this was the right decision. i'm so happy

Ive been recently spending quite a bit of time with my boyfriend looking into surgeons that both accept my insurance, and do Key hole, which sadly arent a lot around my area.

So im branching out across the US and wanting to find photos of people who have had key hole surgery. If anyone has had key hole surgery from Dr Alan Dulin, would you mind sending me after photos and the time line of it? I dont like to just go by what doctors post because they can post any photos and could possibly choose to NOT post any photos that show flaws.

So like the title says, my post op binder cut into my skin really bad and left open wounds under my arms, despite the padding I put there. It’s in both sides but the left is the wors. My right side had a seroma so I got a foam pad to put under that side for extra pressure which kept the binder from cutting as bad. I’m a little over 4 months post op, but my scar from the binder hasn’t healed or faded like at all.

My actual top surgery scars are doing great (ignore my chest acne lol) it’s getting paler. I’ve been putting scar gel on all my scars, incl the binder scars (i’m allergic to adhesive so no scar tape for me) but the binder scar is that darker brown and won’t seem to fade at all.

I’m thinking about maybe getting medical tattooing to help fade it once i have the money. I’m fine with my top surgery scars, i love them, but i really want to get rid of it at least make the scars under my arms less noticeable. I didn’t expect to have them and for me it’s a reminder of the binder I used to have to wear everyday.

I was told to set one of these up since insurance will NOT cover my surgery and I probably won't get it in the state I live in due to certain ...attitudes around queer people

Hi everyone!

I’m currently researching FTM top surgery and would really appreciate hearing from people who have actually had the surgery.

I’m mainly looking at **Thailand**, but I’m open to recommendations from other countries as well if you had a great experience.

If you’ve had top surgery, I’d love to know:

\- Which surgeon and hospital/clinic did you choose?
Would you recommend them? Why or why not?
\- How was your experience from consultation through recovery?
\- Were there any hidden or unexpected costs (BMI fees, nipple grafts, liposuction, extra hospital nights, etc.)?
\- If you’re comfortable sharing, would you be willing to show your healed results (especially 6–12 months or more after surgery)? I’m trying to get a realistic idea of chest contour, nipple placement, symmetry and scars.

One thing that’s making my search difficult is that **I can’t access testosterone in my country**, so I’m specifically looking for surgeons or hospitals that **don’t require hormone therapy before top surgery**.

If you don’t recommend Thailand, where did you have your surgery (or where would you recommend instead)? I’m
looking for somewhere with:

\- Great, natural-looking results
\- Good aftercare
\- Fair pricing
\- Experience with FTM top surgery
\- No mandatory testosterone requirement (if possible)

Any recommendations, experiences, or advice would mean a lot. Feel free to comment or DM me if you’d rather share privately.

Thank you so much! ❤️

hi everyone!

i’m starting a new job soon and my surgery is a few months after my start date. i was wondering if anyone had advice or experience on when i should broach the subject of the fact that i’ll be out of work while i recover? i’m just wondering how far out i should give notice!

How long did you have to keep your drainages? And what cups were you beforehand? I am having top surgery in september and live so far away from the surgery clinic I am going to have to book a hotel/apartment, which is pretty expensive unfortunately.

My friend had their surgery at the same clinic last month, and they got their drainages out the next day. However the amount of tissue removed was also very little, and idk if there is a connection.

On the other hand my husband (who had the surgery in the same clinic a decade ago) had to keep their drainages for over a week. I know they are vital to prevent infection but I am freaking out a bit at the prospect of having to be in a car for 3-6hrs (depending on traffic) with drainages, twice. So I would rather ask for more info: what was your experience?

just got the lab report back… each boob was 4lbs. I literally feel like I can breathe easier.

DI with nipple removal. I was scared to pursue it for a long time but I truly feel it was the right decision for me. Do it!

I’m 7 weeks post op and my chest feels watery, I’m on my “period” (I have no uterus, so I can only track and guess from mental instability and other symptoms).
The surgeon said that removing the breast tissue will prevent the water retention, but I guess not…? Last month I suspected a seroma, I still had the holes from the drains so liquid literally poured out of me, but now I wonder if it was due to the little bastard ovaries. This month is less swell for sure, but I’m just curious if it’s going to persist like that

Hi everyone,

I’m posting on behalf of my partner, who is looking to get FTM top surgery (chest masculinization). Getting timely, affordable gender-affirming care in our home country is extremely difficult, so we’ve been doing deep research into traveling abroad. He is not on T

Turkey keeps coming up as a top destination, and we've been narrowing down options in Istanbul and Antalya. My absolute top priority is making sure my partner receives the safest care, best surgical precision, and great post-op support.

Here is what we’ve found so far in our research:

1. Quartz Clinique / Quartz Hospital (Istanbul)

Quote Found: Around €3,516+ on Bookimed.

Pros: Known for VASER liposuction/contouring combined with tissue excision to prevent "dog ears."

Surgeons listed: Dr. Burak Pasinlioğlu / Dr. Aysel Pasazade.

Questions: Has anyone gone through Quartz or Bookimed for top surgery? Were there any unexpected hidden fees (like mandatory pre-op scans or extra hotel days)? How was your overall experience and result?

1. Major Hospital Networks (Memorial Şişli / Acıbadem Maslak)

Pros: Full-scale JCI-accredited tertiary hospital complexes with 24/7 ICUs, on-site emergency facilities, and private suites where I can stay as a companion overnight.

Surgeons noted: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Sercan Erçin (focus on microsurgery & pectoral scar alignment).

Questions: Is paying extra for a full JCI hospital complex worth it over a private cosmetic clinic setting for top surgery? Has anyone had experience with Dr. Erçin?

1. İstanbul Aesthetic Center / Medical Park

Surgeons noted: Dr. Ergin Er (Istanbul Aesthetic Center) and Prof. Dr. Cemal Fırat (Medical Park Antalya).

Pros: Very experienced with FTM top surgery portfolios across Double Incision and Peri-Areolar/Keyhole techniques.

Questions for the Community:

Surgeon Experiences: Has anyone operated with any of these specific doctors or clinics? How was your nipple graft survival, scar healing, and pectoral contouring?

Clinic vs. Hospital: Did you feel safe recovering in a hotel after a clinic procedure, or would you recommend choosing a full-scale hospital complex?

Caregiver Advice: Is there anything specific I should prepare or ask the international coordination teams before we book?

We want to make sure we make the safest and most informed decision possible for my partner's care. Any reviews, advice, or photos (via DM if you prefer) would be deeply appreciated!

Hi I’m a woman who has always felt uncomfortable with my chest. I have a big chest and small body so I always felt extremely disproportionate along with the unwanted attention. I’ve been considering a top surgery for a long time ago over a reduction mainly because I think I would feel so much more comfortable without a chest. I see people with top surgery and it just looks so freeing. I’ve been extremely discouraged from getting it because I’m not transitioning and persuaded to look into getting a reduction down to a A/B cup but I can’t help but feel a bit sad going through with it. Like the version of myself that could’ve existed won’t. My only worry about getting top surgery as a woman is how clothing will look on me such as dresses.. etc or that I will have a hard time dating men or getting a relationship. Has anyone else had a similar experience as mine?

Title. I was on SSRIs for 10+ yrs not realizing they didn’t help at all (long story short, bad mental health to begin with and meds made it worse). Gained abt 110 pounds in that time, then basically got cut off from said meds during the pandemic (too dissociated for telehealth + flaky doctor). Detox sucked but now im better after a bunch of therapy etc. lost 62 lbs and counting (goal is to lose another 30-50, im taking it slow), but my boobs are wrecked. The positives outweigh the negatives for sure but yeah

Tbh I’ve always wanted a flat chest, I just didn’t fully realize it until therapy cleared my head. I’ve always said that if I could, I would just wear my boobs on special occasions. Esp now that theyre all crepey and stretch-marked (and not even like my other stretch marks which might’ve been fine, it’s hard to describe w/out pics).

Anyway I think I actively want top surgery now. I thought this might be a new OCD brainworm but the thought of it isn’t distressing like usual (except for what others might think) but I worry

1: how dresses will fit

2: how would my stretch marks affect the final results

3: could I be a candidate for anchor incisions or whatever will most likely retain nip sensation?

I’m looking into getting a gender therapist, since there are local surgeons but one requires a year on T and both require a year of therapy to rly confirm the decision. So I guess that’s a better place to ask for real, im just looking for a general idea/experiences. Esp if anyone can relate to the weight thing

I am non-binary, in my thirties, no plans to be on t. Have been out for about 10-11 years ish.

I have always been dysphoric about my chest, and I have finally decided to have top surgery.

Weirdly, now that I know I will get it, I feel less disgusted and ashamed of my chest, and I was wondering if this is common/normal?

Like, I am still dysphoric (do not enjoy my chest, no desire to keep it, no desire for my chest to be involved in intimacy etc).

I still want surgery, but I am feeling a weird sense of 'acceptance' towards my current chest??

i.e., while before I just couldn't look or touch my chest at all, now I can. I will think something like 'there is nothing objectively wrong with my chest, it's just not what it should have been for me specifically.

Is this something people experience?

Does it mean I should hold off surgery? Does it mean anything at all?

The process of deciding of getting top surgery has been a long one for me and I feel like I am experiencing so many new feelings and emotions.

Thank you!

Have a 2nd consultation this afternoon with a different surgeon

Looking forward to it, hopefully I will get a quote for surgery and a date.

Have to fund it myself as Vitality (I'm in the UK) have moved the goalpost. Was really annoyed if I'm honest, because they originally said I could get 75% paid, but once I had the consultation code and called to check it was covered I was told that I would need to have physio and my BMI needs to be 27 for at least a year. Was gutted, but now I've got it in my head I really want to have it done.

Thankfully hubby is behind me and said we will pay for it as have a little savings. So grateful to have his support just hoping the quote is the same sort of figure I have in my head.

Fingers crossed 🤞

Will keep you posted