FTM Gender Confirmation: Transmasculine Top & Bottom Surgeries

What are transmasculine top and bottom procedures?

Transmasculine top and transmasculine bottom procedures are a collection of surgical and non-surgical options for female to male (FTM) transgender patients seeking to further refine and define their chest, torso, and lower body aesthetic. Transmasculine top and bottom procedures are used to create a characteristically masculine appearance with a muscular chest, sharper bone structures, more readily defined musculature, and decreased soft tissue volume.

Transgender candidates considering these procedures can individually choose to pursue only the surgeries and treatments most consistent with their ideal aesthetic. Surgical and non-surgical cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures can be used in addition to medical and hormone therapies from a healthcare provider according to well established standards of care.

Information on facial masculinization surgeries, genital construction, and other female to male gender affirming surgeries as part of a gender transition for transmen can be found in our comprehensive guide to FTM gender affirmation solutions.

What cosmetic concerns do transmasculine top and bottom procedures treat?

1. Transmasculine Top Surgery: This includes procedures to remove the breasts and define the chest.
2. Transmasculine Bottom Surgery: These surgeries or non-surgical techniques address the hips, buttocks, and legs.
3. Body Contouring: These procedures are designed to further refine the overall body aesthetic through soft tissue removal or alterations.

Who is the ideal candidate for a transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure?

The ideal candidate for a transmasculine top or bottom procedure is a transgender individual undergoing a female to male gender confirmation transtion. When considering any plastic surgery procedure, candidates should consider their general physical health and mental health, personal expectations of the treatment, and commitment to needed recovery times.

Trans top and bottom procedures are generally not recommended for the pediatric population (those under the age of 18), although breast/chest procedures may be considered at age 16. Any decision to pursue gender confirmation surgery will vary by each candidate and should be discussed with a board-certified provider.

What is the average recovery associated with a transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure?

The average recovery associated with transmasculine top and bottom procedures will vary between treatments. Surgical procedures usually require weeks to months of recovery, and are accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and bruising with activity limitations. Non-surgical treatments are typically less invasive with reduced recovery times with less significant side effects. During a consultation with your plastic surgeon, specific timelines and side effects are reviewed.

What are the potential side effects of a transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure?

Possible side effects from both surgical and non-surgical transmasculine top and bottom procedures broadly include edema, tenderness, bleeding, bruising, possibility of site infection, changes in sensation, suboptimal results necessitating correction, skin discoloration, difficulty with certain movements, and prolonged edema.

What can someone expect from the results of a transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure?

The results of most transmasculine top and bottom procedures are long lasting or permanent. Surgical procedures usually have permanent results, although they may require a few months to finalize. Non-surgical treatments are possibly temporary and may require maintenance every few months or years. The results of most of these procedures will naturally evolve with aging, weight gain or loss, and use over time.

What is the average cost of a transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure?

Depending on the transmasculine top and/or bottom procedure, costs can range from $1,000 to $20,000. Temporary procedures are usually less expensive than surgical procedures, but they require ongoing maintenance. The cost of a surgical procedure will be dependent on location, surgeon, and length and involvement of the surgery.