How to Consider Sexual Reassignment Surgery if You are Male to Female Transgender

Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) for a male-to-female (MTF) transgender person involves removal of the testicles and reconstruction of the penis into a vagina. Of course, this is a huge step meant for someone who suffers from gender dysmorphia: having been born in the body of the sex that is opposite from the one they identify with. Not every transgender person has SRS but most consider it at some point.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Surgeon referrals
• Therapist
• $10,000 to $30,000

1. Undergo long-term therapy with a counselor who can support you through the many stages of transition—from acceptance to hormone therapy to coming out to contemplating surgery.
2. Live as a woman full time. Many take hormones in order to grow breasts and redistribute body fat. Often, therapists and surgeons require clients to be on hormones and live full-time for 1 year as a female before undergoing surgery.
3. Interview surgeons and ask to speak with past clients who have undergone SRS.
4. Consult your insurance company; most do not pay for any part of SRS. Out-of-pocket costs range from $10,000 to $30,000 and higher.
5. Research having surgery in another country such as Thailand, where transgender people enjoy greater acceptance, leading to a growing number of medical specialists in this area. Costs are often half that of SRS in the United States, but clients have to consider travel costs and the fact they’ll recover alone and away from home.
6. Study the predicted outcome of the surgery. Many MTFs have good results and have genitals that appear natural and function well—something that is much more difficult to achieve for a FTM. Many can achieve orgasm as a woman. Of course, as is the case with any surgery, SRS can have serious, unexpected results.
7. Know that hospitalization usually is often 1 week and initial urination is quite painful. Many return to work in 2 to 3 weeks.
8. Consider orchiectomy—simple removal of the testicles. Some MTFs take this step if they can’t yet afford the complete SRS because it eliminates the production of testosterone.

Tips & Warnings

• Get several recommendations for surgeons from others who have undergone MTF SRS.
• Know that much more additional work may be necessary to appear as a female. Neither surgery nor hormones alter the male voice but it can be adjusted through voice therapy. Facial structure and features can also be redefined surgically.