For transgender individuals seeking gender confirmation treatments, numerous plastic surgery procedures can assist in creating an embodied physical aesthetic.
Overview
Gender confirmation surgeries encompass a variety of plastic surgery procedures that help those embracing their true gender create an authentic physical representation of their identity. Plastic surgeons work with transgender candidates to refine and define their desired aesthetic in conjunction with medical or hormone therapies managed by the candidate’s healthcare provider.
For comprehensive patient care and transgender health, male to female (MTF) and female to male (FTM) gender-affirming surgeries are crucial components in the treatment of gender dysphoria, alongside considerations for mental health. Advances in cosmetic and plastic surgery allow experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons to address a transgender patient’s concerns from head to toe.
The Specifics
What is Male to Female (MTF) Gender Confirmation Surgery?
Male to female gender confirmation surgery refers to individuals identified as male at birth who are seeking to transition to their female gender identity. ‘Gender confirmation surgery’ is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of procedures addressing the head, neck, torso, and lower body. Individual transgender candidates may choose to undergo one or more procedures to achieve their desired aesthetic as part of their gender reassignment journey. Expert and experienced plastic surgeons specializing in these types of procedures can consult with candidates to determine the most appropriate options based on medical history, current body type, and long-term goals.
Main Concerns Related to MTF Gender Confirmation Surgery
The array of plastic surgeries under the term gender confirmation surgery can be grouped into procedures specific to different body areas. For those transitioning from male to female, candidates can consider aesthetic changes to the head and neck, torso, and lower body, including:
- Facial Feminization: These procedures address the hair, face, and neck. Facial feminization generally involves softening lines, enhancing lashes and brows, creating fuller scalp hair, and reducing bony prominences in the jaw and chin.
- Transfeminine Top Surgery: Top surgeries create characteristic female breasts, areola, and nipples.
- Transfeminine Bottom Surgery: Changes to the hips, buttocks, legs, and genitals are categorized as bottom surgeries. Hip and buttock implants can create more volume, whereas calf reduction can reduce musculature in the lower leg. Vaginoplasty includes constructing the vagina, labia, and clitoris.
- Body Contouring: Alterations to body proportions through liposuction, skin tightening, and other contouring procedures that reshape soft fatty tissue to refine the body’s shape.
MTF gender confirmation surgery does not have to encompass all of the procedures listed above. Individuals can decide, in consultation with their provider, which areas of the body they wish to address.
Who May Wish to Pursue MTF Gender Confirmation Surgery?
Individuals identified as male at birth who are now seeking to embrace their true female gender identity may consider gender confirmation surgery as part of their transition. Medical and hormonal therapies are managed by a healthcare provider, while cosmetic surgery procedures to further create an individual’s desired aesthetic are performed by an expert plastic surgeon. Candidates should consider their overall health, expectations of the procedure, and willingness to commit to the needed recovery time when deciding to pursue gender confirmation surgery.
Guidelines for the pediatric population seeking gender-affirming surgeries recommend that transgender candidates do not seek genital reconstruction procedures such as phalloplasty (penile construction), scrotoplasty (scrotum construction), vaginoplasty (labia, clitoris, and vaginal construction), oophorectomy (ovary removal), or hysterectomy (uterus removal) until they are 18.
How is MTF Gender Confirmation Surgery Performed?
Now that we’ve covered the overview of gender confirmation surgery, let’s get more specific about the procedures available to create the most authentic personal aesthetic. See our full guide to Male to Female (MTF) Gender Confirmation Surgery Solutions, or read on for a general overview of treatment options:
Facial Feminization
Facial feminization surgeries cover procedures from the scalp to the base of the neck. Hairline advancement, facial hair removal, eyelash/eyebrow augmentation, and forehead contouring can address the upper third of the face. Rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, and lip augmentation cover the middle third. Jaw reduction, chin surgery, and Adam’s apple reduction can address the lower third of the face and neck. Non-surgical alternatives include Botox, fillers, and thread lifts.
Transfeminine Top Surgery
Breast augmentation is the cornerstone of transfeminine top surgery. Breast implants with synthetic materials or fat transfer are available, as are procedures to create a more feminine-appearing nipple and areola.
Transfeminine Bottom Surgery
Bottom surgeries include hip implants, butt augmentation, calf reduction, and surgical procedures for the genitalia like orchiectomy and vaginoplasty (genital reconstruction).
Body Contouring
To refine the contour of the entire body, body contouring procedures like liposuction, Emsculpt®, CoolSculpting®, SculpSure®, and skin tightening can be used to further refine, define, and augment specific body parts to create a more feminine aesthetic.
The Takeaway
Gender confirmation surgery or gender reassignment surgery is a comprehensive term encompassing a wide variety of plastic surgery procedures transgender individuals can use alongside medical hormone therapies to further embody their gender identity.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) works closely with the transgender community and medical professionals to define standards of care for sex reassignment surgery and gender affirmation surgeries. In the United States, USPATH is an American society offshoot of WPATH.
Expert board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in these procedures can assist candidates in their transition and help create a truly authentic aesthetic.
