Long-term outcome of augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female transsexuals: a questionnaire survey of 107 patients

Abstract

A retrospective survey of long-term postoperative male-to-female transsexual patients has been performed to evaluate how well augmentation mammaplasty addresses their needs. One hundred and seven (65%) out of 164 anonymous questionnaires sent to the patients were evaluated. Average clinical follow-up of these patients was 4.8 years, whereas the average time lapse between mammaplasty and filling out of the questionnaire was 5.5 years (range, 16 months-17 years). The age of the subjects at the time of this survey ranged from 22 to 76 years (average, 41 years). Seventeen of the 107 patients had undergone further augmentation mammaplasty, on average 57 months after the initial mammaplasty. The average size of implanted prostheses was 258 ml (range, 130- 450 ml). Eighty patients (75%) indicated satisfaction with the final outcome of the mammaplasty. The median postoperative cup size in this group was B (range of postoperative bra size, 30B-40D). The remaining 27 patients (25%) were unhappy with the results of mammaplasty. The median postoperative cup size in the 18 patients who still felt their breasts to be too small was also B (range of bra size, 30B-48E). The average size of current prostheses in these 18 patients was 261 ml. For a male-to-female transsexual patient to appreciate the outcome of augmentation mammaplasty, the surgeon should tolerate and address this patient's urge for a distinctly feminine breast configuration.