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What Is Gender Reassignment Surgery?
Gender reassignment surgery (GRS), also known as gender-affirming or gender confirmation (GCS) surgery, is a process that supports physical transition, such as from female to male (FTM) or male to female (MTF). It may involve a combination of procedures as part of a broader transition journey, helping transgender and gender-diverse individuals bring their physical characteristics in line with their gender identity.
Rather than changing into a different gender, these procedures help individuals ensure their physical characteristics reflect their true gender identity. Surgical plans are tailored to each patient’s goals. It is an important part of healthcare for many in the LGBTQ+ community, although not all transgender people choose or require surgery.
*results may vary
LGBTQ+ Meaning
LGBTQ+ is an acronym that represents a diverse community of sexual orientations and gender identities.
It stands for:
- L – Lesbian: women who are attracted to women
- G – Gay: people (often men) attracted to the same gender
- B – Bisexual: people attracted to more than one gender
- T – Transgender: people whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth
- Q – Queer or Questioning
- Queer: an umbrella term for diverse sexualities and gender identities
- Questioning: individuals who are exploring their identity
The “+” symbol includes other identities such as intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual, among others. Luckily, gender affirming surgery is covered by most major insurance carriers, making it easier for you to focus on your goals without added financial stress.
At Millennial Plastic Surgery, we are committed to offering respectful and inclusive care for LGBTQ+ individuals throughout their journey. Dr. Shokrian follows proper guidelines to ensure patients feel safe and well cared for.
Clients’ Testimonials
I have absolutely nothing but amazing things to say about my experience at Millenial! I was turned down by a few surgeons for their lack of knowledge with trans bodies before I was able to get consultation with Millenial. Their experience in feminizing the body with lipo 360 and bbl sold me and it was worth the wait! So so happy I decided to go with Millenial the staff was incredible
Clients’ Testimonials
This place was very good. The kindness and helpfulness of the staff was awesome. I loved Jess and my massages from Maribel..she was so good I wanted an 8 ounce bottle of milk and my bed after. Overall Dr. Shokrian was very honest in what he could do and what he couldn't which made my choice even easier.
Clients’ Testimonials
Sophia helped me tremendously if it wasn’t for her , I probably would have never gone through with my surgery! She made me feel so comfortable and like she genuinely cared for me ! I love my results so far and dr Shokrian is AMAZING with his work. I can finally say I’m happy and confident with myself. Thanks to everyone there but especially SOPHIA.
What Makes Gender-Affirming Surgery So Important?
Gender-affirming surgery is important because it allows individuals to bring their physical bodies in line with their true gender identity. It can relieve the emotional distress caused by Gender Dysphoria, which occurs when a person’s gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
Surgery may become an option when this distress starts affecting daily life, relationships, or overall well-being. Aligning your body with your identity can ease discomfort, reduce anxiety or depression, and help you develop a stronger sense of self.
Gender-affirming surgery is not just about physical change. It also supports mental well-being, giving individuals a chance to feel more confident, authentic, and empowered in their daily lives.
The Process of Gender Reassignment – How It Works?
Undergoing gender reassignment surgery is a personal and carefully guided process. It depends on your individual goals, the changes you wish to make, and your doctor’s recommendations based on your specific needs.
Some individuals choose procedures such as facial surgery or chest surgery, while others opt for multiple procedures as part of a more comprehensive transition. Every journey is unique, and treatment plans are tailored to support what feels right for you.
It involves a series of steps, starting with careful planning and advise from experienced medical professionals, along with individualized assistance to ensure both safety and comfort.
A Gender Reassignment Surgery follows a set of steps that include:
- Initial consultation – Meeting your surgeon and healthcare team to discuss your goals and options. They will review your medical history and create the best plan for your transition.
- Mental health evaluation – A consultation with a mental health professional is considered necessary to confirm your readiness for the surgery and to ensure emotional support throughout the process.
- Hormone therapy – If needed, your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy to help develop physical characteristics that align with your gender identity before surgery.
- Surgical planning – Your surgeon will create a personalized plan based on your goals, discuss procedures, risks, recovery, and expected outcomes.
- Surgery – Your surgeon and the medical team carry out the procedures based on your treatment plan, whether it involves chest, genital, or other gender-affirming surgeries.
- Recovery and follow-up – You will be provided with clear post-operative instructions for healing and comfort, along with a structured follow-up schedule to support your recovery and achieve the best possible results.
- Support and long-term care – Continued care, including psychological support, hormone management, and regular check-ups ensure you stay healthy and maintain your results over time.
The goal of the sex change process is to align your body with your gender identity. Each step is designed to keep you informed, and confident along the way.
Whether someone is an adult or a young person, recognizing one’s gender identity can be a deeply personal experience. For children as young as 6 to 10 who may begin to understand that they are transgender, acceptance and support can play a vital role in easing stress, making them feel seen and understood.
While surgical options are not appropriate at a young age, parents can seek professional counseling to help their child and navigate this journey with confidence. Dr. David Shokrian works with families to educate them about gender-affirming and provides guidance on what to expect as their child grows older and becomes eligible for future treatment.
A good example of gender expression is a tomboy. She’s a female, but prefers to dress more masculine, hang out with boys and enjoys sports. This doesn’t make her question her sexual identity, nor does she suffer from gender dysphoria. Because you express your gender outside of societal norms, however, doesn’t mean that you necessarily want or need to go through trans surgery. The same goes for nonbinary people.
212-421-7123Why Should I Consider Gender Reassignment Surgery?
As a transgender person, you may feel as though you are living in the wrong body, where your thoughts and emotions do not relate to the sexual characteristics you were born with. Gender reassignment surgery allows your physical appearance to better reflect your gender identity.
It reduces feelings of confusion, provides assurance and a sense of authenticity in your own body.
Gender Reassignment Surgery can help you with the following:
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Nonbinary or genderqueer
- Gender dysphoria.
Gender identity.
Aligning your physical body with the gender you feel you are.
Gender expression.
Expressing your true gender in the way you present yourself to the world.
Nonbinary or genderqueer.
For those who don’t relate to being male or female and may use the pronouns “them” and “they.”
Gender dysphoria.
Reducing the distress that occurs when your gender identity does not match your sex assigned at birth.
Gender reassignment surgery is more than just a physical transformation. It allows you to feel at home in your own body and be your true self.
Types of Gender Reassignment Surgery
There are several types of sex change surgery, depending on your goals, whether you are transitioning from male to female or female to male, and the procedures you are willing to undergo at this time.
Some of the most popular procedures include:
- Top Surgery – Includes chest-related procedures to create a masculine or feminine appearance.
- Transgender men (FTM): Chest masculinization or mastectomy to create a flat, masculine chest.
- Transgender women (MTF): Breast augmentation to achieve a feminine chest appearance.
- Bottom Surgery – Includes genital procedures to create male or female anatomy that matches your gender identity:
- Transgender men (FTM): Phalloplasty or metoidioplasty to construct male genitalia
- Transgender women (MTF): Vaginoplasty to create female genitalia
- Facial Surgery – Adjusts facial features like jaw, chin, forehead, and nose to better reflect your gender identity.
- Body Contouring – Shapes the body through procedures such as waist sculpting, hip or buttock augmentation, to match your gender goals.
- Other Procedures – Optional surgeries include tracheal shave, voice surgery, hysterectomy, or orchiectomy, depending on your needs.
These surgeries help transgender people experiencing gender dysphoria to match their bodies with their gender identity. Research shows that transgender individuals who undergo these procedures are less likely to suffer from psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. Despite their cost and the potential risks involved, these surgeries are gaining popularity because they offer significant improvements in mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
What Is the Recovery Time for Gender-Affirming Surgery?
Recovery time for gender-affirming surgery varies widely depending on the type of procedure, your overall health, how well you follow post-surgical care instructions, and your body’s natural healing process.
There is no single timeline, as different surgeries heal at different rates.
Recovery by type of surgery
- Chest or top surgery – Recovery from chest surgery usually takes a few weeks. Swelling, soreness, and discomfort are normal and typically last for 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients can return to light daily activities within that time. However, heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks to allow proper healing.
- Facial surgery – Initial healing for facial gender affirming procedures involves a recovery period of 2 to 4 weeks. Swelling and bruising start subsiding during this time, but it may take several months for the final results to appear as the tissues settle.
- Bottom surgery – Recovery from procedures such as vaginoplasty or phalloplasty is more extensive and can take several months. Most patients can resume normal daily activities after about 6 weeks, while complete healing may take up to a year, depending on the complexity of the procedure and individual healing.
- Other procedures – Procedures like metoidioplasty have a shorter recovery time compared to more complex surgeries. Initial healing takes 2 to 4 weeks, and most patients can return to regular activities within 6 to 8 weeks, while full recovery can take a few months.
Sex change surgery is a major procedure that requires thoughtful planning, self-care, support from family and friends, and the surgeon’s expertise to achieve the desired results.
Dr. Shokrian provides comprehensive assistance to his patients before, during, and after gender-affirming surgery. He works with them through the planning process, prepares them for what to expect, and guides them about the necessary steps after the procedure to achieve optimal outcomes. His postoperative follow-up helps patients feel confident throughout their surgical transformation journey until they are fully healed.
56 West 45th Street, 4th floor New York, NY 10036 3190 Riverdale Ave. Level C #4A
Bronx, NY 10463 1000 Northern Blvd Suite 165
Great Neck, NY 11020
Is Gender Reassignment Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Gender-affirming surgery can be covered by insurance, but coverage depends on several factors, including medical necessity and insurance policy details.
Most insurers require prior approval and a review of documentation confirming gender dysphoria diagnosis by a qualified mental health professional, along with supporting letters from healthcare providers to demonstrate that the surgery is medically necessary.
It is important to know that coverage varies by plan. While some plans cover gender-affirming care, others may exclude it or require certain treatments, such as hormone therapy, before surgery is approved. Additionally, the type of procedure is also important. Surgeries, like chest reconstruction or top surgery, are more commonly covered, whereas genital reconstruction or bottom surgery may have stricter criteria.
Millennial Plastic Surgery collaborates with major commercial insurance providers and has successfully assisted patients in obtaining coverage for qualifying procedures. Our team assists with insurance verification, preauthorization, and required paperwork whenever possible.
We commonly work with the following insurance providers:
- NYSHIP
- Aetna
- 1199
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
- EmblemHealth (GHI)
- Cigna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- UFT (United Federation of Teachers)
If your insurance provider is not listed, please contact our office. We will help determine eligibility and review coverage options at no cost.
Their dedication to providing exceptional service is evident in their work.
Schedule your free consultation today with our expert, compassionate surgeons at Millennial Plastic Surgery and begin your life-changing, empowering journey toward gender affirmation.
We look forward to welcoming you to our offices in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Long Island, New York!Schedule your free consultation today with our expert, compassionate surgeons at Millennial Plastic Surgery and begin your life-changing, empowering journey toward gender affirmation.
We look forward to welcoming you to our offices in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Long Island, New York!
Author: Dr. David Shokrian