23 Dec The “Gender Euphoria” of Breast Augmentation
What does it actually feel like, emotionally, to get the breast augmentation you’ve always thought about? For four trans women who spoke to Huffington Post, it’s described as simply gender euphoric. “Gender euphoria” is a common phrase in the trans community to describe the combination of elation and comfort that comes when a person feels good and aligned with their bodily identity. As the name implies, it’s the opposite of gender dysphoria, a more commonly known phrase.
Breast augmentation is a kind of top surgery for trans women and can make a difference well beyond what hormone therapy can achieve by itself. Breast implants provide a womanly, shapely figure so that the patient can finally feel like herself. For trans women, just hormone therapy is enough, which is why breast augmentation is typically considered “optional.” One of the women who spoke to Huff Post says that for some trans women “hormones do enough to make them happy in their body, and that is such a wonderful thing.” But for Zoe Tunnell, it wasn’t enough—breast augmentation was the key to making everything come together. She stresses that breast implants were for her alone and not as a means of external validation. Tunnell says,
I think due to the overall hyper-sexualized and male-gaze-dominated view of breasts, getting breast implants gets labeled as a decision purely made for sexual reasons. But for people like me, it isn’t a fun extra to look hotter or whatever narrative is being pushed lately. It’s vital to care as much as any other affirming procedure. It helps us feel like ourselves, more complete.
Breast Augmentation for Every Woman
Fortunately, big strides have been made within the cosmetic surgery community in recent years. A lot of education is taking place, including discussing breast augmentation for cis women or trans women. For trans women, gender-affirming surgeries like breast augmentation can be truly life-saving. It can help ensure the external physique, body image, and internal gender identity match.
In many cases, breast augmentation for trans and cisgender women are similar, but there are of course anatomic differences between the two that should be taken into consideration. Every woman is unique, which means every breast augmentation should be customized just for her. A reputable surgeon will also consider muscle development, areola position, breast bone width, and (if applicable) results from hormone therapy.
Breast Implants are Still Trending
It might seem like breast augmentation is a surgical trend that is falling out of favor for all women, but that simply isn’t the case. It remains one of the most-requested cosmetic surgeries. What has changed are breast implant trends. The shape and size of breast implants today are more natural-looking and smaller. The goal is no longer the extreme, round, high implants of the 1990s and early aughts. Instead, teardrop-shaped implants, often placed below the chest muscles for an even more natural look, are trending. It used to be that it was obvious when someone had breast implants. That’s no longer the case. In fact, there’s a good chance you know at least one woman with implants.
Natural was the goal for Rose Montaya, another trans woman who spoke to Huff Post. She says,
I wanted a natural look. I wanted my new body to look as if my body had naturally developed. I also didn’t want to experience worsened back pain since I already have scoliosis. I think it’s impossible to separate our societally based images of beauty, or of what a woman or what a man looks like. That being said, I just wanted to look like myself. The woman that I’ve always been. The woman I’ve always seen myself as inside.
Her words can be echoed by several women who opt for breast augmentation. Andrea (last name omitted) told the Post that she wanted silicone implants that were relatively small because she likes to work out. She opted for gummy bear implants below the muscle.
Others, like Serena Rice, told her surgeon she wanted “the largest size she could give me that didn’t make me look like a blow-up doll.” Rice is a performer, so achieving the glam goddess look was a must professionally as well as personally.
Getting the Look You’ll Love
No matter what your reasons for desiring breast augmentation, it is essential to work with a leading plastic surgeon who will individualize this journey with you. Breast augmentation is more than achieving great results on the outside. The difference this surgery can make for a woman’s emotional and mental health is an incredible one. If you’re ready to learn more about breast augmentation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Parson today. Call Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center today or, for the fastest response, complete the online contact form now.