Sex / Gender Reassignment Surgery

Sex reassignment surgery(SRS) also known as gender reassignment surgery (GRS), genital reconstruction surgery, sex affirmation surgery or sex realignment surgery) is a term for the surgical procedures by which a person’s physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble that of the other sex. It is part of a treatment for gender identity disorder/gender dysphoria in transsexual and transgender people

Before undertaking this surgery the patient is evaluated by two Psychiatrists at two different times and confirmed that the person concerned is suffering from Gender Identity disorder. After this the person is started on hormonal therapy and encouraged to cross dress. After a period of one year if the patient is still found to be motivated for the surgery, it is undertaken. Also the patient has to take a legal undertaking giving the surgeon permission to operate upon him.

The surgery depends on the gender conversion, if it’s male to female then in the first stage the orchidectomy with gender reduction surgery converting penis to clitoris and scrotal skin to labia majora is done. In the second stage breast implants are done. Later procedures involve laser for hair removal .

In case of female to male, first stage comprises of hysterctomy , oopherectomy and vaginectomy with bilateral breast reduction is done. Later Penis reconstruction with Radial artery free flap is done. Later stages comprise of testicular and penile implants.

It is very important for these patients to understand that after the surgery it is not possible for them to biologically procreate, i.e to reproduce.