Why transgender surgery

Hormone therapy can help you achieve more masculine or feminine characteristics. Commonly prescribed by a primary care provider or endocrinologist, hormone treatments can be part of a presurgical plan or a stand-alone service. For transgender women or transfeminine nonbinary individuals, the hormones administered include estrogens and antiandrogens. For transgender men or transmasculine nonbinary individuals, hormones administered include androgens such as testosterone.

Always talk to your doctor about your options and any possible side effects before beginning hormone treatment. As part of the gender affirmation process, you can choose to undergo permanent hair removal for both aesthetic reasons and as preparation for some surgeries. Laser and electrolysis are the recommended methods. Voice therapy with a laryngologist may help you achieve a way of speaking that more closely matches your gender identity. Lung volume reduction surgery LVRS removes damaged tissue from the lungs so that they can work more effectively.

Learn more here. Robotic-assisted surgery for lung cancer is a minimally invasive alternative to open chest surgery. Learn more about the procedure, including the…. What to know about female-to-male surgery. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Surgery Recovery What to expect Outlook Female-to-male surgery is a type of sex reassignment surgery, which is also called gender affirmation surgery or gender-affirming surgery.

Share on Pinterest A person may have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days following surgery. What to expect. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What to know about keyhole surgery.

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What to know about lymph node dissections, or lymphadenectomies Medically reviewed by Lauren Castiello, RN. Furthermore, not all transgender people are interested in transgender surgery or other medical treatment to address their gender. Specific eligibility criteria vary for different types of surgery, and different surgeons may also have their own criteria.

Criteria for top surgery are:. Criteria for phalloplasty , metoidioplasty, vaginoplasty , and other bottom surgeries are:. These surgeries are only rarely covered by insurance, even though they can profoundly affect people's lives. No tests or labs are required for transgender surgery, in general. However, specific surgeries may require tests. Also, people may be required to undergo tests related to any underlying health conditions. Currently, to access most gender-affirming surgeries, patients must present referral letters from both a medical provider and a mental health provider.

Two mental health letters are sometimes required for genital surgeries. These letters address concerns that surgeons may not have the skills to assess gender dysphoria appropriately.

However, they are often considered a form of gatekeeping as these types of requirements can make it difficult for transgender people to access affirming care. For instance, having a medical and mental health provider will create additional costs that can impede a transgender person from pursuing an affirmation surgery. Transgender surgeries are medically necessary procedures that can make an enormous difference in the ability of gender-diverse individuals to live comfortably in their bodies and function successfully in the world.

Not all transgender people want surgery, but those who do often struggle to access it. In addition to insurance coverage issues, there is a shortage of surgeons trained to provide these surgeries.

Patients may also have to travel long distances to receive care, which can make follow-up difficult. The good news is that since federal insurance guidelines require gender-affirming surgery coverage, more and more providers have been interested in offering these services to transgender patients. The bad news is not all providers offering this care have been appropriately trained, and transgender surgery is not yet a standard residency training component, even in plastic surgery.

When considering transgender surgery, you should always ask potential surgeons about their training and experience with any procedure. Ethical surgeons will be up-front about providing this information. It is also reasonable to ask to see pictures of outcomes from previous surgeries. Ideally, surgeons should be able to show results from individuals with a range of body types so that patients can get an idea of what they can realistically expect.

It can also help join online communities and Facebook groups commonly utilized by transgender individuals to learn more about surgical experiences, resources, recommended surgeons, and more. Many transwomen associate a full, round breast with beauty and femininity. While hormone therapy typically results in the growth of some breast tissue, patients who desire a larger bust may opt for breast augmentation. At ICTC, our surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in performing breast augmentation.

Depending on your individual needs and anatomy, breast augmentation can be performed either over sub-glandular placement or under sub-muscular placement the chest wall muscle. We also offer both saline and silicone implants. Breast augmentation is a very common and safe procedure, and your surgeon will work with you to ensure a beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing result.

Read more on breast augmentation. Body Feminization Surgery. A round buttocks and a low waist-to-hip ratio are defining characteristics of the female form—BFS targets these areas to create a streamlined, shapely contour.

Typically, BFS includes trunk liposuction and buttocks augmentation. Both trunk liposuction and buttocks augmentation are very safe procedures, particularly when performed by the expert surgeons at ICTC. Read more on body feminization surgery. Gender Confirmation Surgery. As the final step in her transition journey, a transwoman may elect to undergo gender confirmation surgery GCS.