Gender Affirming Mastectomy: Guidelines for Testosterone Use Before and After Surgery

Testosterone can impact several physiological processes that are critical during surgery and recovery, including:

• Blood Clotting: Testosterone may increase the risk of blood clots, which can complicate surgical procedures.
• Bleeding Risks: Elevated testosterone levels might contribute to increased bleeding during surgery.
• Wound Healing: Proper wound healing requires a delicate balance of hormonal and metabolic factors, which can be affected by testosterone levels.

To address these concerns, surgeons often recommend pausing testosterone therapy before the procedure.

Our surgeon, Dr. Jeon advise stopping testosterone therapy a few weeks prior to surgery. The typical timeline includes:

• 2 to 4 Weeks Before Surgery: Testosterone therapy is usually discontinued. This timeframe allows the body to stabilize and reduces risks related to bleeding and clotting.
• Medical Clearance: Consult your endocrinologist or primary care provider before pausing testosterone. They can provide personalized guidance based on your overall health and treatment plan.

Testosterone therapy can often be resumed after sufficient healing has occurred.
The timeline for resuming testosterone typically includes:

• 1 to 1 Weeks Post-Surgery: Many patients can restart testosterone therapy within this window, depending on their recovery progress.
• Follow-Up Appointments: Dr. Francis Jeon will evaluate your healing during follow-up visits and provide specific instructions on when it is safe to resume testosterone.
• Monitoring: Restarting testosterone should be monitored closely to ensure no complications, such as delayed wound healing or increased swelling, occur.

Clear communication with your surgical team and healthcare providers is essential. Be sure to:

• Discuss Your Testosterone Schedule: Share your current testosterone regimen with your surgeon and endocrinologist.
• Plan for Adjustments: Work together to create a plan for pausing and resuming testosterone that aligns with your surgical and recovery needs.
• Report Concerns: Inform your healthcare team immediately if you experience unexpected symptoms or complications.

At Evita Clinic, we routinely perform sex hormone level tests on the day of surgery to ensure optimal safety and outcomes.
Post-surgery, our team will provide tailored advice regarding testosterone therapy and, if needed, can administer testosterone injections directly at Evita clinic.