What Does FTM Top Surgery Cost in the UK?

The cost of female to male (FTM) top surgery in the UK can vary depending on your individual needs, the types of techniques used and the expertise of your surgeon. 

At the CREO Clinic, the cost of female-to-male top surgery begins from £10,500. The full cost of the gender affirmation surgery can vary according to your individual needs, which means a full cost breakdown will only be available after your initial consultation.

For many individuals with gender dysphoria, choosing to undergo hormone therapy may not be suitable for them, and therefore this surgical procedure provides a more comprehensive solution. This article will explore the cost of FTM surgery in more detail, as well as answer some of the more common questions prospective patients have about the procedure.

The CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo, is a highly experienced body contouring surgeon and a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). He has performed FTM top surgery for many patients, taking great care for their needs and achieving excellent long-term results. His experience and specialist training allow him to make artful adjustments to the chest that help affirm gender and restore a sense of harmony between identity and physique.

Contact the CREO Clinic today and book a private consultation with Dr. Tillo to take the next step in your gender transition.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast)

Different Types of FTM Top Surgeries, Combinations, and Costs

Double Excision With Nipple Graft (buttonhole incision)

Female-to-male surgery on the chest consists of different techniques to create a more masculine chest, but for patients with significant breast tissue (C-cup or larger), a double incision surgery, or bilateral mastectomy, will be most suitable. This incision is used to reduce excess lax skin and sagging , leaving a single horizontal scar which Dr. Tillo positions discreetly along the edge of the pectoral muscle. The nipple is also moved up above the incision and sutured into position, which leaves a small scar around the circumference of the areola. The nipples and areolas are then removed, reshaped and replaced to align more harmoniously with the new, more masculine chest.

Double incision top surgery with nipple grafting is generally the most common form of FTM gender-affirming surgery.

Top Surgery with Liposuction

Top surgery can also be combined with liposuction. This means that the areolas, nipples and any excess breast tissue will be removed, then additional liposuction performed to remove excess fat and further contour the chest. Liposuction can help to keep imperfections such as indentations to a minimum, fine tuning chest definition to complement the effects of the double mastectomy.

Keyhole incision

Using this incision Dr. Tillo removes breast tissue via a small incision around one third or half of the circumference of the areola. This is for smaller breast sizes (A-B cup) with no lax skin whatsoever. This technique is highly effective and leads to the most subtle scarring of the available incisions.

Periareolar Incision

For trans men with less breast tissue (A/B cup) and no laxity, periareolar top surgery may be the most appropriate treatment option. This surgical technique creates an incision around the circumference of the areola, then another incision around the first, with the breast tissue between the two incisions being removed and liposuction performed where necessary.

The edges of each incision are then brought together with stitches to create smaller breasts and smaller nipples and areolas.

Inverted T Incision

The inverted T top surgery technique is rarely used due to its more extensive scarring and is only preferred for patients with very large breasts  and sagging inelastic skin. The technique is similar to the double incision technique, but requires an extra vertical incision in order to help create a smoother finish when re-draping the skin. Liposuction can also be performed to add definition to the final contour.

Fishmouth Incision

The fishmouth incision technique makes an incision that moves horizontally across the chest and around the circumference of the areolas. This is a more unconventional technique that creates different scarring to other more common incision methods. It can, however, allow for retaining more sensation in the nipple post-surgery – something that is less likely with a full nipple removal and grafting. Dr. Tillo does not perform FTM chest surgery using this technique. 

Medical Tattooing For Areolas 

Where nipples are removed and not retained – sometimes the case if the nipple grafting is unsuccessful – medical tattoos can be used as an alternative. This is where pigment is implanted into the skin in order to simulate the appearance of nipple and areola.

What Other Expenses Go Into FTM Top Surgery?

FTM Top Surgery Consultation

Your initial consultation before FTM top surgery is vital for establishing your suitability for the procedure. A confidential, sitdown chat with an experienced specialist in FTM surgery gives you an opportunity to ask questions, and for your surgeon to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision before undergoing the procedure.

The cost of this initial consultation is removed from the final price if you decide to move forward with the procedure.

This initial stage may also require some medical testing to be carried out as part of your assessment – this can also incur a cost separate to the surgery itself. We are an LGBTQ- friendly clinic which follows the very strictest confidentiality protocols – so you can feel confident that any testing remains private.

Travel and Lodging Expenses

For many patients, travel and accommodation is necessary to ensure they are seen by an experienced top surgery specialist. Should you be travelling some distance from home to undergo your FTM top surgery, it is important to understand that you may require accommodation for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.

The accommodation and travel should be factored into your financial planning – if the surgery takes place far from your home, you may need to budget for trains or taxi fares. Patients will require a friend or family member to help them home after their surgery, or pay for a chaperone service organised by the CREO Clinic. 

Time Off From Work

At the CREO Clinic, female to male top surgery recovery usually means between 1-2 weeks of time off work, and 4-6 weeks off work should your work responsibilities place particular stress on your incision sites.

Post-Surgical Garments

Compression garments used to minimise inflammation during the healing process are provided by the CREO Clinic at no extra cost, which means you can remove this from your financial planning.

Follow-Up Appointments

After your FTM top surgery, you will have at least 3 follow-up appointments with our team to assess your recovery, and ensure your incision sites are healing successfully. The CREO Clinic does not charge for these appointments.

Each  appointment requires you to travel and perhaps stay in local accommodation – this can add extra cost into your budget and is important to take into account.

Medications and Prescriptions

Any medications on prescription that are required to relieve pain or treat potential complications will not be included in the total cost of your FTM top surgery. This is generally inexpensive – between £20-30.

Plastic Surgeon’s Fees

One of the biggest costs of FTM top surgery is the fees paid to your plastic surgeon. You are likely to pay higher fees for a more experienced and specialised surgeon, such as Dr. Omar Tillo – well reviewed surgeons who are knowledgeable of gender affirming surgeries are much sought-after and often justify a slightly higher expenditure than less experienced surgeons.

The CREO Clinic does not separate such fees in its pricing, so the price you are quoted will be the price you will pay – there will be no surprise extra fees.

Does The National Health Service Pay For FTM Top Surgery?

In cases where patients have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the NHS does cover female-to-male top surgery and other gender-affirming surgeries. However, waiting lists are often very long, and patients may wait months or years for the surgery.

How Can I Pay For My FTM Top Surgery in the UK?

Financing

Many patients find that financing is a great way to avoid large financial outlay for the surgery. The CREO Clinic’s financing partner, Chrysalis Finance, offers a variety of financing options that can help spread the cost of your surgery over multiple installments.

Out of Pocket

Another common method of payment for top surgery is to pay directly from your own savings – this can often be difficult due to the high cost of major surgery, but paying out-of-pocket can provide more security and avoid the necessity for outside financing.

Crowdfunding Platforms

Crowdfunding platforms can offer a route to sourcing funding for your FTM top surgery to help you embrace your preferred gender identity. These platforms allow friends and family to contribute towards your gender affirming surgery and help you along your journey through transition. An account can be set up to allow you to tell your story and publicise it through social media – over time you can accumulate a fund to put towards your surgery and overall mental health.

Achieve Gender Affirmation Through FTM Top Surgery With CREO Clinic

To work towards achieving gender affirmation, book a consultation with Dr. Tillo at the CREO Clinic and begin the process of sculpting a new, more masculine looking chest. In the hands of an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Tillo, FTM top surgery can be transformational and provide a confidence and fresh satisfaction with your physique.