What is gender reassignment surgery? Does the NHS offer it, what does it cost privately and how does it work?
Caitlyn Jenner revealed she "underwent gender reassignment surgery" and has raised awareness of the procedure
UK surgeries are seeing patient numbers rise as more people seek to undergo gender reassignment procedures.
Statistics have shown that some surgeries have seen demand shoot up over the past decade as society became increasingly accepting of trans-sexuality, but what is it and what is involved?
What is gender reassignment surgery?
Gender reassignment surgery is a surgical procedure where a transgender person can alter their existing characteristics to resemble that of their identified gender.
Genital surgeries may be performed on the individual who wishes to pursue sex reassignment surgery.
The surgery is part of treatment for gender dysphoria in transgender people, where a person experiences distress due to a mismatch of their biological sex and their gender identity.
It is also sometimes referred to as gender identity disorder (GID), transgenderism or gender incongruence.
Caitlyn Jenner revealed she "underwent gender reassignment surgery in January 2017" in new memoir The Secrets of My Life.
Until 2015, Caitlyn had been known as Bruce Jenner before revealing she was transgender during an interview with American TV journalist Diane Sawyer in April 2015.
Can you get gender reassignment surgery on the NHS?
Yes, gender reassignment surgery is available on the NHS, but may be subject to waiting lists.
stated that as of April 24, 2017, there were 280 patients on the list for surgery, with 111 patients actively attending outpatient clinics or awaiting surgery. Another 169 patients were under the Trust's care but not currently ready for surgical procedures.
NHS gender identity clinics offer transgender health services but people will usually need to be referred by their GP.
GP referrals for gender dysphoria treatments are usually followed by an assessment by a psychiatrist or another specialist doctor before treatment begins.
In 2014 there were 172 sex operations on the NHS— double the 83 of a decade earlier — costing taxpayers at least £2million.
On average, the waiting time for a sex change therapy is nine months for adults and half this time for kids.
TRANS WOMEN SURGICAL OPTIONS MAY INCLUDE:
- Breast implants
- Removal of testicles (orchidectomy)
- Removal of penis (penectomy)
- Creation of a vagina (vaginoplasty)
- Creation of a clitoris (clitoroplasty)
- Creation of labia or ‘lips’ of the vagina (labioplasty)
- Facial feminisation surgery
- Trachea (or Adam’s apple) shaving
How much does gender reassignment surgery cost privately?
The costs for gender reassignment surgery can vary depending on the complexity of the surgery.
A quote will be made to a patient following a consultation with a surgeon.
According to the cost of gender reassignment is £19,236 per patient, this figure includes support as well as surgery.
FOR TRANS MEN SURGICAL OPTIONS MAY INCLUDE:
- Chest surgery/ breast removal (double mastectomy)
- Removal of the womb (hysterectomy)
- Removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy)
- Removal of the vagina (vaginectomy)
- Construction of a phallus (phalloplasty) or ‘micropenis’ (metoidioplasty)
- Creation of a scrotum with testicular implants (scrotoplasty)
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How does gender reassignment surgery work?
Gender reassignment works by changing genital organs from one sex to another.
Converting a male to a female requires removal of the penis and the reshaping of the genital tissue to appear more female to create a vagina.
Female hormones will then be given to reshape the body and stimulate the growth of breasts.
Female to male surgery involves the creation of a functioning penis from smaller clitoral tissue.
Breasts will often be removed to create a masculine chest area.