For many transgender or nonbinary individuals, gender-affirming surgery can be a significant milestone. But as with all surgery, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and what to expect.

Rachel Bluebond-Langner, MD, the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Associate Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health talks with BuzzFeed about what patients should expect when preparing for and recovering from chest mastectomy, known as “top” surgery.

According to Dr. Bluebond-Langner, “A low mood postsurgery can occur, and it’s usually due to the anesthesia and narcotics. It’s important to continue to derive support from your loved ones and therapist but also making sure you’re keeping on your circadian rhythm. Go out and walk during the day and get back on your regular schedule; that will help with mood elevation.”

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