Gender Confirmation Surgery (formerly known as Sexual Reassignment Surgery) entails the surgical process that has enabled thousands of transgender men to complete their transition. This series of surgeries will alter the chest and genitalia to ensure that your gender identity perfectly aligns with your body.
Dr. Christopher Salgado and his team of multidisciplinary experts have come to the aid of many transgender men who were assigned female at birth. Together, these procedures can ease the distress you feel from dysphoria (Gender Identity Disorder) and allow you to become your true self.
HOW LONG IS GENDER CONFIRMATION SURGERY?
The whole process takes over one year to complete and depends largely on your goals and the recovery time between procedures.
| PROCEDURE | SURGICAL TIME | RECOVERY TIME |
| CHEST MASCULINIZATION |
1-3 hours Out-patient unless medical problems |
First visit at 10 days if admitted to hospital and drains removed at this time; 6 weeks of no strenuous exercise |
| GENITALIA | The staged procedure with first stage 3 hours and second stage 8-12 hours | Following the first stage, 3-5 days in hospital then splint removed at 10 days. Following the second stage approximately 2-3 weeks in the hospital |
FEMALE to MALE (F2M) GENDER CONFIRMATION SURGERIES
Gender Confirmation Surgery oversees a number of procedures that will sculpt the chest and genitalia to align your body with your gender identity.
MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION
Your transition begins with a consultation from a qualified therapist who specializes in gender transition. This can be difficult for some, but it is important to remember that the results from Gender Confirmation Surgery are not commonly be reversed and your emotional well-being is very important to prevent any complications you experience in the future.
The clearance from a qualified therapist is required before you may begin Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and begin surgery, as many surgeons require two letters of recommendation for bottom surgery and one for top surgery.
Dr. Salgado can connect you to qualified therapists who can guide you as you begin your transition at the University of Miami or out of state.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Hormone Replacement Therapy brings out secondary-sexual characteristics and eases the emotional distress you experience from gender dysphoria. Should you wish, Dr. Salgado can recommend you to a reputable endocrinology team at the University of Miami who can educate you on the potential risks and benefits from HRT.
CHEST CONSTRUCTION
Top Surgery, clinically known as a double mastectomy, is the most common surgical procedure for transgender men. A masculine chest is sculpted by removing the breasts and resizing and repositioning the nipples. This allows you to live more comfortably. For many transgender men, Top Surgery may be the only surgical procedure taken during the transition.
FTM GENITALIA
FTM Genitalia surgery will align your body to your gender identity by sculpting a neo-penis using tissue from the vagina for the urethra and skin harvested commonly from other parts of your body, commonly the forearm.
- HYSTERECTOMY & OOPHORECTOMY
Removes the reproductive organs, ie, uterus, and ovaries. - METOIDPLASTY
It begins construction of the neo-penis by releasing the clitoris from the labia for lengthening and using labial minora tissues for the shaft skin around the clitoral body. If urethra lengthening is done for urination in the standing position a vaginectomy is commonly performed since this tissue is used for the lengthening. A scrotoplasty may or may not be desired. - PHALLOPLASTY STAGE ONE
- VAGINECTOMY
Vaginal walls are removed and the vagina and perineum are surgically closed. Tissue from the vagina is used for the formation of the neo urethra on the forearms flap – Flap prelamination - URETHROPLASTY
It provides you with the ability to urinate standing up.
- VAGINECTOMY
- PHALLOPLASTY STAGE TWO
- FREE TISSUE TRANSFER
A microvascular procedure whereby arteries and veins are connected to nourish the forearm flap (neo-penis) with blood. The intensive care unit is needed postoperatively to monitor the penis in the event of a blood supply problem to the penile construction. - SCROTOPLASTY – done at the time of phalloplasty and flap transfer
Creates the scrotal sac from labia majora. - GLANSPLASTY
Constructs the tip of the neo-penis.
- FREE TISSUE TRANSFER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I need to do before undergoing Gender Confirmation Surgery?
Mental Health Evaluations from a qualified therapist are required you can begin Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gender Confirmation Surgery. This has been met with understandable resistance from many in the transgender community. While efforts have been made to improve this process, it is important to remember that this safeguards your emotional stability and future since we do adhere to the World Professional Association of Transgender Health Clinical Guidelines.
What is Gender Dysphoria?
Also known as Gender Identity Disorder, this describes the emotional conflict transgender people experience.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
This enables the change of secondary sexual characteristics to better match your gender identity. It can also do wonders to reduce the emotional stress brought on by gender dysphoria.
Do I need Gender Confirmation Surgery to be transgender?
No. It is important to keep in mind that all transgender people are unique. The decision to undergo surgery all depends on the level of dysphoria a transgender person experiences in his or her daily life. It all depends on the needs and desires of the individual.
Can I undergo all these procedures at once?
While it is possible to undergo multiple procedures at certain stages of the surgical process, it is not advisable. The body needs time to recover in between surgeries.
