Transgender Top Surgery
At Brighter Day Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Kevin Day, MD proudly offers transgender top surgery to help patients achieve a chest appearance that better aligns with their gender identity. With advanced surgical techniques and a compassionate, patient-focused approach, Dr. Day tailors each procedure to meet individual goals and create natural-looking, gender-affirming results. Whether you are seeking masculinizing chest surgery or feminizing breast augmentation, he prioritizes safety, precision, and artistry to deliver results that enhance confidence and comfort. Dr. Day, with more than a decade serving transgender patients, understands the deeply personal nature of gender-affirming surgery and is dedicated to providing supportive care every step of the way.
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What Is Transgender Top Surgery?
Transgender top surgery is a gender-affirming breast procedure designed to create a chest appearance that aligns with a person’s gender identity. For transgender men and transmasculine individuals, this typically involves masculinizing chest surgery (FTM top surgery) where breast tissue is removed to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour. Techniques may include mastectomy, breast reduction, removal of excess skin, and nipple repositioning, grafting, or removal. For transgender women and transfeminine individuals, top surgery often refers to breast augmentation (MTF top surgery) or fat grafting to achieve a fuller, more feminine chest shape.
What Are the Benefits of Transgender Top Surgery?
Transgender top surgery offers significant physical and emotional benefits by helping individuals achieve an appearance that aligns with their gender identity. For many, it reduces gender dysphoria while promoting greater comfort and confidence in their bodies. Masculinizing top surgery can create a flatter, more masculine chest, eliminating the need for chest binding and allowing for more clothing options. Feminizing top surgery can enhance chest contours, creating a fuller, more feminine appearance that supports gender expression. Beyond aesthetics, top surgery often improves mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Many patients report feeling more authentic, comfortable in social settings, and able to live more openly after surgery.
Who Is a Candidate for Transgender Top Surgery?
You may be a candidate for top surgery if you:
- Are seeking a chest appearance that better aligns with your gender identity
- Are in good overall health and able to safely undergo surgery
- Are at a stable and healthy weight, as significant weight changes can affect results
- Have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes and scarring
- Are a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery to support healing
- Have adequate emotional and mental health support during recovery
- Are 18 or older
- Are ready to follow pre- and post-operative care instructions for optimal healing and results
How Is Transgender Top Surgery Performed?
Transgender top surgery is generally performed using techniques tailored to the patient’s goals and chest anatomy. For transmasculine (FTM) patients, surgery typically involves removing breast tissue to create a flatter chest. Common techniques include:
- Double incision – ideal for larger chests, involves removing excess skin and repositioning nipples
- Periareolar or keyhole – better for smaller chests with good skin elasticity, uses minimal incisions around the areola
For transfeminine (MTF) patients, feminizing top surgery often involves breast augmentation or fat grafting to achieve a fuller contour. Surgeries are generally performed as outpatient procedures under general anesthesia, and techniques can be customized to produce natural-looking, gender-affirming results.
What Can I Expect In My Transgender Top Surgery Recovery?
Recovery from top surgery can vary by procedure but usually takes several weeks. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal and can often be managed with prescribed pain medication. Dressings, compression garments, or surgical drains may be used to support healing and reduce fluid buildup. Most patients can resume light activities within one to two weeks, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least four to six weeks. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Day are essential to monitor healing and remove stitches or drains if needed. Final results continue to refine as swelling decreases over the following months. Carefully following post-operative care instructions is key for optimal healing, natural-looking results, and minimal scarring.
How Much Does Transgender Top Surgery Cost?
The cost of transgender top surgery can differ due to factors including the surgical technique, a surgeon’s experience, the practice’s geographic location, and whether additional procedures are needed. Masculinizing chest surgery and feminizing breast augmentation typically have different price ranges, and fees generally include anesthesia, facility costs, and post-operative care. During your consultation, our team can provide you with a personalized cost estimate based on your unique goals and treatment plan. Financing options are also available for qualified applicants to help make procedure payments more manageable.
Contact our practice today to learn more about transgender top surgery or to schedule a consultation.