Surgery

Vaginoplasty surgery

A vaginoplasty is an operation which aims to remove the penis and testes and create a vagina, which is either sexually functioning or not.

• Vaginoplasty - Nuffield Health
• Vaginoplasty - Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service

Vulvoplasty

A vulvoplasty is a type of surgery that uses skin and tissue from a penis to create the outside parts of a vagina (except for the vaginal canal).

• Vulvoplasty - Nuffield Health
• Vulvoplasty - Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service

Orchidectomy

Orchidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a testicle.

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Chest surgery/mastectomy/top surgery

Mastectomy (also known as top surgery) is the surgical removal of breasts and the construction of a more masculine chest. There are several different surgical techniques depending on various factors.

• Chest wall surgery for gender dysphoria | Nuffield
• Chest surgery - Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus).

• Hysterectomy

Phalloplasty

A phalloplasty is the surgical creation of an artificial penis, scrotal sac and testes. It involves taking skin from a donor site to create the penis. An insert is then used in order to make the penis erect when desired. 

• Phalloplasty - Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service

Metoidioplasty

A metoidioplasty is a non-reversible surgical creation of a mini phallus which uses existing genital tissue to create a small penis. While the phallus created is very small, patients also have a urethral lengthening which enables them to urinate when standing up.

• Metoidioplasty - Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service

• What to expect at your surgical recommendation leaflet

Health and care passports

It is recommended to create a health and care passport. A passport shares key information like diagnoses, triggers, and how someone communicates. It gives clear, personal advice to help others understand what support works best. It makes it easier to get to places and appointments and should prevent people having to explain things again and again.

Health and care passports come in different formats to suit each person’s needs and preferences. Find out more and create your own by following the guides on the Sussex Health & Care website.

• Health and care passports

Preparing for surgery

TransActual has further information and resources about surgery.

• What Do I Need To Know About Surgery? – TransActual

TNBI people can face specific challenges to look after their physical health, and often have a lot they are trying to manage at once.

We have developed this leaflet, as we know how important accessing gender affirming medical treatment is, and we want to ensure that people can access this as safely as possible, and can make informed decisions with regard to any risks.

This leaflet has sections of information and support regarding smoking, nutrition, movement, alcohol, recreational drugs and sleep.

If you decide you would like to make some changes to prepare yourself for gender affirming care and you would like some support and information there are some links to support in this leaflet. If you have further questions please do get in contact.

• Preparation for gender affirming pathways leaflet

You will be asked which hospital you would like to be referred to, and you may also choose a surgeon. You might like to do some research about this prior to your appointment. 

If you are undecided on which surgeon you wish to see, we can add your preference for a hospital provider e.g. 'refer to Brighton', or 'refer to Torquay'.

Unfortunately, there is no list of waiting times for each hospital provider, as the waiting times can change frequently.

We use BMI (body mass index) as surgeons specify a maximum BMI for which they will accept a referral. We are aware that this is not a perfect measure, and a healthy body can be different for different people. We are also aware that this can be a difficult topic and you might have specific needs, for example neurodivergence or disordered eating that limit your nutritional intake. You can talk about this and a bespoke plan for yourself with your clinician at your appointment.

When you and your clinical team agree that it is the right time for you to have surgery and you have undergone the required assessments, the admin team will make a referral to the Gender Dysphoria
National Referral Support Service (GDNRSS) for you. You will receive a copy of the referral and confirmation from GDNRSS.

The GDNRSS Support Line number is 0300 131 6775.

• NHS Gender Dysphoria nurse-led support and information service
• NHS Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service- about us booklet

This is a surgical pathway in the NHS for consideration of revision (correction) of previous gender-affirming surgery. This can include if you have had surgery privately or abroad, but NHS funding is unfortunately not guaranteed. We can support you with a referral.

• Unscheduled aftercare leaflet
• Unscheduled Aftercare Pathway Process

• Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy