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Gender Affirmation Surgery

Gender Affirmation Surgery

Gender is a cornerstone of identity and a profound expression of who you are. That’s what makes gender affirmation surgery such a critical and meaningful step for those who have always known that their gender identity does not match the gender they were assigned at birth.

Helping you achieve affirmation with your gender identity begins with your surgeon achieving affirmation with you. Because gender affirmation surgery is one of the most personal procedures you can have, your surgeon’s approach should be as individualized, collaborative, and empathetic as possible. This philosophy of customized care starts with listening. Our surgeons spend an uncommon amount of time in consultation, getting to know you, asking questions, reviewing photographs, and creating a sense of security and trust.

Procedures

These are a few of the most sought-after procedures in gender affirmation surgery, now available at MarinHealth Medical Center.

Our Experts

Our expert surgeons and nurses are known for their powerful commitment to trans rights and their patient-centric, custom approach to gender affirmation surgery. All members of your care team have been specially trained in cultural competence and will treat you with dignity and understanding. MarinHealth Medical Center also provides annual training for entire hospital staff, including: Physician assistants, RNs, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), technicians, physical and occupational therapists, environmental services workers, and food service staff, to ensure that all our patients our treated with the respect they deserve. Learn more about our Gender Affirmation Surgeons.

Guidance and Support

MarinHealth Medical Center has a nurse navigator dedicated to our gender affirmation surgery patients. She will reach out to you the week before surgery to make sure you have the support you need, both during your hospital stay and when you are back home recovering. You can rely on our nurse navigator to:

  • Help coordinate your care while you are in the hospital. If you would like to have a friend or loved one stay with you overnight while you are in the hospital, your nurse navigator can make arrangements for you.
  • Arrange for any desired in-hospital psychosocial support such as a therapeutic massage, a consult with a team member from spiritual care or behavioral health, or even a friendly visit from a therapy dog.
  • Help arrange for your aftercare if you need to stay locally in Marin County. Some of our patients choose to recover at the Trans HeartLine House, a safe and affordable post-op recovery home for patients and their caregivers.

Who is a Candidate for Gender Affirmation Surgery?

Gender affirmation surgery can have a profound and liberating impact on an individual, allowing for the external expression of the of the gender identity of that individual. Our surgeons see three unique categories of patients:

For detailed information on guidelines for who can safely undergo these procedures, please visit the website of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Our surgeons will work with you extensively to customize your experience to fit your goals and needs.

Patients should be physically and emotionally healthy, with no major medical issues such as diabetes, hypertension or obesity that may impede the procedure or its recovery. Patients that smoke will need to quit prior to their surgery, as smoking can significantly delay and complicate recovery

Download the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s free booklet.