Phalloplasty is a common surgical choice for transgender or non-binary people who are interested in gender confirmation surgery for the construction or reconstruction of penises. The main goal of phalloplasty surgery is to construct a cosmetically appealing penis of sufficient size to feel sensations and release urine from a standing position. Moreover, this surgery is also useful in cases of trauma, cancer, or congenital defects; it is a complicated procedure, and sometimes it needs more than one surgery. Currently, in the gold standard phalloplasty procedure, which is known as radial forearm free-flap (RFF) phalloplasty, surgeons use skin from your forearm to recreate the shaft of the penis.
What Happens During Phalloplasty?
During surgery, doctors remove a flap of skin from the donor area of your body, and surgeons might remove the flap entirely or leave it partially attached. This tissue is used to make the urethra and shaft of the penis, and a tube-within-a-tube structure is used; basically, the larger tube is used to roll up around the inner tube. There is no single operation or specific timeline for this procedure. Many people do not do all of them, and some people do all of them together, and some may spend many years to complete this process. The whole procedure is done by three different specialist surgeons, such as a gynecologist, urologist, and plastic surgeon.
Techniques Of Phalloplasty
Radial Forearm Free-Flap Phalloplasty(RFF or RFFF)
In genital reconstruction, this phalloplasty is a recent evolution for gender confirmation surgery. In a free flap procedure, the tissue is removed from the forearm with its blood vessels and nerves intact. These blood vessels and nerves are reattached with microsurgical precision, and this whole process allows blood to flow naturally in the new phallus. This procedure is more effective than other techniques because it provides more sensitivity and good aesthetic results.
Anterior Lateral Thigh Pedicled Flap Phalloplasty(ALT)
In a pedicled flap procedure, the tissue is transferred with its blood vessels and nerves, and the urethra can be constructed for standing urination. People who have undergone this procedure are generally satisfied, and in this procedure, a skin graft can leave scars, but in more discreet places.
Abdominal Phalloplasty
This surgery is also called supra pubic phalloplasty, and it is a better choice for trans men who do not require vaginectomy or a restricted urethra. This technique does not need microsurgery, so it is less expensive than other techniques. The urination procedure continues to require a seated position because the urethra will not go through the tip of the penis.
Conclusion
A phalloplasty is the surgery to construct or reconstruct the penis; basically, this procedure is for transgender and non-binary people who require gender confirmation surgery. In this surgery, the important work is to create a cosmetically appealing penis that can be capable of feeling sensations and releasing urine from a standing position. Phalloplasty surgery is a complex procedure which may require more than one surgery. A team of three different specialist surgeons, such as a gynecologist, urologist and plastic surgeon take part to complete phalloplasty. If you are also looking for gender confirmation surgery, then you can visit VJ’s Cosmetic Surgery and Hair Transplantation Centre. Here, you can consult with Dr. C. Vijay Kumar, who has 40 years of experience and can provide the best treatments regarding gender confirmation surgery.
FAQs
Can I urinate standing after phalloplastic surgery?
Yes, phalloplasty is to build a cosmetically appealing penis that can be capable of urinating from a standing position.
How many surgeries does the process take?
Phalloplasty surgery is not done in a single surgery; it may require multiple surgeries and may take several months or years to complete the whole process.