top surgery

American  

[top sur-juh-ree] / ˈtɒp ˌsɜr dʒə ri /

noun

1. the surgical alteration of a transgender person’s chest, usually through double mastectomy or breast augmentation, to align with their gender identity.

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Etymology

Origin of top surgery

First recorded in 1990–95; cf. bottom surgery ( def. )

Example Sentences

She couldn’t be on the mound on Mother’s Day against the Badgers, having just undergone top surgery, but showed up anyway and kept the scoresheet to the delight of her coach.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 7, 2024

Then they traced the scars of top surgery, asking their father to sew a line through the chest tissue that helped Man, 25, embody their transmasculine, genderqueer identity.

From New York Times • May 24, 2024

Mainard’s second one-person show “Ottis” — titled after their dad’s middle name — parallels the emotional process of gender-affirming top surgery with coming out to the people that matter most.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

When I woke up from top surgery, I began to sob as soon as I looked down at my chest.

From Salon • Oct. 17, 2023

"They may choose top surgery instead, and they'll just deal with the family-building consequences later," Leondires said.

From Salon • Sep. 10, 2023