Sex Reassignment Surgery (Male to Female) in Thailand

A variety of procedures and techniques are involved in SRS surgery in Thailand. The creation of the vagina is the most important part of MtF surgeries. The different types of procedures to change the genitalia typically include an orchiectomy (removal of the testes) and a penectomy (removal of the penis), as well as a feminizing genitoplasty (creation of female genitalia) and vaginoplasty (creation of the vagina). Some people undergo orchiectomy and later have a vaginoplasty or have both surgeries done in a single procedure.

Vaginoplasty is the most important part of MtF surgeries in Thailand. The surgery will enable the patient to have a vagina as deep as her skin, or the harvested colon graft would permit. Patients may also have normal sexual sensations as all sexual sensory nerves would be left intact in the female clitoris. There are several vaginoplasty techniques available in Thailand. These include:

• Vaginoplasty without vaginal depth –penile skin and scrotum are used to create the external genitalia, such as outer and inner labia, clitoral hood, neo clitoris, and the female urethra. Since the clitoral hood and inner labia are made using penile skin, the vaginal depth is usually insufficient, so it is suitable for those who do not need unwanted vaginal dilation and vaginal penetration of sexual intercourse.
• Vaginoplasty with penile skin inversion – the vaginal lining is created using the penile skin, while the scrotal skin is used to create the labia majora. The sensitive skin at the tip of the penis is used to build the clitoris. This technique is suitable for those who do not want a vagina for sexual intercourse.
• Vaginoplasty with scrotal skin graft – this technique uses scrotal skin to create a vaginal depth up to 13 to 15 cm (the depth depends on skin quality and quantity). This is the most popular vaginoplasty technique.
• Vaginoplasty with Sigmoid colon by laparoscopic technique – the vagina is created using the Sigmoid colon, which allows for greater depth than what is possible with scrotal skin graft vaginoplasty. This technique is suitable for those with less scrotal skin or those who want to have a lubricated vagina.

All techniques are performed under general anesthetic, which means patients are asleep and do not feel any pain throughout surgery. Vaginoplasty may take around 2.5 to 6 hours, depending on the specific technique used. If you want to get a clearer picture of how the surgery is performed, you can check out the video below.

MtF surgeries in Thailand may also include other procedures, such as breast augmentation, voice feminization surgery, chondrolaryngoplasty (tracheal shave), and facial feminization surgery (FFS). Since each patient is unique, the procedures that are done are based on the individual need and budget.

After SRS in Thailand, you will need to stay in the hospital for four to six days. Your length of stay in the hospital depends on the technique of vaginoplasty used and if other procedures, such as breast augmentation, are involved. After you are discharged from the hospital, you cannot leave Thailand right away. You usually need to stay in the country for three to four weeks to give your body time to recover. You may need to attend several follow-up checkups as well since your doctor may want to monitor your condition. After three to four weeks, you may be allowed to resume light activity and fly home. However, it may take three months until you can return to your regular daily activity.

Post-operative instructions will be given to you to guide you through the recovery process. The long-term success of your SRS surgery in Thailand depends mostly on how well you follow the post-operative instructions. Your surgeon may give you a vaginal dilator, which is necessary to maintain the width and depth of the vagina. A dilation schedule will be provided, usually twice a day for about half an hour each.

On the plus side, you'll have the amazing scenary of Thailand to enjoy during your recovery; perhaps on a beach in Phuket or on a roof-top swimming pool in the heart of Bangkok. It's entirely up to you, but it's best to stay within a 1-2 hour commute from the hospital and the surgeon, just in case you need to pay the doctor a quick visit unexpectedly.

Gender reassignment surgery prices are considerably more affordable in Thailand than what is offered in many Western countries, such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The cost varies according to the chosen hospital or clinic, but in general, it is around a third to half of what you need to pay in the United States.

The average gender reassignment surgery cost in Thailand for male-to-female is around 257,250 THB (8,400 USD) to 577,500 THB (18,850 USD), depending on the technique you choose. The prices may include surgeon's fee, anesthesiologist's fee, hospitalization accommodation, consultation fee, prescription medication, free transportation (airport-hospital-airport), and post-operative care (such as wound care dressing and dilation two times a day by specialist nurses). Some clinics in Thailand even offer lower male-to-female gender reassignment surgery prices, sometimes as low as 89,000 THB (2,948 USD). However, this cost might not be all-inclusive.

The average gender reassignment surgery cost in Thailand for female-to-male procedures is around 74,000 THB (2,451 USD) to 336,000 THB (11,130 USD), depending on the clinic or hospital chosen. In some cases, the more expensive FtM surgery costs may include surgeon's fee, anesthesiologist's fee, prescription medication, consultation fee, post-operative care, compression garments, and free transportation (airport-hospital-airport).

With such a low cost, patients do not have to worry about quality. Each medical center that we partner with offers the highest level of care and expertise, with years of experience performing gender reassignment surgery.

Thanks to technological advancements, continuous research, and decades of know-how, the success rate for gender reassignment surgery in Thailand is high. Some gender reassignment surgeons in Thailand have over two decades of experience, ensuring patients to get the best possible results.

The procedure's complication rate is very low, with some surgeons claiming that their complication rate is as low as 1%. However, the high success rate and low complication rate do not mean that gender reassignment surgery is without any risks. It is a very complicated procedure, and patients need to be aware that, although very rare, side effects and risks may occur. The possible minor side effects include swelling, hematoma, bleeding, infection, bruising, flap necrosis, slow healing. More severe complications may include the risk from anesthesia, Deep Vein Thrombosis, decreased sensation, Recto-Vaginal Fistula, Urethral Stenosis.