If you are a transgender woman or are non-binary and wish to change your gender identity, sex reassignment surgery can help you achieve the look you want.
This procedure will change the physical characteristics of your body, making you more comfortable and affirming.
Vaginoplasty
There are several surgical procedures that can be used for sexual reassignment, including vaginoplasty. These procedures can be performed on transgender women or transsexual men. The surgical technique used varies according to the type of procedure performed. Some techniques involve skin grafts from the hip or lower abdomen. Others use skin from the inner thigh.
Patients may experience a temporary hematoma after the surgery. The swelling is not permanent and will gradually subside over a period of six to eight weeks. However, patients should avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. In addition, the doctor may provide dilators to reduce pressure on the surgical area. Usually, patients can resume sexual activity within three months of the procedure. However, they should be careful to wash their hands thoroughly before coming in contact with the vagina or genital area. They should also avoid wearing tight clothes for at least eight weeks after the operation.
Penectomy
A penectomy is the surgical removal of the penis for sexual reassignment from male into female. The penile skin, glans, blood vessels, nerves, and urethra are removed. The remaining penile tissue is reshaped to resemble a female vagina and labia. It is sometimes used in combination with a scrotectomy or a vaginoplasty to form the female clitoris.
The procedure is relatively inexpensive, and the recovery time is quick. It may also be the first step to a vaginoplasty. Another surgical procedure to make a woman’s vagina appear more feminine is a partial penectomy, which involves removing part of the penis. Partial penectomy is also done to correct problems caused by penile cancer. Another surgical procedure is labiaplasty, which reconstructs the labia using skin grafts.
Skin grafts
Skin grafts are one of the options for sexual reassignment surgery. They can be harvested from various body parts, including the penis, the groin, or even the lower abdomen. Depending on the patient’s needs, they can be used to reconstruct the vagina’s wall or vaginal depth.
After undergoing this procedure, patients are typically confined to a bedside for a couple of days. After this time, the catheter is removed and the wound is dressed. After this, the patient may be transferred to a serviced apartment for further recovery.
Follow-up visits
Following sexual reassignment surgery male to feminine, patients may need to return to their doctor for follow-up visits. These visits can involve physical exams and questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of the surgery. They also should expect to experience some swelling, which may last two to four weeks. The first postoperative follow-up visit is scheduled at one to two weeks after the surgery, and the next one should take place at three to four months afterward.
After a transgender surgery, patients will need follow-up visits for at least six months. This will allow healthcare providers to assess healing and intervene if needed with medications or other procedures. Counseling will also continue to be a significant part of the process. The final results of transgender surgery can take months or years to see. Scars can take up to a year to fully heal. It is important to think of the surgery as a process and not as an event.
Complications
Although sexual reassignment surgery is an extremely popular procedure for transgender people, there are a number of complications to consider. This type of surgery is invasive and there is a substantial risk of complications. However, most patients are satisfied with the results of the surgery and experience only minor complications following surgery. About a third of patients experience a significant complication requiring additional surgical procedures. This could include tissue death of the new penis, wound breakdown, or lack of sensation.
In the WPATH Standards of Care, the following interventions are categorized as reversible and irreversible. The WPATH describes the optimal order and timing for these interventions. While there are some complications associated with surgery, they are generally minor and will pass. The reversible interventions include a sterile dressing, a new facial skeleton, and a new sex identity.