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Miami, FL
305-204-9598

Miami, FL

Top Surgery

Introduction to Top Surgery

Every transgender patient requires individualized care. We understand that there is no “one story” for a patient’s transition. As such, we offer a range of procedures for our FTM and Non-Binary patients.

At Gallagher Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, Dr. Gallagher encourages patients to review the photo gallery or bring their own photos to ensure she can meet their goals as closely as possible.

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Before + After Gallery

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A close-up headshot of a man with short brown hair, a slight beard, and light blue eyes, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, looking off to the left against a neutral gray background. - Top Surgery in Miami, Fl A bright, minimalist, and artistic photo with a white corner wall against a turquoise sky, featuring the strong, diagonal shadow of a palm frond cast on the wall and a dark green palm frond hanging into the frame from the top.

What is a Top Surgery?

The most common type of top surgery requested is to create a natural, masculine appearance to the chest. Dr. Gallagher will work with you to choose the best procedure for your body type. There are two main options: a double incision or a keyhole incision. Both are performed using a drain-free technique.

  • This technique is typically recommended for patients with larger chests or less skin elasticity. It involves two horizontal incisions across the lower chest to remove breast tissue and excess skin, allowing for precise chest contouring and nipple resizing and repositioning. The result is a flatter, more defined chest with masculine contours. The double incision method also gives Dr. Gallagher the most flexibility in shaping and balancing the chest, making it a great choice for many patients seeking a natural, long-term result.

  • The keyhole technique is designed for patients with smaller chests and good skin elasticity. It’s performed through a small incision along the lower edge of the areola, allowing for the removal of breast tissue without removing skin or relocating the nipples. Because the incisions are minimal, this option tends to have less visible scarring and a quicker recovery.

What Are the Benefits of a Top Surgery?

Dr. Gallagher, a blonde woman with long curly hair, is seated at a desk in her office with a large window overlooking a cityscape. She is smiling and looking off to the side while holding documents and a pen.

Top surgery can make a powerful difference in both appearance and comfort. It can ease chest dysphoria, help clothing fit more naturally, and eliminate the need for binding. 

Many of our patients describe feeling lighter, more confident, and more at ease in their own skin. The procedure can bring both physical relief and emotional clarity, helping your body feel more aligned with who you are.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Top Surgery?

Dr. Gallagher, a blonde woman in a white lab coat over a grey dress, is seated and smiling warmly while speaking and gesturing with her hands to a patient in a light blue patterned hospital gown. They are in a well-lit exam room next to a wall with a pink and blue abstract painting.

The best candidates for top surgery are transgender men and non-binary individuals who want a flatter, more masculine chest that aligns with their identity. 

During your consultation at our Miami office, Dr. Gallagher will take the time to understand your goals, assess your anatomy, and help you determine the safest and most effective approach for your specific needs.

What’s the First Step?

Your Top Surgery Journey with Dr. Gallagher

Depending on the time of year, we can usually get you scheduled for a consultation within a couple of weeks. Any consultation fees will be applied towards the cost of surgery if and when you decide to schedule. The first consult is usually virtual. Before we begin, we will gather some information about your health, which we will discuss in the first part of the consultation. We will then discuss surgery and your goals. Consults are never anything to be nervous about! We strive to maintain a light and friendly atmosphere.

After the consultation, we will reach out to you via email, typically including a quote along with information about financing, insurance, and timing.

Depending on the time of year, the waitlist can be as short as a few weeks.

Next, a date is set, and the patient will need to consult with their own doctor for any health checks.

What to Expect on the Day of Top Surgery

The patient is put under general anesthesia for the two to three-hour surgery (some patients will add on another procedure, which can lengthen the time in the OR. The nipples are removed, breast tissue is removed, and then the masculinized nipples are repositioned on the chest. A special dressing called a bolster is sewn into position to reattach the nipple.

Most patients leave the hospital or surgery center shortly after the surgery. We encourage out-of-town patients to stay in the area for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. Many patients stay for about 7 days. A binder is worn to help with swelling, and patients return a few days later to have the bolsters removed. Antibiotic ointment and Band-Aids are required until the nipples are healed. We provide a lot of detail on scar care recommendations during the first visit.

Top Surgery Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Top Surgery Care

As a general rule, I inform patients that they won’t return to normal for about six weeks after top surgery. Even though there are fewer incisions, the keyhole procedure requires longer binding and can, despite fewer incisions, still feel like a longer recovery. For both surgeries, it can take a few months to start seeing the final results, as there will be a lot of swelling, and nipples in particular can look very strange initially.

In the first few days after surgery, patients typically don’t want to move their arms much and look like a “T. rex.”

Lifting and Mobility

Patients will be able to move around the house, feed themselves, and use the bathroom, but any sort of heavy lifting is prohibited. No more than 10lbs is recommended. Listen to your body, it has a great built-in warning system. If it hurts, don’t do it.

Most patients feel exhausted and “gross” in the first couple of weeks after surgery.

Driving

In order to drive, the patient must be completely off narcotic medication and able to make sudden movements. For most folks, this is at least a week, but more commonly 2.

Sleeping Position

As long as it’s comfortable, the patient’s sleeping position doesn’t matter too much. Many patients will prefer sleeping on more pillows than usual or even in a recliner. Sleeping on the back for the first couple of weeks is typical, and then slowly side sleeping can be reintroduced. Belly sleepers find this time of recovery toughest. The rule is just to sleep wherever it is comfortable.

Work

The earliest folks can return to work is 1 week after surgery, but typically 2 weeks are needed. If heavy lifting, a lot of reaching / strenuous activity is part of the job, up to 6 weeks off work may be needed.

Working Out

Gentle walks are a good idea in the first few days after surgery, but remember that you will tire quickly. Lower-body low-impact workouts can usually begin about 2 weeks after surgery, and patients are typically released to regular exercise at 6 weeks. Patients who avoid overhead (shoulder) exercises for 6 months after surgery appear to have better-looking scars, so if that’s an option, I encourage patients to consider it.

Compression

After Masculoplasty, patients require compression for just one week or less after surgery. We recommend that patients wear it 24/7 to minimize swelling; however, breaks are allowed. If you dislike it, we can remove it immediately.

Showering

It’s up to the patient’s surgeon when showering is allowed. Sometimes patients have to wait a week or more (for drains to come out).

In our practice, both keyhole and Masculoplasty patients have waterproof dressings beneath the compression vest, so showers are possible whenever they feel strong enough. For most, this is 2 days after surgery.

The Months after Surgery

In the weeks and months following surgery, patients often experience larger areas of numbness over the chest. As a general rule, these areas of numbness typically shrink over the first year, allowing everything to feel normal again. Sensation will come back in the nipples, typically also during this time. Some patients may experience unusual chest sensations during this time, such as “lightning bolts” of pain that subside quickly. We attribute this to the nerves “waking up”.

How Much Does a Top Surgery Cost in Miami, FL?

The cost of top surgery in Miami can vary depending on the chosen technique, the details of your surgical plan, and whether additional procedures are performed simultaneously.

During your consultation with Dr. Gallagher, you will receive a personalized estimate that clearly outlines all fees, including those for the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility costs. Our team can also provide guidance on financing and insurance options, helping you determine the best course of action for your surgery.

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Why Choose Dr. Sidhbh Gallagher?

Dr. Sidhbh Gallagher is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with an international reputation for her work in gender-affirming procedures. She has performed thousands of top surgeries and is renowned for her exceptional skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment to ensuring every patient feels seen and supported.

At her Miami practice, Dr. Gallagher and her team focus on creating a welcoming, respectful environment where patients can speak openly about their goals.

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Top Surgery FAQ’S

See what our Patients Say

Patient Reviews

  • Dr. Gallagher, wearing a surgical cap and mask, is shown from the back of the head and shoulder, dressed in a blue surgical gown, looking down toward a bright operating area.

    I had an amazing experience with Dr.Gallagher and her team, the whole experience from the procedure (top surgery) to the post-op care has been fantastic. Dr.Gallagher was able to address any concerns I had with my chest before the procedure and made me feel comfortable the whole way through, and then the attentiveness post-op is all the better.

    Alfio Oliveira (Jay)

  • Dr. Gallagher (left), in a white lab coat, and a blonde patient (right), in a blue patterned hospital gown, smile and look up at the camera. The patient is holding up a peace sign with one hand. A piece of art with the colors of the transgender flag is visible on the wall behind them.

    Thank you so much Dr. Gallagher for your amazing work! I appreciated the great support from your team at the surgical centre and your office. Everyone was so wonderful! I am extremely happy with my results and had a very positive experience. I had followed Dr. Gallagher for several years on Instagram prior to my surgery, and learned so much from her detailed explanations about various aspects of the surgical procedures, what to expect on the day, recovery, etc. I had complete trust, felt safe, felt listened to. I also appreciate the follow-ups, and answers to all my questions. The support, warmth, care is top notch!

    Gill B.

  • Dr. Suzanne Gallagher, a blonde woman in light green scrubs, stands next to a patient lying on a bed (only the patient's arm is visible) behind a blue curtain in what appears to be a clinical or operating room setting. She is smiling and gesturing with her right hand while her left hand is on her hip.

    Dr. Gallagher and her whole team, from Neasa to Daryl Ann and everyone else in between, are absolutely fantastic, kind hearted, hard working people. Dr. Gallagher truly amazed me and I’m so grateful to have had her on my team.

    I was able to get keyhole top surgery about three weeks ago and I’m loving my results already! I’m muscular and heavier set as well but always had a smaller chest, and I’m so glad Dr. Gallagher was the one who could do this for me.

    Right now I am still experiencing swelling, but I am using compression dressings every day, throughout the day which helps tons! I know that when the swelling subsides months from now, and everything is “back to normal”, I am going to love even more what I see in the mirror because I can finally see me.

    Morgan F.

  • Dr. Gallagher, wearing a surgical cap and mask, is shown from the back of the head and shoulder, dressed in a blue surgical gown, looking down toward a bright operating area.

    So glad I found Dr. Gallagher. I would not have elected to pursue my surgery had I not found a qualified and competent medical provider that I felt I could trust and have confidence in their ability to offer a high-quality, low-risk result. As a result of my initial contacts and consultations with Gallagher Plastic Surgery practice, I was willing to pursue my desired surgery and even travel half-way across the country to their offices. I’m so glad I did. The results are outstanding, more than I even anticipated. This was the 3rd practice I had dealt with and so I was learning what to look for and knew Dr. Gallagher was a good fit. The medical expertise and professionalism are what I based my decision on to proceed. They were calmly confident for a reason. I realized at the surgery event and through to the 3 week post-op checkin the excellence in their personal care (bed side manner). The office and Dr. Gallagher communicated very well. Everything went smoothly and as planned. As nervous as I was about an unnecessary surgery, Dr. Gallagher and her team were able to build enough trust that I was able to receive a very beneficial result.

    Tim F.

  • Dr. Gallagher (left), in a white lab coat, and a blonde patient (right), in a blue patterned hospital gown, smile and look up at the camera. The patient is holding up a peace sign with one hand. A piece of art with the colors of the transgender flag is visible on the wall behind them.

    Dr. Gallagher and her team are the absolute best! She completed my brachioplasty on Tuesday and when I saw the initial results at my post op appointment two days later I literally had tears of joy streaming down my face. My weight loss journey has been a road of many ups and downs, and I was so nervous about whether this surgery could even work for me. Even with the swelling that is normal after brachioplasty, there is an enormous difference, and I am still in disbelief that even this early on, my arms look this great. My husband was even in disbelief, and we’re so excited to see what I’ll look like in two weeks time. Dr. Gallagher is so kind and patient, and walked me through all of the phases of healing/expectations, and was great to call and check in. If you are looking for a highly skilled surgeon that will give you optimal results along with a compassionate approach, it is well worth your time and money to consider a consultation with her. I am forever thankful for her and for her team! This is life changing for me. Thank you, Dr. Gallagher! I appreciate you so much!

    Melissa E.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are considering top surgery, contact Dr. Gallagher’s team to start your journey. Call (305) 503-9829 or use our online contact form to connect with us.

Our team will guide you through all the details, help you explore your options, and make the next steps as easy as possible.

Dr. Gallagher frequently works with patients outside of Miami and the state of Florida. If you are interested in discussing top surgery in a discreet and comfortable setting, you can also schedule a virtual consultation with her to ask any questions you may have and learn more about proceeding with your surgery.

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