Mastectomies may also be carried out to transgender and non-binary people who were assigned female at birth to help lessen symptoms of gender dysphoria.

[15] Upper limb problems such as shoulder and arm pain, weakness, and restricted movement are a common side effect after breast cancer surgery.

[19] For trans people undergoing a gender-affirming mastectomy, the type of procedure chosen can also vary depending on the desired results, the scarring (or lack thereof), the recovery process, the person's desire for nipple sensation, and other different factors based both on personal preference and input from medical experts.

[20] Prior to undergoing the mastectomy, it is important to meet with the surgeon to discuss the relevant risks and benefits of receiving the surgery.

In addition to the surgeon, a meeting with an anesthesiologist is pertinent in order to review the patient's medical history and determine the plan of anesthesia.

[33] The reason for this is to prevent the anti-coagulative function of aspirin and other blood thinners that would make it difficult to achieve coagulation during the surgery.

[36] The rationale is that increasing a patient's functional status prior to surgery will allow for a smoother and faster recovery in the postoperative setting.

In addition, signs of lymphedema due if lymph node removal is performed during mastectomy may be detected by the presence of heaviness, tightness, or fullness in the hand, arm, or axillary area region.

[39] However, it is common for a member of the medical team to provide home exercises designed to maintain arm and shoulder movement and flexibility.

[42] The necessity and usefulness of radiotherapy on people at slightly lower risk, for example, the cancer has spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes, is not as clear.

[44] Mastectomy rates vary tremendously worldwide, as was documented by the 2004 'Intergroup Exemestane Study',[45] an analysis of surgical techniques used in an international trial of adjuvant treatment among 4,700 females with early breast cancer in 37 countries.

Later, alternating incision and cauterization with complete removal of tumors was suggested by Leonides, one of the first breast oncologic surgeons recorded in history.

1510), a well-known surgeon from Paris who was well known for his experience treating soldiers who were injured, proposed a multi-tiered approach to breast surgery.

Another technique developed during this time to improve efficiency of breast dissection was using ligatures to achieve anterior traction.

Despite the development of these techniques, there were few mastectomies actually performed at the time due to lack of qualified surgeons and the high morbidity, mortality and disfigurement associated with the surgery.

Recent literature suggests that these procedures allow for improved aesthetic outcomes while also not increasing risk for local recurrence compared to conventional mastectomies.