Gender-affirming surgeries for male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals typically involve altering the physical body to align more closely with a female anatomy. Here’s a breakdown of some of the common surgeries and their outcomes:
- Vaginoplasty:
- Before: The individual has male genitalia.
- After: The penis is surgically altered to create a neovagina, clitoris, and labia. The neoclitoris is usually created from a portion of the glans penis, which often retains some level of sensation. The neovagina is typically constructed from penile or scrotal tissue or, in some techniques, using a segment of the colon. After the surgery, the individual will have a vaginal canal, and the external appearance will resemble cisgender female genitalia.
- Tracheal Shave:
- Before: Prominent Adam’s apple.
- After: The thyroid cartilage is shaved down to reduce the prominence of the Adam’s apple, giving the neck a more feminine appearance.
- Breast Augmentation:
- Before: The individual might have smaller breasts due to the effects of estrogen hormone therapy or might have no breast development.
- After: Breast implants are used to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts, making them appear fuller and more typically feminine.
- Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS):
- Before: Masculine facial features such as a prominent brow ridge, larger nose, square chin, etc.
- After: Various procedures can be done to feminize the face, including forehead contouring, rhinoplasty (nose job), cheek augmentation, chin reshaping, jaw contouring, and hairline advancement. The result is a softer, more typically feminine facial appearance.
- Voice Surgery:
- Before: Deeper, masculine voice.
- After: Surgery might involve altering the vocal cords to produce a higher pitch. However, results can vary, and voice therapy is often recommended in conjunction with or instead of surgery.
- Body Contouring:
- Before: Masculine body shape with narrower hips and more abdominal fat.
- After: Liposuction or fat grafting can be used to redistribute body fat, enhancing the hips and buttocks while reducing abdominal fat, creating a more typically feminine body shape.
It’s essential to understand that surgical outcomes can vary based on the surgeon’s expertise, the techniques used, and individual patient factors. Recovery times, risks, and post-operative care also differ among procedures. As always, thorough consultation with experienced professionals is crucial before making decisions related to gender-affirming surgeries.