Surgical gender reassignment, often known as gender confirmation surgery or sex reassignment surgery, is a term for the surgical procedures that change the physical appearance and function of a person’s genitals to align with their identified gender. These surgeries are part of a comprehensive treatment for gender dysphoria in transgender individuals.

The procedures vary based on the direction of transition:

1. Male-to-Female (MTF):
   • Vaginoplasty: This is the construction of a vagina using penile tissue. The result is a neovagina that can be used for sexual intercourse.
   • Orchiectomy: This is the removal of the testicles.
   • Labiaplasty: This is the creation of labia (vaginal lips) for a more typical feminine appearance.
   • Breast Augmentation: This may be performed if hormone therapy doesn’t lead to the desired breast development.
   • Facial Feminization Surgery: This set of procedures modifies facial features to appear more typically feminine.
2. Female-to-Male (FTM):
   • Mastectomy (Top Surgery): This involves the removal of breast tissue to create a more typically masculine chest.
   • Hysterectomy: This is the removal of the uterus.
   • Phalloplasty or Metoidioplasty: These procedures create a penis. Phalloplasty involves using skin grafts (usually from the forearm) to create a penis. Metoidioplasty involves enlarging the clitoris (which is already enlarged due to hormone therapy) to create a small penis.
   • Scrotoplasty: This procedure forms a scrotum, often with the insertion of testicular prosthetics.

Remember that not all transgender individuals choose or are able to undergo surgery. The decision to have gender confirmation surgery is deeply personal and may depend on various factors including personal comfort, financial capacity, health considerations, and more.

These surgeries are typically performed only after a period of psychological evaluation and hormone replacement therapy. Patients often live as their identified gender full-time for at least a year, a period sometimes referred to as “real-life experience,” before undergoing these surgeries.

As with any major surgery, there are risks involved, which should be discussed thoroughly with healthcare providers. Potential complications can include infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, nerve damage, dissatisfaction with cosmetic results, and the need for additional surgeries. These are significant medical procedures that can greatly impact a person’s life, so ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed decision is essential.