Gender Affirmation (Confirmation) or Sex Reassignment Surgery
Being content with our bodies and identities is one of the foundations of being self-confident and joyful in life.
Procedures that assist patients in transitioning to their self-identified gender are referred to as gender affirmation surgeries. Transgender surgery is a multifaceted topic, encompassing various procedures, each tailored to an individual’s unique needs and desires.
What is Sex Reassignment Surgeries (SRS)?
Gender-affirming surgery, commonly known as sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or sex confirmation surgery, is the surgical procedure(s) that changes a transgender or non-binary person‘s physical appearance and functional skills to match the gender they identify with.
What is Gender Affirmation?
Gender affirmation is the process through which an individual begins to live as their true gender rather than the gender assumed at birth. This procedure can include any or all of the following: social, medical, and legal affirmation.
Types of Gender Affirmation Surgeries
For transgender patients, a variety of gender-affirming operations are offered. These include gender affirmation-specific surgery as well as routine treatments carried out on non-transgender people.
Penile construction (Phalloplasty/Metoidioplasty)
Phalloplasty in transgender males involves the creation of a penis using one of several methods, including a free flap or pedicled flap of skin taken from the arm or the anterior lateral thigh.
Vaginal construction (Vaginoplasty)
Vaginal reconstruction, also known as vaginoplasty or gender-affirming vaginoplasty, is a surgical treatment used to produce a neovagina for transgender women or people born male who want to align their physical traits with their gender identification. During this multistage treatment, surgeons may remove the penis (penectomy) and testes (orchiectomy), if present, and use tissues from the penis to create the vagina, clitoris (clitoroplasty), and labia (labiaplasty).
Top surgery
Top surgery involves reshaping the chest and removing or enhancing breast tissue to give transgender and nonbinary patients a more masculine or feminine look.
Facial gender surgery
In order to lessen gender dysphoria and enhance quality of life, patients who have facial gender surgery have their facial characteristics changed to better match their physical manifestation of gender.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. You are unable to become pregnant or menstruate following this surgical procedure.
Orchiectomy
An orchiectomy is a surgical operation that involves the removal of one or both testicles. When transitioning from male to female, transgender women may elect to have an orchiectomy.
Transgender Surgery Procedure
People may undergo surgery to adapt their physical physique to their gender identification. Gender affirmation surgery is chosen by those who suffer from gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is the distress that arises when your sex at birth does not correspond with your gender identity.
Before Gender Affirmation Surgery
Gender affirmation surgery will be the most significant and life-changing decision you make on your journey to becoming yourself.
You must sign the consent form, acquire a certificate from your psychiatrist confirming that you are able to make a decision and inform your doctor about your medical history before the surgery.
There are also some optional, but suggested criteria. Patients must be at least 18 years old or have the full backing of their spouses, family members, and friends.
During Transgender Surgery
On the day of surgery, the patient is admitted to the hospital, and any remaining tests ordered by the doctor are carried out. Anesthesia is then administered to the patient. The operations that will be carried out during the surgery are determined by the patient’s requests.
After Gender Affirmation Surgery
Recovery timeframes vary depending on the procedure or combination of procedures performed. Wound care, medication management, and follow-up consultations are all part of the postoperative care and instructions.
What are the benefits and risks of gender affirmation surgery?
Gender affirmation surgery can be a complex process that demands you to make numerous critical judgments. Let us examine the benefits and drawbacks of this procedure:
Benefits
- Improved mental health
- Increased self-confidence
- Life quality improvement
According to research, transgender people who select gender-affirming surgery benefit from long-term mental health benefits. In one study, the odds of requiring mental health therapy decreased by 8% each year following the gender-affirming procedure.
Risks
- Surgical complications
- Medical risks
Significant problems are uncommon in general, as long as the treatment is performed by a qualified surgeon.
Transgender Surgery Cost in Turkey
In recent years, Turkey has emerged as a favored destination for plastic surgery procedures, thanks to its excellent technology and a cadre of highly trained professionals. The country has gained recognition for offering affordable rates for a wide range of procedures, including transgender surgery. The cost of transgender surgery in Turkey can vary depending on the nature and number of treatments required. However, compared to many other countries, Turkey stands out for its relatively low prices in this regard. On average, the cost of transgender surgery in Turkey can range from a minimum of $5,100 to a maximum of $6,590 in major cities like Istanbul.
Turkey’s reputation in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery has been steadily growing, attracting individuals from around the world seeking quality care at competitive prices. With its advanced medical facilities and a commitment to patient satisfaction, Turkey continues to be a top choice for those considering transgender surgery or other cosmetic procedures.
FAQ’s About Transgender Surgery
Why is gender affirmation surgery done?
Gender affirmation surgery assists people in transitioning to their self-identified gender.
What is the difference between transgender and nonbinary?
Transgender people have a gender identity that is different from the gender assigned to them at birth, whereas nonbinary people have a gender identity that does not fit into the traditional male or female categories.
Is gender affirmation surgery the only treatment for gender dysphoria?
Gender affirmation surgery is not the only option for treating gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy, counseling, social transition, and supportive care customized to the individual’s requirements and preferences are some of the treatment possibilities.
How common is gender affirmation surgery?
It is not exceedingly common when compared to the overall population. However, as awareness and accessibility grow, it is becoming more widespread.
How do they do a female-to-male surgery?
The procedures applied vary according to the patient’s wishes. Hysterectomy, phalloplasty, and top surgery are some of the procedures that can be used.
How is bottom surgery done from female to male?
The clitoris is transformed into a penis through this surgery. For this reason, a person will receive hormone therapy prior to surgery to expand the clitoris. In a vaginectomy, the physician also removes the vagina during the process. They also extend and position the urethra through the neopenis.
What do they do in transgender surgery?
This can include genital repair (vaginoplasty), breast augmentation, and facial feminization surgery for transgender women (MTF). Transgender males (FTM) may have top surgery on their chest, genital reconstruction (phalloplasty or metoidioplasty), and facial masculinization surgery.
Can phalloplasty feel pleasure?
The penis after phalloplasty has full erogenous sensitivity so that it can indeed receive sexual pleasure and reach orgasm quite normally.
What is the most common transgender surgery?
Top surgery is performed twice as often as bottom (genital) surgery.
How do you pee after phalloplasty?
For the first few weeks following surgery, a suprapubic catheter will drain your bladder. The team’s urology members will take care of this catheter.
Can men with phalloplasty get hard?
Neopenis cannot become erect on its own. A penile implant can be placed after a period of recovery. This enables individuals to obtain and sustain erections as well as enjoy penetrative intercourse.
Can a female have surgery to become a male?
Yes, they can. This is called female-to-male transgender surgery.
Can a transgender male have a period?
Yes, they can get a period.
Do transwomen have uterus?
While sex reassignment surgery can provide these women with a vagina, they do not have access to a uterus.
Can men wear tampons?
Some transgender men may use tampons because they are menstruating.