Gender change surgery or reassignment surgery is different from other forms of surgery. It’s physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging for undergoing patients. After the surgery, the patient will get not only a new body but a new identity as well.
What is Gender Reassignment Surgery?
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In simple words, a surgery that can transform a male into a female and vice versa is called sex reassignment surgery. The surgery is also known as gender affirmation or confirmation surgery.
It is a long process and involves top and bottom surgery to give a proper masculine or feminine appearance.
Top Surgery-
Both transfeminine and transmusculine people under this surgery but the process differ. Double incision, periareolar, and keyhole procedures are for people assigned as female by birth. Whereas, assigned male at birth goes for breast augmentation process.
Bottom surgery-
Metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, vaginectomy, oophorectomy, and hysterectomy are options for transmasculine people. In these process, reproductive organs like uterus, ovaries, and vagina is removed. Vaginoplasty, scrotectomy, and orchiectomy are for transfeminine to create a vagina.
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Process of Gender Change Surgery
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Step 1– Surgery is not the first step to transform a patient’s identity and is not for everyone. Only that undergoing gender dysphoria should go for it. This is a condition in which a person doesn’t feel comfortable in the assigned gender. He/she has strong desire to get an opposite gender identity.
Doctors will confirm one has gender dysphoria before moving forward with the process. Since it’s risky, they need to have 100% assurance that patients want to alter gender and are emotionally ready for it.
Step 2- Hormonal therapy is the second step of the process. It will affect the voice, muscles, and body hair. But, this therapy is risky in unhealthy people.
They can gain weight, have high blood pressure, tumor, or even blood clots as side effects. And if gone well, hormonal therapy is enough and several patients don’t opt for gender change surgery.
Step 3- Surgery is the third and final step which takes place after an year of hormonal therapy. The process takes 4-5 hours.
Cost of Gender Change Surgery in India
Cost depends upon the type of surgery and hospitals patients choose. Typically, surgery can cost between Rs 2 lakh- Rs 8 lakh.
Risks and Complications of Gender Reassignment Surgery
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Risks vary as per the procedures. The common ones are bleeding, infection, nerve injury, scars, and hematoma. Serious complications include difficulty urinating, vaginal stenosis, infections in the urinary tract.
Moreover, there are emotional and mental health side effects on patients as well. Thus, one has to be sure whether they truly want this change or not. Another reason is the significant complications and risks that come with the procedure.
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In worst scenario, patients can die. Despite this, most of the transgender people are ready to take the risk. Not to mention, why? They feel incomplete as if the world is not a right place for them.
Though the world learning about them gradually, still is a long way to accept them. Surgery is a last hope for few while many voluntarily alter the gender.