Female-to-male surgery in Turkey: what the category covers
Female-to-male (FTM) surgery is a group of operations that help transgender men and non-binary people align their body with their gender identity. The treatments in this category fall into two broad groups. Chest surgery, usually called top surgery, removes breast tissue and reshapes the chest. Genital surgery includes phalloplasty, metoidioplasty and scrotoplasty. Body masculinisation surgery is also listed and may include contouring of the body in the same plan. The hospitals on our site are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and the overview page Gender Affirmation Surgery treatments in Turkey shows each procedure.
Whether and which surgery to have is a personal medical decision. Each person decides on their own path, and many choose chest surgery alone.
Female-to-Male Surgery in Turkey
How the techniques differ
Top surgery has several techniques, chosen mainly by chest size, skin elasticity and nipple position. The double incision technique removes breast tissue and excess skin through horizontal incisions and usually grafts the nipple, which suits larger chests. Periareolar, keyhole and buttonhole techniques use small incisions around or near the nipple and suit smaller chests with good skin elasticity. The inverted T and fishmouth techniques are variations for medium to larger chests that leave different scar patterns. Your surgeon will discuss the scar placement, nipple sensation and the chance of a revision.
Metoidioplasty releases and lengthens the enlarged clitoris, which has grown under testosterone, and can be combined with urethral lengthening and scrotoplasty. Phalloplasty builds a penis using tissue from another part of the body, such as the forearm or thigh, and is a multi-stage process that can include urethral lengthening, scrotoplasty and later an implant to allow erection. It is a larger surgery with a longer recovery and a higher rate of complications.
Who it is for and how to choose
Hospitals normally ask for a letter or a medical assessment confirming your diagnosis, your age and your general health. Requirements vary, and they will tell you what they need. Smoking, diabetes and a high body mass index can affect healing and may need to be addressed first. If you take testosterone, the surgeon will say whether you should continue before the operation.
- If your priority is a flatter chest, top surgery is usually the first and simplest step.
- If you want to keep the sensation of your own tissue and avoid several operations, you may be considering metoidioplasty.
- If you want a larger penis suitable for penetrative sex and standing urination, phalloplasty is discussed, accepting its length and complexity.
- If you do not want genital surgery, some people have a scrotoplasty alone or no genital surgery at all.
What the trip and recovery look like
Top surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia and takes a few hours. Many hospitals plan a hospital stay of one night and a total stay in Turkey of around a week, with drains, a compression garment and a check-up before you fly. Most people return to desk work within one to two weeks, but lifting and strenuous exercise are restricted for about four to six weeks.
Genital surgery needs a longer stay. Metoidioplasty typically involves a few nights in hospital and a catheter for a period. Phalloplasty needs a longer hospital stay, with weeks of limited movement, and later stages months apart, so you should plan time for each stage and follow-up with a local doctor.
What affects the price
The price depends on the procedure, the technique and the number of stages. Top surgery with grafted nipples costs more than a limited-incision technique because of the operating time. Phalloplasty involves a large team, a long operation and several stages, so it is priced very differently from metoidioplasty. A written quote should specify the surgeon, the hospital stay, the anaesthesia, the medications, the garments, follow-up checks and what is charged if a revision is needed. Make sure the quote says whether a hotel and transfers are included.
How to check a hospital and a surgeon
Ask which surgeon will perform your operation and how many procedures of that type they perform each year. Ask to see photographs of healed results with the patients' consent, including the scars at several months. Check that the hospital has an intensive care unit for major surgery, and ask about the plan for complications and who you can contact after you return home. Treat any promise of a perfect result with caution, and ask for a consultation by video if you want to talk to the surgeon before you commit.
How an enquiry with us works
Tell us which procedure you are considering, send photographs as the hospital requests, and add your height, weight, medical history and medicines. When you request a free quote, your enquiry is handled in confidence and a hospital sends a written plan naming the surgeon, the technique, the stay and what is included. There is no pre-payment to us and the service is free for patients. You decide whether to go ahead, and you pay the hospital directly.
Other Gender Affirmation Surgery categories
Frequently asked questions
FTM top surgery is chest masculinisation: removal of breast tissue and reshaping of the chest, with the nipples repositioned or resized where needed. Techniques include double incision, periareolar, keyhole, buttonhole, inverted T and fishmouth. Your chest size and skin elasticity guide the choice.
It depends mostly on chest size, skin elasticity and nipple position. Smaller chests with good elasticity may suit periareolar or keyhole techniques, while larger chests more often need double incision with nipple grafts. The surgeon decides after examining you.
Metoidioplasty uses the existing enlarged clitoris to create a smaller phallus and is a shorter process with fewer stages. Phalloplasty builds a larger penis with tissue from another part of the body in several stages, with a longer recovery and more risk of complications.
Many people return to light work after one to two weeks. Lifting and strenuous exercise are limited for around four to six weeks, and scars keep maturing for a year or more. The surgeon will give you a schedule for dressings, garments and check-ups.
Hospitals often ask for a letter from a mental health professional or a medical assessment, and the rules differ between hospitals. When you ask for a quote the coordinator will tell you which documents the hospital needs.
We handle enquiries in confidence, share your information only with the hospital you ask us to contact and do not publish your details. You can ask the hospital how it protects your medical records.
Bleeding, infection, scarring, changes in nipple sensation and the need for revision are possible with top surgery. Genital surgery adds risks such as urethral complications and fistulas. Your surgeon will explain these in detail before you decide.