In the mid-20th century, when transsexuality was still illegal and a taboo subject, some surgeons worked to develop gender-affirming surgeries, despite the disapproval of their colleagues. Like all surgical procedures, sex change surgeries faced significant challenges in their early development. Since most transsexual individuals experience discomfort with their birth-assigned genitalia, even though these surgeries didn’t offer a complete transformation at the time, simply losing their current genitalia was considered an achievement.

Gender affirmation surgery encompasses several procedures that help align your body with your gender identity. Unlike the sex assigned at birth (either male or female), gender identity refers to how you perceive your body and how you present yourself to others.
Gender affirmation surgery may be an option if your assigned sex at birth differs from your gender identity (gender incongruence). It can be beneficial if you experience psychological distress due to this incongruence.

The Most Common Type: Male-to-Female Transition

From the moment they realize their true identity, many individuals seek to remove their birth-assigned sexual organs. Even when new genitalia weren't created in the early days, these surgeries were still seen as successful because the removal of the penis provided significant relief for patients. Since the topic was highly stigmatized in society, these incomplete surgeries were often accepted by trans individuals.

How Has Gender Affirmation Surgery Evolved?

Over time, surgical approaches have significantly improved. Techniques such as microsurgery tissue transplantation, mesh grafting, and tubular bowel transpositioning have been developed. While each method has its advantages and disadvantages, one approach, developed by Dr. Suporn Watanyusakul, stands out. This technique enables patients to experience orgasms through clitoral creation and uses urethral mucosa for self-moisturizing. Although this method works best with uncircumcised patients, it can still be adapted for circumcised patients with slight modifications.

Post-Surgery Care for Gender Affirmation Surgery

Regardless of the technique used, patients must follow post-surgical instructions to maintain vaginal depth and width. Proper hygiene is also essential. If a patient wishes to have children later in life, sperm preservation should be discussed and prepared in advance.

The Legal Aspects of Gender Affirmation Surgery

These procedures can only be performed on individuals who have undergone thorough biochemical and psychological evaluations. While it is not impossible, reversing gender affirmation surgery is difficult, so careful consideration and evaluation are essential before undergoing the procedure.