How much does top surgery cost without insurance?
Asked by: Katelin Heathcote DVM | Last update: February 23, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (58 votes)
How much money do you need for top surgery?
Double incision top surgery is the most common technique in gender affirming top surgery used to remove breast tissue. The cost of this procedure can range between $14,000 and $17,000 for cash-pay patients: those who are paying for the entire surgery without insurance coverage.
How do you qualify for top surgery?
The WPATH has set out a list of criteria to be used to identify patients who would benefit from top surgery procedures. This list includes: Well-documented and persistent gender dysphoria in the patient. Proof of the patient's capacity to make informed decisions and consent to treatment.
Is it possible to get top surgery for free?
Many transgender support organizations offer grants to cover the costs of transition-related surgery, and they sometimes cover the entire amount. Of course, these are pretty competitive, but they offer a financial option to many people who don't have other ways to pay for surgery.
How much does surgery cost without insurance?
The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof. Some of the most common surgeries have price tags that top $100,000. Those are alarming figures, especially for families with limited budgets or no insurance.
Breaking Down My ENTIRE Cost of Top Surgery | Trans Health
What happens if you need surgery but can't afford it?
Government or Charitable Assistance
Financial assistance programs, sometimes called "charity care," provide free or discounted health care to people who need help paying their medical bills. The Affordable Care Act requires hospitals with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to have programs to provide this care.
How much does a 3 day stay in the hospital cost?
It's easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.
How are people affording top surgery?
With a medical loan, you can pay the cost of Top Surgery over time. After you receive the borrowed money, you'll make monthly payments until the loan is paid back in full. You can get a medical loan through brick-and-mortar financial institutions or from one of many online lenders.
What is a good age to get top surgery?
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommends that FTM surgery should be done at or after the “age of majority”. Most people who have undergone FTM top surgery are eighteen or older.
Can you vape after top surgery?
Nearly all of the surgical techniques require patients to be nicotine-free for 6 weeks before, and 6 weeks after surgery. You can smoke or vape marijuana or non-nicotine vapes, those don't interfere with healing, but you cannot use any nicotine products such as gum or other forms.
What insurances will pay for top surgery?
- Anthem BC (Anthem Blue Cross)
- Blue Shield.
- Blue Cross.
- Aetna.
- Aetna (Student Services for University of California System)
- Cigna.
- United Health Care.
- Brown & Toland HMO.
How to start testosterone FTM?
Masculinizing hormone therapy typically begins by taking testosterone. A low dose of testosterone is prescribed. Then the dose is slowly increased over time. Testosterone usually is given through a shot, also called an injection, or through a gel or patch applied to the skin.
How painful is top surgery?
Pain. You may experience some discomfort for a few days after surgery, but generally after four to five days your pain will ease and can be managed with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
How much is top surgery with no insurance?
The costs outlined below are specifically for cash-pay patients: those who are paying for the entire surgery without insurance coverage. Top surgery is estimated to cost between $14,000 and $17,000 for cash-pay patients.
How many hours does top surgery take?
Top surgery typically takes around 2-3 hours and you will be able to go home the same day. Incision placement is based on your body type and desired results, including whether or not you wish to maintain your nipples.
Is there a weight requirement for top surgery?
Top surgery and facial surgeries: There are no strict BMI limitations for chest reconstruction, breast reduction, breast augmentation and facial surgeries. However, an overnight stay or surgery in a hospital (as opposed to a surgical center) may be required due to existing comorbidities.
Can you still feel your nipples after top surgery?
After surgery, patients can expect to recover heightened levels of sensitivity in the nipples by around 3 months post-op. It may take some patients longer for this to start happening. In the initial stages of nerve healing, it is normal for patients to experience uncomfortable sensations, like itchiness and tingling.
What is the best age to transition FTM?
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommends that FTM surgery be performed at or after the “age of majority,” meaning 18 years of age in the U.S. That seems to make sense, assuming that around the time a person is considered to be an adult, they should be able to make an informed ...
What can prevent you from getting top surgery?
- Heavy smoker or drinker.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- A bleeding disorder.
- Lung or heart disease.
- Obesity.
- A previous stroke.
Can you get free top surgery?
Unfortunately, no; you must apply for financial aid towards a future surgery. Our grants are paid directly to health care providers specifically for the procedure itself, before it takes place.
What's the most expensive surgery?
Heart Transplant: The Costliest Procedure
Heart transplants top the list as the most expensive medical procedure in 2024. The complexity of the surgery, the need for donor matching, and the lifelong post-transplant care contribute to the high cost.
What is the rate of regret for top surgery?
Evidence suggests that less than 1% of transgender people who undergo gender-affirming surgery report regret.
What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?
In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.
How much does 1 week in ICU cost?
Mean intensive care unit cost and length of stay were 31,574 +/- 42,570 dollars and 14.4 days +/- 15.8 for patients requiring mechanical ventilation and 12,931 +/- 20,569 dollars and 8.5 days +/- 10.5 for those not requiring mechanical ventilation.
Can I get surgery without insurance?
Each year, thousands of surgeries are performed on patients who don't have health insurance. Sometimes patients will pay for the costs out-of-pocket, and other times they will use a sharing program. Here are some ways to make surgery possible without health insurance.