhouette, many patients are understandably concerned about whether their scars will be visible. In this blog, we’ve compiled some of the top questions potential patients have about scars after MTF top surgery, so you’ll know what to expect after your procedure.
Table of Contents
- 1. Where Will the Incisions Be Placed?
- 2. How Noticeable Are MTF Top Surgery Scars?
- 3. How Long Will it Take For My MTF Surgery Scars to Fade?
- 4. How Can I Make My MTF Top Surgery Scars Less Noticeable?
- 5. What if I Need Tissue Expanders? Does That Mean More Scarring?
- 6. Will Hormone Therapy Affect How My MTF Top Surgery Scars Heal?
- 7. Will Scars Affect How My Chest Looks in Swimwear or Low-cut Tops?
- Explore the Benefits of MTF Top Surgery in Miami
1. Where Will the Incisions Be Placed?
The placement of your scars depends on which surgical approach is used to place your breast implants during transfeminine top surgery. Different surgeons use different methods, but the most common incision placements are inframammary or periareolar.
Inframammary Incision
The most common technique for breast implant placement involves an incision placed along the inframammary fold, which is the natural crease beneath the breast. This provides excellent access to place implants of any size or shape, and typically results in a scar that’s hidden underneath the breast mound. Depending on how much breast tissue you have to start with, the scar may at first be high and visible. As the implant naturally descends and the breast takes on a more natural shape, the scar should ultimately hide in the natural breast crease.
Periareolar Incision
Periareolar incisions are placed around the border of the areola (hence the name), where the darker color of the areola meets the lighter color of the chest. It can be a good option for patients who choose smaller implants, as the resulting scar typically blends into the darker pigmentation of the areola, making it less visible. The periareolar approach is associated with more complications than inframammary, and is thus less preferred by certain surgeons.
Dr. Whitehead will utilize the approach that best aligns with your anatomy, implant size, and aesthetic goals.
2. How Noticeable Are MTF Top Surgery Scars?
Most MTF top surgery scars are discreet and inconspicuous. Like any scar, they may initially appear pink or red and feel slightly firm, which is an expected part of the healing process. Over time, the scars typically fade and flatten, especially with proper care. For patients with lighter skin tones, scars often become barely noticeable. Those with deeper skin tones may see darker scars or be at a slightly higher risk of developing raised (hypertrophic or keloid) scars, although this depends entirely on a person’s genetics and their body’s natural healing process.
3. How Long Will It Take for My MTF Surgery Scars to Fade?
The good news is that top surgery scars are strategically placed and typically fade with time and proper care. However, it’s important to remember that scar maturation is a gradual process. While the initial incision normally heals within a few weeks, it can take 6 to 12 months or longer for your breast augmentation scars to fully mature and fade.
4. How Can I Make My MTF Top Surgery Scars Less Noticeable?
There are several ways to support better healing and minimize the appearance of scars after MTF top surgery. The first and most important thing you can do is to carefully follow all of Dr. Whitehead’s post-op instructions for recovery to reduce the risk of wound complications like infection or seroma, which can affect how well your incisions heal. You will also need to avoid smoking, as it decreases blood flow and can cause poor incision healing, leading to more prominent scarring.
Once your incisions are healed and your scars have appeared, you can use silicone sheets or scar gel to help minimize their appearance, starting as soon as Dr. Whitehead gives the okay. You can also gently massage the scar once it has healed, which can improve texture and flexibility by breaking down scar tissue and allowing the scar to lie flatter. Finally, it’s crucial to protect your scars from the sun—UV exposure can darken scar tissue permanently, so be diligent about applying (and reapplying) sunscreen to your scars.
Keep in mind that consistency and patience are key—most scar treatments take several months to show results.
5. What if I Need Tissue Expanders? Does That Mean More Scarring?
If you don’t have enough natural breast skin to accommodate your desired implant size, Dr. Whitehead may recommend tissue expanders. This is more common in patients who have not developed much breast tissue with hormone therapy or who want larger implants.
While expanders involve a staged process and may require additional incisions, Dr. Whitehead will still aim to keep scarring minimal and in hidden areas. Most of the time, the additional scarring is limited and can still be managed with the same techniques used for standard top surgery scars.
6. Will Hormone Therapy Affect How My MTF Top Surgery Scars Heal?
Estrogen affects the skin in several ways—it can increase elasticity and moisture, which may support better overall healing. However, there’s no substantial clinical evidence that hormone therapy significantly improves or worsens scar formation. Your body’s healing response, the surgical technique used, and the quality of post-operative care have a more direct impact on how your scars turn out.
7. Will Scars Affect How My Chest Looks in Swimwear or Low-cut Tops?
This is understandably one of the most common concerns when it comes to scars after top surgery. Fortunately, the answer is reassuring—in most cases, your scars will not be visible in swimwear or low-cut clothing. Inframammary scars are hidden beneath the breast fold, and periareolar scars blend into the pigment around the nipple. Most patients feel confident in bikini tops, lingerie, or other revealing clothing once their scars have fully matured.
Explore the Benefits of MTF Top Surgery in Miami, FL
If you’ve been looking forward to the confidence and sense of femininity that comes with the results of MTF top surgery, it’s time to schedule a consultation at Restore Medical Center. Dr. John L. Whitehead is a skilled gender-affirming surgeon who can craft results that are beautifully balanced and discreetly executed. To learn more about MTF top surgery options at Restore, schedule an appointment today by calling (305) 865-2000 or completing the online contact form.