the consultation

The consultation

What to expect, how to prepare, the appointment, and what questions to ask your surgeon.

Depending on the practice, you may schedule a consultation by phone, online, or through a patient portal.
Some surgeons charge a consultation fee, while others offer free consultations or bill insurance. Ask whether payment is required when scheduling and whether the fee will be applied to the cost of surgery.
During the consultation, you will meet with the plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations.
The surgeon will review your goals and medical history and assess your chest anatomy, skin elasticity, nipple position, and other factors relevant to surgical planning. The examination should occur with your informed consent, and you may ask the surgeon to explain each part before proceeding.
The risks and benefits will be discussed, including potential complications, scarring, and recovery process.
Costs will be presented, generally itemized to outline what is covered.
If applicable, discussion of insurance options and what is needed for documentation and other requirements for approval.

Discussing your medical background and transition is extremely vulnerable.
- Feeling nervous is both normal and expected.
- Your increasing comfort with discussing with the provider is a good sign.Your medical history is an important component of assessing your eligibility for getting top surgery.
Know your current list of medications, allergies, previous surgery history, and history of medical conditions.
Knowing your body type and desired outcome, start to research pictures of top surgery results to show your surgeon.
Have an idea of the types of surgeries (from above) you are interested in learning more about and if they are suitable for your body type and goals.
Collect inspiration pictures – can be either trans, cis, or both
Be clear on your financial/employment status:
- What is your budget for top surgery?
- Are you able to take out a loan or use a payment plan?
- Can you take the necessary time off for healing?

How many masculinizing top surgeries have you performed?
Based on my goals and body type, what type of top surgeries do you recommend and why?
Do you have before-and-after pictures of body types like mine?
What are the risks and complications associated with this type of surgery?
What does the day of surgery look like?What is the expected recovery time?
When can I go back to work? (Be specific about your job requirements)
What kind of scarring should I expect?
How will my chest look immediately after surgery? After healing?
Can I show you my inspiration pictures? Are these results realistic?
What is the total cost of the surgery? Can you provide a breakdown of fees?
When is the total due? Do you have payment plans or work with financing companies (i.e. Care Credit, PatientFi, Cherry, etc)?
Do you accept insurance? Can you offer help with insurance approval and filing? Do you have an insurance specialist?
How often and when will my follow-up appointments be?
Are follow-up appointments included in the total cost?
What is your policy on revisions? How often do you perform revisions?
Who should I contact after hours if I develop a possible complication, and which symptoms should prompt me to call 911 or go directly to an emergency department?