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 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 gender affirming 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:
- Facial Feminization
- Chest Masculinization
- Adam’s Apple Reduction
- Genital Surgery
- Transfeminine Breast Augmentation
Preparing for Gender Affirmation Surgery
Prior to beginning any procedures, plastic surgeons typically require patients to undergo an evaluation 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.
Patient Reviews
“My son sees Dr. John Taylor. He has a sub-specialty in transgender patients. My son had chest masculinization surgery. My son looks incredible and we are a week post-op. The staff is incredibly kind and helpful. Michele has gone above and beyond to help us make this surgery possible. Thank you for all of your help. Thank you Dr. Taylor for your extraordinary work!”
— Marissa T.
Recovery from Gender Affirmation Surgery
For most gender affirming 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 Gender Affirmation
The male to female gender affirmation 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 Gender Affirmation
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 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 gender affirming procedures 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 gender affirming procedures must live as the desired sex for one year before they fully commit to the process of gender affirmation. Once this is completed, if you still have the desire to change genders, then gender affirming procedures may be right for you.
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.
