Sex Reassignment Surgery is a set of surgical operations to modify the initial sexual characteristics in order to obtain the appearance of the desired sex. Other terms are sometimes used such as "gender affirmation surgery", or "gender reassignment" which are generally considered inappropriate.

This surgical procedure mainly concerns transidentity. In adults, it is only done at the request of the patient. The justifications for this act may be different depending on the patient, especially since the surgical results do not offer the same results. It depends a lot on the professional skills of the surgeon but also on the physical situation of the patient.

For safety, the surgeon may require that a careful psychological examination be carried out in order to ensure the solidity of the request. For transgender people, real life experience is mandatory and hormonal treatment must be in progress to validate the request. In current medical practice, a diagnosis is necessary to benefit from the sex reassignment process.

Eligibility for the different stages of treatment

If significant medical or mental health concerns are present, they should be reasonably well controlled.

As surgery is a radical and irreversible procedure, higher standards are generally applied.

Generally speaking, doctors who perform sex reassignment surgery require the patient to live as a member of the desired gender for at least a year or more sometimes ("cross-dressing"), before beginning the surgery, in order to ensure that these people can psychologically function as well.

This period is often referred to as a “real life test” and is part of the requirements. Other frequent requirements are regular psychological support, and letters of recommendation for this surgery.

These requirements are contrary to human rights and are only intended to protect surgeons from possible lawsuits in cases where the surgery is "botched" and the victim brings an action for compensation for the harm suffered.

A successful surgical operation is one that provides anatomical appearance and functionality similar to the claimed gender.

The operation is not without danger, diabetes, obesity, certain blood circulation problems can increase the risk of complications during anesthesia and post-operative complications.

Hormonal treatment should also be continued after the operation.

Surgical interventions significantly improve the quality of life of people if they are done well and not compulsory.

The main surgeries in the context of a reassignment in the female gender

Orchiectomy : removal of the testicles

Vaginoplasty with no vaginal cavity (Sex reassignment surgery)

Colovaginoplasty : vaginoplasty performed using part of the sigmoid colon

Clitoridoplasty : creation of a clitoris

Labioplasty : creation of the labia minora and labia majora

Partial or total mammoplasty

Facial Feminization Surgery

Reshaping of hips and buttocks...

Some of these operations are explained and detailed in the pages of the "MtF transition" part of this site but also in the booklet entitled "On the way to transition" which is currently being written and which will eventually be available. with the secretary of the association.

You notice that there is no mention of vocal cord surgery which is considered dangerous and ineffective in most situations. Some speech therapists even want it to be purely and simply banned.