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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > General Surgery & Neurosurgery > Sex Reassignment Surgery

Sex Reassignment Surgery Cost


How Much Does Sex Reassignment Surgery Cost?

 
average costWith Insurance: If Covered, Copays and Coinsurancehigh costWithout Insurance: $40,000-$50,000 Total To $15,000-$50,000+ for Surgery Alone

Sex reassignment surgery usually involves a series of operations that take place over several months or years. Patients can choose to have some or all of the surgeries.

Typical costs:

  • The total typical cost of a transition usually includes: expenses incurred in the year before surgery, during which hormone therapy, counseling and living full-time as the target sex are recommended; the cost of the surgery and follow-up care; and ongoing costs after the surgery, including hormone therapy for life and continued doctor visits.
  • In the year before surgery, counseling can cost $50 to $200 per session, and letters from two therapists usually are needed for surgery; the total cost of the therapy and the letters can range from under $1,000 to more than $5,000 for that year. And hormone therapy could cost $300 to $2,400 for the year, depending on which hormones are prescribed. TSRoadmap.com[1] offers a detailed financial worksheets and estimates on the all the costs of transition, and estimates that it is typical to spend a total of $40,000 to $50,000 for a mid-range transition, including surgery.
  • For patients not covered by health insurance, the typical cost of a sex reassignment surgery can range from about $15,000 for just reconstruction of the genitals to about $25,000 for operations on the genitals and chest to $50,000 or more for procedures that include operations to make facial features more masculine or feminine. Prices typically depend on the techniques used -- different techniques often are recommended based on body type and patient preference.
  • Price examples include The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, where basic male-to-female surgery that includes testicle removal, genital surgery and breast augmentation would cost a little over $30,000 while for basic female-to-male surgery that includes mastectomy, areolar reduction and genital surgery, would cost between $12,000 and $25,000 depending on the type of genital surgery chosen. Because different doctors offer different procedures, it is important to check to see exactly what is offered for a certain price.
  • Sex reassignment surgery is covered by some health insurance plans, but most have exclusions. However, employers can choose to add coverage for the surgery to their plans; Goldman Sachs offers it, as does the City of San Francisco. According to TSRoadMap.com[2] , it often is difficult to get sex reassignment surgery covered, and many companies call gender identity disorder a pre-existing condition or have exclusions.
  • For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs would include a copay or coinsurance. According to the Human Rights Campaign[3] , which tracks transgender benefits issues, City of San Francisco employees pay 15 percent of the total cost of surgery with an in-network provider and 50 percent with an out-of-network provider, with a $75,000 lifetime maximum allowance.
Related articles: Health Insurance

What should be included:
  • For female-to-male patients, the most common surgeries are: elective bilateral mastectomy, which includes removing tissue and fat and sometimes grafting skin to make a more male-like nipple; metoidioplasty, which involves removing skin and extending the clitoris, usually already enlarged by prescribed hormones, to create a penis, and sometimes lengthening the urinary tract if the patient wants to be able to urinate while standing; or phalloplasty, an alternative to metoidioplasty that involves taking skin from the forearm to create a penis and using skin from the labia to create a scrotum; at least six months after a phallosplasty, testicular and penile implants can be inserted.
  • For male-to-female patients, the most common surgeries are: breast augmentation; elective bilateral orchiectomy, the removal of both testicles through an incision in the scrotum, which reduces the male hormones in the body and allows the patient to reduce doses of prescribed hormones; a tracheal shave, which involves carving away cartilage from the Adam's apple to make it less prominent; and vaginoplasty, using skin and tissue from the penis to create a vagina, clitoris, clitoral hood and labia.
  • LGBHealthChannel.com[4] offers an overview of common female-to-male and male-to-female operations.
Additional costs:
  • Hormone therapy can cost $25 to $200 per month, depending on which hormones are prescribed. The LGBHealthChannel.com has an overview of transgender hormone therapy. Usually, an experienced mental health professional must diagnose gender identity disorder in order for hormones to be prescribed.
  • If psychotherapy is required, it can cost $50 to $200 per session for patients not covered by insurance.
  • Male-to-female patients will need to have laser hair removal or electrolysis around their genitals before surgery to prevent hair from growing in the vagina after surgery. Some also choose to have hair removal done on the face. According to TSRoadmap.com[5] , this can cost at least $2,000 and often costs more.
  • For male-to-female patients, aftercare can be very involved, and requires dilating the vaginal opening with a stent.
  • Before or after undergoing surgery, many patients work with voice and movement coaches to help them adjust to living as the new sex. These coaches can cost $30 an hour or more.
  • After surgery, it sometimes is necessary to consult a lawyer or pay fees in order to change the sex on official documents such as the birth certificate, driver's license and passport.
Discounts:
  • Some surgeons offer discounts for a package of multiple surgeries.
Shopping for sex reassignment surgery:
  • Surgeons who perform sex reassignment surgery usually are gynecologists or plastic surgeons. There are only a handful of surgeons specializing in sex reassignment surgery in the United States, and many patients get referrals from other patients or transgender support groups. Or, Becky Allison, M.D., a gay, lesbian and transgender advocate, offers a list of doctors[6] who perform sex reassignment surgery and a list of therapists[7] who deal with transgender issues.
  • Doctors typically follow the recommendations of the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association[8] standards of care for gender identity disorders, which state that before undergoing sex reassignment surgery, an individual should: be 18, or the legal age of consent in their home country; have had one year of continuous hormone therapy, except for patients who cannot do so for medical reasons; one year of living successfully and continuously as a member of the new sex; psychotherapy during that year, if recommended by the patient's mental health professional; and have knowledge of the cost, risks, hospitalization requirements, necessary aftercare for the surgery; and know of competent surgeons who can perform it.
  • Most sex reassignment surgeries are major operations, and risks involved may include pain, swelling, serious complications from anesthesia that could include death, and the need to return for further surgery.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Page 3 of 3   -   << Previous   1   2   3   

Female to male
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Summer2102 in Clarksville, TN.Posted: December 17th, 2021 01:12PM
Medical Center: ????Insurance: ?????
I'm wondering how much money does it take to be a full male
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FtM
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Ali Zain in Lahore, CT.Posted: September 16th, 2021 01:09AM
Hi, i am amman, i am from Pakistan. I am not the person that i am looking like. My mind is totally opposite to my physical look. I have no ide about transferring before reading these comments, but after reading and searching i found that it is too costly. Is there anyone who can help me.
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Male to Female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Karma Diamond in Yakima, WA.Posted: August 8th, 2021 12:08AM
Medical Center: Yakima WAInsurance:
I’m a Male to Female transgender, and I live in Yakima Washington. I’m 17 years old soon to be 18 August 25th and I found my resource for HRT in my area and it’s free but I haven’t checked it out yet so no hormones taken. I’m working on getting a job so I’m willing to pay as much as I can for a sex reassignment surgery. I honestly just want to become a woman as soon as possible so that I can be happy with myself in a woman’s body.
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M2F Self Medicated at first
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: SuzieQJune21 in Tucson, AZ.Posted: June 30th, 2021 12:06AM
Medical Center: noneInsurance: none
I found all of the HRT needed online in the several years I have been working on this by myself. Since the divorce, I have severed all relationships to finish this and go out into the world as my new woman. I'm now under doctors supervision, Recommended, and taking the proper doses follow the bilateral orchiectomy. On my own, I tended to take too much hormones and was developing more adverse effects than I imagined. These included depression and heart condition. Please take this as a warning, stay with a doctor and follow the care to the letter. I recovered from depression, but the damage to my heart is irreversible and now I have to take more medicine for that and more checkups annually.
I hope this helps someone.
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Need help to go from Male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Robert (Abigail) in Las Vegas, NV.Posted: March 1st, 2021 04:03PM
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HAVE BEEN TRANSGENDER SINCE 1942
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: vicki greenlee in waynesboro, PA.Posted: December 27th, 2020 05:12PM
Medical Center: VA administtrationInsurance: medicare, cigna
Have been under the care of the VA for nearly 3 years. They covered counciling therapy orchiectomy, and hormones since I am a veteran, age 84.
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Jessica Lyne
Amount: $500.00 total
Posted by: JessicaLyne in Coral Springs, FL.Posted: December 2nd, 2020 11:12AM
Medical Center: Coral Springs medical centerInsurance: BCBS
With my insurance I paid $300 for co-pay to the surgery center and $500 to the Anistisiologyst co pay.
Total for my orchiectomy = $800
I see a therapist once a month. $30 co pay per visit.
I take estrogen injections every week. Cost per county= $75.
I’m planning my vaginoplasty operation for the summer of 2021.
I will repost total cost but my insurance pays my surgeon 100%
I’m unsure of my hospital stay cost and I have a $500 per year deductible for Anistisiologyst.
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Male to Female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Ahmet in Turkey, Other.Posted: November 11th, 2020 10:11AM
Hello, I am 18 years old young. I live in Turkey. I want to be a woman. I've been feeling like a woman for as long as I can remember. Being a man makes me sick. I like both sexes. But I feel like a woman. Can I work and get credit and get treatment in America? Just say that. I want to reach my real body without getting older. I apologize for writing from google translate. Hope to learn English as soon as possible ..
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Mtf
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Michael Farabaugh in Clymer, PA.Posted: August 15th, 2020 05:08AM
Medical Center: N/AInsurance: N/A
I have wished to become female for as long as I can remember. I am now 32yrs old. I have tried to talk to my family about this, but they are not supportive. If it is possible I would like to know what type.of insurance I need to get to get to become a full fledged female, because sadly there is no way I could ever afford to pay for everything myself.
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Asian wants changes from Male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Jjenny in HONG KONG, Other.Posted: April 19th, 2020 07:04PM
Medical Center: NonoInsurance: No
I'm an asian and have the extremely hope from sexual changes to a woman since I was 5. However my living area and financial conditions did not allow me to proceed till I'm now at 40. As many with the same hope, we are living in sadly life with the wrong body. I even feel I'm dying for that current body without hope. Here maybe my last hope that there are somebody would help me to achieve my last and single hope.
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Saving for FTM transition
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Max Mitchell in Orangevale, CA.Posted: April 14th, 2020 02:04PM
I've finally have decided to save up for the transition after I get my new pc next month. The majority of my pay checks will be going into my savings for all of the needs of the transition. I'll do what I can to get it done, because I don't feel like myself in this body at the moment. I feel 95% sure this is what I want. I just hope my family, friends, and coworks support me along the way, though I know there are a few people I know in my family who are transphobic and homophobic.
But I hope I can get the transition started in about a year or so. Just need to find some good doctors to get it done, and the consoling and such. Anywho, wish me luck?
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male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: kyle garrett in new philedelphia, OH.Posted: February 3rd, 2020 04:02AM
i need help ive always been into woman bc i want to be one i dont have hadly any money and i dont think that my family can even come close to the amount and im afraid to talk to them about this i live in ohio
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Need help
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Joshua Dale in Ashland, MO.Posted: January 15th, 2020 03:01PM
Medical Center: Insurance: Blue cross blue shield
I’m a 22 year old male, needing to become female. For the longest time I’ve felt like I’ve been in the wrong body. I’ve never really liked girls and when ever I’m in a relationship with on it just doesn’t feel right. And to make thing even more worse is that I found out that I have a epidurmalcist and it prevents me to have kids. ( I’ve tried). I have supportive friends in my life and I know my family might not support. I’ve tried to come out to them but none believe me and I just want to be happy in the way I’m supposed to be. I want to be a female . Please help me
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Male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Dusten ogle in Cosby, TN.Posted: December 17th, 2019 02:12AM
Medical Center: noneInsurance: none
I'm 23 and I am into girls but I've always found myself wanting to be a girl every since I was 4, I'm to afraid to come out. My family isn't rich so I really need help. I haven't had any therapy or surgery or anything, but this is something I really need I'm in the Tennessee area, PLEASSSE HELP.
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Help female to male!
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Samie in Damascus, VA.Posted: October 31st, 2019 12:10AM
Medical Center: VirginiaInsurance: Medicaid
Hello. My name is samie. I was born a female and ever since I know... I've always feel like my mind is not who my body is. I feel like I'm not me when I'm female. I'm broke and poor. I live with my parents and scared to tell them because I don't want to lose them. I just.. Hate who I am because of how I was born. Please... Can someone help me?
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Male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Clarence compton in Houston, TX.Posted: July 24th, 2019 12:07AM
Medical Center: )noneInsurance: United health medicade
Im a 51 year old male. But i like to become a real female. What do i do??
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Alternatives to insurance, MTF, Also Diagnosed what was formerly Aspergers Syndrome
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Courtney R in Portland, OR.Posted: May 20th, 2019 05:05AM
Medical Center: NoneInsurance: None
I am 38, almost 39, Have know for 30 years what i wanted, but as many have mentioned, family is not always the most understanding.
I had insurance through Kaiser Permanente, but for 6 months, they created a catch 22 for me. One doctor told me I had to undergo 2 years Metal Therapy before she would prescribe the hormones, while my primary doctor said that was never the case.
The psychiatrist I was sent to refused to complete even a basic evaluation on me, until I had been HRT treatments for at least 6 months to a year.
As is, i ended up losing my job because of my transgender choice, and while they hotly deny that was ever the case, the metal and emotional abuse was bad enough that one of my close friends who worked with me was surprised I lasted as long as I had.
I am trying to find alternate solutions to my situation, but would also love to have a more in depth conversation about potential alternative treatment theories I have.
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Male to female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Justin Bryan (Jasmine Bryan) in Michigan City, IN.Posted: May 8th, 2019 02:05PM
Medical Center: NoneInsurance: None
I have tried to get people to accept me as a girl but no one has yet because I'm still a boy but this was very helpful now I know how much it will cost to get the surgery
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Male to Female
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: PrettyJessica in Compton, CA.Posted: March 28th, 2019 10:03AM
Medical Center: idkInsurance: Idk
My name Adrian, im 19 year old. And I’m [Deaf]. Sorry, I little not good English and I try to best English language. I felt like girl. I NEED switch female right now but too late in 19 year old. So can accept switch?
Why I need female because some I not remember and some I STILL REMEMBER AND WONT FORGET. Past I was 3 or ??? I not remember so I was action girl and I felt want love to boys. But I not yet kiss never.
My house near there my friend or cousin so my family went to hand out or something. I was with two boy in swimming background. Lots playing when I finish then I went to bathroom and I asked one boy then we was sexual. Not long. Only short like 5 second my asshole only. Middle school: when teacher leave then I still action girl with other friends boys/girls and bus too.High School: still action girl. Hugs to boys. I did telling few boys I REALLY want switch female then seem okay fine.Graduation: I feel NEED now and I don’t know what I do with my parents. They not accept
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FTM
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Max Mitchell in Orangevale, CA.Posted: March 17th, 2019 01:03PM
I'm turning 18 in a week and my family knows that I'm bisexual and they're supportive of that. But I feel like they think I'm joking about saving money to do the surgery, and I get bullied at school by some of the other boys in my classes. Most of my friends understand and support this decision I've made, and I'm kind of scared to tell my girlfriend that i might do the surgery. I mean she already knows how I feel and identify, but I haven't told her about the surgery yet.
But that's not what's scares me, it's that I might get disowned by my entire family. I just wish I had more support then I do right now.
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M to F Sex Reassignment
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Matthew McLean in Southbridge, MA.Posted: February 19th, 2019 08:02PM
Medical Center: N/AInsurance: Mass Health & Blue Cross Blue Shield
I'm 25 and live in Massachusetts. I need to find a place that's reliable, anyone have suggestions? (Also my BCBS insurance is gone at 26 yo) [email protected]
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Help
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Kayty Ramos in jonesborough, TN.Posted: December 16th, 2018 01:12PM
Medical Center: IdkInsurance: None
I am 27 female and have been wanting to be a guy since I was 13. I have never done it but honestly have been feeling here lately I really want to get it done. I need help finding everything I need and I don't have insurance.
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Facial Hair Removal
Amount: $11,000.00 total
Posted by: Leeza in Oceanside, CA.Posted: November 11th, 2018 09:11AM
Medical Center: ElectrolisysInsurance: None
I am an older MtF transgender person, 53. As female, people think I'm about 30. I take very good care of my skin. I am about 85% cleared of facial hair, it has taken an hour a week for nearly 3 years. at this pace I should be done and moving on to Hormones and then implants in another 6 months. this was expensive but was the biggest step in becoming passable, I now have many attracted partners. I did have a fairly heavy Scottish beard which was very dense and lighter in color, eliminating me as a candidate for laser. I am Paying for this out of pocket, but I understand My medical insurance carrier Kaiser does under some circumstances pay for Hormone therapy, but not much else.
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Female to Male
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Brad (Bethanie) in Hutchinson, KS.Posted: May 16th, 2018 11:05AM
Medical Center: NoneInsurance: None
I have been wanting to get a gender change for years. Many people have told me that I am to be the girl i was born to be, but as many people see my clothing choices, you could see who I feel I am. I would love the help to make my dream come true.
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MTF, help on what insurance to get.
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Benjamin Hopkins in Salt Lake City, UT.Posted: March 28th, 2018 11:03AM
I live in Utah and wondering if I need to move out of state to further progress my transition?
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External Resources:
  1.  www.tsroadmap.com/reality/finance/fintrncost.html
  2.  www.tsroadmap.com/reality/insurance.html
  3.  www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/benefits/7782.htm
  4.  www.healthcommunities.com/transgender-health/surgery.shtml
  5.  www.tsroadmap.com/physical/hair/zapcost.html
  6.  www.drbecky.com/srssurg.html
  7.  www.drbecky.com/therapists02.html
  8.  wpath.org/Documents2/socv6.pdf
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