Surgeries
Surgical interventions can be a major part of medical transition for many individuals. Here is an overview of common procedures and resources.
Important
Surgery availability, techniques, and requirements vary heavily by country and surgeon. Always consult with medical professionals.
General Resources
- WPATH Standards of Care - The clinical guidelines many surgeons follow.
Top Surgery
Procedures to alter the chest to align with gender identity.
Masculinizing (Mastectomy)
Removal of breast tissue to create a more masculine chest contour.
- Double Incision: Common for larger chests, results in horizontal scars.
- Keyhole / Peri-areolar: For smaller chests, minimizes scarring.
- Gender Confirmation Center - FTM Top Surgery
Feminizing (Breast Augmentation)
Implantation to increase breast size and improve shape.
- Often sought if HRT does not provide desired growth.
Bottom Surgery
Procedures to alter the genitalia.
Masculinizing
- Metoidioplasty: Uses existing growth from testosterone to create a phallus.
- Phalloplasty: Uses skin grafts (often from arm or thigh) to construct a larger phallus.
- Hysterectomy: Removal of internal reproductive organs.
Feminizing
- Vaginoplasty: Construction of a vagina, often using penile inversion or other techniques.
- Orchiectomy: Removal of the testes (stops T production, often done prior to or with vaginoplasty).
- Vulvoplasty: Construction of external female genitalia without a vaginal canal (Zero Depth).
Facial Surgery
- Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS): A set of procedures to soften facial features (brow bone reduction, jaw contouring, rhinoplasty).
- Facial Masculinization Surgery (FMS): Procedures to masculinize features (implants, contouring), though testosterone often does heavy lifting here.
Recovery Tips
- Preparation: Have meals prepped and easy-to-wear clothing (button-ups).
- Support: You will likely need someone to look after you for the first few days/weeks.
- Scar Care: Silicone strips/gel and massage (once cleared by surgeon) are gold standards.