Surgery for Transgender
Transgender surgeries for gender non-conforming people helps in making changes to their bodies is a way of affirming their identity.
Gender affirmation surgery refers to procedures that help people transition to their self-identified gender. Gender-affirming options may include facial surgery, top surgery or bottom surgery. Most people who choose gender affirmation surgeries report improved mental health and quality of life.
A trans person can choose from multiple procedures to make their appearance match their gender identity.
Tran’s people might decide to have surgery on their chest, genitals, or face. These surgeries are personal decisions, and each person makes their own choices about what is right for them.
Various surgeries done for trans people
Facial Surgery
Facial Cosmetic surgery is great for improving self-esteem and making people feel more like themselves. It helps to adjust the shape of their faces to better reflect their gender identity.
Facial feminization. In male to female correction various procedures is done for masculine face to make their face and neck look more feminine. These can be done in one procedure or through multiple operations.
A commonly done procedure is
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Forehead contouring
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Jaw reduction
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Chin surgery
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Hairline advancement
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Cheek augmentation
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Rhinoplasty
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Lip augmentation
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Adam's apple reduction
Facial masculinization: For female to male transformation following procedures can be done.
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Forehead lengthening
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Jaw reshaping
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Chin contouring
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Cheek augmentation
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Rhinoplasty
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Adam's apple enhancement
Breast contouring in form of mastopexy or augmentation
Breast surgeries are very common surgeries and give dramatic visual transformation.
Transfeminine. When a trans person wants a more feminine bustline, that’s called transfeminine breast surgery. It involves placing breast implants in a person’s chest. It’s the same as in females with smaller bust or post-cancer reconstruction. Since the skin is tight silicon implants is not always the best option some times we expand using a saline implant or a combination by name Becker implant can be used
Transmasculine. Transmasculin breast surgery is similar to a mastectomy. It is always combined with nipple repositioning
Genital Surgery
More complicated then the breast surgeries
Transmasculine bottom surgery. Hysterectomy is done to reduces the level of female hormones in their bodies and stops menstrual cycles.
Metoidioplasty uses the clitoris and surrounding skin to create a phallus that can become erect and pass urine. A phalloplasty requires grafting skin from another part of the body into the genital region to create a phallus. We can also do surgery to make a scrotum with implants that mimic testicles.
Transfeminine bottom surgery. Orchidectomy is done to reduce male hormones in their bodies. It is much simpler then a hysterectomy.
Vaginoplasty is the operation to construct a vagina. we use the tissue from the penis and invert it into pelvic area. The follow-up after a vaginoplasty involves using dilators to prevent the new vaginal opening from closing back up.
If you are considering trans surgery, speak with us to discuss what operations might be best for you.
What happens before gender affirmation surgery?
Before surgery, you should work with a trusted healthcare provider. we can help you understand the risks and benefits of all surgery options.
What happens during transgender surgery?
What happens during surgery varies depending on the procedure. You may choose facial surgery, top surgery, bottom surgery or a combination of these operations.
Facial surgery may change your:
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Cheekbones: Many transgender women have injections to enhance the cheekbones.
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Chin: You may opt to soften or more prominently define your chin’s angles.
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Jaw: A surgeon may shave down your jawbone or use fillers to enhance your jaw.
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Nose: You may have a rhinoplasty, surgery to reshape the nose.
If you are a transgender woman (assigned male at birth or AMAB), other surgeries may include:
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Adam’s apple reduction.
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Placement of breast implants (breast augmentation).
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Removal of the penis and scrotum (penectomy and orchiectomy).
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Construction of a vagina and labia (feminizing genitoplasty).
If you are a transgender man (assigned female at birth or AFAB), you may have surgeries that involve:
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Removal of the ovaries and uterus (oophorectomy and hysterectomy).
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Construction of a penis and scrotum (metoidioplasty, phalloplasty and scrotoplasty).
What happens after gender affirmation surgery?
Recovery times vary based on what procedures or combination of procedures you have:
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Cheek and nose surgery: Swelling lasts for around two to four weeks.
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Chin and jaw surgery: Most swelling fades within two weeks. It may take up to four months for swelling to disappear.
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Chest surgery: Swelling and soreness last for one to two weeks. You will need to avoid vigorous activity for at least one month.
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Bottom surgery: Most people don’t resume usual activities until at least six weeks after surgery. You will need weekly follow-up with your healthcare provider for a few months. These visits ensure you are healing well.
It’s important to understand that, for most people, surgery is only one part of the transitioning process. After surgery, you should continue to work with a therapist or counselor. This professional can support you with social transitioning and your mental health.
Risks / Benefits
What are the benefits of gender affirmation surgery?
Research has shown that transgender individuals who choose gender-affirming surgery experience long-term mental health benefits. In one study, a person’s odds of needing mental health treatment declined by 8% each year after the gender-affirming procedure.
What are the risks or complications of gender affirmation surgery?
Different procedures carry different risks. For example, individuals who have bottom surgery may have changes to their sexual sensation, or trouble with bladder emptying. In general, significant complications are rare, as long as an experienced surgeon is performing the procedure.
With any surgery, there is a small risk of complications, including:
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Bleeding.
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Infection.
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Side effects of anesthesia.
Recovery and Outlook
What is the outlook for people who have gender affirmation surgery?
Most people who choose these surgeries experience an improvement in their quality of life. Depending on the procedure, 94% to 100% of people report being satisfied with their surgery results. In general, people who work with a mental health provider before surgery tend to experience more satisfaction with their treatment results.
