Top Surgery and BMI

Why BMI Shouldn't Decide Your Access to Care

BMI (Body Mass Index) is often treated as if it decides whether your body is allowed in the operating room. In reality, it’s a rough formula based only on height and weight. It doesn’t know anything about your actual health, your support system, or how badly you need surgery. Research on top surgery supports offering the procedure to people across a wide range of body sizes, with a focus on individual risk and open discussion of potential complications. Learn more »

Top Surgery Explained

What is Top Surgery? Top Surgery is a gender affirming surgery for transgender men and non-binary individuals that creates a masculine chest. Also known as FTM Top Surgery, the procedure involves breast removal (Mastectomy) and male chest contouring, and may also include free nipple grafts, or nipple/areola resizing and repositioning.

Top Surgery is the most commonly performed gender reassignment surgery for trans masculine people. Top Surgery helps one to live more comfortably, improving psychological and social functioning, and it may be the only surgical step that one takes in their transition.

The different types of Top Surgery include Double Incision (DI), Peri Areolar, Nipple-Preserving Inferior Ellipse, Buttonhole Technique, Inverted-T or T-Anchor and Keyhole. Learn more about Top Surgery Procedures »

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Next-Gen Top Surgery: Nipple-Preserving Inferior-Ellipse

The Nipple-Preserving Inferior-Ellipse Mastectomy is an innovative top surgery technique developed by Dr. Rachel Bluebond-Langner, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at NYU Langone Health in New York City. Designed to preserve the nipple-areola complex and achieve a natural chest contour with well-hidden scars, this technique is an important alternative for those who are less qualified for traditional approaches.

Surgical Readiness Letters

Getting Top Surgery requires a Surgical Readiness Letter from a qualified mental health professional. This guide breaks down the WPATH Standards of Care (SOC) requirements, who can write the letter, key components it must include, and when to obtain it. Whether navigating insurance requirements or surgeon preferences, understanding the letter process is essential for a smooth surgical journey.

Top Surgery Considerations for Nonbinary Folks

When it comes to Top Surgery, nonbinary folks often face an uphill battle, but there are ways around the insurance hurdles, as well as experienced surgeons who are enthusiastic about providing truly inclusive care.

The New Frontier of Top Surgery: Sensory Nerve Preservation

How a New Approach Is Helping Patients Regain Chest Sensation After Surgery

Sensory nerve preservation is a new technique in double incision top surgery that helps patients recover chest sensation. Adapted from advances in breast cancer reconstruction, it carefully preserves key nerves to support a faster and more reliable return of sensation to the nipple-areola complex and surrounding chest skin. Learn more »

Dr. Hope Sherie

Dr. Sherie is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has performed thousands of top surgery procedures for transmasculine and non-binary patients. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she is widely known for her experience, surgical precision, and patient-centered approach to gender-affirming care. Patients travel from across North Carolina and beyond to seek top surgery with Dr. Sherie at her private, trans-friendly surgical center. Prior to launching her private practice, she served as an active duty Air Force surgeon. More »

Highly experienced, personalized care, leading top surgery practice in Charlotte NC.

Dr. Hope Sherie, MD, FACS
The Cosmetic Concierge
325 Arlington Ave
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
980-938-0459
www.cosmeticconciergemd.com
Board-certified cosmetic surgeon; WPATH member; accepts financing; 10% military discount; accommodation package available; BMI limit 40; uses informed consent (no letter requirement).

Dr. Scott Mosser

Dr. Mosser is an award-winning plastic surgeon in San Francisco has more than 15 years of experience performing Top Surgery. Dr. Mosser is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, Medical Director of the Gender Institute at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, and a member of WPATH. He is well-known for consistently excellent Top Surgery results and was among the first surgeons to offer Sensory Nerve Preservation. More »

Delivering consistently excellent Top Surgery results for over 15 years. Located in San Francisco.

Browse Surgeons by U.S. State

Browse All Surgeons - Surgeons Who Take: Insurance - Medicare - Medicaid

Dr. Daniel Medalie

Dr. Medalie is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has been performing Top Surgery since 1996. Based in the Cleveland area, Dr. Medalie is one of the best known and most experienced Top Surgery surgeons in the United States. His consistently natural-looking results, along with trans-friendly staff, have made Dr. Medalie a popular choice within the transmasculine community for many years. More »

Very experienced Top Surgery surgeon providing natural-looking results since 1996.

Dr. Sarah Eidelson

Dr. Eidelson is a fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience in gender-affirming care, particularly for transmasculine and nonbinary patients. Based in Washington, D.C., Dr. Eidelson specializes in masculinizing surgical procedures, with a focus on top surgery and body contouring. Her approach centers on creating natural-looking, affirming results while honoring each patient’s unique goals. More »

Fellowship-trained gender surgeon in Washington D.C. specializing in Top Surgery.

Dr. Paul Steinwald

Dr. Steinwald has performed hundreds of Top Surgeries over the last 25 years. He is known for pioneering the Inverted-T procedure, a method designed to preserve as much nipple/areola sensation as possible. People come from around the world to see Dr. Steinwald and to have this specific procedure done. More »

More than 25 years of experience performing Top Surgery. Based in Denver.

Dr. Paul Steinwald, MD
501 S Cherry St, Ste 900
Denver, Colorado 80246
Toll-free: 877-255-2600
Local: 303-278-2600
www.topftmsurgery.com
Double-board certified; accepts financing; uses informed consent (no letter requirement) for those 18 and over; consultation fee $75; minimum age 15 (with parental support); pioneered the Inverted-T procedure.

Dr. Beina Azadgoli

Dr. Azadgoli is a Beverly Hills-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon who provides gender-affirming surgical care for transgender and non-binary patients seeking top surgery. Dr. Azadgoli offers Sensory Nerve Preservation, a specialized technique that reconnects nerves to the nipple graft allowing for a faster and more reliable return of sensation. More »

Known for precision and artistry, offers Sensory Nerve Preservation. Los Angeles area.

Dr. Beina Azadgoli, MD
The Practice Healthcare
436 N Bedford Dr, Ste 103
Beverly Hills, California 90210
310-278-8200
thepracticehealthcare.com
Accepts insurance and medical financing.

FOCUS: Scar Care

Double Incision Scar Shapes

Dr. Laurel Chandler breaks down scar shapes and the anatomical factors that influence them, offering an expert guide to help you refine your Top Surgery goals.

Scar Care: Are You Making These Common Mistakes?

Avoid these common scar care mistakes that can lead to worse scarring—and unnecessary costs down the line.

FOCUS: Revisions

All About "Dog Ears"

Dog ears are one of the most common reasons patients seek Top Surgery revisions. Dr. Alan Dulin explains what they are, why they happen, and how to prevent or correct them after surgery.

Top Surgery Revisions: Causes, Costs, and Considerations

Not satisfied with your Top Surgery results? A revision can make a dramatic difference. Learn when it’s worth considering, what to expect, and how to get the outcome you deserve.