The Mental Benefits of Gender-Affirming Cosmetic Surgery

Updated November 21, 2022
Published October 17, 2022 by

Young transgender couple smiling and laughing together

The physical benefits of gender-affirming surgery have been well-documented, with most patients reporting they feel like their body finally matches the gender with which they identify. But while physical changes are undoubtedly a critical part of transitioning, they may just be the starting point. In this post, we examine some of the mental benefits of gender-affirming cosmetic surgery.

What is gender-affirming surgery?

Gender-affirming surgery, commonly called transgender surgery, is surgery to change a person’s characteristics to better reflect their gender identity. People may seek gender-affirming surgery for a number of reasons, the most common of which is that they don’t feel like their birth-assigned sex matches their gender—a condition known as gender dysphoria.

Before transgender surgeries were offered, psychologists attempted to treat gender dysphoria through therapy alone; but experts say that this approach was largely a failure. Though not all people who struggle with gender dysphoria want to physically modify their bodies, mental health professionals working in the trans community now largely agree that gender-affirming surgery can be an important step in a person’s transition.

What mental health challenges do transgender people face?

According to a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, transgender people are at a significantly higher risk of mental health disorders than cisgender men and women (those who identify with the sex they were assigned). The study found that transgender people are:

  • About 6 times as likely to have sought professional help for a mood or anxiety disorder.
  • More than 3 times as likely to have received prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication.
  • More than 6 times as likely to have been hospitalized after a suicide attempt (up to 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide).

What are some of the mental benefits of transgender surgery?

Gender-affirming surgery can have an extremely positive impact on the mental wellbeing of transgender people:

  • According to the American Journal of Psychiatry study, patients who underwent gender-affirming surgery experienced an 8% reduction in mental health treatment every year over their 10-year post-surgery follow-up period.
  • A new study in JAMA Surgery found that gender-affirming surgery was associated with a 42% reduction in psychological distress, a 44% reduction in suicidal ideation, and even a 35% reduction in tobacco smoking.
  • A study in the Journal of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery found that gender-affirming surgery increased psychosocial benefits among its patients, which led to an enhanced quality of life.

For these reasons and more, patients often say transgender surgery quite literally saved their life.

Gender-affirming surgery was associated with reduced psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and even tobacco smoking.

What are some popular transgender surgeries?

While some people may identify as either male or female, not all transgender people identify as either/or. Instead, many a) identify somewhere along a gender spectrum, b) identify as both male and female, or c) identify as neither male or female. Gender-affirming surgeries are labeled with male/female titles for simplicity and clarity; however, all of these procedures can be customized to accommodate each patient’s gender preference, as well as their unique needs and goals.

At his Las Vegas cosmetic surgery practice, Dr. Pancholi offers the following transgender cosmetic procedures:

Transitioning doesn’t end with gender-affirming surgery

While gender-affirming surgery is a key component for many people transitioning genders, it should always be accompanied by mental health counseling, and is often paired with hormone therapy.

Choose a cosmetic surgeon experienced in transgender aesthetics

With the transgender surgery market projected to increase over 14% between 2020 to 2027, there are more surgeons than ever offering aesthetic services to transgender people. As such, in addition to working with a qualified mental health provider, make sure to choose a cosmetic surgeon experienced in gender-affirming surgery.

Dr. Samir Pancholi is a nationally-recognized trans-friendly cosmetic surgeon based in Las Vegas. Dr. Pancholi offers a range of face, breast, and body procedure options for transgender and non-binary patients. His expertise in transgender surgery has been referenced in the popular magazine Cosmopolitan and shared on the online platform RealSelf. Dr. Pancholi would love to discuss your transition during a personal consultation; schedule yours online or call (702) 363-0240.

To learn more about what it means to be transgender, the National Center for Transgender Equality offers informational resources, self-help guides, and opportunities to show your support.

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