For many transgender individuals, gender confirmation surgery aligns outward appearance with gender identity. This plays an important role in resolving the internal distress felt by someone who believes he or she was born into the wrong body.
Transfeminine surgery is a group of gender confirmation procedures to give individuals who were assigned male at birth an appearance that is seen as more feminine. These procedures can have a tremendously positive effect on a transgender woman’s well-being and quality of life. But the surgical experience is not without its challenges; it requires the guidance and expertise of a compassionate plastic surgeon. Under the care of Dr. Genaro Valladolid, transfeminine surgery more than meets the expectations of his patients.
Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of the chest using saline or silicone implants to create a more classically feminine appearance. Implants come in different sizes to satisfy different body shapes and cosmetic goals. The type and size of the implants are discussed with Dr. Valladolid prior to the procedure.
The incisions for breast augmentation are usually made where the breast and torso meet (i.e., the inframammary fold). The implants are inserted through this incision and positioned in a pocket within the chest tissue.
Vaginoplasty creates a vagina from existing male genital tissues. The most common approach involves removing most of the penile skin and tissues (some of the penile skin is preserved to help create the vagina). A space is created between the bladder and rectum for the vagina, and the preserved skin is inverted and positioned in the space. Skin from the scrotum is used to create the labia (i.e., the folds of skin surrounding the vaginal opening), and skin from the glans of the penis is used to create the new clitoris. In patients who are not interested in having a regular-depth vagina, a zero-depth vaginoplasty can be performed.
Orchiectomy, or the surgical removal of the testicles, is performed in advance of vaginoplasty or at the same time.
Facial feminization surgery is a set of procedures that alter the masculine facial features to give them a more feminine appearance. Although the specific facial areas and features vary by person, common procedures include:
The procedures can be performed in separate surgeries or combined into a single operation. Sometimes Dr. Valladolid breaks up facial feminization into stages and treats the upper face and lower face separately.
Body contouring procedures are designed to sculpt areas of the body so that they appear more feminine. Commonly, this involves slimming down areas like the abdomen and flanks while enlarging the buttocks and hips to give the body a more hourglass-like shape. Dr. Valladolid can reshape the body using a combination of liposuction and fat transfer techniques. Unwanted fat from the abdomen can be harvested and transferred to the buttocks or hips to add volume and shape.
For more information about transfeminine surgery, please call (480) 770-5015 or email us and request an appointment with Dr. Valladolid today.