Frequently Asked Questions About Our Procedures
Read our general FAQs below or for treatment specific questions please view the treatment pages.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Prior to your appointment, it’s important to know your medical history, and make sure to bring a list of any medications you are taking so that we can ensure that you are suitable for surgery. It’s very important that you are honest with us so that we can make sure you are safe, and to allow you to get the most out of your surgery.
You should have clear and realistic goals about what you want to achieve with surgery, and you can bring reference photos if this will help you explain your desired look.
It’s also important that you write down any questions you may have for our team – feel free to make note of these on a notepad to bring to the consultation.
What can I expect during my consultation with Dr. Tillo?
A chaperone will be present throughout the consultation to make you feel comfortable, and you are welcome to bring somebody with you to your appointment.
During your consultation, Dr. Tillo will go through your medical history and determine your suitability for surgery, identifying any potential risk factors. Dr. Tillo will then ask you about the procedure you are interested in and the results you are hoping to achieve with surgery.
As part of the consultation, Dr. Tillo will assess the treatment area(s), examine the body and take photos which will be used to compare to your results after surgery.
Finally, Dr. Tillo will talk to you about what you can expect from the procedure, and answer any questions that you may have.
Will I need to wear a binder after top surgery?
After top surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment on your chest to manage swelling. This will need to be worn continuously for the first six weeks after surgery, after which most of the swelling should have subsided and the garment can be removed.
How long is your waiting list for surgery?
Wait times for surgery can vary quite a lot depending on a range of factors. In general, we typically have spaces for surgery available 1-3 months after your consultation.
Do I have to stop smoking to get surgery?
You will need to stop all nicotine consumption, including smoking, vaping and patches, at least four weeks before surgery in order to reduce the risk of complications.
What aftercare do you offer as a clinic?
We are one of the few clinics in the UK offering an inclusive aftercare package to all of our patients at no extra cost.
This includes unlimited follow-up appointments, as well as a package of lymphatic drainage massages and scar management treatments (depending on the type of surgery). This is to ensure that all patients have a smooth, expedited recovery – our Apex recovery approach.
On top of the aftercare we provide in the clinic, all patients are given a self-care parcel to help you manage side effects at home such as arnica, hibiscrub and silicone tape, among other products.
Do I need to be taking or stop hormones to be eligible for surgery?
You do not need to be taking hormones as part of your gender-affirming care journey in order to be eligible for surgical treatment.
If you are taking hormones, you will not need to stop taking hormones for the purposes of gender affirming care prior to surgery. However, you will need to stop taking oestrogen-based contraceptives and HRT six weeks before surgery.
What psychological assessments do I need to be eligible for surgery?
You will need to have had a diagnosis of gender incongruence in the last 12 months in order to be eligible for gender-affirming surgery. Don’t worry if you have not had this prior to your consultation, we will be able to refer you to one of our psychologists who can complete this assessment with you.
How can I minimise scarring from surgery?
It’s important to follow all aftercare guidance provided by your surgeon to reduce the risk of complications that may contribute to more prominent scarring.
As part of our aftercare package, we also offer a series of scar management treatments to help you monitor and treat any scarring you may have after surgery. In addition, as part of our self-care package, we offer silicone sheets and scar reduction ointments to help improve the appearance of scar tissue.
However, it’s important to wait until your body has fully healed in order to get a clear understanding of what scarring will remain.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, we offer a range of financing options to help patients spread the cost of their treatment, including 0% financing for up to 12months. We also offer interest-bearing finance options for over a longer time.
Can I access gender affirming surgery through my medical insurance company?
Coverage for gender affirming surgery can vary significantly depending on the policies of each provider. For this reason, it is best to check with your medical insurance company to understand whether gender affirming care is covered.
How many follow up appointments do you offer?
You will have a minimum of three follow-up appointments with us to assess your progress at the one week, six week and six month mark. You can also arrange to have additional follow ups with us should you have any concerns, at no extra charge.
How many consultations can I have?
We believe that it’s important that you have ample time to explore your options and discuss any concerns you may have with our team prior to booking surgery.
For this reason, we offer unlimited consultations for a one time fee of £100 which will be paid prior to your first appointment. If you choose to have surgery, this fee will be discounted from the price of your procedure.