Gender affirming is a procedure that allows men and woman to alter their sexual orientation. It involves changing the penis and skin color of a male to female or vice versa. There are a few procedures that can be performed, such as a hysterectomy (orchiectomy). Other procedures involve inversion of the skin and penis.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy, or gender affirming surgery, is a surgical procedure in which a male is surgically changed from a female to a male. About 0.4% is transgender. This condition can cause gender dysphoria symptoms like emotional and physical pain. The most common treatment is medical management, but surgery is also an option for transgender man. Some common surgical procedures for transgender men include hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. According to the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement data, only 3.3% of transgender people had hysterectomy in order to undergo a gender shift.
Hysterectomy to confirm gender is a relatively new procedure that is constantly evolving. Historically, hysterectomy has been performed for pathologic reasons, and coexisting gender dysphoria may have prompted a hysterectomy decision. This procedure is now covered by insurance.
Orchiectomy
One of the first steps in a transgender person's transition is orchiectomy (or testicular removal). It removes the testicles and reduces the production testosterone, the male hormone. This surgery may reduce blood clot risks, and it can simplify a patient’s hormone program.
This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and is quite simple. The recovery time depends on the surgeon and the technique used. It can take anywhere from two to eight weeks. It can cost between $3000 to $10,000 in Australia, and may be covered under Medicare or private insurance.
Inversion of skin and penis
The inversion of skin and penis is one of the most popular methods of transvaginal surgery and is considered the gold standard of genital reconstruction for transgender women. This involves placing the penis inverted into a vagina to give it the appearance of a natural woman's vagina. The procedure takes about three to five hours and may require several days of recovery. To protect the new skin position, a special dressing will be placed in the vagina after surgery.
During the procedure, a standardized protocol is applied. Aftercare instructions will be provided by the doctor to the patient. The medical team will also give you a kit for home follow-up dilations. You will also receive follow up emails and follow-up appointments from your surgeon.
Recovery time
Post-surgery is an essential component of gender-affirming surgeries, which involve converting a male penis from a feminine one. The recovery period can last anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on the specific surgery performed. A mastectomy is most commonly performed, but it's also possible to have a breast augmentation or vaginoplasty. Both procedures can be done with a minimum of one week of rest. They may take between five and six weeks.
Gender-affirming surgeries aim to lower testosterone levels in the body. This procedure can reduce the need to take hormone-suppressive medication and estrogen therapy. The procedure can also preserve your ability to have a naturally occurring child. Recovery time for gender affirming surgery male to female differs depending on the procedure performed and the patient's health.