Top Surgery Recovery | Top Surgery Recovery Timeline

What is Top Surgery?

Top Surgery is a gender-affirming procedure that changes the appearance of an individual’s chest to be in line with their gender identity. Top Surgery addresses the concern of gender dysphoria, where someone’s assigned gender does not match their gender identity.

Cadogan Clinic offers a range of Top Surgery procedures to meet various concerns:

FTM Top Surgery – to create a more masculine appearance by removing breast tissue
MTF Top Surgery – to create a more feminine appearance using either breast implants or Fat Transfer

Understanding what is involved in recovery from Top Surgery is crucial when considering this procedure. Your surgeon will discuss the Top Surgery recovery process with you during your consultations and ensure you know how you must prepare ahead of your procedure.

Top Surgery Initial Recovery

You will begin your Top Surgery recovery in our recovery ward within our dedicated hospital facility. As you wake up from your anaesthetic, our specialist nurses and your anaesthetist will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. Once you are stable and comfortable, you will be taken into our ambulatory ward, where you will continue your initial Top Surgery recovery in your own room.

You will have something to eat and drink, and our nurses will ensure you are comfortable and prepared to leave. Once you are ready, they will talk you through your aftercare instructions and medication, and you will leave with your chaperone to continue your Top Surgery recovery in the comfort of your home.

Top Surgery Recovery Timeline

Your surgeon will discuss the critical recovery points you can expect to reach as part of your preparation for recovery from Top Surgery. They will also cover any specific Top Surgery healing points that may impact your activities or lifestyle.

Our Top Surgery recovery timeline below covers the general milestones patients typically experience.

2-3 Days After Your Top Surgery

In the first few days after your surgery, it is important to rest which will help to advance your Top Surgery healing. You may feel discomfort or itching around your chest and have some swelling and bruising.

Your surgeon will ask you to wear a surgical compression garment to protect and support your chest during your Top Surgery recovery. This will also help to reduce swelling and prevent fluid retention around the surgical site.

1-2 Weeks After Your Top Surgery

You will have your first post-operative appointment with our nurses one week after your procedure. They will assess your Top surgery healing and remove your stitches before re-dressing your surgical site. They will answer your questions and ensure you understand any aftercare steps you need to follow going forward.

You will still have some swelling and bruising at this stage, but this will be starting to subside. You must continue wearing your surgical garments at this stage in your Top Surgery recovery.

1 Month After Your Top Surgery

One month after Top Surgery, the bruising will have healed, but you may still have some slight swelling.

Your Top Surgery scarring will appear slightly red at this point but will become less visible as you heal.

6-8 Weeks After Your Top Surgery

Six to eight weeks after Top Surgery, you should be completely healed. You will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon six weeks after your procedure to discuss your Top Surgery healing and results.

During your follow-up appointment, your consultant will discuss how to manage your Top Surgery scars and may recommend silicone scar treatments to help flatten and lighten the colour of your Top Surgery scarring.

You will be able to stop wearing your compression garments 6-8 weeks after your Top Surgery.

3 Months After Your Top Surgery

Three months into your recovery from Top Surgery, you will be entirely healed and enjoying your results. Any swelling will now have resolved, and your Top Surgery scars will continue to become less visible.

After your Top Surgery recovery, you can contact the clinic anytime if you have any questions or require support.

FTM Top Surgery Recovery

FTM Top Surgery is a surgical procedure that creates a masculine chest. Depending on your concerns and desired results, there are several FTM Top Surgery techniques. Your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate options for you to help you decide on the best surgery for you.

FTM Top Surgery Recovery Timeline

Although the FTM Top Surgery recovery timeline is typically similar to the recovery milestones summarised above, some considerations will influence your FTM Top Surgery recovery time.

The surgical technique used to carry out your procedure will affect your FTM Top Surgery recovery time. The double-incision method has a longer FTM Top Surgery recovery timeline than less invasive methods such as keyhole Top Surgery.
Double-incision surgery also leads to more prominent Top Surgery scars, which may take longer to fade.
If you opt for a nipple graft, your FTM Top Surgery recovery time may be slightly longer (up to 12 weeks) to allow for full healing.

MTF Top Surgery Recovery

MTF Top Surgery is a surgical procedure that results in a feminine chest. This can be achieved using either breast implants or Fat Transfer.

Our expert gender specialist surgeons use a bespoke approach for each patient, creating a natural and flattering appearance based on their concerns and desired results.

MTF Top Surgery Week by Week

The MTF timeline for recovery is generally very similar to the pattern we have outlined above, but there are some key differences it is important to understand. Your surgeon will make sure you know what to expect from your MTF Top Surgery recovery week by week and how you must prepare ahead of your procedure.

MTF Top Surgery recovery is typically slightly shorter than FTM Top Surgery at around 4-6 weeks
MTF Top Surgery recovery will be influenced by whether you opt for breast implants or Fat Transfer to Breast. Although the initial recovery for both is around 4-6 weeks, Fat Transfer to Breast takes up to three months for the final results to be apparent

Dos and Don’ts After Top Surgery

It is crucial that you adhere to your consultant’s aftercare instructions to aid your Top Surgery healing, achieve your desired results and prevent complications from occurring.

What You Should Do During Recovery From Top Surgery

Rest: Especially in the first seven days following your procedure, rest is vital to assist the Top Surgery healing process.

Wear your compression garments: Your surgeon will ask you to wear your surgical garments for up to eight weeks after your procedure. This will prevent swelling and support your chest during your Top Surgery recovery.

Adjust your sleeping position: You will need to sleep on your back for 2-3 weeks after your Top Surgery. Sleeping in a slightly propped-up position helps to reduce swelling and prevents fluid retention.

Take any prescribed medication as instructed: As well as any medication that your surgical team has prescribed following your surgery, you may need to adjust how you take your usual medication. Your surgeon will discuss this with you during your consultation.

What You Shouldn’t Do During Recovery From Top Surgery

Strenuous activity or exercise: In addition to strenuous exercise, you should avoid bending or lifting heavy weights for the first 4-6 weeks of your recovery. This will prevent any strain on your surgical site.

Eat excess salt: A diet high in sodium can exacerbate swelling and lead to fluid retention, which may slow your healing. Eating a diet rich in nutrients and protein will encourage successful healing.

UV Exposure: Top Surgery scarring can be negatively affected by UV exposure from the sun or sun beds. While your Top Surgery scars are fading, it is important to protect them by keeping them covered and using sunscreen.

Is Top Surgery Recovery Painful?

It is normal to experience some discomfort after Top Surgery, especially in the first 10-14 days of recovery. Your surgical team will provide any painkillers you need to manage this.

During MTF Top Surgery recovery, most patients describe the discomfort as a dull ache, and the skin can feel quite tight or stretched around the chest. FTM Top Surgery recovery patients can feel an itching sensation around their incisions.

If you have any concerns about the discomfort or sensations you are experiencing during Top Surgery recovery, you will be able to contact our specialist nursing team 24 hours a day for advice and support throughout your recovery period.

What Top Surgery Recovery Support Does Cadogan Clinic Provide?

Cadogan Clinic provides comprehensive wrap-around support for every patient. Having the best aftercare and recovery support is crucial to a successful surgical experience and achieving your desired results.

Following your Top Surgery procedure, our team will provide the details of our dedicated aftercare and recovery phone line, which is available 24 hours a day. This allows you to contact our specialist nurses with any questions or concerns quickly and easily.

You will also have a series of post-operative appointments with your surgeon and our nurses to monitor your Top Surgery recovery and results. Having opportunities to speak to your medical team in person is fundamental to any high-quality surgical care.

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

For patients considering a transformational procedure such as Top Surgery, I always emphasise the importance of understanding what is involved in the recovery and aftercare process. Ensuring that you have high-quality recovery and aftercare support is essential to achieving your desired results.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

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