Transgender surgery aligns the body with one’s gender identity. WIH Hospital has over 20 years of expertise in this specialized field.
Preparing for Gender Affirmation Surgery
Preparing for Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS)
Your Journey Starts with Preparation — Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally
Embarking on Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) is a profound and life-changing decision. At WIH International Hospital, we understand how important this step is in aligning your physical body with your true identity. Proper preparation ensures not only a successful surgical outcome but also a smoother emotional and physical recovery.
1. Mental & Emotional Readiness
GAS is more than a medical procedure — it’s part of a personal and emotional journey. Before undergoing surgery, we highly recommend:
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Consulting a licensed mental health professional experienced in gender identity to ensure you’re emotionally prepared.
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Obtaining a letter of recommendation or certification (following WPATH standards) confirming your readiness and understanding of the process.
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Joining support groups or online communities can also help you feel less alone and more empowered.
2. Medical Evaluations
For your safety and optimal recovery, thorough medical screening is essential:
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Full physical exam including blood tests, hormone levels, and cardiovascular health
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Hormone Therapy Review – most patients will need to be on HRT for at least 12 months (depending on procedure)
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Smoking cessation – you must stop smoking at least 4–6 weeks before surgery
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Weight and nutrition – a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy BMI are important for healing
3. Legal and Documentation
Make sure all required documentation is in order before surgery:
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Government-issued ID (passport, national ID)
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Health insurance information (if applicable)
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Letter from a mental health professional (as per WPATH guidelines)
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Consent forms and medical release documents (provided by the hospital)
4. Logistics and Travel Planning
If you’re traveling to Thailand or from out of town:
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Book your flights and accommodation near the hospital well in advance
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Arrange for a caregiver or support person to accompany you, especially for the first few days post-op
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Plan to stay in Thailand for at least 2–3 weeks, depending on the procedure
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Coordinate with WIH’s International Patient Coordinator for airport pickup, hotel assistance, and post-op care services
5. Financial Preparation
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Review your treatment package in detail
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Clarify any extra costs (such as lab tests, extended stay, or revisions)
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Ensure you have sufficient funds or insurance support ready prior to arrival
6. What to Pack
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Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
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Personal hygiene items
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All required documents and prescriptions
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Entertainment (books, headphones, etc.)
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A positive, open mindset
Final Thoughts
Preparing for Gender Affirming Surgery is a big step, but with the right guidance and support, it can be a truly affirming experience. At WIH International Hospital, we are committed to walking with you through every phase — from consultation to full recovery.
Perineal Hair Removal before Gender Affirming Surgery
Perineal Hair Removal before gender affirming surgery is a vital step in preparing for procedures such as vaginoplasty. At WIH Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, we provide medically advanced and safe solutions for transgender and nonbinary patients, ensuring a smooth and healthy transition with expert care led by Dr. Chettasak Tulayaphanich (formerly Dr. Chettawut).
How Male VS Female Genital Hair Patterns Differ
When preparing for Gender-Affirming Surgery (GAS), especially male-to-female (MTF) procedures, understanding the difference in natural genital hair patterns between males and females is crucial — particularly when planning hair removal in areas that will be surgically reconstructed.
✓ Female Genital Hair Distribution
In individuals assigned female at birth, hair typically grows in the following areas:
- Mons pubis (the mound above the pubic bone)
- Outer labia (labia majora)
- Perineum – the area below the vaginal opening and above the anus
These areas are normally hair-free, including the inner labia (labia minora), the vaginal opening, and the inside of the vaginal canal.
✓ Male Genital Hair Distribution
In contrast, individuals assigned male at birth tend to have thicker and more widespread genital hair. Hair commonly grows across the mons pubis, around the base of the penis, over the entire scrotal skin, and along the perineum — the area between the scrotum and the anus.
Perineal Hair Removal Before Gender-Affirming Surgery
Hair removal before gender-affirming surgery is a vital step in preparing for procedures such as vaginoplasty. At WIH Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, we provide medically advanced and safe solutions for transgender and nonbinary patients, ensuring a smooth and healthy transition with expert care led by Dr. Chettasak Tulayaphanich (formerly Dr. Chettawut).
Some areas of male genital skin that naturally grow hair will be surgically transformed into parts of the female genitalia — such as the vaginal opening — which are not supposed to have hair. To prevent unwanted hair growth in these sensitive areas, preoperative hair removal must be considered, especially in regions like the perineum.
Dr. Chettasak recommends hair removal in only one area before gender-affirming surgery (GAS): the perineum — the skin between the anus and the base of the scrotum. If you have visible or dense hair in this area, it can result in hair growth near the vaginal opening after surgery, which may affect both hygiene and aesthetics.
To prevent this, Dr. Chettasak advises starting the hair removal process at least 6 months before SRS. This allows enough time for permanent hair reduction through laser or electrolysis and ensures optimal surgical outcomes.
Choosing Between Laser and Electrolysis for Perineal Hair Removal Before Surgery
✓ Diode Laser Hair Removal GAS in Thailand
Laser hair removal employs pulsating light beams. The light is focused at the hair follicle, where it heats the melanin (the pigment in the hair), causing the hair follicle to stop developing hair momentarily. This makes this option more suited to people with fair skin and dark hair. It necessitates many sessions separated by 4-6 weeks. Because it does not permanently damage the hair follicles, it is extremely possible that maintenance treatments will be required.
IN CONCLUSION:
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Best for dark brown or black hair
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Safe for all skin tones
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Gradually reduces hair density
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Not permanent — hair may grow back thinner and slower
Laser is a good temporary method for hair removal before gender-affirming surgery, especially when time is short or if permanent electrolysis isn’t yet available.
“Laser slows hair down, but electrolysis is the gold standard for permanent results.” – Dr. Chettasak
✓ Electrolysis Hair Removal
Electrolysis is ideal for patients seeking permanent hair removal before gender-affirming surgery, especially for the perineum area. The dermatologist or skilled electrologist inserts a light probe into each hair follicle and passes an electrical current through it. Consequently, the hair root is destroyed. This is appropriate for everybody, regardless of skin type or hair color. It also requires multiple sessions but the result is more permanent pre-surgical hair removal when compared to laser.
IN CONCLUSION:
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Permanent hair removal before gender-affirming surgery
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Works on all hair colors and types
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Treats each follicle individually
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Can be painful — that’s why we offer electrolysis under sedation
so you can sleep through the procedure and wake up hair-free.
Important Note: It is not suggested to attempt one method of hair removal and then switch to another. To ensure your safety and the efficacy of the treatment, you must consult and be treated by a licensed technician, dermatologist, or electrologist who is trained to perform these procedures. Furthermore, it is critical that you follow the pre-treatment and post-treatment recommendations to avoid bad reactions and complications. Whether you choose laser or electrolysis, both are effective methods of hair removal GAS in Thailand, depending on your timeline and hair type.
Timeline: When to Begin Hair Removal Before Gender-Affirming Surgery
Starting hair removal before gender-affirming surgery early is crucial to ensure optimal results and reduce surgical risks. Because effective hair removal requires multiple sessions, it’s best to begin the process several months in advance.
Here’s a general timeline to follow:
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6–12 months before surgery:
Begin laser or electrolysis sessions. Hair grows in cycles, and only active follicles can be targeted during treatment — so multiple sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart are necessary. -
1 month before surgery:
Stop all hair removal treatments. This pause gives your skin time to heal before the operation. Any irritation or inflammation needs to resolve prior to surgery. -
Post-surgery (if needed):
If some hair remains or grows back, your surgeon may approve touch-up sessions beginning around 6 months after surgery — typically targeting external areas only.
Why Scrotal Hair Removal Is Not Usually Needed Before Gender-Affirming Surgery
Dr. Chettasak does not recommend preoperative hair removal on the scrotal skin in most cases. This skin is typically used to create the outer labia, where the presence of some natural hair contributes to a more realistic and feminine appearance.
In certain cases where additional scrotal skin is needed to construct the vaginal canal — such as in skin graft vaginoplasty — all hair and hair roots in the grafted area will be completely removed during surgery. This is part of the standard skin graft preparation to ensure the vaginal lining remains smooth and hair-free after surgery.
Electrolysis Under Sedation or General Anesthesia at WIH
Electrolysis is highly effective for permanent hair removal — but many patients find it painful. At WIH Hospital, we aim to make the experience as comfortable as possible by offering electrolysis under sedation, allowing the patient to sleep through the procedure without feeling discomfort.
For patients who have extensive genital hair and have not undergone any hair removal prior to surgery, we also offer a one-time electrolysis session under general anesthesia (GA). This can be performed before your gender-affirming surgery (GAS) to help reduce the burden of repeated painful sessions while ensuring surgical readiness.
Our goal is to support your transition journey with care, comfort, and clinical excellence — every step of the way.
FAQ
Why isn’t laser hair removal considered permanent?
Because laser doesn’t destroy all hair stem cells.
It weakens hair growth but doesn’t eliminate it completely, especially in genital areas. That’s why Dr. Chettasak does not consider laser a permanent solution, particularly for surgery-related hair removal.
What’s the difference between Diode and Nd:YAG lasers for hair removal?
Diode laser works well on light to medium skin tones and coarse hair.
It penetrates deeply and covers large areas quickly, making it ideal for initial hair reduction.
Nd:YAG is safest for darker skin tones.
It has lower risk of burns or pigmentation and reaches deep hair follicles effectively.
Can hair removal be resumed after GAS?
If significant hair growth occurs, treatment can be resumed after a minimum of 6 months, focusing on the vaginal entrance, and surrounding areas. Always seek treatment from a reputable specialist trained for this procedure to avoid complications.
Book Your Transformation Today – Consult with Our Specialists
Book Your Transformation Today – Consult with Our Specialists
