What is gender-affirmation surgery?
Gender affirmation surgery encompasses a variety of surgical procedures that are designed to help align one's physical body with their gender identity. Gender identity is an individual's sense of their gender, which might not correspond with their sex assigned at birth.
Why is gender-affirmation surgery performed?
This surgery is considered for individuals whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth, a situation often referred to as gender incongruence. It is especially relevant for those who experience psychological distress due to this incongruence. The primary goal is to alleviate such distress and help individuals live comfortably and authentically in their self-identified gender.
Types of gender-affirmation surgery
Gender affirmation surgeries vary based on the individual's needs and goals. These may include breast augmentation, vaginoplasty (creation of a vagina), facial feminization surgery, mastectomy (removal of breasts), phalloplasty (creation of a penis), chest reconstruction, and more. Each type of surgery has specific procedures tailored to the individual's transition goals and medical needs.
- UCSF gender-affirming breast augmentation and gender-affirming mastectomy (top surgery) are performed by Dr. Esther Kim, MD.
- Facial feminization surgery is performed by Drs. William Hoffman, MD, Jason Pomerantz, MD, P. Daniel Knott, MD, Rahul Seth, MD, and Andrea Park, MD.
Prevalence of gender-affirmation surgery
The frequency of gender affirmation surgeries has been increasing globally, reflecting greater societal acceptance and improved access to transgender healthcare. While comprehensive statistics may vary, the overall trend shows a growing number of individuals seeking these surgeries as part of their gender transition journey.