top surgery

[ top sur-juh-ree ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of top surgery¹

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

Example Sentences

Some have had top surgery, others haven’t.

From Los Angeles Times

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

As part of his transition, Riccomini underwent top surgery more than a year ago to create a masculine appearance.

From Seattle Times

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

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