Breast implants

On this page
Standards of care
Recovery
Costs
Locations
Risks
Downloads

Breast implants, also known as breast augmentation or mammoplasty, are typically sought by trans people who were presumed male at birth (PMAB), including trans women and non-binary people, to increase breast size and give chest a more typically feminine shape.

There’s no right or wrong way to be or embody your gender, regardless of your surgical status. Not all trans people want, seek or can have surgery, and being trans doesn’t necessitate surgery either. Find out more about that on our ‘Am I trans enough?’ page.

A surgeon places implants made of a silicone shell and filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) under either the breasts or the breast muscles on the chest. Breast implants will often need to be replaced after a period of time, sometimes between 10-20 years, and it’s best to check with your surgeon what this timeframe might be.

Information and resources to assist clinicians learn more about breast implants can be found on our clinician page.

WPATH Standards of Care

The Standards of Care – 8th edition (SOC8) are published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and offers guidance to clinicians working with trans & gender diverse people all over the world, including criteria and recommended referral pathways for those seeking particular medical and surgical interventions.

The SOC8 do not specify an order by which surgeries should occur, if sought at all, and are guidelines, not legislated requirements.

Criteria for breast augmentation (implants/lipofilling) in trans & gender diverse people:

Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent for treatment
Being assessed for risk factors associated with breast cancer prior to mastectomy
Being informed about aftercare requirements, travel and accommodations, and the importance of postoperative follow-up

Although not an explicit criterion, it is recommended that trans & gender diverse people seeking breast augmentation undergo feminising hormone therapy (at least 12 months, but it’s best to wait two to three years) prior to breast augmentation surgery. The purpose is to maximize breast growth in order to obtain better surgical (aesthetic) results.

Recovery

Recovery from breast implants may take between four and six weeks, or several weeks longer if the implants were placed underneath the breast muscles, although it depends on the procedure and the size of the implants. It is recommended that you have someone help you/drive you home after you are signed out of the clinic.

Your surgeon may advise you not to do any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least the first three weeks, and wear compressing clothing, such as sports bras or specially designed garments for the first month.

The specific instructions for your recovery will vary from surgeon to surgeon, and depending on where and what specific surgical techniques are used.

Costs

Costs for breast implants can vary, depending on the technique and surgeon. Unfortunately, breast implants for trans people in Australia are still considered a cosmetic surgery. As a result, it can be difficult to access Medicare rebates or early access of superannuation to help cover the cost.

Locations

Breast implants are available in Australia, as well as overseas.

The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health hosts a provider list of their members. It includes surgeons in Australia and is available here.

Risks

All surgeries carry some risk, including complications, infection, blood clots, and rarely death. It’s important to ask your surgeon about possible risks and how to avoid them.