Top Surgery Recovery: Timeline, Tips & Aftercare
If you want to make top surgery part of your female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF) journey, you need to have all the facts. Top surgery can be transformative for your body confidence, life and identity, but like any cosmetic surgery, it is a serious procedure that will take time to recover from.
With that in mind, we take a detailed look at the top surgery recovery timeline to help you understand the progress you can expect to see week by week. We also provide a few top surgery recovery tips and aftercare insights so you can feel comfortable as quickly as possible. At Enhance Medical, we’re proud to offer MTF top surgery, with 12 months of comprehensive aftercare fully inclusive of the surgery cost.
What is top surgery?
Top surgery, also known as chest masculinisation (female-to-male top surgery) or feminisation (male-to-female top surgery), is the process of removing or enhancing the breast tissue, reshaping the chest and repositioning and resizing the nipples. The aim is to give the chest a more masculine or feminine appearance for transgender and non-binary people.
We use different surgical techniques depending on the patient’s specific goals and other factors such as the shape and size of their chests. It’s a permanent procedure, so you need to understand the benefits fully and have an accurate picture of the recovery process and how long it typically takes.
Read more: A guide to top surgery in the UK
How long is the top surgery recovery process?
The speed of your top surgery recovery will depend on various factors, such as your age and healing rate, the specific type of surgery you have and where the incisions are made.
Generally speaking, you can expect to feel sore and uncomfortable for the first one to two weeks. After that point, most people can return to work (depending on their jobs), restart light physical activity and perform non-strenuous tasks.
After around six to eight weeks, most people have recovered fully, although it typically takes a week or so longer to recover from FTM surgery than MTF procedures. It can take several months to a year for everything to settle down so you can see the final result.
Top Surgery Recovery Week by Week
The recovery process following MTF and FTM surgery follows a similar timeline. Having a good idea of your top surgery recovery on a week-by-week basis will help you prepare the house, put plans in place and make sure you have appropriate support.
Week 1
The first week of top surgery recovery is likely to be the hardest. You must follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions closely and get plenty of rest. When sleeping, you should lie on your back with your head and upper chest elevated to around 45 degrees to reduce swelling and avoid putting pressure on the chest.
We will prescribe pain medication to help you deal with the discomfort in the first few weeks after surgery. Importantly, you should not take aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs three weeks before or one week after surgery as they can cause complications with bleeding.
You may be fitted with a drain to prevent fluid buildup and reduce swelling. In that case, you should keep track of it and empty it when needed. You will also have a compression garment that you may have to wear for two weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will usually remove the dressings at the end of the first week.
You should avoid showering until any drains and dressings have been removed. You can wash yourself with wipes or a wet sponge, but you should not put your chest fully under water for at least three weeks after surgery. In week 1, light walking is recommended to reduce the risks of blood clots, but don’t overdo it. You should also avoid heavy lifting and driving and minimise stair use as much as possible.
Week 2
You’ll still need plenty of rest in week 2, but you may be able to begin light activity such as some housework and gentle stretching alongside the short walks. However, always listen to your body and avoid overexertion and anything that puts pressure on the surgical site.
At this stage, your dressings will have likely been removed, so keep an eye on your incisions and look out for the common signs of infection, such as pain, swelling, redness and heat at the incision site. You may be able to return to work towards the end of week 2, but that will depend on what you do. You can read more on that in the return-to-work section below.
Week 3
By now, most patients are back at work. The pain and discomfort should have subsided, but you may still have some residual swelling as the body continues to heal. You should still avoid heavy lifting, including any weight-bearing exercises, but you can gradually increase your activity level. You should eat a balanced and nutritious diet to support your healing and avoid excessive salt, alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Week 4 to 6
With your surgeon’s approval, you should now be able to ditch the compression garment. Most of the swelling should have also subsided and the bruising will have faded, giving you your best view to date of the result of the procedure. You will now be able to resume most of your normal activities, although you should still avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and prolonged sun exposure.
Week 6 and after
By week 6, the pain and discomfort should have gone, although you may still have some minor swelling. You can resume regular exercise and sports, but you should still avoid putting excess strain on the upper body. The results will continue to improve as your chest or breasts settle and scars fade. We only recommend scar treatment, such as massaging and using ointment, once advised by your surgeon and only once you’ve completely healed post-surgery. Contact your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns about your recovery or results.
Top surgery recovery: How long should I take off work?
After top surgery, most people have around two weeks off work, but that will depend on what you do. If your job is primarily office-based, a two-week break should be sufficient for the worst of the discomfort and pain to subside. However, you may need three to six weeks if your job is more active or involves manual labour.
If you have an active job, it may be possible to return to work earlier with reduced or alternative responsibilities that limit the physical exertion and strain on the upper body. Your surgeon can provide documentation as required to support your request for leave and temporary alterations to your duties.
How should I take care of top-surgery scars?
You may start scar care once advised by your surgeon and only once you’ve fully healed. This is when your incisions have closed, which is usually around three weeks after surgery. Scars take up to 12 months to heal fully. During that time, there are various steps you can take to reduce their visibility and improve their appearance. That includes:
- Keeping them out of direct sunlight and using a high SPF suncream
- Massaging them in a circular motion twice a day for at least the first three months to break up fibrosis and scar tissue
- Applying silicone gel or silicone scar tape to reduce the visibility of scars
- Keeping them moisturised using a fragrance-free moisturiser
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, staying hydrated, not smoking and getting plenty of sleep
Your surgeon will discuss these steps with you and provide personalised advice about when you can start the scar care process.
Steps you can take to promote healing and aid recovery
Here are a few steps you can take throughout the top surgery recovery timeline to aid your healing and help you enjoy a positive post-operative experience.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol – Smoking and drinking increase the risk of complications and slow the healing process. You should avoid both for at least four weeks before and after surgery.
- Prioritise your emotional wellbeing – Top surgery is not just a physical journey. You should discuss your anxieties and lean on the support of friends and family. Connecting with others who have undergone a similar procedure can also be beneficial.
- Reduce discomfort – Wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothing that zips or buttons at the front keeps arm lifting to a minimum and reduces pain when changing.
- Prepare for your recovery – Creating a recovery space, stocking up on supplies and preparing meals before the procedure will ensure you have everything you need while you recover.
- Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeinated drinks will help to optimise the healing process.
- Plan for rest – Make sure you prepare to take time off work beforehand and have friends or family members on hand to help with household chores and heavy lifting during the early stages of your recovery.
- Stick to the post-operative guidelines – Your surgeon and care coordinator will provide detailed instructions for everything from wound care to the signs of complications. You can also contact our team with any questions or concerns.
- Be patient and trust the process – The top surgery recovery period can be frustrating, but stick with it and commit to the process for the best possible outcome.
Top surgery aftercare
At Enhance Medical, you receive the highest standard of comprehensive aftercare with your top surgery at no extra cost. Our team will schedule a series of regular post-operative appointments to monitor your top surgery recovery and ensure the best possible outcome from your procedure.
You can schedule consultations and appointments anytime, and you have a 24-hour emergency contact number for your nursing team to ensure we’re always within reach. Complications are rare, but you’re also fully covered for 12 months after your surgery in the unlikely event that you require any follow-up treatments.
Safe and high-quality top surgery at Enhance Medical
If you have any questions about the top surgery recovery timeline, aftercare or FTM and MTF procedures, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We offer the highest standard of cosmetic surgery at state-of-the-art locations throughout the UK, and have surgeons with specialist experience in this area.