Placement refers to the option to place the implants below the muscle (submuscular) or above the muscle and below the mammary glands (subglandular). You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of each, along with the option to score the muscles above a submuscular implant here.

Your surgical scars are determined by the incision location or where the breast implant will be inserted. Patients main concerns are around minimizing scar visibility and creating an incision that allows for optimal implant placement. For these reasons, we most commonly perform an inframammary fold, which conceals the scar at the fold at the bottom of the breast. Scar visibility can often be reduced with proper care. Patients can also opt for an incision along the border of the areola (periareolar) or through the armpit (transaxillary). Most transgender patients we see do not have large enough areolas to insert a silicone implant. Although the scar is hidden, inserting implants through the armpits is associated with higher rates …

Rather than measuring by cup or bra size, the size of breasts are determined by the implant size, which typically ranges from 200cc-500cc. The final appearance of your breast size will have a lot to do with your unique anatomy. We encourage patients to try out the rice bag test at home to figure out which size would best suit your needs. Likewise, during an in-person consultation we allow patients to try on implant sizers.

From there, a patient can choose the shape of their implants. At the GCC we prefer round or circular to teardrop-shaped implants so that rotation does not pose a risk to breast symmetry. Likewise, circular implants allow for more options around placement and a smaller incision for insertion, which reduces the size of the scar. Specialists in transgender care will know that trans patients will often need wider implants than their cis counterparts to meet their goals.

The fat grafting technique is less common because of its low success rate when a large amount of volume is needed and the skin is particularly tight. This means that the first choice for most patients is between silicone and saline implants. Fat grafting can be used in addition to implants, for example, to increase cleavage. Silicone implants have become the most popular choice because of their durability, softer feel and appearance, especially for those without a lot of breast tissue.