Top Surgery in Toronto: Techniques, Recovery & Choosing a Surgeon

Top surgery is one of the most requested gender-affirming procedures, and choosing the right approach is a personal decision. This guide walks through the main techniques, what recovery looks like, and how to choose a surgeon you trust here in Toronto.

The main techniques

There is no single “best” technique — the right one depends on your chest size, skin elasticity, and goals. Smaller chests with good elasticity may suit keyhole or periareolar approaches, which keep the nipple on its own blood supply. Medium to larger chests are often best served by double-incision, where the nipples are resized and repositioned as grafts.

Other options — nipple-sparing double incision, buttonhole, and inverted-T — balance scarring, sensation, and shape in different ways. Our Choosing Your Procedure guide compares them in detail.

What recovery looks like

Most people return to desk work within one to two weeks and to full activity, including exercise, by around six weeks. Some techniques use small drains for a short period, and a compression binder supports healing. Swelling settles and scars continue to mature over the following six to twelve months.

Choosing a surgeon in Toronto

Look for a surgeon certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in plastic surgery, who performs top surgery regularly and operates in an accredited facility. Just as important is how you feel in consultation — the right surgeon listens, sets honest expectations, and gives you the time to decide.

The takeaway

The best way to find your approach is a consultation, at your own pace. Bring your goals and your questions — we’ll map the options together and recommend what truly fits you.