At Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, and respectful medical care to the transgender community across the Mid-South. Dr. Campbell, Dr. Kath, Dr. Leonardi, and Dr. Hammond adhere to the standards of care set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and our staff promotes patient-centered care in a private, welcoming environment. Referrals and inquiries can be made by contacting our office at 901.295.7479 or by clicking here. More information on the procedures we offer can be found below.
Facial Feminization Surgery
Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a grouping of several reconstructive facial procedures that alter the face to create more classically feminine characteristics, such as smoother foreheads, higher brows, smaller noses, narrower jaws, and a reduced Adam’s apple. At Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, we offer:
- Hairline correction (hair transplantation, laser hair removal, scalp advancement)
- Forehead contouring
- Browlifts
- Cheek and chin fillers or implants
- Genioplasty (chin augmentation)
- Lip fillers
- Chondrolaryngoplasty (tracheal shave to reduce the size of the Adam’s apple)
We recommend that patients schedule facial feminization surgery only after the skull bones have finished growing.
Body Contouring
Body contouring, or body sculpting, can enhance the profile of the abdomen, waistline, hips, limbs, and buttocks. As part of gender affirming surgery, it may be referred to as body feminization. These plastic surgery procedures will usually include liposuction and fat grafting as a way to even out fatty tissue deposits, reduce localized excess, and provide the desired feminization of the body. At Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, we offer the following body contouring procedures to create and accentuate a more feminine curve to the waist and the waist-to-hip ratio:
- Liposuction
- Gluteoplasty with fat transfer aka “Brazilian Buttock Lift” (combines liposuction and fat grafting to reshape the buttocks)
Transfeminine Top Surgery
Hormonal therapy can aid in breast development, but for individuals who desire a larger cup size than hormones can produce, breast augmentation is an available option. Transfeminine breast augmentation is a surgical procedure designed to provide patients with expertly augmented and contoured feminine breasts. We can do this by inserting a breast implant or transferring fat behind the breast tissue, or partially or completely under the chest muscles. Our skilled surgeons are able to keep scarring to a minimum in most cases, usually by making an incision under the breast along a natural skin fold.
Implant selection and size will depend on patient preferences and anatomy, as well as the recommendation of our surgeons. Breast augmentation with Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis gives patients increased fullness and projection in the appearance of the breasts, resulting in a more feminine silhouette.
Transmasculine Top Surgery
For patients who want a more masculine chest that is expertly flattened and contoured, we offer mastectomy or breast reduction procedures in conjunction with chest contouring. Our surgeons use a variety of customized techniques that utilize each patient’s current anatomy to produce a natural looking result.
There are a number of different transmasculine top surgery procedures, and the specific type used will depend upon the individual patient. Other factors that are taken into consideration before the procedure is performed are the amount and elasticity of the skin, the amount of tissue present, and the position and size of the nipples and areola. Liposuction may also be performed as part of the chest contouring procedure.
As with any of our gender affirming surgical procedures, our team will work with each patient to create a customized treatment plan that will meet their unique needs and goals, and maximize the outcome.
WPATH Guidelines
According to WPATH guidelines, surgical treatment for gender dysphoria can be considered with one referral letter from a qualified mental health professional for breast/chest surgery (e.g., mastectomy, chest reconstruction, or augmentation mammoplasty). The recommended content of the referral letters for surgery is as follows:
- The client’s general identifying characteristics;
- Results of the client’s psychosocial assessment, including any diagnoses;
- The duration of the mental health professional’s relationship with the client, including the type of evaluation and therapy or counseling to date;
- An explanation that the criteria for surgery have been met, and a brief description of the clinical rationale for supporting the patient’s request for surgery;
- A statement about the fact that informed consent has been obtained from the patient;
- A statement that the mental health professional is available for coordination of care and welcomes a phone call to establish this.
Insurance And Financing Information
An increasing number of insurance plans are offering coverage for gender affirming surgical procedures. As a courtesy, we can assist in inquiring with a patient’s insurance company as to whether their plan will cover surgery, as well as submitting the relevant paperwork. Patients may still be responsible for deductibles, co-insurance, and portions of the surgical procedure that are not covered by insurance. Our office will review this with information with every patient before scheduling any procedures. For those who do not have insurance, or whose insurance company will not cover gender affirming surgery, we have multiple financing options available.
