Transgender Top Surgery

Listen to What Our Patients Say

Watch the story of two of Dr. Lincenberg’s patients — the Grafe twins — who underwent FTM  top surgery on the same day.  Fox 5 Atlanta’s Beth Galvin tells the story about their decision to undergo top surgery and how they felt about it post-surgery.

Trans Top Surgery and Recovery

Gender-affirming top surgery procedures are considered a major surgical procedure, so they require general anesthesia. They are outpatient procedures that don’t require an overnight hospital stay. It is very important that you spend time resting and recovering after the surgery. At your pre-op visit, Dr. Lincenberg and the staff will review the specifics of your recovery with you. 

Your pain will be managed by medications recommended by Dr. Lincenberg. For the first several weeks after your surgery, your priority should be resting and allowing your body time to recover. You should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least four to six weeks. If you live alone, you should ask a family member or friend to care for you at least for the first week.

Gender Affirmation Top Surgery Cost 

The price of the FTM and MTF procedures varies significantly based on the type of procedure that is performed. Additionally, trans top surgery procedures are highly individualized to achieve your desired results.

At your consultation, you will share your gender-affirming top surgery goals with Dr. Lincenberg. He will recommend procedures to accomplish your goals, so together you will create the plan. At the end of your consultation, you can get an accurate cost estimate for your surgery.

Trans top procedures may be paid for by health insurance plans. After your deductible and co-pay, the insurer will cover the costs of the surgery. Flexible payment plans also are available through Dr. Lincenberg’s practice. These financing plans make it possible for as many patients as possible to benefit from this pivotal, gender-affirming surgery.

Choosing a Surgeon for Trans Top Surgery

Finding the right surgeon for your trans top surgery involves doing your research and having a consultation with a few cosmetic surgeons in your region. Here are some topics to cover during a consultation appointment.

• Talk with the surgeon about their experience — not only with plastic surgery breast procedures in general, but specifically with trans top procedures. It is CRITICAL that you work with a surgeon who is experienced with this particular surgery and who has worked extensively with transgender patients who are transitioning. You need to partner with a surgeon who has the precise surgical skills that you need as well as the empathetic and understanding approach that you deserve.

• Ask to see before and after photos of previous surgeries that the surgeon has completed. The Before & After Gallery should include photographs of patients who have had the specific surgery performed by that surgeon.

• Ask questions — and lots of them. The surgeon that you choose should be willing to answer all of your questions about this procedure, about their specific approach and about the results that you will receive. The right surgeon will open, honest, patient and transparent. 

Some questions you should ask during the consultation include:

• How often do you perform this procedure?

• What type of results have you been able to achieve in the past for this procedure?

• How do you approach this type of surgery?

• Will there be visible scarring after my surgery?

Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg is considered to be one of the top plastic surgeons in Atlanta. Not only is he double board-certified, but he's also Mayo Clinic-trained. And with more than 20 years of experience performing gender affirmation surgery, he is uniquely qualified to work with patients who are in the midst of transitioning. He understands the important role that gender-affirming surgery plays in an individual's ability to live an authentic and confident life.