Sex Reassignment Surgery
Gender reassignment surgery is an operation that involves the transition to the gender that the person defines. Also known as gender confirmation surgery, this surgery may involve changing people from woman to man or from man to woman. These are the operations preferred by people who define themselves as trans. Transsexuality can be defined as not feeling the gender of one's body.
These terms should be distinguished from the term "sexual orientation", which refers to erotic attraction to men, women, or both. Our transgender was first described by Benjamin in 1953.
In this case, the person may want to have that gender and continue his life the way he feels. Therefore, gender reassignment surgeries are preferred. As you know, gender transition is not possible only with the change of the reproductive organ. Many treatments such as vocal cords, breasts, cheekbones, reproductive organ, hormone supplements are required for gender affirmation surgery. With the completion of all these, the person will be able to have the exact gender they feel.
For this reason, it is important for patients who plan to have sex reassignment surgery to do a good research and be operated by an experienced Doctor. Because even if certain procedures are applied, it should be avoided that there is no change in the feelings of the patients, especially in the change of the reproductive organ. Before the operation, you need to do a very detailed research about the operation and be prepared for it. You should also learn about some of the types of this treatment you will receive. That's why it's important to work with a good team. If you are planning to have surgery, you should definitely find a good hospital or clinic in advance. Because gender confirmation surgery is not an operation that every doctor can do in every country.
If your penis is turning into a vagina or the vagina is turning into a penis, the nerves of the lines must not be damaged, otherwise there will be numbness in the reproductive organs and it may negatively affect sexual life. For this reason, we use the 'Gender-Affirming Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty' technique in our clinic. This surgical technique is considered the most successful technique today. This explains the importance of patients receiving treatment from experienced surgeons.
The decision of surgery is the responsibility of the individual. The laws of each country limit this surgery. The characteristics of transgender people who want surgery around the world should be:
- Must have the ability to make a fully informed decision and give consent.
- A letter of support from a social worker or psychiatrist.
- Must be over 25 years old.
- Should not be addicted to drugs.
- If married, spousal consent must be obtained.
- Must have lived with your opposite gender identity continuously for one year.
- Must have received endocrine therapy for one year.
Genital Surgery for Gender Reassignment
Includes Orchiectomy, Penctomy, Clitoroplasty, Labiaplasty, and Vaginoplasty. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires 2-3 days of hospitalization. Patients should not smoke preoperatively and postoperatively. Endocrine therapy should be discontinued 2 weeks ago.
Features to be considered after genital surgery treatment for gender reassignment
Although it varies according to the type of treatment and anesthesia applied, after genital surgery for gender reassignment, daily work can be done after five days of rest and bathing can be done at the end of this period. Since absorbable suture material is used in the incision area, these sutures dissolve on their own.
Again, although it varies according to the type of treatment applied, sexual intercourse activation is allowed after about 6 weeks, and heavy work and sports activities are allowed after 8 weeks.
7 days after the operation, control for wound healing and infection is recommended. Afterwards, annual physical examination and control are recommended.
Complications of genital surgery for sex reassignment
Although it varies according to the method applied and the person applied, the important complications of surgical treatment are; Complications of general anesthesia, bleeding, ecchymosis, non-vaginal prolapse, urethral, ??meatal and vaginal stenosis, labial and clitoral necrosis, recto-neovaginal fistula can be seen.
Results of genital surgery for sex reassignment
The success rate after genital surgery for sex reassignment ranges from 71 to 90%. Approximately 85% of patients can orgasm. Approximately 30% of patients need re-aesthetic correction. These surgical corrections are mostly corrections of the labia..