FTM Top Surgery

FTM surgery helps to alleviate gender dysphoria by bringing a person’s body in line with their gender identity. Most people who have top surgery will find that they have an improved self-image once the operation is completed and the body has had a chance to heal. By helping trans men to feel happier and more connected with their bodies, this usually has an overwhelmingly positive impact on all areas of their life. FTM surgery helps to restore confidence and improves mental health, alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

This newfound confidence can help in the workplace, in social situations and aid with forming romantic relationships.

Top surgery results in a more masculine-looking chest, replacing female characteristics. Our surgeons at the Cadogan Clinics are experts in their field and have the knowledge and skills to help you to reach your body goals.

The best surgeon to perform top surgery is an aesthetic surgeon who has specific training in gender-affirming surgeries.

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, all of our surgeons are world-class experts in their field. This expertise means that our surgeons are highly sought after to perform female to male surgery in London.

You should expect a degree of scarring following any type of top surgery. Scarring from surgical incision looks like a thin, raised line on top of the skin. As it heals, it will darken and flatten.

The size, length and exact location of these scars in FTM top surgery depends on the surgical technique used. The keyhole and periareolar methods of top surgery are  less invasive than double incision top surgery. As a result, this generally results in less scarring.

The good news is that any scarring will gradually fade, but the speed of this varies from person to person. Three months after surgery you can start to use bio oil on your scars to help lessen their appearance. You should avoid smoking, tanning, excessive scrubbing and scratching the area during the healing process as these can make scarring worse.

Some people have a condition called keloid that causes excessive tissue growth in the wound area. Keloid scars are thicker and more noticeable than regular scars. In the unlikely event that you acquire an infection of the wound, this can also make scars thicker and it takes longer for them to go.

The Cadogan Clinic provides every patient with access to one of London’s most advanced scar minimisation programmes, led by our scar prevention team here at the clinic.

After the post-surgery swelling subsides, you should expect to have a flatter, contoured, more masculine-looking chest. There may be some scarring, depending on which technique is used in your top surgery. You may also find that you experience a reduction or loss of nipple sensation, depending on which surgical technique is used during the operation.

Once you have recovered from your operation, you can begin to enjoy a new body which helps to heal the feeling of disconnect caused by gender dysphoria. You should notice an overall boost in your mental health and wellbeing, as well as a boost in self-confidence.

You can expect some discomfort for around four or five days after your FTM top surgery. In the event that you do experience any mild to moderate pain or discomfort, this can be controlled with over-the-counter painkillers. The chest area will be swollen and on average this will take two to three weeks to subside. However you may find the area is still swollen for anywhere up to six months after surgery.

As part of your treatment with the Cadogan Clinic, you will have access to 24/7 on-call nurse assistance for the duration of your recovery.

Yes, it is possible to get FTM top surgery on the NHS if you meet the criteria. However the NHS waiting list for female to male gender reassignment is very long.

If you choose the Cadogan Clinic for your FTM top surgery, there are no waiting times and you will get your treatment sooner.

Top surgery is permanent. Your breasts will not grow back after the operation and any reconstructive surgery will not return your chest to the way it looked before. It is therefore of paramount importance that you are 100 percent certain about your goals before taking such major steps to change your body. You must also have realistic expectations about what FTM top surgery can achieve. Book an appointment with one of our expert surgeons here at the Cadogan Clinic who will run through the options with you.

If the milk ducts are removed during top surgery, then you will not be able to breastfeed or chestfeed. If some of these milk-producing ducts are left behind, then it may be possible.

If you are taking testosterone as part of your treatment, then this may affect the production of the hormone needed for lactation.

It is important to note that many factors can affect a person’s ability to breastfeed or chestfeed. A person who has all their milk ducts and is not taking hormones may still find they do not produce enough milk. Formula milk is a perfectly healthy and safe way to feed a baby.

A mastectomy (breast removal) is just part of FTM top surgery. Liposuction is also used to remove excess fatty tissue to create an improved contour and the nipples will also be repositioned to a more natural-looking position.

Depending on the results of your FTM top surgery, the surgeon may feel that further procedures are necessary. This may include more liposuction, dog-ear surgery to remove puckered skin at the end of the scar line, and possible nipple reconstruction if required.