Gender Surgery

MTF 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 MTF Top Surgery?

MTF top surgery is a breast augmentation procedure, performed as part of male to female gender reassignment surgery. MTF breast surgery is for trans women who wish to have a more feminine chest area.

Some trans women take female hormones, as part of their transition which encourages breast development. However, many patients opt for breast surgery in addition to hormones in order to achieve the final desired size and shape of the breasts. This procedure can either involve the use of implants or breast fat transfer depending on the patient’s desired results and what your surgeon thinks will suit you best.

Our London male to female top surgery is something we are proud to offer as part of our promise of quality care for all at the Cadogan Clinic. We understand that gender-affirming surgery involves a patient placing a lot of trust in our hands, and we respect every journey we are chosen to be a part of.

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MTF Top Surgery
At a glance

Surgery Time

1 - 1.5 hours

Time off work

1 - 2 weeks

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

After 1 week

Reasonable Mobility

After 1 day

Exercise

After 4 -6 weeks

Bras & Garments

6 weeks

Sexual Activity

4- 6 weeks

Sleeping on back

1 -2 weeks

Full Recovery

4 - 6 weeks

Driving

1 week

Travel

1 Day


Why do people have MTF top surgery?

MTF top surgery is one surgery that can be classified as gender reassignment surgery to help treat gender dysphoria, a condition that causes great distress, and stems from a feeling of disconnect between a person’s biological sex and gender identity. There are certain mental health conditions which are connected with gender dysphoria, including depression and anxiety which gender affirming surgery will also help to address. Which surgeries an individual chooses as part of their gender reassignment journey is down to their own personal identification and preference.

Male to female top surgery will help to boost your confidence and self-esteem and have a positive impact on your quality of life. The aim of trans breast surgery is to help you feel at ease with your identity as a trans woman.

Who is suitable?

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

They will discuss your expectations of surgery and ensure you understand the results that are possible for you. 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 require referrals from other gender reassignment specialists to ensure you are at the best stage in your transition for surgery.

Words from our clients:


The cost of MTF Top Surgery

Get in touch now to discuss your estimated MTF top surgery price 

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


How is MTF top surgery performed?

Male to Female Top Surgery is similar to a standard breast augmentation procedure. However, due to slight differences in physiology, trans breast surgery is carried out in a different way.

Trans women may have a broader chest, with thicker pectoral muscles, as well as smaller nipples and areolas, and a shorter distance between the nipples. Because of these differences it is normal for trans women to have a wider space between their breasts, regardless of the size of the implants used.

If implants are being used, the surgeon will make an incision in the chest, and a silicone implant will be inserted. If you have opted for Fat Transfer to Breasts, your surgeon will extract unwanted or excess fat from other areas of the body such as the abdomen and thighs, before treating it and reinjecting it into the breasts.

If there is not enough breast tissue to accommodate the implant or injected fat, tissue expanders may be used to prepare your chest for surgery. These are filled with saline solution over the course of several appointments in order to stretch the skin ahead of top surgery.


MTF 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

If you choose to proceed with MTF Top Surgery at Cadogan Clinic, how can you prepare, and what does a typical surgical journey look like?

You will meet your surgeon for up to two consultations at our award-winning Chelsea based clinic to discuss London MTF Top Surgery and your desired results. Your surgeon will discuss your medical history and any steps you have taken in your transition so far. They may ask to review 1-2 referral letters from doctors you have previously spoken to. This is to ensure that you are at a safe stage in your transition for Top Surgery.

We recommend writing down 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 the time you have with your surgeon.

Your surgeon will also carry out a general health and wellness check, take your measurements and take photos. This will ensure they can put together a comprehensive surgical plan for you.

After your consultation, your surgeon will send your proposed surgical plan to your patient advisor. Your advisor will get in touch with you to explain the plan, pricing and discuss available surgery dates with you. You will then have a two week cooling off period to allow you to consider whether you wish to proceed with your surgery.

If you decide to proceed with your male to female top surgery at Cadogan Clinic, there will be certain steps your surgeon will require you to follow to prepare for your procedure:

  • You will complete your pre-operative medical and psychological paperwork to allow your surgical team (surgeon, anaesthetist and nurses) to review your surgery plan and advise on any final changes you need to make in the run up to your surgery.
  • You must stop smoking and vaping for six weeks before surgery can take place. This is vital to ensure your recovery is smooth and you heal effectively.
  • You will be asked to cut down on drinking alcohol in the weeks running up to your surgery. You must avoid drinking any alcohol for 48 hours before your surgery.
  • You need to stop taking any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as any herbal supplements as these can increase the risk of bleeding
  • You will need to ensure you have a friend or family member to come and collect you after your procedure. They must be able to drive you themselves, or accompany you in a taxi before staying with you overnight.
  • You will be asked to follow a fast before you arrive at the clinic. You mustn’t eat any solid food or consume any juice or milk (including tea or coffee) for 6 hours before you arrive at Cadogan Clinic. You can have sips of clear liquids (water, or black tea and coffee) up to 2 hours before you arrive at the clinic. You mustn’t have anything in the 2 hours before you arrive.

On the day of your surgery, your arrival time will be one hour before your scheduled surgery time. When you arrive, you will speak with the nursing team as well as your surgeon and anaesthetist to prepare you for surgery. Your surgeon will make any markings that are needed for your procedure, and you will be asked to change into a surgical gown and compression socks.

When you are taken into the surgical theatre, your anaesthetist will administer your general anaesthetic. All procedures at Cadogan Clinic are undertaken with TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) which has a faster initial recovery time and is less likely to cause nausea than some other anaesthetics.

Your surgeon will then complete your Male to Female Top Surgery. After the procedure is finished, you will wake up in our recovery ward, where a nurse will check your vital health signs before you are transferred to your own room in our ambulatory ward. You will have something to eat and drink, which you will have pre-ordered and a nurse will talk you through your medication and aftercare. When you are ready, you will get changed and your chaperone will arrive to collect you.

Most patients take up to 2 weeks off work following MTF top surgery to begin their recovery. Swelling and bruising at this time is completely normal and should begin to subside after 10 days. Your surgeon will ask you to wear a surgical bra to preserve your results and assist with healing. You will also be asked to sleep on your back to prevent putting pressure on your breasts.

One week after your surgery you will return to Cadogan Clinic to have an in person appointment with our nurses. They will assess your incisions, check your healing progress and change your dressings. They will explain what steps you need to take moving forward to ensure a swift and smooth recovery process.

Six weeks after your procedure you will meet with your surgeon so they can discuss your results and your recovery and make sure you are happy with how your surgical journey has progressed. They will be able to answer any questions you have about what you can expect moving forward and will explain who to get in touch with if you have any concerns after the appointment.

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

MTF surgery helps to redress the imbalance caused by gender dysphoria by bringing a person’s body in line with their gender identity. Once you have undergone breast feminisation you can enjoy an improved self-image in a body you feel connected with.

When trans women feel happier with their bodies, this usually has an overwhelmingly positive impact on all areas of their life, restoring confidence and improving mental health, alleviating the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other associated mental illnesses.

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

Top surgery results in breasts which both look and feel natural. MTF top surgery erases male 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.

To prepare for your male to female top surgery, you must have any existing medical conditions under control and be prepared to lose weight if you have a BMI of 25 or above. You should also quit smoking at least a couple of weeks before surgery. You should not smoke during the recovery period as this can hamper the healing process.

If you are taking female hormones, you should continue with these as normal.

If you have any questions about your top surgery, it may be a good idea to write these down and bring them with you to your initial consultation.

In the UK, you can expect to pay upwards of £6,000 for male to female top surgery. This figure can vary from person to person and largely depends on the surgical technique used and the type of implants used in surgery. Silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants.

You should expect a degree of scarring following any type of top surgery. In MTF top surgery, scars appear along the incision line, where the implant was inserted. The location and appearance of the scars depends on which surgical technique was used during your breast surgery. Most patients don’t experience a significant amount of scarring following a male to female top surgery.

Scars will fade over time, but these will not disappear completely. However a few weeks after surgery, you may wish to use bio oil which can help lessen the appearance of scars.

You should avoid smoking, tanning, excessive scrubbing and scratching the area during the healing process as these can make scarring worse. Age, skin tone and genetics can also have an impact on the appearance of scars.

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.

Male to female top surgery at the Cadogan Clinic results in breasts that look and feel natural. This breast feminisation helps to erase your masculine characteristics and helps to heal the disconnect caused by gender dysphoria.

Your new-look body will help improve mental health, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to live your life in a body that feels comfortable and right for you.

Many people who undergo MTF top surgery do not find the procedure painful. There may be some discomfort involved, particularly in the days following surgery when the area around the breasts may feel sore, swollen and bruised. If you do experience any pain or discomfort, this can be controlled using over-the-counter painkillers. But, generally speaking, top surgery is not considered to be a painful procedure.

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.

It is possible to reverse MTF top surgery, although it is uncommon. Breast implants stretch the skin, so if you did opt to have your implants removed, you may be left with loose or sagging skin in the chest area, which may require further surgery to rectify. It will not be possible to return your chest to the way it looked before.

 It is 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 MTF top surgery can achieve.

Yes, it is possible to have male to female breast surgery if you are not taking hormones.

The hormone oestrogen reduces the amount of testosterone in the body and produces feminising secondary sex characteristics, including small breasts. Implants can then be placed under this breast tissue to achieve a bigger size. Breast implants can still be used if you don’t take hormones, but you may need to use tissue expanders for a period of time before surgery in order to stretch the skin and make space for the implants.

Although it is common for MTF top surgery to use breast implants, it can be done by using a process called fat transfer. In this procedure, fat is removed from one part of your body via liposuction. The fat is then treated before being injected into the chest area to create breasts. Sometimes fat transfer can be used alongside breast implants. Your surgeon will be able to advise whether natural fat transfer would be an option open to you.


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 MTF Top Surgery

All surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications that you will need to understand and be aware of. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you in your consultation and explain how they could impact your surgery, should they arise. If your surgeon decides that you are high risk for any potential complications, they may ask you to follow certain measures as part of your preparation to make your surgery as safe as possible.

 

Complications that can arise as part of any surgical procedure include:

  • Excessive bleeding 
  • Allergic reaction to general anaesthetic
  • Infection at the surgical site
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a vein)
  • Hematoma - This is the build up of blood beneath the skin and will require treatment from your surgeon
  • Poor wound healing - Healing complications or infection can affect the incision sites
  • Asymmetry - Occasionally, one breast may appear a different size or shape to the other
  • 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.

A revision surgery may be required if an unforeseen complication arises. This does not reflect the standard of your surgeon and all consultant surgeons at Cadogan Clinic are fully qualified, and have performed MTF Top Surgery numerous times. 


Gender Surgery

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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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