Top Surgery Results: What to Expect From Day 1 to Year 1

By Neda Deniz, FTM patient advocate · Last updated 21 October 2026
Top Surgery Results: What to Expect From Day 1 to Year 1
top surgery results arrive in stages: a flat but swollen chest in the first days, most bruising and swelling settling by around six to eight weeks, a settled contour by about six months, and scars that keep fading for up to two years or more. Technique, skin quality, body weight, smoking and the surgeon’s experience shape the final chest.
Key takeaways
- An NHS gender service leaflet says bruising and swelling usually go around 6–8 weeks after surgery, so early top surgery results are not final.
- The NHS says most scars fade over time, which can take up to 2 years or more.
- In one US cohort, 19.7% of 615 patients followed for over a year had at least one revision.
- In a survey of 139 patients, median satisfaction with the decision behind their top surgery results was 5 out of 5.
Table of Contents
- Top surgery results timeline
- Early top surgery results: day 1 to week 2
- Top surgery results at month 3 and month 6
- Year 1: final top surgery results
- What shapes top surgery results
- Top surgery results in before and after photos
- Satisfaction with top surgery results
- When top surgery results justify a revision
1. Top Surgery Results Timeline: Day 1 to Year 1
top surgery results develop over roughly a year, and the chest you see in the first fortnight is the least reliable preview of the final outcome.
| Stage | What you usually see | Still changing |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dressings, compression garment, sometimes drains; a flat, swollen chest | Almost everything |
| Week 2 | Bruising, swelling, numb patches; nipple grafts healing | Swelling, graft colour |
| Month 3 | Swelling largely gone; scars pink or red and firm | Scar colour, sensation |
| Month 6 | A settled contour; scars beginning to soften | Scars, small asymmetries |
| Year 1 | The top surgery results surgeons usually assess for revision | Scars, for up to 2 years or more |
2. Day 1 to Week 2: Early Top Surgery Results
In the first two weeks, top surgery results are hidden under dressings, swelling and bruising, so the early chest tells you about healing and very little about final shape.
Day 1
You wake with dressings, usually a compression garment and sometimes drains. An NHS gender service leaflet notes that fluid called a seroma can cause “fullness” once drains are removed, and that the body usually absorbs it.
Week 2
Bruising and swelling are still obvious, and nipple grafts often look dark or crusted. Judging top surgery results now causes needless worry.
3. Top Surgery Results at Month 3 and Month 6
Between month 3 and month 6, top surgery results become recognisable: swelling has usually resolved, and the contour settles.
Month 3
The NHS leaflet says bruising and swelling usually go around 6–8 weeks after surgery, and that exercise and driving are generally avoided for about 6 weeks. By month 3, top surgery results show pink or red scars that are sometimes raised.
Month 6
At six months the contour is usually close to its long-term shape. The leaflet describes loss of sensation in the chest and nipple as usually temporary.
4. Year 1: Final Top Surgery Results
Around one year after surgery, top surgery results are generally considered final in shape, although scar colour can continue to fade.
What “final” top surgery results means
On the NHS pathway in England, patients remain under the surgical team for one year. The NHS states that most scars fade over time and that this can take up to 2 years or more.
5. What Shapes Top Surgery Results
Five factors shape top surgery results most: technique, skin, body weight, smoking and the surgeon. Our page on factors affecting top surgery covers the wider picture.
Technique
Double incision leaves a horizontal scar on each side with grafted nipples; keyhole and periareolar methods leave smaller scars but rely on the skin tightening. In a Swedish cohort of 464 mastectomies, secondary corrections followed 28.4% of double incision and 65.5% of periareolar operations. See our double incision top surgery guide and the keyhole top surgery article.
Skin and BMI
Elastic skin retracts well; stretched skin is more likely to leave folds. A US study of 948 patients found that obesity was not associated with more complications or revisions, although patients with much tissue at the sides were told to expect two stages.
Smoking
Evidence on smoking and top surgery results is mixed. In the US study a history of tobacco use was linked to more complications, though the association was borderline; the Swedish cohort found no significant link. Most surgeons still ask you to stop.
Surgeon
Experience improves top surgery results. In the Swedish hospital, secondary corrections fell from 70.1% of cases in 2009–2013 to 29.5% in 2014–2018 as technique choice changed. Our guide to choosing a surgeon in Turkey lists the checks to make.
Top surgery results at a glance
- Weeks 6–8: bruising and swelling have usually gone
- Month 6: contour close to its long-term shape
- Year 1: shape final
- Up to 2 years or more: scars continue to fade
6. Reading Top Surgery Results in Before and After Photos
Before and after photographs show honest top surgery results only when the time since surgery, the technique and the starting chest are stated and similar to yours.
Checklist for judging top surgery results in photos
- Is the picture dated, and at least six months after surgery?
- Was the starting chest size and skin quality close to yours?
- Is the technique named, including whether nipples were grafted or left out?
- Are front and side views shown, arms down, in neutral light?
- Does the clinic show ordinary top surgery results, including visible scars?
7. How Satisfied Are People With Their Top Surgery Results?
Published research reports high long-term satisfaction after gender-affirming mastectomy, though no study can predict how one person will feel about their own top surgery results.
What the research measured
A 2023 JAMA Surgery survey followed patients 2.0 to 23.6 years after surgery at one US centre. Among 139 respondents, the median satisfaction-with-decision score was 5 on a 5-point scale and the median regret score was 0 on a 100-point scale. That study measured the decision, not the look of each scar.
8. When Top Surgery Results Justify a Revision
A revision is reasonable when a specific, correctable problem is still present once top surgery results have settled, which usually means waiting about a year.
Common reasons
The NHS leaflet lists removal of “dog ears” (small tags of excess skin at the ends of the scars), liposuction and nipple work as possible further surgery. In the US cohort, 19.7% of 615 patients followed for over a year had at least one revision, and most surgeons waited at least one year before any major revision.
Local or abroad?
Ask every clinic for its revision policy in writing. If you want in-person reviews throughout the first year, a surgeon near home may suit you better than travelling; our comparison of the best countries for top surgery weighs that trade-off. Neda Agency is a coordinator, not a clinic, as the About Us page explains.
Further Reading
Guides that affect top surgery results, from our blog and the female to male surgeries page:
- Which Top Surgery Procedure Is For You?
- FTM Top Surgery: Techniques, Recovery, Cost and How to Choose Safely
- Top Surgery Without Nipples
- How to Get Top Surgery: A Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until I see final top surgery results?
Final top surgery results in terms of chest shape are usually visible at about one year. Bruising and swelling usually go around six to eight weeks after surgery, and the NHS says scars can keep fading for up to two years or more.
Why do my top surgery results look uneven at two weeks?
Top surgery results at two weeks are distorted by swelling, bruising and healing grafts, and the two sides rarely swell equally. Contact your surgical team promptly if one side becomes suddenly larger, hot, red or very painful.
Does BMI affect top surgery results?
A US study of 948 patients found that obesity was not associated with more complications or revisions after gender-affirming mastectomy. Body shape still matters for top surgery results: people with more tissue at the sides may need two stages.
Do most people need a revision after top surgery?
Most people do not, but revision is common enough to plan for. In one US cohort, 19.7% of 615 patients followed for over a year had at least one revision of their top surgery results, most often for scars or contour.
How should I compare top surgery results between surgeons?
Compare top surgery results using photographs taken at least six months after surgery, of people whose starting chest and technique match yours. Ask each surgeon how often revisions are needed and what the written revision policy covers.
Sources
- NHS Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service: Top Surgery leaflet
- NHS: Scars
- Rothenberg et al., Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2021
- Kamali et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2021
- Bruce et al., JAMA Surgery, 2023
Medical note
This article is general information and is not a substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified surgeon. Healing and outcomes vary between individuals; any prices are indicative.
See What Is Realistic for Your Chest
To learn what realistic top surgery results look like for a body like yours, send us your questions. Neda Agency will pass them to a board-certified plastic surgeon and explain the full cost and revision policy before you decide. Contact us to start.
Trans Health Care Advisor
Neda Deniz Health Tourism Agency Ltd. has been helping the members of trans & non-binary community from all around the world to find qualified, affordable, trans-friendly plastic surgeons using the latest techniques to perform FTM Top surgery, FTM Top Surgery and voice masculinization surgery.


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Top Surgery Results: What to Expect From Day 1 to Year 1
Best Countries for Top Surgery: A Criteria-Led Shortlist for 2026
Keyhole Top Surgery: Candidates, Scars, Sensation, Recovery and Cost
What did I have common with you?

Thailand, Turkey, Poland, Mexico, India, Czech Republic are major countries among the medical tourism arena with a lot of hospital chains and the latest medical technologies.
Thanks to skilled surgeons with latest cutting edge techniques, FTM and MTF transgender patients get delivered outstanding natural results.
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The Neda Deniz Health Tourism Agency Ltd. is designed to be a medical health advisor for transgender and non-binary individuals where all the needs of a person can be addressed in a tailor-made approach.
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Kristian BaldisseraTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ho eseguito un'operazione di mastectomia poche settimane fa, cominciando con la prenotazione attraverso Noah, che mi ha aiutato step per step ad avviare il percorso e rispondendo a tutte le domande che avevo riguardo l'operazione. Posso dire che sono tornato a casa molto soddisfatto e felice. L'ospedale è molto pulito e accogliente e il personale super disponibile e gentile, prima, durante e dopo l'operazione. Ho anche incontrato altre fantastiche persone che hanno vissuto la stessa operazione e con cui ho affrontato insieme il post recovery in ospedale. Sarò per sempre grato di aver potuto vivere questa esperienza con così tanta serietà, per poi arrivare ad un risultato soddisfacente e euforico.Posted on Google![]()
Andrea BarbaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
È difficile esprimere a parole tutta la mia gratitudine per Neda, il dott Serkan per lo splendido lavoro, la gentilezza e la disponibilità del consulente Noah, medici e infermieri...che insieme hanno realizzato un mio più grande sogno ❤️🩹Posted on Google![]()
EleTticusTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ho avuto un’esperienza estremamente positiva con Neda, il personale medico e Noah come consulente per la top surgery. Fin dal primo momento, sono stato accolto con gentilezza e professionalità. Il dottore si è dimostrato altamente competente, sempre disponibile a rispondere a ogni mia domanda e a rassicurarmi lungo tutto il percorso. Le infermiere sono state incredibilmente gentili e premurose, facendomi sentire a mio agio e seguito in ogni fase del post-operatorio. Un ringraziamento speciale va a Noah, che è stato un supporto fondamentale: ha sempre risposto con pazienza e chiarezza a ogni mio dubbio, aiutandomi a vivere questo percorso con maggiore serenità. Consiglio vivamente questa esperienza a chiunque stia valutando la top surgery e cerchi un team di professionisti attenti e rispettosi.Posted on Google![]()
Bex GeorgeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I just had the pleasure of heading to Turkey and having my mastectomy with Neda. It was incredibly professional throughout the whole experience. From pick ups, drop offs, appointments, information and I couldn’t be happier with my results and the wonderful service provided. Every single member of the team I met from surgeon to driver were so hospitable and welcoming. I highly recommend, thank you guys! 🤜🏻🤛🏻Posted on Google![]()
Davide PaolicelliTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ciao a tutti, ho avuto in intervento 2 giorni fa qui ad Istanbul dal Dr. SD È la seconda volta che vengo nella clinica di Neda, l’anno scorso ho accompagnato un mio amico e ora siamo tornati qui per me! Il costo dell’intervento comprende anche 1 notte in ospedale, hotel per me e il mio accompagnatore, esami pre-operatori e taxi privato. L’autista gentilissimo ci è venuto a prendere direttamente dall’aeroporto e ci ha portato in hotel, idem fino all’ospedale e viceversa. La presenza del consulente Noah Olyver, che ci ha aiutato con la prenotazione e i voli, e della traduttrice Miss S è stata fondamentale. Sono arrivato qui il 13 gennaio (il giorno dopo aver fatto 18 anni, perché ovviamente anche qui è obbligatoria la maggiore età), la mattina del 14 mi sono stati fatti tutti gli esami pre-operatori (prelievo del sangue, elettrocardiogramma, ecografia al petto, controllo pressione) e dopo qualche ora sono entrato in sala operatoria. Sono sempre stato tranquillo e sono stati tutti accoglienti e gentili, mi sono sentito sempre al sicuro con Neda e le infermiere. L’hotel è in una zona comoda e centrale. Sono celiaco e il simpaticissimo dottore si è occupato personalmente di ordinare del cibo sicuro per me. Devo dire che ho alcuni problemi di salute e allergie, ma ho avvisato al momento della prenotazione e nessuno di questi è stato un problema. Il dolore è pochissimo e la felicità è al massimo!! Finalmente sono libero, non pensavo che questo giorno sarebbe arrivato così velocemente, guardarmi allo specchio è stato bellissimo per la prima volta ❤️ è un bellissimo regalo di compleannoPosted on Google![]()
Sarah EmmersonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
On the 10th Feb, I went and got my top surgery in istanbul, my gf and her dad accompanied me on the the journey. The first moment I booked, to arriving, surgery and departing was very well organised, Neda sorted everything, I did not have to worry about anything. You have drivers to pick you up and drop you off from airports, hotels and hospital. Everything was very smooth, and there was always communication between Neda and also the drivers, any questions, they were there to help. On my surgery day, I was picked up by a driver and taken to the hospital where we met Mrs S our translator, who was amazing and extremely helpful, she explained everything that was happening on the day and was there to help and for any language barrier issues, but honestly, I didnt struggle with the language barrier in the hospital, I just used google translate on my phone if it was needed. It was all very organised, super clean, comfortable, you get your own room, my gf stayed the night with me. Pre tests and Surgery was smooth, everything felt easy, naturally nervous but felt very looked after and i felt safe and it wasn't stressful for me at all. After pre test I met the surgeon Dr Serkan, who is absolutely lovely and such a happy guy, you always hear him laughing, he lined me up and listened to how I would like my chest to look, and the job hes done is awesome, super happy with my results, highly recommend. I love it! The nurses are absolutely amazing, they are so caring and considerate. I had one nurse called Nursema who looked after me while I stayed the night, honestly the best caring soul Ive met, she was amazing at taking care of me. I truly was looked after so well in hospital, I dont think I would have got the same care in the Uk. Discharge day, and drain removal day... I was so scared of the drains being taken out, but Dr Serkan took them out, i felt no pain and tbh i didnt even feel it come out. I had to ask 'is it out yet?' Lol. So thats all good, no pain with drains :) Highly recommend to anyone wanting/thinking about getting top surgery, everything was stress free and easy. Im almost 1 week post op now and healing is going super well, the doctor and Neda stays in touch with you all through recovery also, the communication between everyone is amazing. Thankyou :)Posted on Google![]()
Fabio PlacentinoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Mi sono operato di mastectomia il 16 Gennaio 2025. Avevo deciso di operarmi tre mesi prima, ma ho deciso io di aspettare tre mesi altrimenti ci sarebbero state date disponibili già prima. Appena ho contatto il consulente Italiano per la mastectomia, Noah Olyver, mi ha aiutato subito in tutto quello che sarebbe servito per l'intervento, dal mettermi in contatto con Neda, proprietario dell'agenzia, al fare i biglietti aerei. Ha risposto tempestivamente a tutte le mie domande nei tre mesi precedenti l'intervento, ha placato le mie ansie. Con un prezzo molto conveniente non solo ho avuto l'intervento ma anche albergo per me e il mio accompagnatore (la mia ragazza), una notte di degenza in ospedale sempre con accanto la mia ragazza, dove hanno provveduto anche per la sua colazione, pranzo e cena, fascia post operazione, assicurazione sul viaggio e servizio taxi. Appena arrivato a Istanbul c'era ad aspettarmi l'autista, Selami, con un furgoncino abbastanza lussuoso, che mi ha portato in albergo e nei giorni seguenti mi ha scortato dall'albergo all'ospedale e viceversa fino al ritorno in areoporto. L'ospedale è un posto molto accogliente, ciascun paziente ha una stanza singola, cosa che ho molto gradito per la privacy. La signorina S, la traduttrice, mi ha aiutato a comunicare col personale sanitario. Il personale dell'ospedale è competente ma soprattutto estremamente gentile e sempre pronto a donarti sicurezza con un sorriso. Neda mi ha accolto con molto calore ed è simpatico e spontaneo. Il chirurgo, il dottor Serkan Dinar, è molto gentile, professionale e ha delle mani d'oro perché ha fatto un lavoro stupendo. Inoltre Neda, il chirurgo e Noah, mi seguono anche nel post operatorio, non importa se sono in vacanza o non è il loro giorno lavorativo, rispondono sempre a tutte le mie perplessità. Per quanto riguarda l'intervento in sé non è doloroso come credevo, più che altro il dolore è stato per i muscoli indolenziti e sulle parti dove si formano lividi e gonfiore ma ora sto già molto meglio. Ho provato un po' di dolore solo nel togliere i drenaggi ma confrontandomi con altri ragazzi ho capito che è una cosa soggettiva. Quando c'è la rivelazione del petto il dottore spiega tutto quello che c'è da fare nel post operatorio, medicazione e azioni da evitare e ti permette di registrare tutto così da seguire bene le indicazioni a casa. Nel complesso ho avuto un' ottima esperienza con l'agenzia di Neda, e nonostante sia lontana da casa penso che se dovessi fare un altro intervento sarebbe la mia prima scelta!Posted on Google![]()
Aurelio FlorisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I got peri/keyhole top surgery with Dr. Serkan on 10/01/25. My experience has been absolutely lovely: the hospital is clean and warm and all the nurses are incredibly nice and professional. Staying at the hotel allowed me to meet plenty of other people that were having the same surgery, which made the experience a lot more fun and enriching. Neda and Noah are both incredibly nice and available for any questions. I felt safe and cared for every day: from when I arrived at the airport to the minute I was dropped off to fly back home. My results are everything I've ever dreamed of, and I'm not even completely healed yet. I would have had to wait 4 years to get surgery in my country, and now that weight is off my shoulders and I have my dream result. Thanks a lot to Neda, Dr. Serkan, & his wife and their team <3Posted on Google![]()
Oisín RobertsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience having surgery here. The translator, Miss S, was very present and very friendly. I always felt as though I knew what was about to happen next, how and where. The driver, Selami Çaylak, was also very friendly. I felt incredibly welcome and secure being shuttled between the hotel, hospital and airport. The tests and the surgery took place across two different, but very nearby, hospitals. The care in both was great. During my surgery and the stay in the hospital where that happened, the nurses was extremely gentle and caring. They were all very communicative, explaining what they were doing and when they were changing shift, introducing the nurses that would be taking over. This was very reassuring, particularly during that part of my recovery because I was definitely at my most confused then because of the medicine. The food at the hospital was delicious, simple, nutritious, Turkish food. They were very attentive to provide a lot of food for my partner who was there with me without being asked to. They also provided pillows, blankets and a comfortable sofa for her to sleep on while I stayed there. In the hotel, where I spent the remainder of my stay, the food was also amazing. It was easy to order to your room via a QR code provided that linked to a whatsapp chat where you messaged. The food came from a cafe opposite where we met an older man who worked there, he was so friendly with us and taught us Turkish words for what we were saying. Breakfast was free, included with our stay, and we paid for everything else but it was very cheap. I haven’t fully recovered yet, I am only one week post-op, but I feel very confident because Dr Serkin has provided me with all of my medicine, tapes and cream for my recovery. He also explained clearly the timeline and asked us to record him talking about it incase we forgot, this was so helpful. From what I have seen so far of my results, they look amazing. I am overjoyed. Dr Serkin is a very kind, good humoured and friendly man who obviously enjoys his job. I felt very safe in his care. Since coming home, Neda has been very communicative via Whatsapp answering any queries or questions I have relating to my recovery. Overall, I had a really great experience and at no point felt doubt in the service that Neda has put together. I would sincerely recommend anyone considering this service to book with Neda.Posted on Google![]()
Jonathan RavasiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Vorrei ringraziare Noah e tutto lo staff della clinica per il supporto straordinario che mi hanno dato nel raggiungere un traguardo importante. Sin dal primo momento, Noah è stato professionale, attento e sempre disponibile a rispondere a tutte le mie domande, prima, durante e anche dopo l’intervento mettendomi a mio agio e guidandomi in ogni fase del percorso. Inoltre, vorrei sottolineare quanto tutto lo staff della clinica sia stato comprensivo, premuroso e pronto a intervenire in caso di necessità, dimostrando un'alta professionalità e una grande attenzione verso ogni dettaglio. Grazie a loro, ho potuto affrontare questa esperienza con serenità e fiducia, raggiungendo un risultato che non avrei mai pensato fosse possibile. Grazie ancora a tutti per l’impegno, la disponibilità e l'umanità che mi hanno mostrato in ogni momento.
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