Trans people going through chest dysphoria, are looking forward to having top surgery and their first question is always- “is it costly?” The simple answer is yes, you will have to save up. Here are your figures for getting top surgery:
Top surgery types
Before we get into the figures of how much you have to save to get surgery, you will have to know which mastectomy you will be getting
There are two types of top surgery:
- Double Incision:
This surgery is done when you have a bigger chest. - Keyhole:
This surgery is done when you have a smaller chest.
Doctor’s opinion
Dr Bheem Singh Nanda is an experienced top surgeon in Delhi’s Ganga Ram Hospital. He has been dedicated to his work for the past 15 years. Of his experience, Dr Bheem says, “I am a consultant, a plastic surgeon basically at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. Since 2013, I have been doing mastectomies and top surgery, key-hole, and double incision all the different types. I have done over 450 cases of top surgery, could be more. After 2015, I have had constant cases in my Operation theatre. Even tomorrow, I have a case from Bangalore.”
Explaining the different types
Dr Bheem explains the different types of top surgery by saying, “So, in top surgery double incision is a technique where you can tackle all sizes. Key-hole is minimal access surgery wherein you have to take out the entire glands through a small 2cm hole, so this is only possible in a small size.”
Costs
So the important thing here is the cost. How much do you have to save up to get that life-changing surgery that you have been waiting for?
Dr Bheem tells us about his hospital, “In Ganga Ram hospital, on today’s date the cost of a double incision comes at around 1 Lakh. Key-hole also amounts to the same. At different times, in both these methods, I have to operate on the patient twice within the interval of seven days. Keyhole can cost around 1 Lakh 10 thousand, and then after 7-8 days, I have to work on the nipples so for that 7-8k. So, the keyhole is about 5k cheaper. Both Double Incision and Keyhole are time-consuming surgeries though. So everyone who is coming to me, who needs these surgeries want flatter chests.”
How much should I save?
Dr Bheem only mentions the cost of surgery, there will be other costs, especially if you are travelling to get your surgery done. You would need to have about 20k extra in hand for other needs.