Transgender Surgery Gone Wrong, How To Reverse It?

What are the Chances of Transgender Surgery Going Wrong?

Gender-affirming surgery, a spectrum of procedures aligning physical aspects with a person's internal gender identity, can be a pivotal step in a transgender individual's journey. While offering immense positive impact on mental health and quality of life, the subject often comes shrouded in anxieties and uncertainties. One of the most prominent concerns? The chances of something going wrong.

Let's navigate this sensitive topic with facts, statistics, and personal experiences to understand the risks and realities of transgender surgery.

Prevalence of Complications:

• Overall surgical risk: Studies suggest overall complication rates for transgender surgeries similar to other major procedures, ranging from 5-10%.
• Specific procedures: Risks vary depending on the type of surgery. Chest masculinization has a 1-2% infection risk, and genital surgeries may have slightly higher complication rates, ranging from 5-15% for issues like bleeding or healing.
• Long-term effects: The long-term impact is highly dependent on factors like surgeon expertise, patient health, and adherence to post-operative care. Studies show high satisfaction rates in the long term, with over 90% of patients reporting improved mental health and well-being.

This differs according to the procedure carried out. In general, bottom surgeries have far more complications than top surgeries or facial surgeries.

Your well-being is our priority - call us to book your appointment today.

Why Does Transgender Surgery Go Wrong?

Transgender surgery can encounter complications for various reasons. Factors like surgical technique, individual health differences, or unforeseen reactions can contribute. Inadequate preoperative assessments and postoperative care may also play a role. 

Factors Contributing to Complications in Transgender Surgery:

1. Individual Factors:

• Pre-existing Health Conditions: Chronic illnesses or infections heighten the risk of complications.
• Smoking: Tobacco use can impede wound healing and elevate infection risk.
• Body Weight: Obesity may complicate surgery and postoperative recovery.
• Medication Use: Certain medications might interact with anesthesia or impact the healing process.

2. Surgical Factors:

• Surgeon's Experience: Opting for a board-certified surgeon specializing in transgender procedures minimizes risks.
• Procedure Complexity: Some surgeries inherently pose higher risks due to complexity.
• Technical Issues: Unforeseen challenges during surgery can lead to complications.

3. Post-operative Factors:

• Compliance with Care Instructions: Adhering to post-operative guidelines, including medication and wound care, is crucial to reducing infection risk.
• Individual Healing Differences: Recognizing varied healing rates among individuals, with some experiencing slower or delayed recovery.

What Happens If Transgender Surgery Goes Wrong?

As with every surgery, something can go wrong suddenly. Some complications are expected, while some can be very unexpected.

As long as you’re receiving your treatment from an experienced medical professional, you can rest assured that they can treat your complications as well. 

Are you wondering what exactly are the complications you will encounter in surgery? 

Let’s see what complications one can experience with each surgery.

Take the first step to recovery. Get in touch with us for your treatment.

Can Transgender Surgery Be Reversed?

Yes, we now understand that certain complications come with each surgery. 

Can they be reversed? 

Unfortunately, no. 

Especially if you’ve had your reproductive and sexual organs removed.

A few plastic surgeons do offer reversal surgeries, but the maximum they can do is reconstruct your sexual organs, not bring back the original ones. The biggest challenge in these cases is the change in the urethra length.

So, what type of transgender surgery can be reversed? 

Reversing transgender surgery depends on the type of original surgery:

1. Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS):

• Male-to-Female (MtF): Reversing surgeries like vaginoplasty is very complex and often cannot fully restore the original anatomy.
• Female-to-Male (FtM): For surgeries like phalloplasty, complete reversal is difficult and usually not feasible.

2. Breast Surgery:

• Removing breast implants (for MtF) is possible but may leave changes in breast shape.
• Reconstructing breasts (for FtM after mastectomy) can be done, but might not fully restore the original appearance.

3. Hormone Therapy

Stopping hormones can reverse some changes but not all, like voice deepening in FtM or breast growth in MtF.

4. Psychological and Social Aspects

Reversing transgender surgery can be emotionally complex and requires counseling and support.

5. Medical Advice

Reversal surgeries are complicated, with their own risks. Consulting with medical professionals experienced in transgender healthcare is crucial.

In summary, while some aspects like removing breast implants can be reversed, fully reversing genital surgeries is often not feasible and requires careful consideration and professional guidance.

What To Do If Transgender Surgery Goes Wrong?

Do we have any options if transgender surgery goes wrong? 

Of course, we do! 

Botched surgeries have been around since medical professionals have been operating. With today’s advanced medical technology, it is possible to treat nearly every type of botched surgery.

The first line of treatment, if available, is to reverse the surgery. Unfortunately, this might not be possible for all types of surgery. Additionally, you might not even want to reverse the surgery, just treat the symptoms.

Well, that is also possible. In many cases, a second surgery might be required to accomplish this task.

Let us take a look at some solutions to surgical complications.

How Can You Avoid Transgender Surgery Failure?

It is not always possible to avoid a surgery failure, which might occur due to uncontrollable reasons. However, the best way to keep them to a minimum is to consult an experienced medical professional.

Some additional tips to avoid transgender surgery failure are:

To minimize the risk of transgender surgery failure and ensure a positive outcome:

• Choose a Qualified Surgeon: Select a surgeon with experience and expertise in transgender surgeries.
• Undergo Comprehensive Assessments: Complete all medical and psychological evaluations to confirm your suitability for surgery.
• Understand Risks and Outcomes: Be fully informed about the surgery's risks and realistic expectations.
• Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to pre- and post-surgery instructions, including diet, medication, and activity restrictions.
• Maintain Overall Health: Stay healthy with good nutrition, avoiding smoking, and managing any chronic conditions.
• Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Regular post-operative check-ups are essential to monitor your recovery.
• Seek Support: Have a support system in place for emotional and psychological well-being.
• Have an Emergency Plan: Know what to do and who to contact in case of complications.

In summary, careful planning, choosing the right medical team, and following medical advice are key to avoiding transgender surgery failure.

And there you have it, everything that can go wrong in a transgender surgery and how to treat it!

Your well-being is our priority - call us to book your appointment today!