Top Surgery

Chest reconstruction surgery for transgender and non-binary people. For transmasculine people, top surgery typically removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest to appear more masculine; for transfeminine people, it may involve breast augmentation.

Top surgery is one of the most common and most studied gender-affirming procedures, with high satisfaction rates. Recovery takes several weeks; results continue to improve over months as swelling subsides.

Access varies: some countries require letters from mental health professionals, others use informed consent. Costs vary widely ($5,000–$15,000+ without insurance); many insurance plans now cover it, and some countries' public healthcare systems (NHS, Medicare in some states) fund it. Not every trans person wants top surgery — chest dysphoria is not universal.