what is top surgery

Top surgery is a surgical procedure that alters the chest to create a more masculine or feminine appearance for transgender and nonbinary people. It is also known as chest masculinization or feminization. The surgery involves removing or augmenting breast tissue and reshaping the chest. The procedure can be performed using one of several surgical approaches, depending on the amount of breast tissue present before the surgery. The most common procedure for top surgery is double incision surgery, which removes moderate to large amounts of breast tissue. For people with very small amounts of breast tissue and firm skin, the surgeon can make a cut along the lower half of the areola and extract breast tissue through this opening, which is called keyhole top surgery. The surgery typically takes three to five hours and is performed as outpatient surgery. The procedure is generally safe and can be performed by qualified plastic surgeons. Top surgery is a gender-affirming surgery that can help alleviate gender dysphoria and improve the quality of life for transgender and nonbinary people.