Can I get top surgery without transitioning?

Question

I’m 100% sure I just want the top surgery my breast is the reason of my depression anxiety and It just makes me unhappy. This surgery would change my life.

Danielle Dumestre, MD · Answer

Hello! 
Yes, 100% you can either get a breast reduction or a full top surgery. Whichever you’re interested in without transitioning. Hope this helps!

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

Excellent question. 
In my practice, we understand that transgender patients are on a journey to aligning their physical body with their gender identity, and that the journey can be a long and sometimes difficult one. Some transgender men may consider a top surgery as a stand-alone procedure to help them feel more like their authentic selves. FTM top surgery (breast reduction) can provide you with the masculine looking chest that better represents your gender identity, reduce body dysmorphia, and result in better overall body confidence. But ultimately the decision will be yours. 
During your initial consultation, we determine based on your individual goals and desired body shape how to tailor your top surgery specifically to you. The excess breast tissue can be removed with a traditional breast reduction or by using liposuction to sculpt a more masculine looking chest. In addition, the areola complex can be resized and made smaller and more oval for a more masculine appearance. 
The two major methods I use for FTM top surgery are double incision mastectomy with nipple grafting and keyhole. Keyhole (also known as peri-areolar) is ideal for small chested transgender men, up to a b-sized chest, with good skin elasticity. Double incision mastectomy procedure is ideal for medium to large chested transgender men. During this procedure, the skin on the chest is opened along two horizontal incisions, at the top and bottom of the pectoral muscle. (The muscle itself is not touched.) The skin is pulled back and the breast tissue is then removed. In both techniques, additional liposuction may be performed to adjust the contour of the chest. 
Which method we choose for your top surgery will depend on the size of your breasts. But, rest assured, no matter how much breast tissue there is to remove, there is a surgery for you. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable, happy, and confident in your own skin. 
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery. best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
#RealSelf100Surgeon
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

A number of my patients (at least 10%) are not interested in hormones or fully transitioning to "male"; they simply want their breasts maximally reduced (or short of that, to be "gender neutral" - generally resulting in a braless small "A-cup" range), while some want their nipple-areolar complexes removed altogether as well, which also certainly can be done (and actually is the least risky option overall). An experienced "top surgeon" should be able to modify their most-commonly performed procedure in these ways to satisfy the wishes of almost any patient seeking top surgery.

Babak Dadvand, MD · Answer

Hi,Thanks for the post. You do not need to be transgender to have TOP surgery. I have performed TOP surgery on many cis gender patients who for one reason or another do not want their breasts, whether it is due to aesthetic reasons or a desire to reduce their future risk of breast cancer. In many of these patients their breasts have an impact on their mental health. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Sheldon Lincenberg, MD · Answer

Transitioning is not a requisite for top surgery. In my practice, I see cis hetero women and cis lesbian women who request top surgery. Some women prefer not to deal with breasts. There are many reasons for this including athletic pursuits, fear of cancer, "do not relate to my breasts", masculine partner status, etc.
It would not surprise me if your mood problem is associated with your breasts.

Sidhbh Gallagher, MD · Answer

About 5% of my top surgery patients share a similar story as yours. The most important thing when working with patients such as yourself is to offer patient-centered care, that is, doing whats right for the patient! Hormones, changing your name or other surgeries are certainly not required. However before undergoing any major surgery it is always a good idea to talk things over with a mental health professional to make sure this is  right  for you. When you are ready to move forward chat with your surgeon about what the right look for you is. For example you may or may not want to keep your nipples. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

Most of the TG patients I operate on have not and do not plan on "fully" transitioning either F-M or M-F. See a board certified plastic surgeon who has some experience with this procedure to explore your options.

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hello, Thanks for sharing your query. Yes you can undergo top surgery without genital surgery. Hormonal therapy is optional and people on testosterone does shrink the breast helping in the choice of surgical procedure. Consult a board certified plastic surgeon.

Can I get top surgery without transitioning?

Answers (8)

More Masculinizing Top Surgery Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (8)

More Masculinizing Top Surgery Questions

I am a cis-female but would like to have my breasts completely removed, do I need to find a FTM experienced surgeon?

Female to male: what can I expect from testosterone therapy as far as breast size?

Can I donate my breast tissue?

What is my best FTM top surgery approach? Peri-areolar or DI? (photo)

What type of top surgery do I have a chance at? (Photo)

I am FTM and I was womdering does size of your "moobs" (man boobs) determine the cost of your top surgery?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS