Post-op sex changes are chosen by transgendered men and women who wish to completely change their visible sex. According to C. Lynn Carr, professor at Seton Hall University and scholar of sex, gender and sexuality, "Sex is the biological (e.g., male/female); gender is the social (e.g., masculine, feminine, androgynous); sexuality is the erotic (e.g., heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, autosexual, celibate)." Note that transgendered is different from transvestite; the former feels as though they are trapped in the wrong gender body, while the latter prefers to crossdress (but does not necessarily have an issue with their gender).
Significance
For many pre-op transgendered people, being able to have a sex change would finally enable them to live the life they were meant to have. Pre-op transgendered men have all the sex characteristics of women, and some have very large breasts; this makes it extremely difficult to look like a man in today's society. A post-op sex change would relieve them of these problems and allow them to identify as their preferred gender instead.
Identification
Many transgendered people have different reasons for undergoing a sex change. These may include a strong and persistent desire or insistence that they are the other sex, discomfort about being their current sex and the belief that they were born the wrong sex, significant stress or problems functioning caused by these feelings, or a frequent pronouncement of any of the above.
Costs
Sex reassignment surgery is actually a series of surgeries, all of which can be expensive. Female-to-male transgenders may have a double mastectomy and chest contouring, as well as a hysterectomy and genital reassignment. Some may have nipple realignment as well. The total cost can be $50,000 or more, and their genital reassignment is often more complicated than male to female. Male-to-female patients may have breast implants, testicle removal and gender reassignment surgery. Their surgery is less expensive at $7,000 to $24,000.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Hormones
Hormone treatment plays a huge role in surgery. Hormones are prescribed before surgery is even considered; if patients can meet the strict standards of eligibility for hormone treatment, they are more likely to responsibly handle their sex reassignment. Basic standards of eligibility for hormones exist, according to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Five of them are:
1. Be 18 years of age
2. Understand what hormones can and cannot do and be aware of the social benefits and risks
3. Have either a minimum of three months of psychotherapy or three months of a documented "real-life experience"
4. Show stable or improved mental health
5. Demonstrate an ability to take hormones in a responsible manner
After the Surgery
Post-op transgender patients must pay strict attention to aftercare. After all, they have just experienced major surgery. A rest period of at least a week is often recommended, with no baths for two months. Irrigating areas prone to bleeding will help promote healing. Male to female post-ops must remember to dilate their new vaginas and start douching right after dilation. Douching, however, should only be done twice a week. Following these and other guidelines should result in a fully healed patient with little to no complications.
