The criteria for getting top surgery in Australia is: Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria. Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment. Reached the Age of 18 (if younger, follow the SOC for children and adolescents)
In Sydney, FTM Top Surgery cost can range from $10,000 to $20,000. In certain cases, Medicare might pay for a part of the surgery. If that's the case, you can also connect with your health insurance provider to pay for some of the charges.
If you are under the age of 18, consent is required from both your parents or guardian in order to be prescribed puberty blockers or gender affirming hormonal treatment including testosterone. If not the Family Court has to rule in favour for this to occur.
Stunted growth
High testosterone levels in teens can stunt growth, negatively affecting muscle and bone development. It can also lead to stiffer tendons and may increase the risk of tendon damage.
The update also recommends: —Sex hormones — estrogen or testosterone — starting at age 14. This is often lifelong treatment. Long-term risks may include infertility and weight gain, along with strokes in trans women and high blood pressure in trans men, the guidelines say.
Because teenagers in most states must be 18 before they can provide medical consent, surgeons require parental consent and approval letters from mental health care providers. The two- to four-hour procedure costs anywhere from $9,000 to $17,000, depending on facility and anesthesia fees.
For gender dysphoria to be present, a patient must have had at least two DSM-5 criteria for at least six months, and it must cause significant distress to the patient. This generally includes any of the following: a significant difference between their own experienced gender and their secondary sexual characteristics.
The possible risks of transmasculine top 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.
But new research shows that having a high BMI is not a major risk factor in top surgery. A 2021 study from Georgetown University found that although rates of minor complications are higher for patients with obesity, acute complications from top surgery are comparable for patients with and without obesity.
Top surgery cost in Australia
For female-to-male (FTM) top surgery, Pure Aesthetics says you can expect out-of-pocket expenses to start at around $10,200. This includes the surgeon's fee, anaesthetist costs and hospital fees if you have private health insurance coverage.
The best candidates for male chest reconstruction
Though most individuals undergoing top surgery are 18 or older, younger individuals may be considered for the procedure if the patient, their legal guardians, and their mental health professional are in agreement that top surgery is appropriate.
Pain. You may experience some discomfort for a few days after surgery, but generally after four to five days your pain will ease and can be managed with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Dressings and drains. You will have dressings and possibly drains in place when you leave the hospital.
The degree of sensation after surgery is usually similar to the sensation of the upper chest before surgery. Thus, sensation is still present, but is diminished from the sensation in the nipples that is usually present before surgery.
You can get pregnant after chest reconstruction top surgery, although you will not be able to chest/breastfeed unless you only had a reduction. Having chest reconstruction top surgery otherwise has no effect on your fertility and reproductive capacity.
Before being able to access gender affirming surgery, you need to meet the criteria below: A history of gender incongruence (for 6 months or more). The ability to make a fully informed decision. Be over the age of 16 for top surgery, or 18 for bottom surgery.
Under 18s. In Australia, trans young people may commence puberty blockers with permission from both carers or guardians, and their doctor. This is usually coordinated through a multi-disciplinary team, when available.
If you're 17 or younger, you need your parent or guardian's consent to get gender-affirming hormone replacement therapies (HRT) like testosterone and estrogen. However, some states are trying to pass laws blocking people under certain ages from getting HRT, even with parental consent.
You will be sore and will need to rest for about a week after surgery. During this time, you may need someone to help you at home. We do want you to walk around the evening after surgery to prevent blood clots form forming in your legs. Avoid strenuous activity or lifting more than 5 pounds for two weeks after surgery.
Double incision top surgery with nipple grafts
Also known as a bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy with nipple grafts, this procedure is typically recommended for patients with larger chests and bodies. This procedure is usually an inpatient surgery that takes between 3 and 4 hours for the surgeon to complete.
Is top surgery reversible? We do not recommend that people get top surgery unless they are fully committed to their gender transformation. While top surgeries can be reversed, the results will likely include scarring and the loss of sensation.
The Endocrine Society recommends that transgender adolescents start hormone therapy at 16 at the earliest. Earlier than 16, they recommend puberty blockers. The difference is that: Hormone therapy causes some changes to your body that are irreversible.
Puberty blockers could be considered at the earliest stages of puberty, which for girls is around ages 8 to 13 and typically two years later for boys.
Pubertal blockers, often called “blockers,” are a type of medicine called “GnRH-agonists.” They are used to help temporarily suspend or block the physical changes of puberty. Pubertal blockers interrupt the signal from the brain to the gonads, which are the organs that make the hormones of puberty.