We’re here for you, every step of the way.
Here’s a rundown of the entire process:
Initial video consultation with Mamuna
Send referral and GP summary
Video consultation with surgeon
Pre-op & in-person surgeon consultation
Pre-surgery call
Surgery
What happens in a gender consultation at Pall Mall Medical?
1. The initial consultation (60 minutes)
The initial consultation is an online video call with Mamuna, our dedicated Patient Liaison for all gender surgery patients. The consult includes:
A health questionnaire
A rundown of the process
The surgery itself
Post-operative care and support
It’s also a welcoming space to ask any questions you may have about the process.
Do you need a referral before booking an initial gender surgery consultation?
No, you can book an initial top surgery consultation without a referral. You will need a referral letter to continue the process though. Mamuna can advise exactly who we can accept referrals from.
2. Send your referral & summary letter
After your initial consultation, you’ll need to send over a summary letter (Summary Care Record) from your GP and one referral letter.
How to get a GP summary letter / Summary Care Record?
Visit or contact your GP and ask them for a Summary Care Record. You can also use the NHS app or use the NHS Patient Access portal.
What is a referral letter?
A referral letter is a formal medical document written by a healthcare professional, to clear a patient for gender-affirming surgeries.
How to get a referral letter?
Mamuna can advise you on the various referral letters we can accept for gender-affirming surgery. Patients usually get referral letters from their GP, healthcare provider, or gender specialist.
Once your SCR and referral letter have been received, you can be accepted as a patient.
3. Video consultation with a gender surgeon (45 minutes)
Mamuna will organise a video consultation with your lead surgeon after your SCR and referral letter have been received.
The video consultation with your surgeon includes:
Meeting your lead surgeon
Your top surgery goals
Your priorities (e.g. maintaining sensation)
Different procedure methods and your suitability
Pros and cons of each surgical technique
Risks of surgery
The recovery process
An open space to ask any questions
At Pall Mall Medical, our surgeons are experienced, renowned gender specialists Kate Williams and Chloe Wright. You can choose which one is your primary surgeon you will have consults with, however they both operate together during surgery.
During the video consultation with your surgeon, you will discuss your goals of top surgery and what you’re hoping to achieve. Your surgeon will discuss the different types of top surgery, the pros and cons of each, and which could be suitable for you.
If you feel comfortable, you can take your top off and show your chest to help inform the most suitable surgery options and help the surgeon understand what would be best for you, however there is no requirement to do this.
You can also book a surgery date during or following this consultation.
How do I decide the best technique type to achieve my desired results?
There are a few factors to consider when evaluating techniques for top surgery, including: desired result, amount of chest tissue, skin condition, and your priorities. Research has shown that patient satisfaction and outcomes are similar regardless of the technique used.
4. Pre-op & in-person surgeon consultation
You can choose to have the pre-op and face-to-face consultation on the same day.
The pre-op with a nurse includes:
General health questions
Height, weight, blood pressure & MRSA swabs
You’ll meet your surgeon face to face at our Manchester clinic in King Street. The in-person consultation is your chance to confirm what you want from surgery, such as:
Scar shape & placement
Whether the scars could join in the middle
Nipple size and placement
Chest contour
It’s a good idea to bring photos of what you want your results to look like, to help your surgeons with a visual. Your surgeon will examine your chest, take measurements and assess your skin condition, so they can best advise on the outcome.
Mamuna will also schedule your post-op appointments and send you any consent forms you need to sign, plus details about post-op recovery.
5. Pre-surgery call with Mamuna (60 minutes)
A day or two before your surgery, Mamuna will give you a call to check in. You’ll also receive a phone call from the hospital to confirm your admission time.
6. Surgery
All surgical procedures are performed at the Pall Mall Medical private hospital in Newton-le-Willows, close to Warrington.
You’ll be admitted to your own private room, where you’ll change into hospital clothes. There’s space for somebody to stay with you for the entire time.
The anaesthetist and nurses will speak to you, and your primary surgeon will confirm what they’re doing during surgery, based on what you discussed in your consults. You’ll be marked up for surgery - then you’re ready!
During surgery, a compression vest will be fitted on you. This is yours to keep, and you may choose to buy another if you wish.
7. Post-op recovery
After surgery, you can leave as soon as you feel well enough and have had something to eat and drink. You’ll be given codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen to take for any pain.
You can email Mamuna to contact the surgeons at any point with any concerns about your recovery.
Your dressings will be removed by a nurse at our Manchester clinic 8 to 12 days after your procedure. This is when you’ll see your results for the first time, and get instructions on how to care for your incisions and grafts (if applicable) while they heal.
6 weeks after surgery you’ll have a virtual or in-person meeting with your primary surgeon. This is to talk about your recovery and how you feel about your results. You’ll also be advised about scar care and returning to exercise.