Genital
reconstructive surgery is surgery to
reconstruct the genitals to form male genitals.
For men, this is never a single surgery - always
multiple surgeries.
If you consider Genital
Reconstructive Surgery, you should research the
—
- methods (types and
techniques for surgeries);
- surgeons available to
you (in your own country, in other
countries);
- the surgical
techniques each surgeon uses;
- other aspects that are
important to you (urinary function, size,
costs etc).
Surgery on genital or
reproductive tissues could affect your options
for GRS in the future, so if you think you might
consider this one day, be sure to include this
consideration in your research. Whatever
reconstructive surgery you're considering,
surgeons who have good outcomes have photographs
of their work.
The current options
available to men for genital reconstructive
surgery can basically be grouped under these
headings:
You are strongly
encouraged to use this information as a
reference point to investigate all genital
reconstructive surgeries and research your
options for this type of surgery. This short
section on genital reconstructive surgeries
should not be your only research into these
types of surgeries. You will find further
information on the internet and you are advised
to contact other men in a similar situation for
their opinions and experiences. It would also be
wise to contact surgeons in this field of
surgery for their advice and further
information. Surgical techniques are being
developed and perfected on an ongoing basis.
There are several useful
websites and forums to begin your research.
These are offered here as existing groups and
not as recommendations:
See
Email Discussion Groups on 'Further
Reading'
Questions to ask surgeons
prior to any of these surgeries:
Are the results I want
realistic?
- will I be able to
stand to urinate?
- will I have
sensation?
- will I have
sexual function?
What does this type of
surgical procedure involve?
(applicable to each procedure eg.,
metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, scrotoplasty,
centurion etc).
- How long will this
surgery take? (ie., how long will I be under
anaesthetic; in bed? unable to urinate
naturally? unable to engage in sexual
activity?)
- What percentage of
complications does this type of surgery
have?
- How many surgeries
will I need to undergo for this completion of
this procedure?
- What are the risks for
this type of surgery?
- What costs are
included or not included in the cost of this
procedure? (for example, theatre;
anaesthetist)
- What is the surgeon's
experence with this procedure?
- What can I expect in
terms of scaring, pain and function (for each
procedure)?
- What are the long term
risks associated with this surgical
procedure?
- Can I speak to other
patients who have had this procedure by this
surgeon?
What does this
particular surgeon offer?
- How long has the
surgeon been doing this
procedure?
- Where did the surgeon
learn the procedure for the
surgery?
- How many operations of
this type has this surgeon
performed?
- Is there an extra
charge for fixing a problem, such as a
fistula, that occurs during surgery?
- Does the surgeon have
training in general surgery, gynecological or
urological surgery, microsurgery, plastic
surgery, etc.?
- Are there any other
surgeons participating at the time of
surgery?
- Are there photos of
outcomes of this surgeon's work?
- Can I speak with other
surgeons, especially gynecologists and/or
urologists, who have seen and independently
evaluated this surgeon's work?
What happens after
surgery?
- What is the surgeon's
policy in regards to correcting or
revisions?
- Who provides
postoperative care for the
patient?
- What type of pain
management is used after surgery?
- How long is the
patient expected to be in
hospital?
- On average, how much
time does it take to heal? When can the
patient expect to return to work?
These are only very basic
questions to consider and ask surgeons before
going through with genital reconstructive
surgery. They are not an exhaustive list. You
are strongly encouraged to meet other men like
yourself who have undertaken the type of
procedure you're considering and talk about the
positives and negatives you can face.
In 1999, there was a study
carried out by Katherine Rachlin of 23
individuals in New York City and San Francisco
and the factors that influenced their
consideration
of Genital Reconstructive
Surgery. This
study is only summarised here with the full
study published here http://www.symposion.com/ijt/ijt990302.htm.
Conclusion
At this point in time,
genital reconstructive surgery is extremely
expensive - between $US30,000 and $US150,000.
These surgical procedures also vary in number
often requiring 4 to 6 hospital inpatient stays,
and in some cases upward of 15 or 16 hospital
stays. Sadly, for the most part
these surgical procedures
have little guarantee of success; they will take
a period of 2 to 3 years; the procedures are
debilitating; often suffering catastrophic
failure of the phalloplasty site, and for many
who commence this long road the social cost is
tremendous with them losing their jobs and often
their families and social support networks, and
a few will suffer severe depressive illnesses as
a result of undertaking this process.
Australian legislation
does not require any kind of genital
reconstructive surgery for legal-male
recognition (birth certificate correction). At
this point in time, New Zealand legislation
still requires this form of surgery for men with
New Zealand birth certificates (although there
are reports this is reconsidered on a case by
case basis).
Genital reconstructive
surgeries tend to be sought out the most either
by men who require it legally to correct their
birth certificate (such as Asian countries like
Singapore) or by men who experience severe
disatisfaction with their own genitals (higher
levels of gender dysphoria).
A short summary on
some
of the considerations for
legislators
regarding genital reconstructive surgery for
male legal recognition is available.
Genital Reconstructive Surgery
