The basic steps in a vaginoplasty are:

• The external genital (scrotum) and gonads (testes) are removed.
• The external genital (glans) is made into a clitoris.
• Space for the vagina is dissected between the bladder and the rectum.
• Skin from the shaft of the erectile tissue (penis) is inverted to create the inner walls of your vagina.
• Extra skin may be taken from the external genital (scrotum) to line your vagina. The hair roots on the skin graft will be cauterized.
• The urethra is shortened.
• Vulva (including a mons, labia, clitoris and urethral opening) are created using scrotal and urethral tissue.
• A temporary urinary catheter is inserted into the bladder.
• A temporary prosthesis or stent is inserted in the vagina.

All surgical procedures involve some risks, including negative reactions to anesthesia, blood loss, blood clot sand infection. These complications can, in extreme cases, result in death. It’s important to discuss these risks in detail with your surgeon. 

Your surgical care team will take a wide variety of steps to prevent these problems, detect them if they arise, and respond to them appropriately. They will also inform you about what you can do to minimize your risks.

Below are a list of some possible complications of this surgery. Please note – this list is not comprehensive and you should have a detailed discussion of risks with your surgeon.

Abscess formation

An abscess is a collection of pus, caused by a bacterial infection. It can be treated with antibiotics or drained by the surgeon

Hematoma

when blood collects in the surgical site, causing pain, swelling and redness. Smaller hematomas can be drained, but larger ones require removal through surgery

Injury to the nerves or muscles in the legs

Can lead to numbness or a change of sensation in the skin of the legs. In very rare cases, it can lead to difficulty moving the leg, which needs correction through surgery

Loss of sensation

You may have small areas of numbness. Your ability to achieve orgasm could decrease. Loss of clitoris is a remote possibility

Seroma

when clear fluid accumulates in the surgical site. Small seromas may need to be aspirated, or sucked out, once or more by the surgeon

Rectovaginal fistula

When an abnormal path between the rectum and vagina is created. Surgery would be needed to correct this

Urological complications

Examples include fistulas (flow of urine to areas other than the urethra opening), stenosis (narrowing of the urethra, causing difficulties urinating) and strictures (blockage of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating). It is common to have spraying or dribbling when urinating until your swelling settles down. If these problems don’t resolve on their own, they may require additional surgery

Unsatisfactory appearance

Outcomes that are quite different from what was expected may require surgical revision

The basic steps in a vulvoplasty are:

• The external genitals (penis & scrotum) and gonads (testes) are removed
• The sensitive erogenous tissue (glans) is made into a clitoris
• The urethra is shortened
• Vulva (including a mons, labia, clitoris and urethral opening) are created using scrotal and urethral tissue
• A temporary urinary catheter is inserted into the bladder

All surgical procedures involve some risks, including negative reactions to anesthesia, blood loss, blood clots and infection. These complications can, in extreme cases, result in death. It’s important to discuss these risks in detail with your surgeon. 

Your surgical care team will take a wide variety of steps to prevent these problems, detect them if they arise, and respond to them appropriately. They will also inform you about what you can do to minimize your risks.

Below are a list of some possible complications of this surgery. Please note – this list is not comprehensive and you should have a detailed discussion of risks with your surgeon.

Abscess formation

An abscess is a collection of pus, caused by a bacterial infection. It can be treated with antibiotics or drained by the surgeon

Hematoma

when blood collects in the surgical site, causing pain, swelling and redness. Smaller hematomas can be drained, but larger ones require removal through surgery

Injury to the nerves or muscles in the legs

Can lead to numbness or a change of sensation in the skin of the legs. In very rare cases, it can lead to difficulty moving the leg, which needs correction through surgery

Loss of sensation

You may have small areas of numbness. Your ability to achieve orgasm could decrease. Loss of clitoris is a remote possibility

Unsatisfactory size or shape

Outcomes that are quite different from what was expected may require surgical revision.

Urological complications

Examples include fistulas (flow of urine to areas other than the urethra opening), stenosis (narrowing of the urethra, causing difficulties urinating) and strictures (blockage of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating). It is common to have spraying or dribbling when urinating until your swelling settles down. If these problems don’t resolve on their own, they may require additional surgery.

Scarring

May be correctable with various treatments, including additional surgery.

Seroma

when clear fluid accumulates in the surgical site. Small seromas may need to be aspirated, or sucked out, once or more by the surgeon