Pacer Pillowtalk: Gender affirming surgery

Gender affirming surgery is a series of procedures that transgender people go through to align their outward appearance with the gender they identify with. The type of procedure(s) that are performed vary depending on each individual person and their needs.

These procedures are known as gender-affirming surgeries because they affirm the individual’s gender identity.

People can choose to get different procedures done, depending on their struggles and preferences. The transition process looks different for everyone, some may go without surgery, maybe only one or have multiple.

For a male-to-female transition, surgery may include breast augmentation, vaginoplasty, cosmetic surgery to create more feminine features and chondrolaryngoplasty (removal of the adam’s apple).

For a female-to-male transition, surgery might include removal of ovaries and uterus, the formation of a scrotum and/or penis, and chest reconstruction.

Gender affirming surgery can be costly and hard to cover with insurance. This is because some do not see these procedures as medical necessities.

However, they improve the quality of life for those suffering from gender dysphoria.