At The London Transgender Clinic, we offer Top surgery, also known as Subcutaneous Mastectomy, which refers to a procedure to remove the female breasts in a female to male transgender individual. There are various techniques including:
- Double excision with free nipple graft
- Peri-Areolar Incision
- Liposuction
The technique used is based on the size of the breasts, skin laxity and the desired result.
Summary of Female to Male Top Surgery/Mastectomy
2.5 hrs
General
Day Case
Same Day
2 weeks
45 degrees for 2 weeks
6 days
6 weeks
6 weeks
6 weeks
REASON FOR SURGERY
- To create a natural-looking male chest
- To positively address dysphoria associated with the chest
BENEFITS
At The London Transgender Clinic our 20 years of breast surgery expertise aims to ensure that you achieve the shape you desire in a safe and supportive environment.
FAQ’S
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Do I need to be on hormone therapy to have top surgery?
No, hormone therapy is not a prerequisite for mastectomy. Patients can decide to have Top Surgery before they start masculinising hormone therapy or decide to never start hormone treatment at all. However, patients are still required to provide a referral from a gender specialist gender psychologist or psychiatrist.
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How Much Does it Cost?
The cost varies depending on the technique required to achieve the desired result. For an exact quotation please book a consultation with a member of our team.
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What happens at the consultation?
You will be seen by your surgeon and LTC nurse who will ask about your goals and concerns. A full medical history and examination will be carried out before discussing your planned surgery. The risks and benefits of TOP Surgery will be discussed as well as the recovery and results expected.
You may be requested to undergo medical investigations such as blood tests, ECG or other, as medically advised by your surgeon.
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How do I prepare for my surgery?
Prior to surgery you must have had a psychological assessment by a gender specialist to discuss the surgery and whether it is the right time for you to proceed. They must provide you with a letter of support prior to proceeding with surgery.
Once you have your consultation and your surgery is booked, you will have a pre-operative assessment with your nurse 2 weeks before surgery, during which any outstanding questions will be answered. Your preparation for surgery will be reviewed and information will be provided regarding medications, diet and post-operative care.
You will NOT need to stop your hormone therapy before your surgery.
You must stop smoking a minimum of 2 weeks before your surgery and up to 6 weeks postoperatively.
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What happens on the day of my surgery?
On the day of your surgery you will travel to the hospital where they will admit you to your room. You will be assessed by your surgeon and your anaesthetist before going to the theatre. The hospital team will complete the necessary pre-operative health checks.
Following your surgery, you will remain in bed for 4 hours, closely monitored by the hospital medical team. They will assist you with anything you need. You will be tired and spend most of this time resting. You will be provided with something to eat when you are alert and slowly mobilised with assistance.
Once you are fully awake and mobile, you will be discharged from the hospital to your home. You must have a chaperone to bring you home and stay with you for a minimum of 24 hours.
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What aftercare will be provided for me?
You will be assessed 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post operatively to monitor your progress.
You will be provided with post-operative manual lymphatic drainage therapy to reduce swelling and promote better healing.
LTC has a nurse on call 24/7 in the event you have any emergencies following discharge from hospital. You will be seen immediately if medically required or appropriate advice will be provided.
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What happens if there is a complication?
In the event of a complication you will be medically assessed as soon as possible by your surgeon or a qualified member of our nursing team. In the unlikely event you need to return to theatre this will be arranged for you by our team. Hospital and anaesthetist fees may be charged, however there will be no surgical fee. Further information is outlined in our terms and conditions.
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Written onJanuary 31, 2019
Following on from my recent FTM chest surgery, I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the staff at the London Transgender Clinic for all of their continued support and care throughout my process. My first appointment was with Penny (Psychologist) which went amazing and encouraged me to book my appointment with Mary (Nurse prescriber) to continue through the process. Mary made me feel very comfortable during my appointment, she was very friendly yet professional which made the process even more exciting. I was prescribed testosterone gel in which I went home to collect from my local chemist. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not get my hands on the gel which set me back a little bit. Mary was very helpful in this situation, and reassured me everything was going to be okay. She suggested that I ordered it online, which I did, and had everything sorted within a week. I then had a consultation with Mary and Mr Inglefield who agreed to proceed with my chest surgery. The continued support and professionalism from all of the girls on reception was amazing, all were very helpful when I had any questions/queries, all calls and emails were responded promptly and professionally. Mr Inglefield is a very gentle, kind and caring man who made me feel so at ease about having my surgery done. He is always ready to have a laugh with you, but at the same time he remains very professional when communicating to you about surgery. His smile brightens up the whole experience! After I had my surgery, the continuity of care from everyone involved was amazing when having regular checks and my dressings changed etc. Laura, Natalie and Lynsey were awesome. My time at the clinic overall was such an incredible, calm experience. I felt at ease at every stage of my surgery from start to finish. I would highly recommend the clinic without a shadow of a doubt, and if anyone is considering chest surgery, the care and continuity of this experience at the London Transgender Clinic was absolutely amazing, I cannot thank everyone enough! Thank you Mel
Related Services
Alternative Procedures
We support and endorse the Guidelines for the Standards of Care for transgender, trans-individuals set out by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
