What is feminization surgery?
Feminization surgery is the set of surgeries performed to feminize a patient’s appearance to match their body and gender identity.
This surgery, also known as gender affirmation surgery, is usually chosen for cases of gender dysphoria, in which the patient does not feel part of the gender assigned at birth.
Feminization surgery is not suitable for all transsexual women. There are risks and complications, as well as a number of procedures including hormone therapy that require follow-up by the physician.
Why is it performed?
People who decide to have this surgery do so because they suffer distress due to the fact that they do not have the same gender expressed as the sex they were born with (gender dysphoria).
Feminization surgeries are usually postponed until adulthood. These are some of the most common options:
- Breast augmentation.
- Plastic surgery of the jaw, chin, cheeks, forehead, etc.
- Abdominoplasty, gluteoplasty and liposuction.
- Feminization of the voice.
- Chondrolaryngoplasty.
- Silicone injections to stylize hips, buttocks, breasts, etc.
- Genital surgery to remove the testicles (orchiectomy), create a vagina with penile or colon tissue (vaginoplasty), etc.
However, feminization surgery is not meant for all transsexual women. Your doctor may advise against these surgeries if you have mental, cardiac or hemorrhagic disorders, among others.
What are the risks?
As with any major surgery, feminization surgery may cause some of the following complications:
- Risk of bleeding.
- Infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Poor wound healing.
- Hematoma.
- Changes in skin sensitivity.
- Persistent pain.
- Decreased sensation.
- Damaged or dead body tissue (tissue necrosis) in the vagina and labia.
- Etc.
What does the preparation consist of?
Before undergoing feminization surgery, the patient should meet with the surgeon to explain what their expectations are. He, in turn, will give certain indications of food, in addition to some guidelines you will need for anesthesia.
Also, before being a candidate for this surgery, the patient must undergo an evaluation of the following points:
- A review of family and personal medical histories.
- A physical examination, including evaluation of the internal genitalia.
- Laboratory tests to measure lipids, blood sugar, liver enzymes, electrolytes and prolactin hormone, as well as a complete blood count.
- A review of immunizations.
- Screening for age and gender appropriate screening.
Identifying and addressing smoking, drug abuse, excessive alcohol use, HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
- A discussion of sperm freezing (semen cryopreservation).
- A mental evaluation to ensure that the patient is fully aware of the procedure he is about to undergo.
What are your results like?
The results of feminization surgery usually have a favorable impact on both the patient’s well-being and sexual function.
However, it is essential to continue with long-term postoperative medical care and follow-up of the prescribed treatments to ensure good results.