Gender Surgery

FTM Top Surgery

at Cadogan Clinic, London’s Leading Cosmetic Surgery Specialists. 

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Award Winning Specialist Clinic

We've won 12 top industry awards since 2010 and regularly feature in the national and international press.

Industry Leading Consultants

We've invited only the very best consultants in the country to practice with us.

Care Quality Commission

Our Leadership has been rated Outstanding by the independent regulator of health and social care in England

GMC Registered Surgeons

All of our surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council.

Medically Reviewed 19 February 2024, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is FTM Top Surgery?

FTM top surgery (or female to male top surgery) is a surgical procedure, carried out for transgender men to create a flatter, more masculine-looking chest. Many patients find this gender-affirming procedure extremely liberating.

This involves removing the breasts in a procedure known as a mastectomy and any excess skin and fat around the breast area before repositioning the nipples and areolas. There are a number of different surgical methods your surgeon may choose from depending on the size of the breasts and the elasticity of the skin. As leading top surgery UK surgical providers, we understand the trust that is placed in our care for these life-changing procedures. Every patient enquiry is treated with the respect you deserve.

London FTM top surgery is a permanent alternative to chest binding, which can cause problems such as skin irritation and breathing difficulties when carried out long term. 

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FTM Top Surgery
At a glance

Surgery Time

2.5 hours

Time off work

2 weeks

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

6 days

Reasonable Mobility

Same day

Exercise

6 weeks

Bras & Garments

6 weeks

45 degrees

2 weeks

Full Recovery

6 weeks


Why do people have FTM top surgery?

Female to male top surgery is used to create a natural-looking male chest. Top surgery helps to address gender dysphoria, a condition that causes great distress and stems from a feeling of disconnect between a person’s biological sex and gender identity. 

Gender reassignment helps to treat gender dysphoria as well as alleviating other mental health conditions that are associated with this diagnosis, such as depression and anxiety. FTM top surgery will help to increase your confidence and self-esteem and have a positive impact on your quality of life. The aim of this and any gender affirming surgery is to help you feel at ease with your identity and to allow you to present in the way you feel comfortable.

Who is suitable?

Our specialist gender reassignment surgeons will meet you for a one to one consultation to assess your suitability for surgery. Your surgeon will examine your chest in order to decide which the best method of London top surgery would be for you.

They will discuss your expectations of surgery and ensure you understand the individual results that are possible from your procedure. They will also assess your general physical and mental health to make sure you are suitable for a general anaesthetic procedure, this may include your weight, and any medical and mental conditions you have. You must be over 18 to have this procedure, and your surgeon may request referrals from other gender reassignment specialists you are already working with to be able to go ahead with your surgery. Your patient advisor will be able to help you with getting these referrals if you don’t already have them.

Words from our clients:


The cost of FTM Top Surgery UK

Enquire for our competitive FTM top surgery UK prices with Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, London.

Get in touch 0207 901 8500

Included in this treatment

Up to two 60 minute consultations with a leading specialist plastic surgeon at our award-winning premises in Chelsea

Your procedure carried out at London’s leading specialist cosmetic surgery centre of excellence

24/7 on call nurse assistance

Dedicated Patient Co-ordinator, as a personal point of contact through your journey with Cadogan

A pre-operative medical assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery

Comprehensive post-operative aftercare courtesy of our specialist cosmetic nurses


The main types of male to female top surgery

Female to Male Top Surgery in London is a surgical procedure that is performed under general anaesthetic which takes 3-4 hours to complete. The exact time of your procedure will depend on the amount of breast tissue which needs to be removed and the method of surgery your surgeon recommends for your procedure. It is not dissimilar to a mastectomy.

There are 3 main 'types' of tops surgery: the double incision, the periareolar, and the keyhole.

This is the most common method used in FTM top surgery. Your surgeon will remove your areolas and nipples and make them smaller. They will then make long incisions to remove the breast tissue, known as a mastectomy before using liposuction to remove any excess fat. Finally, any excess skin is removed so the incision can be closed leaving a flat chest. Your surgeon will use special sutures to create a flat line and prevent any puckering around the incision sites.

Periareolar Top Surgery is suited to patients with smaller chests, and is also known as a Donut Procedure. Two circular incisions are made, one inside the other, around the border of the areola. The breast tissue is then removed and liposuction is used to remove any excess fat. The edges of the larger incision are then pulled together, resizing the areola.

This particular method of FTM top surgery is only suited for patients with very small chests and tight skin. A small incision is made along the bottom half of the areola, leaving it partially attached to the body. Similar to periareolar top surgery, the breast tissue is removed and liposuction carried out to remove any excess fat, if required. The nipples will be resized and the incision closed.


FTM Top Surgery Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.


What to expect

Below you will find some key information to help you prepare for surgery and make necessary arrangements to ensure you have the support you need and that everything runs smoothly on the day.

You will meet your specialist gender reassignment surgeon for up to two consultations at our award-winning Chelsea based clinic to discuss FTM Top Surgery and your hopes for surgery. Your surgeon will discuss your medical history and the steps you have taken in your transition so far. They may ask to review 1-2 referral letters from other gender specialists you have previously worked with. This is to ensure that you are at the right point in your transition to undergo top surgery.

We recommend writing any questions you have for your surgeon down, while you are preparing for your consultation. This will allow you to get the most out of your consultation and allow you to walk away feeling confident and fully prepared.

Your surgeon will also carry out a general health and wellness check, take your measurements and take photos for your medical records. This will help them to put together your surgical plan in as much detail as possible.

Following your consultation, your surgeon will send your completed surgical plan to your patient advisor. Your advisor will explain the plan and the procedure your surgeon has suggested for you, as well the pricing and your surgeon’s available dates for surgery. You will then have a compulsory two week cooling off period to consider the options that have been given to you and whether you would like to go ahead with surgery.

 If you decide to proceed with FTM Top Surgery, there are certain steps your surgeon will ask you to follow in preparation for surgery:

  • You will receive two questionnaires, one about your medical and one about your psychological health. Once completed, your surgeon and anaesthetist will review these to confirm you are ready for surgery.
  • If you smoke or vape, your surgeon will ask you to give up six weeks before your procedure. This will significantly improve your healing and recovery process.
  • You will also be asked to cut down on drinking alcohol in the weeks running up to your surgery. You shouldn’t drink any alcohol in the 48 hours before your procedure.
  • In the 7 days running up your procedure you will be asked to not to take any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as herbal supplements as these may increase your chances of bleeding in your surgery.
  • You must ask a friend or family member to come and collect you following your procedure. They must be able to either accompany you in a taxi or drive you in a private car before staying with you overnight.
  • In the 6 hours before you arrive at the clinic, you cannot consume any solid food, juice or milk (including tea or coffee). You can have sips of clear liquids (water, or black tea and coffee) up to 2 hours before you arrive at the clinic

Your arrival time will be an hour before your surgery is due to begin. The nurses will prepare you for surgery by taking your blood pressure, height and weight and asking you to change into a surgical gown and compression socks. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will come to greet you and answer any questions. Your surgeon will then make any markings they need to carry out your procedure.

When you are taken into theatre, your anaesthetist will administer your general anaesthetic. All procedures at Cadogan Clinic are performed using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) as it has a faster initial recovery time and less risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting.

Once your surgery is finished, you will be taken to our recovery ward, where you will wake up from the anaesthetic and a nurse will check your vital health signs. Once you are awake and comfortable, you will be taken into our ambulatory ward to have something to eat and drink. When you are ready, a nurse will talk you through any medication and aftercare you will need once you leave. You will then get changed and your chaperone will come to collect you.

In the first few days following surgery, you will likely experience some pain, bruising and swelling, this is completely normal and will calm down within the first 2 weeks. Most patients are mobile within 2-3 days and can bathe normally after this time. Your surgeon will ask you to wear a compression vest for up to 8 weeks post-surgery to preserve your results and to reduce the swelling. They may also ask you to sleep on your back for the first few weeks of recovery to prevent any pressure being placed on your chest.

One week after your surgery you see our nurses so they can assess your incisions and make sure you are healing well. They will explain how to look after and change your dressings from this point onwards and will answer any questions you have about your aftercare.

Six weeks after your surgery you will see your surgeon so they can discuss your results and recovery. After this point, if you have any questions or concerns you will still be able to contact our nurses or your patient advisor who will be able to organise for you to speak with your surgeon if necessary.

The Patient Journey. A breakdown of what you can expect on your journey with us

We are deeply invested in ensuring that every step of your surgical journey with us is as informative and reassuring to you as it can be. This article outlines what you can expect at each stage of the journey

The Patient Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

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.


A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

Our Clinic

A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

Our History

At Home in Sloane Street, London

We are proud that our state of the art award-winning clinic is located in one of the best neighbourhoods in the country

Welcome to Sloane Street

Clinics Nationwide

We offer surgical consultations in London, Birmingham, Chelmsford and Bristol, and attract international patients from all corners of the globe such as as the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

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The Risks of FTM Top Surgery

Before proceeding with FTM Top Surgery, it is vital to be aware of the potential risks and complications that can occur during any surgical procedure. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you and explain how they may impact your procedure.

  • Hematoma - This is the build up of blood beneath the skin and will require treatment from your surgeon
  • Seroma - This is the formation of a lump under the skin caused by buildup of fluid around the incision sites. This will require treatment from your surgeon.
  • Poor wound healing - Healing complications or infection can affect the incision sites
  • Asymmetry - Occasionally, your chest may appear uneven - this can sometimes be a temporary part of healing, but may be long term and require further intervention.
  • Excessive bleeding 
  • Allergic reaction to general anaesthetic
  • Infection at the surgical site
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a vein)

Occasionally, a revision surgery is required in the event of a complication or unwanted outcome. This can arise due to factors out of your surgeon’s control. All of Cadogan Clinic’s gender specialist surgeons are highly qualified consultants who have performed FTM Top Surgery many times.


Gender Surgery

Related Treatments

We believe in the delivery of excellent outcomes and results, and exceptional levels of service. Our outcomes are natural and long-lasting, and we remain the premier choice for cosmetic surgery treatments in the UK.

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