For patients in South Africa

Top surgery in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Top surgery removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest to give a flatter, more masculine contour, and may include resizing and repositioning the nipples. It is designed for transgender men and non-binary people who want a chest that fits their gender identity.

What top surgery involves

Breast tissue and, where needed, excess skin are removed and the chest reshaped. The surgeon recommends the technique, such as double incision with nipple grafts or periareolar top surgery, from your chest size, skin elasticity and the result you want.

Who it may suit

• Transgender men and non-binary people who want a flatter chest
• People whose chest is a source of gender dysphoria
• People in good general health at a stable weight, non-smokers or able to stop, with realistic expectations

Candidacy is confirmed after a medical review of your history, photographs and goals. On arrival there are health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with the surgeon.

Your stay in Turkey

After surgery you recover at Mandarin Grove, our recovery retreat near İzmir, with nursing support, dressing changes and 24/7 access to the medical team.

• Days 1 to 3: rest with your upper body raised; swelling, bruising and mild discomfort are expected; you wear a compression vest
• Days 4 to 7: drains, if used, usually come out; most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days
• Weeks 2 to 6: swelling keeps improving; no heavy lifting, upper body workouts or strenuous exercise until the surgeon says so
• Months 3 to 6: the chest settles into its final shape, scars soften and nipple sensation continues to recover where applicable

The flight home

A ten-hour flight soon after surgery adds to the risk of blood clots. Wear your compression vest, take an aisle seat, walk regularly and drink water. Tell us at the start about any history of clots and about testosterone or other hormone treatment.

Risks

Risks include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, fluid collection (seroma), delayed wound healing and changes in nipple sensation, and less often bleeding, infection, blood clots, partial loss of a nipple graft where grafts are used, or noticeable scarring.

Your wider care

Hormone treatment, mental health support and any other ongoing gender-affirming care stay with your own team at home; surgery in Turkey does not replace them. Tell us about any hormones or other medicines you take, and tell your team at home about your plans. Take your discharge notes home, including the technique used.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, then a short domestic flight to İzmir, where treatment takes place
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Fitness to fly: the surgeon decides when you can fly, so book a return ticket you can change
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
• Cover: medical schemes generally do not cover elective surgery abroad, so check with yours; travel insurance usually excludes planned surgery

Follow-up at home

Follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team. Medical complications and clinically necessary revisions within one year are covered by our treatment guarantee, which does not cover preferring a different look when the result is within what was discussed. Keep your GP informed and take your discharge notes home. See the clinic facts page and our complaints process; the full procedure page is top surgery.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, promise a particular result, or operate if your health makes it unsafe. We make no assumptions about your identity or goals; you tell us the terms you use. A long journey is no reason to add more procedures than the surgeon judges safe.

Top surgery is one part of our gender-affirming surgery guide. You may also want to read about Body masculinisation surgery in Turkey and Facial masculinisation surgery in Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

How long after top surgery can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but the surgeon decides. Because the flight home takes around ten hours, book a return ticket you can change in case you are asked to stay longer.

Which top surgery technique will I have?

The surgeon recommends the technique, such as double incision with nipple grafts or periareolar top surgery, based on your chest size, skin elasticity and the result you want.

How long does top surgery take?

Typically around two to three hours.

When can I lift weights or go back to the gym?

Not until the surgeon confirms it is safe. Heavy lifting, upper body workouts and strenuous exercise are avoided in the early weeks.

Will my medical aid cover top surgery abroad?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective surgery abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned surgery. Check with your scheme and insurer directly before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.