FTM Gender Confirmation Solutions: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Who is a candidate for male to female (MTF) gender confirmation surgeries?

Candidates for gender confirmation surgery are individuals identified as male at birth who are seeking to fully embody their authentic female gender identity. The decision to pursue medical and/or surgical treatments as part of the transition journey is entirely unique to every individual transgender person. Anyone considering a gender confirmation surgery should consider their overall health, expectations of the procedure, and ability to commit to recovery times prior to pursuing treatments.

What can you expect from male to female gender confirmation surgeries?

MTF gender confirmation surgeries vary significantly depending on an individual transgender candidate’s needs. There are both surgical and non-surgical procedures for gender reassignment.

• Facial Feminization: These procedures address the hair, face, and neck. There are surgical options to alter bony and soft tissue structures. There are also non-surgical options like fillers, thread lifts, and Botox.
• Transfeminine Top Surgery: Typically a surgical breast construction involving implants or fat transfer. The nipples and areola are also usually addressed to create a female breast.
• Transfeminine Bottom Surgery: These are usually surgical procedures to alter the hips, buttocks, legs, and genitals.
• Body Contouring: Liposuction is a minor surgical procedure, although other body contouring procedures may be less invasive and involve phototherapy or freezing techniques.

Surgical options are more involved, but also more permanent, and will involve weeks to months of recovery. Non-surgical procedures typically provide less permanent results, but are also less invasive, and possibly changeable. Certain hair procedures may take years to achieve full, lasting results. Medical and hormone therapies may affect surgical procedures and so should be discussed with your providers.

When should you consider male to female gender confirmation surgeries?

The decision to pursue gender confirmation surgeries is unique to every individual transgender patient. Considerations for mental health and physical health are highly important components of the appropriate time to pursue procedures. Additionally, candidates undergoing medical and hormone therapies will need to discuss the possibility of surgical procedures with their plastic surgeon and medical provider.

What is the youngest age someone can have male to female gender confirmation surgeries?

Guidelines for pediatric individuals (those under age 18) pursuing gender affirming surgeries recommend that transgender candidates do not undergo genital reconstruction procedures including phalloplasty (penile construction), scrotoplasty (scrotum construction), vaginoplasty (labia, clitoris, and vaginal construction), oophorectomy (ovary removal), or hysterectomy (uterus removal) until they are 18.

Certain top procedures can be considered around age 16. A discussion with a certified medical provider is important in determining the most appropriate timing of all gender affirming procedures and therapies. Additionally, parental consent and complete physical and mental health evaluations will be necessary.