Pride Month at TakeShape: Celebrating Trans Patients & the FTM Top Surgery Journey
Every June, Pride Month invites us to celebrate the resilience, joy, and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a meaningful reminder that affirming, high-quality healthcare remains one of the most important ways we can support transgender and non-binary patients — not just in June, but every day of the year.
At TakeShape Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, gender-affirming surgery is a core part of our practice. Dr. Russell Sassani and our team are proud to walk alongside transgender men, transmasculine patients, and non-binary individuals through some of the most personal steps of their journey, including FTM top surgery, chest masculinization, and other gender-affirming procedures.
This Pride Month, we want to honor our patients by sharing what makes an affirming surgical experience, what the FTM top surgery journey can look like, and how our team approaches this work with the respect it deserves.
Why an Affirming Surgeon Matters
Choosing a surgeon for top surgery is about far more than credentials alone. It is about finding a team that:
- Listens to your goals and respects your identity
- Uses your correct name and pronouns from the first phone call forward
- Understands the emotional weight of gender-affirming surgery
- Has real experience performing chest masculinization on a diverse range of body types
- Provides clear, judgment-free guidance through every step of the process
Many of our transgender patients tell us that simply walking into a practice and being treated as a whole person — rather than a case study — makes a meaningful difference in their experience.
Dr. Russell Sassani is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has spent years refining his approach to gender-affirming top surgery. He understands that the best surgical plan is the one that aligns with your anatomy, your goals, and your vision for your body.
The tradeoff is that this technique usually results in longer, more visible scars along the lower chest. For many patients, these scars fade over time and may be positioned to follow the natural contour of the pectoral area. For more on what to expect with scarring, see our guide on Top Surgery Scars: What to Expect and How to Care for Them.
The FTM Top Surgery Journey at a Glance
While every patient’s path is different, most FTM top surgery journeys at TakeShape follow a similar arc:
- A private consultation to discuss your goals, medical history, and surgical options
- A personalized surgical plan based on your chest size, skin elasticity, and desired result
- The procedure itself, performed at our accredited surgical facility in Plantation, FL
- Recovery and aftercare, with detailed instructions and direct access to our team
- Long-term follow-up, including scar care guidance and support for any questions that come up along the way
Some patients arrive having researched techniques for months. Others walk in not yet sure what top surgery involves. Either way, our role is to educate, support, and recommend the approach we believe will give you the safest, most affirming result
Understanding Your Top Surgery Options
One of the first decisions you will make is which surgical technique best fits your anatomy and goals. The two most common approaches we perform are double incision top surgery and periareolar top surgery. Each has its own benefits, limitations, and ideal candidate profile.
For a detailed comparison of these techniques, including candidacy, scarring, and recovery, read our guide: Double Incision vs. Periareolar Top Surgery: Which Technique Is Right for You?
Double Incision Top Surgery
Often recommended for patients with a medium to larger chest, excess skin, or reduced skin elasticity. Allows for significant tissue removal, nipple resizing, and a flatter, more contoured result.
Periareolar Top Surgery
Typically best for patients with a smaller chest, minimal excess skin, and good elasticity. Generally results in less visible scarring, but is not appropriate for every patient.
The best technique is the one that gives you the safest, most natural-looking, and most affirming result for your body. The only way to know for certain is through an in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Sassani.
What About Scarring?
Scarring is one of the most common concerns we hear from patients considering top surgery, and it deserves a thoughtful answer.
The truth is that some scarring is part of the surgical process, regardless of technique. The good news is that with proper aftercare, scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months and can be positioned to follow the natural contour of the chest.
We have written an in-depth guide to what to expect and how to care for your scars here: Top Surgery Scars: What to Expect and How to Care for Them
A few highlights:
- Silicone sheets and gels — among the most effective non-surgical options for softening and flattening scars.
- Scar massage — helps prevent tissue from adhering to underlying structures.
- Sun protection — critical for at least the first year, since UV exposure can darken healing scars.
- If scars do not heal as expected — options like laser therapy or surgical revision can help.
For many of our patients, scars become a meaningful part of their story — a visible reminder of a step they took to feel at home in their own body. We are here to support you no matter how you choose to feel about yours.
Combining Procedures: Top Surgery & Tracheal Shave
Some patients choose to combine top surgery with other gender-affirming procedures during a single surgical session. One of the most common pairings is tracheal shave, a procedure that reduces the prominence of the Adam’s apple for a smoother, more traditionally feminine or androgynous neck contour.
If you are considering this combination, we encourage you to read: What Is a Tracheal Shave?
Combining procedures can be a great option for the right candidate, and it often reduces total recovery time compared to scheduling the surgeries separately. Dr. Sassani will help you understand whether a combination approach is safe and appropriate during your consultation.
What Pride Means to Our Practice
Pride Month is, at its heart, a celebration of authenticity. It is a moment to honor the people who have fought for the right to live openly, and to recognize the work that still remains — especially in healthcare, where transgender and non-binary patients continue to face barriers to compassionate, knowledgeable care.
At TakeShape, we believe that every patient deserves to be seen, heard, and respected. That belief shapes everything from how our front desk greets you, to how we design our surgical plans, to how we support you through recovery.
We are grateful to the transgender and non-binary community in Fort Lauderdale, across South Florida, and beyond, for trusting us with such meaningful parts of your journey. You are the reason we do this work, and you are the reason we continue to grow, learn, and improve.
To our existing patients: thank you for letting us be part of your story.
To those who are still considering top surgery or another affirming procedure: we are here when you are ready.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been thinking about FTM top surgery, chest masculinization, or another gender-affirming procedure, the first step is a private consultation with Dr. Sassani. During this visit, we will:
Listen carefully to your goals
Evaluate your anatomy and medical history
Recommend the technique that best for you
You can book a virtual consultation from the comfort of your home or visit us in person at our Plantation, FL office.
📞 Call us at (954) 585-3800 to schedule your consultation.
FAQ: FTM Top Surgery & Affirming Care at TakeShape
Does Dr. Sassani have experience with FTM top surgery?
Yes. Top surgery is one of the procedures Dr. Sassani performs regularly, and he has years of experience working with transgender and non-binary patients across a wide range of body types and surgical goals.
Can I choose between double incision and periareolar techniques?
You can share your preference, but the final recommendation will depend on your anatomy, skin elasticity, chest size, and goals. Dr. Sassani will explain why a particular technique is likely to give you the safest, most natural-looking result.
Will I need to stop hormone therapy before surgery?
In many cases, patients can continue testosterone before and after top surgery, but this depends on your individual medical history. We will review your specific situation during your consultation.
Does insurance cover FTM top surgery?
Many insurance plans now cover gender-affirming top surgery. Our team can help you understand your coverage and navigate the authorization process.
Is virtual consultation an option?
Yes. We offer virtual consultations for patients who prefer to start the conversation from home before coming in for an in-person evaluation.
How long is recovery after top surgery?
Most patients return to light activities within 1 to 2 weeks and resume full activity, including exercise, around 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery varies based on the technique used and your individual healing.
How can I support a loved one considering top surgery this Pride Month?
One of the most meaningful things you can do is listen. Affirm their identity, respect their pronouns, and offer to help with research, transportation, or recovery support when the time comes. If they are still in the research phase, pointing them to reputable resources (and away from misinformation) can make a real difference.
For more on the broader landscape of gender-affirming surgical care, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) gender confirmation surgery page is a helpful starting point.
