FTM Top Surgery in Chicago & Vernon Hills

How it Works

The Consultation

At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, each initial patient consultation is different. Depending on your needs, desired treatments, areas of concern, and simply who you are as a patient, we will schedule you with an actual treatment provider to discuss your goals, budget, and more. During this appointment, we will go through before & after photos, your medical history, and any questions you might have. Only then can we make a recommendation for which procedures or treatments may be right for you and why. We will be sure to educate you on how the treatments work, including what to expect during and afterward.

We charge $100 for surgical consultations that last about 40 minutes. At the end of your consultation, you will leave our office in Vernon Hills with a thorough, personalized treatment plan. And when you’re ready, we’ll schedule your surgery for a day and time that works for your schedule.

The Procedure

In Top Surgery, there are special techniques used to contour the chest, resize and position the nipples and areola, and minimize scarring. These techniques vary according to where the incisions are made, whether the nipple and areola are reduced and/or re-positioned and how much sensation is preserved. Two of the most common are double-incision surgery and peri-areolar, both of which we offer our patients.

Double-incision Top Surgery with nipple grafts
The double incision Top Surgery procedure is the most widely-used technique and is ideal for those who are medium to large chested. During this procedure, the skin on the chest is opened along two horizontal incisions, at the top and bottom of the pectoralis major muscle (the muscle itself is not touched.) The skin is pulled back and the breast tissue is then removed. The nipple and areola are removed, re-sized and grafted on the
chest in the appropriate position.

Peri-areolar Top Surgery
This involves making a circular or semi-circular incision around the border of your areola. This incision allows for the breast tissue to be removed directly or in conjuction with liposuction. Resizing and reinsetting of the areola is performed at the same time. While peri-areolar surgery involves less scarring, it can only be used if the patient requires minimal excess skin removal.

The Recovery

Immediately following the procedure, your incisions will be covered with bandages and special garments to deter excess swelling and for optimal healing.  The garment will be placed on your body in the operating room after surgery. It is very important to wear the vest at all times to prevent post-operative bleeding and fluid collections. You’ll need to sleep on your back while recovering from Top Surgery. This can be difficult for those who are side- or stomach-sleepers and some people find it easier to sleep in a recliner rather than in a bed.  Recovery time for top surgery varies from person to person. For approximately three to four weeks after the surgery, you should not lift your arms greater than 90 degrees away from your body or over your head. You should also not push, pull, or lift anything greater than 5-10 pounds during these 3-4 weeks. This ensures your scar will heal well and not stretch and become larger.

You should wait 6-8 weeks before going back to the gym. Heavy chest workouts should be avoided for even longer, up to 3 months.