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Gender Affirmation Surgery in Middletown, NJ

Gender affirmation surgery, more commonly called a “top” or “bottom” surgery, involves surgical procedures to alter the physical makeup of a person. Dr. John Taylor, a Red Bank, New Jersey board-certified plastic surgeon, performs surgical procedures to change the gender of patients who feel that their body is different from how they mentally and emotionally feel.

What Is Gender Affirmation Surgery?

Gender affirmation surgery, also called gender reassignment surgery (GRS), is the process of transitioning from one physical sex to another. This process involves several surgeries to alter parts of the body to change from male to female or female to male. The condition where a person of one sex wholeheartedly believes they were born in the wrong gendered body is called dysphoria. For some, there is a deep desire to change their gender. Becoming more and more common, it is estimated that over 50 GRS procedures are performed each week in North America.

For those who make the decision to change the physical attributes of their gender, the process is complex and takes the expertise of medical professionals in every area of medicine as well as a very accepting support network of friends and family to help with issues that may arise.

Several of the procedures performed at Allure Plastic Surgery Center for sexual reassignment include the following:

Preparing for Gender Affirmation Surgery

Prior to beginning any procedures associated with GRS, plastic surgeons typically require patients to undergo work-ups from psychiatrists and psychotherapists to ensure they are mentally ready for the upcoming procedures. Additionally, patients are also required to follow the steps necessary to prepare for each procedure as instructed by the surgeon.

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Recovery from Gender Affirmation Surgery

For most GRS procedures, the recovery involves extended amounts of time to heal. As with preparation, each procedure has its own protocol for recovery with instructions provided prior to each procedure.

What Are the Procedures for Gender Affirmation?

Two paths are involved in gender affirmation surgery: male to female and female to male. Each one consists of extensive procedures and progressions to complete the transformation.

Male to Female GRS

The male to female GRS is comprised of several procedures that alter the physical appearance of the patient by reshaping the male anatomy into a form with the appearance and function of female parts including breast augmentation, facial feminization and, of course, genital reconstruction. Typically, before any of these procedures are completed, most patients undergo hormone replacement therapy and facial hair removal. HRT for male to female transgender patients includes estrogen therapy which suppresses male characteristics while enhancing female features.

Female to Male GRS

When trans patients want to go from female to male, several procedures alter their female physique to that of a male. While most patients in this category are more apt to have a bilateral mastectomy (breast removal), chest contouring, and hysterectomy, many make the decision to forgo genital reassignment. Additionally, in terms of HRT, patients going from female to male begin the GRS process by taking testosterone to take on male attributes such as a lower pitched voice and increased body hair and muscle size.

Is Gender Affirmation Surgery Right for Me?

Plastic surgeons that perform GRS have standards of care they follow to ensure patients wanting to alter their gender have made the right decision. To be cleared for gender reassignment, patients typically have to meet the requirements set forth by their surgeons and physicians. This typically involves letters from psychotherapists and psychiatrists that specialize in the field of gender affirmation. Additionally, another step is to live as the desired sex in what is referred to as “real life experience.” This is where those considering GRS must live as the desired sex for two years before they fully commit to the process of gender reassignment. Once this is completed, if you still have the desire to change genders, then GRS may be right for you.

How Much Does Gender Affirmation Surgery Cost?

The cost of gender affirmation surgery varies with each patient depending on the current physical gender of the patient and the steps necessary to completely change genders. During your consultation, Dr. Taylor discusses the cost with you as it is not covered by insurance. At Allure Plastic Surgery Center, we accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards. Additionally, we offer financing through CareCredit® and are happy to provide you with the information necessary to explore that avenue. We ask that with any cosmetic procedure, full payment be made in advance.

Why Choose Dr. Taylor for Gender Affirmation Surgery?

Dr. Taylor is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is talented and able to successfully redesign and contour the human anatomy so that the changes look natural without being “overdone.” He is able to combine his expertise for aesthetics with his knowledge of medical science to successfully achieve the goals his patients have in mind at the start of their transformation.

What to Expect During Your Gender Affirmation Surgery Consultation

The consultation for GRS is much more intricate than most other cosmetic surgery procedures as it involves a complete transformation from one gender to another. To do this, Dr. Taylor must be absolutely sure you are of sound mind and are physically able to handle the process as it can be arduous to complete. Once he is confident that you are able to withstand the entire process, he then discusses with you what you want to look like and the procedures necessary to get you to your goals. He is very detailed in his discussions and evaluations and takes great care in getting to know and understand his patients so that they are comfortable and confident in his abilities. He also takes time to answer any and all questions you may have. GRS is a huge undertaking so it is imperative that both parties be on the same page in terms of what may take place and the realistic outcomes of the process.

At Allure Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. John Taylor offers plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures as well as non-invasive advanced skin care treatments to patients in Red Bank, NJ, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to set up your consultation today.