Chest reconstruction

Chest reconstruction, also known as top surgery, refers to any of various surgical procedures to reconstruct the chest by removing breast tissue or altering the nipples and areolae in order to mitigate gender dysphoria. Transgender men and non-binary people may pursue chest reconstruction as part of their transition and it is also used to treat cases of gynecomastia in cisgender men. The removal of breast tissue in chest reconstruction is a type of mastectomy called a subcutaneous (under the skin) mastectomy. This type of mastectomy removes tissue from inside the breast (subcutaneous tissue), as well as excess skin. The surgeon then contours the chest, altering the size and position of the areolae and nipples as needed or as indicated by the patient. Those undergoing chest reconstruction may opt to forgo nipple grafts, with the intent of having a completely blank, flat chest, or to have them tattooed on at a later date.