To physically become a woman when born a man, a person must go through gender reassignment surgery. However, there is a list of mandatory and optional prerequisites to complete before a doctor can perform the surgery on a patient, notes The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery.
Doctors require the patient to be a true transsexual suffering from gender dysphoria, according to The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery. The patient must also follow a strict hormone treatment plan to prepare his body for the change of gender. The doctor may also require an emotional and mental evaluation to guarantee the patient is ready to proceed with the procedure. The procedure is referred to as vaginoplasty by medical professionals and is completed in one operation under general anesthesia.
After surgery, the patient remains in the hospital for three days, and it may take up to six-to-eight weeks before she can return to work. The patient may also choose to have facial feminization, thyroid cartilage reduction and a breast augmentation to appear more feminine. A thyroid cartilage reduction is commonly known as a tracheal shave and reduces the prominence of the Adam’s apple, explains The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery. According to CostHelper.com, the total cost of sex reassignment surgery can range between $15,000 to $50,000.
