Top surgery and mastectomy are related procedures but serve different purposes:

1. Top Surgery: Top surgery is a surgical procedure performed as part of gender-affirming treatment for transgender individuals, specifically for transgender men (assigned female at birth) and some non-binary individuals. The goal of top surgery is to create a more masculine chest contour by removing breast tissue and reshaping the chest. The procedure may involve different techniques, such as subcutaneous mastectomy or double incision mastectomy with or without nipple grafts. Top surgery can help alleviate gender dysphoria and assist individuals in aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity.
2. Mastectomy: Mastectomy is a surgical procedure primarily performed to treat or prevent breast cancer in both cisgender (non-transgender) men and women. It involves the removal of breast tissue, including the nipple and areola in some cases, to treat or reduce the risk of cancer. Mastectomy is not typically performed as a gender-affirming procedure for transgender individuals unless they also have a medical indication, such as breast cancer or high risk for breast cancer.

While both top surgery and mastectomy involve the removal of breast tissue, the underlying goals and contexts differ. Top surgery is performed as part of gender affirmation for transgender individuals, whereas mastectomy is primarily a medical procedure for treating or preventing breast cancer. It’s important to consult with qualified healthcare professionals specializing in transgender healthcare or breast cancer treatment to determine the most appropriate procedure for an individual’s specific needs.

Top surgery and mastectomy are both surgical procedures that can be used to remove breast tissue. However, they are used for different purposes and have different outcomes.

Top surgery is a gender-affirming surgery that is typically used by transgender men to create a more masculine chest. Mastectomy is a medical procedure that is typically used to treat breast cancer.

There are several different types of top surgery, but the most common are double incision mastectomy (DI) and periareolar mastectomy. DI involves making two incisions under the breasts and around the areola. Periareolar mastectomy involves making an incision around the areola.

Mastectomy can be performed in a variety of ways, but the most common are lumpectomy and mastectomy with reconstruction. Lumpectomy involves removing the cancerous tissue and some of the surrounding tissue. Mastectomy with reconstruction involves removing all of the breast tissue and then reconstructing the breast with implants or tissue from another part of the body.

The recovery time for top surgery and mastectomy varies depending on the type of surgery that is performed. However, both procedures typically involve a period of pain and discomfort.

The results of top surgery and mastectomy are also different. Top surgery can create a chest that is flat and masculine. Mastectomy can create a chest that is flat, but it may also leave scars.

The decision of whether to have top surgery or mastectomy is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between top surgery and mastectomy:

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I hope this helps!