Trans Surgeries

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Transfeminine Surgeries
  3. Transmasculine Surgeries
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Resources

This page is an introduction to the types of gender affirming surgeries available. This information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such.

This page uses medical and surgical terminology. There are no pictures but there may be graphic and/or surgical pictures in the linked resources.

Introduction

Gender affirming surgeries generally fall under one or more of these categories:

  • Top surgeries (breast removal, reduction, or augmentation)
  • Bottom surgeries (variety of surgeries to change genitals)
    • Gonadectomies (removal of the gonads, i.e. ovaries or testicles)
  • Other surgeries, including:
    • Vocal surgery
    • Facial surgery
    • Body reshaping surgeries

You don’t need to get every surgery, and you can get some and not others. If you’re looking for a non-traditional form of surgery (e.g. penis-preserving vaginoplasty), you will meet resistance — but it can absolutely be done!

Transfeminine Surgeries

In this page, “transfem” refers to a person who was presumed male at birth and is transitioning to a feminine, mixed, or neutral gender presentation. It is assumed they have a penis, testicles, and no or minimal breast tissue.

Types of Transfem Surgeries

  • Vaginoplasty = creation of a vagina
  • Vulvoplasty = creation of a vulva
  • Labiaplasty = creation of labia
  • Clitoroplasty = creation of a clitoris
  • Orchiectomy (orchi) = removal of the testicles
  • Scrotectomy = removal of the scrotum
  • Penectomy = removal of the penis
  • Breast Augmentation (Top Surgery, BA) = breast implants and possibly reshaping of breasts and/or areola & nipples
  • Facial Feminisation (FFS) = reshaping of the face to a more feminine appearance
  • Rhinoplasty = reshaping of nose
  • Brow Reshaping = reshaping of the brow to a more feminine appearance
  • Hair Transplants (for “male” pattern baldness) = transplanting hair to the hairline and/or other areas of the head to replace thinning hair
  • Chondrolaryngoplasty (Tracheal Shave) = smoothing of the Adam’s Apple
  • Vocal Feminisation Surgery = reconstruction of the vocal cords to create a higher pitched voice
  • Body Feminisation = reshaping of the body to a more feminine appearance (may include butt augmentation, tummy tuck, etc.)

You don’t need to get every surgery on this list, and you can combine some or get some and not others.

For example: Vaginoplasty can be with or without orchiectomy, scrotectomy, vulvoplasty, labiaplasty, clitoroplasty & penectomy.

Transmasculine Surgeries

In this page, “transmasc” refers to a person who was presumed female at birth and is transitioning to a masculine, mixed, or neutral gender presentation. It is assumed they have a vagina, clitoris, uterus, cervix, ovaries and breasts.

Types of Transmasc Surgeries

  • Bilateral Mastectomy (Top Surgery) = removal of the breasts
  • Phalloplasty (phallo) = creation of a penis using a skin graft
  • Metoidioplasty (meta) = creation of a penis using the clitoris
  • Scrotoplasty = creation of the scrotum
  • Testicle Implants = artificial testicle implants into the scrotum to give the appearance and feel of testicles
  • Erectile Device Implant (ED) = implant enabling erections (in phallo)
  • Vaginectomy / Colpectomy / Colpocleisis = removal of the vagina
  • Labiaectomy = removal of the labia
  • Urethral Lengthening (UL) = lengthening and rerouting of the urethra through the new penis to enable you to pee standing up
  • Clitoral Burial = burial of the clitoris (or meta penis if meta was gotten first) inside the phallo penis
  • Hysterectomy (hysto) = removal of the uterus
  • Salpingectomy = removal of the Fallopian tubes
  • Oophorectomy (oopho) = removal of the ovaries
  • Trachelectomy = removal of the cervix and upper part of vagina
  • Vocal Masculinisation Surgery = reconstruction of the vocal cords to create a lower pitched voice
  • Body Masculinisation = reshaping of the body to a more masculine appearance (may include fat and / or hair grafting, etc.)

You don’t need to get every surgery on this list, and you can combine some or get some and not others.

For example:

  • Phallo can be with or without scrotoplasty, UL, ED & vaginectomy
  • Top surgery can be with or without nipple / areola reshaping & grafting
  • Hysto can be with or without trachelectomy, oophorectomy (one or both ovaries) & salpinectomy
  • You can get both phallo and meta (either with two penises or burying the meta penis)
  • You can get phallo and / or meta and keep your vagina
  • Many transmascs on testosterone don’t need vocal or body masculinisation as testosterone deepens the voice and redistributes body fat

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get [this body part] but not [that body part]? Can I keep my [other body part]?

Yes, generally. This will depend on your surgeon and your healthcare needs (some medical conditions may limit your options).

How much does it cost?

That depends on your country, surgeon, procedure(s) & your country’s healthcare system. Generally, surgeries will be in the thousands (1000s), and sometimes tens of thousands (10,000s). For example, phalloplasty can cost up to $100,000 or more. Check with your surgeon, your insurance (if applicable), your local trans groups, and other similar places for estimates and guides.

What does [this word] mean?

Surgeries ending in -ectomy means removal, while surgeries ending in -plasty means creation. So a vaginectomy means removal of the vagina, while a vaginoplasty means the creation of one.