How does genital reconstruction work

Jump to content. The University of Michigan Health System offers procedures for surgical gender transition. Working together, the surgical team of the Comprehensive Gender Services Program, which includes specialists in plastic surgery, urology and gynecology, bring expertise, experience and safety to procedures for our transgender patients. Access to gender-related surgical procedures for patients is made through the University of Michigan Health System Comprehensive Gender Services Program.

Female-to-Male: Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, vaginectomy Chest Reconstruction Female-to-male genital sex reassignment. Because sex reassignment surgery is just one step for transitioning people, the Comprehensive Gender Services Program has access to providers for mental health services, hormone therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, and speech therapy. Surgical procedures are done by a team that includes, as appropriate, gynecologists, urologists, pelvic pain specialists and a reconstructive plastic surgeon.

A multi-disciplinary team helps to best protect the health of the patient. Sexual activity during your recovery period can delay wound healing and cause a variety of complications. Every patient has a different experience when it comes to sensation. Nerve regeneration can begin as early as 3 weeks post-operatively.

Sometimes sensation can take up to a year or longer. We cannot guarantee return of nerve sensation. As time goes on, the tingling feeling may begin to subside.

Some patients have already had their testicles removed orchiectomy prior to vaginoplasty; it is important to note this is not required. This prior surgery can increase the likelihood of needing skin grafts. Yes, you will need to engage in hair removal prior to surgery. We will provide you with a template during your consultation for the areas that require hair removal. We recommend you start hair removal as soon as possible, as it can take months on average.

Vaginal depth is dependent on the amount of skin in the genital area prior to your vaginoplasty. This can vary between patients, as some patients also need skin grafts. On average, the vaginal canal is between inches deep. After your vaginoplasty, expect to be in the hospital for approximately days. During that time, you will be spending most of your time in bed recovering.

As you get closer to discharge you will begin sitting and walking around. During your inpatient stay, you will have a Foley catheter in the urethra that will be taken out prior to your discharge. Yes, you will have a surgical drain that is placed in the operating room. This drain will be removed prior to your discharge. Dilation is the act of inserting a medical grade dilator into the vagina to keep your vaginal canal open.

The hospital provides and bills your insurance company for a set of dilators that will be provided for you. On your last day in the hospital, someone from the clinical team will show you how to dilate. This can often be an overwhelming first time experience, but our team will work with you and your level of comfort to ensure that the dilation process goes smoothly.

During the first few weeks after surgery, you must dilate twice a day for at least 15 minutes. It is very important that you continue dilating, especially during your immediate post-operative period, or you may potentially lose vaginal depth and width. You will begin dilating with the small orange dilator, the smallest within the dilator pack.

Disadvantages of a phalloplasty include the number of surgical visits and revisions that may be necessary, as well as the cost, which is typically higher than that of a metoidioplasty. A person may decide to have a scrotoplasty — the creation of a scrotum — alongside a metoidioplasty or phalloplasty. In a scrotoplasty, a surgeon hollows out and repositions the labia majora to form a scrotum and inserts silicone testicular implants.

For example, smoking slows down recovery and increases the risk of complications following surgery. If a person smokes, vapes, or uses any substance with nicotine, a medical team may consider them less eligible for this type of surgery. Following gender-affirming surgery, most people need to stay in the hospital for at least a couple of days. After leaving the hospital, the person needs to rest and only engage in very limited activities for about 6 weeks or longer.

A person who undergoes a metoidioplasty may have erections and enjoy more sensation in their neopenis. However, the penis will be relatively small in size. A neopenis that results from a phalloplasty is usually larger, though it may be less sensitive. To have erections, a person will need a penile implant. If a person has urethral extension, the goal is to be able to urinate while standing after a full recovery from the procedure.

Some studies report a high number of urological complications following phalloplasties. It is important to attend regular follow-ups with a urologist.

Transgender men tended to report more frequent masturbation, sexual satisfaction, and sexual excitement than transgender women. Transgender men with penile implants for erections experienced pain more frequently during sex than those without implants. However, they also reported that their sexual expectations were more fully realized, compared with participants who had not received implants.

Most people report satisfaction following the procedure. However, the complication rate is relatively high , especially in relation to urinary health.

Therefore, it is important to work closely with a qualified plastic surgeon, urologist, gynecologist , and mental health professional to ensure the best outcome. Learn about keyhole surgery, including the benefits, risks, and complications, as well as what to expect during surgery and how to prepare.

A lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes.