Some people who are transgender, non-binary, or both have surgeries to feel more comfortable in their bodies. These are called gender-affirming surgeries. Some people want vaginoplasties, breast construction surgeries, or other ones we talk about here. Some trans and non-binary people also think about chest construction, phalloplasty, and other surgeries.
Not all trans and non-binary people choose to have surgery. It’s a very personal decision. Lots of surgeries can help trans people be happier and more confident in their bodies. Every trans and non-binary person can choose to have or not have surgeries that work for them!
Top Surgery or Breast Construction
This surgery makes someone’s breasts bigger. Some people get this surgery if hormone replacement therapy hasn’t made their breasts as big as they want. The surgery makes small scars. It also leaves nerves and sensation in your breasts and nipples.
Usually, a surgeon will start by putting a breast expander in. This makes room for an implant. A few months later, they replace the expanders with saline implants. They’ll also reshape the nipples and areolas to make them more feminine.
This surgery takes around an hour. You can go home the same day! It takes around a week to recover and 3-6 weeks before you can do all of your usual things.
Breast construction isn’t covered by RAMQ medicare and a lot of other insurances. It costs around 7,125$ without insurance.
Bottom Surgeries
Vaginoplasty
This surgery creates a vagina and vulva from erectile tissue. Erectile tissue is someone’s strapless, hanging bits, and other parts. This surgery lets people have penetrative sex, sit to pee, and have sexual sensation. They can have orgasms after the surgery. A lot of people can also take less hormones after this surgery.
After a vaginoplasty, people have to do some things to take care of their vagina. They have to dilate, or stretch, their vaginas with dilators 4 times a day. After the first year, they won’t need to dilate as much. A doctor will let them know how much they should do it.
People who have a vaginoplasty have to do special things to take care of their vagina for their whole lives. Doctors recommend cleaning their vagina with a douche and using a dilator. Most of them also need to use lube every time they put something in their vagina.
The surgery takes about 2 hours and you’d have to stay in the hospital for 2 days. It takes 6 weeks to recover and 6-8 weeks before you can do almost all of your usual things. Surgeons recommend waiting at least 12 weeks before oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Vaginoplasty is covered by RAMQ medicare. Without insurance it costs about 19,300$.
Vulvoplasty
This surgery creates a vulva but not a vagina. After the surgery, someone has everything outside the vagina, but not the tube inside. A surgeon uses erectile tissue to make a mons pubis, labia, clitoris, and urethral opening. They also get rid of any other privates like a strapless or hanging bits. A lot of people can take less hormones after a vulvoplasty.
Vulvoplasty works well for people who don’t want to get penetrated. It’s also a good choice for people who can’t keep up with dilating and recovery after a vaginoplasty.
This surgery takes around 2 hours and you’d have to stay in the hospital for 2 days. It takes around 6 weeks to recover and 6-8 weeks before you can do almost all of your usual things. Surgeons recommend waiting at least 12 weeks before oral or anal sex.
Vulvoplasty surgery is covered by RAMQ. Without insurance, the price is about 10,000$.
Reproductive Organ Surgery or Orchiectomy
This surgery removes hanging bits or testicles. After this surgery, a lot of people can take less hormones.
It takes 30 minutes to do this surgery and you can go home the same day. It takes 10 days to recover and 4 weeks before you can do all your usual things.
Orchiectomy is covered by RAMQ and costs about 1,700$.
Other Surgeries
There are lots of other surgeries you can get. Some people might want to have a more delicate face or a higher voice. Sadly, RAMQ doesn’t cover these surgeries.
Some might not even be in Canada. If you want any more surgeries, talking to a doctor might help. They can help you learn about services to help you feel more comfortable with your body.
