The Spectrum of Identity: Care for Transwomen, Transmen, and Non-Binary Individuals

• Transwomen (Male-to-Female, MTF): Individuals who were assigned male at birth and identify as women. They may seek feminizing surgeries to create physical characteristics that are congruent with their female identity.
• Transmen (Female-to-Male, FTM): Individuals who were assigned female at birth and identify as men. They may seek masculinizing surgeries to develop physical traits that align with their male identity.
• Non-Binary Individuals: People whose gender identity exists outside the traditional male/female binary. Their surgical goals are highly personal and may involve a combination of procedures or procedures aimed at creating a more androgynous or specific gender presentation.

Feminizing Gender-Affirming Surgery: The Art and Science of Feminine Contours

Feminizing surgery is a delicate blend of artistry and surgical precision, designed to soften masculine features and create a silhouette that reflects a person’s inner sense of self. Our Dr.Chettasak and board-certified surgeons specialize in a suite of procedures that can help you achieve your goals with natural-looking, beautiful results.

Procedures Include:

• Vaginoplasty
• Orchidectomy
• Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)
• Breast Augmentation
• Body Contouring (Body Feminization surgery)
• Voice Feminization Surgery

Vaginoplasty (Creation of a Vagina)

Vaginoplasty is a transformative procedure that creates a vagina with functional and aesthetic characteristics. It is a cornerstone of feminizing surgery for many transwomen and non-binary individuals.

• The Goal: To construct a neovagina, clitoris, and labia using existing genital tissue. The primary objectives are to create a natural-looking vulva, a vaginal canal capable of receptive intercourse, and a sensate clitoris for sexual arousal.
• Surgical Techniques at WIH Hospital:

1. Skin Graft Vaginoplasty
2. Colon Vaginoplasty
3. Penile Peritoneum Vaginoplasty
4. Zero-Depth Vaginoplasty

Orchidectomy (Removal of the Testes)

An orchidectomy is a straightforward procedure that involves the removal of the testes. It can be performed as a standalone surgery or in conjunction with a vaginoplasty or vulvoplasty.

• The Goal: To stop the body’s production of testosterone. This eliminates the need for anti-androgen medications (blockers) and can reduce the required dosage of estrogen.

 Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)

Facial features are fundamental to how we see ourselves and how we are perceived. FFS is a sophisticated set of procedures designed to soften masculine facial characteristics and create a harmonious, feminine appearance.

• The Goal: To modify bone structure and soft tissues of the face to achieve classic feminine proportions and contours.
• Common FFS Procedures:

1. Brow Ridge Bone Shaving
2. Coronal Brow Lift
3. Feminizing Rhinoplasty
4. Chin Contouring
5. Jaw Reduction
6. Scalp advancement
7. Lip Lift
8. Tracheal Shave

Breast Augmentation (Feminizing Top Surgery)

For many transwomen, developing feminine breasts is a pivotal part of their transition. While hormone therapy (HRT) induces breast growth, surgery can further enhance size and shape.

• The Goal: To increase breast volume and create a natural, feminine breast contour that is proportional to your body frame.

Feminizing Body Contouring

Hormone therapy plays a significant role in fat redistribution, but surgery can sculpt the body to further enhance feminine curves.

• The Goal: To create a more traditionally feminine “hourglass” silhouette by reducing fat in areas like the waist and abdomen and augmenting areas like the hips and buttocks.
• Techniques:

1. Shoulder Narrowing
2. Waist Narrowing
3. Buttock Augmentation

Voice Feminization Surgery (VFS)

Your voice is a fundamental part of your identity. While voice therapy is essential, Voice Feminization Surgery can surgically modify the vocal cords to help achieve a higher, more feminine pitch.

• The Goal: To raise the resting pitch of the voice permanently. It is crucial to understand that surgery changes the pitch, while speech therapy changes intonation, resonance, and articulation—all key to a feminine voice.

Learn more about our Voice Feminization surgery page

Masculinizing Gender-Affirming Surgery: Sculpting Strength and Authenticity

For transmen and non-binary individuals seeking a more masculine appearance, our surgical team offers advanced procedures to sculpt the chest and body, creating a physique that is congruent with your identity. We prioritize safety, function, and aesthetic outcomes that empower you to feel confident in your body.

Procedures Include:

• Top Surgery (Mastectomy)
• Bottom surgery (Hysterectomy, Oophorectomy, Metoidioplasty, Phalloplasty)
• Body Masculinization
• Voice Masculinization

Chest Masculinization (Top Surgery)

For many, top surgery is the first and most significant surgical step. It involves the removal of breast tissue to create a flat, masculine chest contour.

• The Goal: To achieve a natural-looking male chest, paying close attention to pectoral definition, nipple size, and placement.
• Key Surgical Techniques:

1. Double Incision Free Nipple Graft (DI)
2. Periareolar (Keyhole)

Genital Reconstruction (Bottom Surgery)

Masculinizing genital surgery, or “bottom surgery,” involves several complex procedures to construct a penis (neophallus) and scrotum. The two primary approaches are Phalloplasty and Metoidioplasty.

  Metoidioplasty

• The Goal: To create a small penis (phallus) from the clitoris, which has been enlarged through testosterone therapy. This procedure can also include urethral lengthening to allow for standing to urinate.

Phalloplasty

• The Goal: To construct a larger, aesthetically realistic penis using a tissue graft taken from a donor site (commonly the forearm, thigh, or back). This multi-stage process is the gold standard for creating a phallus suitable for penetrative sex.

Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy

• The Goal: The surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy). This is often a prerequisite for genital reconstruction and stops menstruation. For many, it is also a critical step in alleviating gender dysphoria associated with these organs.
• Key Surgical Techniques:

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Transvaginal Hysterectomy

Body Masculinization Contouring

• The Goal: To reshape the body’s silhouette for a more traditionally masculine V-shape torso by removing fat from the hips, thighs, and buttocks and sometimes enhancing the upper body.

Voice Masculinization

Your voice is a fundamental part of your identity. While voice therapy is essential, surgical interventions can also be considered to help achieve a lower, more masculine pitch.

• The Goal: To lower the resting pitch of the voice permanently. It is crucial to understand that surgery changes the pitch, while speech therapy changes intonation, resonance, and articulation—all key to a masculine voice.

Why is Gender-Affirming Surgery Necessary?

The alignment of one’s physical body with their identity can resolve a lifetime of internal conflict, freeing up mental and emotional energy to not just live, but to thrive. The benefits are not just skin deep; they are essential to well-being.

• Alleviates Gender Dysphoria
• Improves Mental Health
• Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Enhances Social and Professional Life

Your Path to Affirmation

While every journey is unique, your path at WIH Hospital is structured, supported, and clear.

The First Conversation: Your journey begins with a confidential consultation. This is a space for you to share your story, your goals, and your questions without judgment.

Collaborative Assessment: We follow WPATH Standards of Care, which involves working with mental health professionals to ensure you have the support and readiness for this significant step.

Tailoring Your Plan: Together, we design a personalized surgical plan. You are the co-author of this plan; your voice and vision are paramount.

Booking and Preparation: Our dedicated patient coordinators make the process seamless. They will guide you through scheduling and provide clear pre-operative instructions to ensure you are fully prepared and at ease.

Patient Expectations: A Foundation of Trust and Realism

Patient expectations in gender affirming surgery (GAS) are a critical aspect of the surgical journey and overall patient satisfaction. These expectations encompass beliefs and hopes about the surgical process, outcomes, recovery, and the impact on their lives. Understanding and managing these expectations is essential for achieving optimal results and supporting the patient’s mental and emotional well-being.

Importance of Aligning Expectations with Reality

It is vital that the surgeon and medical team engage in clear, honest communication to set realistic expectations. Patients need to understand the potential risks, limitations, and recovery timelines associated with their chosen procedures.

During your consultations, we will have frank and transparent discussions about:

• The Power and Limits of Surgery: We will show you what is possible while being honest about the limitations of any surgical procedure.
• Your Unique Anatomy: We will explain how your specific physical characteristics may influence the surgical plan and outcome.
• The Healing Journey: We will provide a detailed timeline for recovery, so you know exactly what to expect week by week.

The WIH Commitment: Your Partner in Transformation

At WIH Hospital, our commitment to gender-affirming care is woven into the fabric of our institution.

• A Sanctuary of Respect: We have cultivated an environment where every patient is treated with the dignity, respect, and empathy they deserve. Your pronouns will be used, your identity will be honored, and your journey will be celebrated.
• Uncompromising Expertise: Our surgeons are not just technically skilled; they are artists and innovators who are leaders in the field of gender-affirming surgery. They combine decades of experience with a passion for creating life-changing results.
• Quality Support: Our care team extends beyond the operating room. We provide holistic support, including dedicated coordinators, post-operative care planning, and connections to vital community resources.

Why Choose WIH Hospital for Your Gender-Affirming Journey?

In a world of options, the choice of where to have your surgery is critical. WIH Hospital stands apart.

Pioneering Techniques, Proven Results: Our surgeons are Board-Certified specialists who have undergone years of rigorous, dedicated training specifically in plastic and reconstructive surgery. This certification is your assurance of the highest level of expertise and a commitment to patient safety.

One-Stop Service: Surgery + Mental Health + Aftercare: We eliminate the stress of coordinating multiple providers. Our team includes psychiatrists with expertise in transgender health who provide readiness assessments. The comprehensive aftercare includes dedicated post-operative nursing care, pain management, recovery protocols, and detailed guidance on everything from dilation (for vaginoplasty) to scar management, ensuring a smooth and healthy healing process.

World-Class Facilities: Our hospital meets the highest international standards for quality and patient safety.

Global Accessibility (Patient Care for All Nationalities): You will be assigned a dedicated patient coordinator who is your single point of contact, ensuring a seamless, stress-free experience from your home country to your recovery in Thailand.

A Legacy of Lives Changed: Our greatest credential is the success and happiness of our patients. We invite you to learn about their stories and see the quality of our work for yourself.