Price of a sex change in Thailand

Price of a sex change in Thailand

The average cost of a male to female sex change in Thailand in Bangkok is €9,500. Depending on your needs, the price can vary from €7,000 to €12,000.

Procedure	Price Thailand
Sex change	9500 €

What is sex reassignment surgery (from male to female)?

For those who want to match their physical sex with what they believe to be their true gender, Thailand is the home of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) – also known as gender reassignment surgery, sex change operation, MtF surgery and SRS, to name but a few.

So what makes Thailand such an attractive destination for this type of procedure? In a nutshell, it’s because patients can get the most out of these operations in Thailand thanks to the number of highly qualified surgeons, low-cost and quality healthcare, and decades of knowledge and experience in perfecting this surgery.

If you are considering Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) in Thailand, or if you have a family member, partner or friend who is wondering what the procedure entails, this guide should help you gain some clarity.

Sex reassignment surgery in Thailand

Undergoing SRS (Sex reassignment) surgery in Thailand is a huge, life-changing decision that should not be taken lightly. It’s a long process that requires a lot of resilience and patience.

Before the actual operation, you’ll first need to live as a woman for at least a year and undergo hormone treatment to help reshape your figure and stimulate the growth of the labia majora.

Here is a list of prerequisites that all surgeons will require before considering your case:

• You must be at least 20 years old or have parental/legal guardian consent for those aged between 18 and 20.
• Have at least 12 months of continuous successful real life experience as a woman.
• At least 12 months of continuous hormonal therapy.
• Consult a psychiatrist in your own country and in the country where the procedure will be carried out (this can be arranged in the hospital of your choice).
• Be physically fit to undergo surgery.

Sex reassignment surgery generally involves a number of operations:

• Orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) and Penectomy (removal of the penis)
• Vaginoplasty (creation of a vagina)
• Breast augmentation
• Facial and vocal feminisation surgery (FFS and VFS)

You can also choose other surgical procedures, such as tracheal shaving to remove the Adam’s apple or buttock augmentation to increase the volume of the buttocks.

As every patient is unique, the procedures involved in sexual reassignment in Thailand can be carried out according to your needs and, above all, your budget.

The most important part of male-female surgery is the creation of the vagina. There are many surgical techniques to achieve this, depending on your preferences. You can discuss with your surgeon which one is best for you. Other popular techniques include

Price of sexual reassignment without vaginal depth

• This procedure is suitable for people who do not require vaginal penetration during intercourse and unwanted vaginal dilation.
• Hospital stay: 4 nights
• Duration of operation: 2.5 hours
• Recovery time in Thailand: 3-4 weeks
• Approximate cost: €8,000

Price of sexual reassignment with penile skin inversion

• Suitable for patients who do not want a vagina for intercourse, particularly popular with older transsexuals. The depth is approximately 2 to 4 cm and penile hair removal is required before the operation.
• Surgery: 2.5 hours
• Hospital stay: 4 nights
• Recovery time in the local area: 3 to 4 weeks
• Approximate cost: €9,000

Price of sexual reassignment with scrotal skin grafting

• Skin from the scrotum is used to create a vaginal depth of up to 13-15 cm, depending on the quality and quantity of skin (additional depth is possible using skin from the groin). This is the most popular SRS procedure.
• Surgery: 4 hours
• Hospital stay: 6 nights
• Recovery time in the local area is 3 to 4 weeks
• Approximate cost: 9,000 euros (with the possibility of increasing the depth further for 1,200 euros)

Price of sexual reassignment with sigmoid colon by laparoscopic technique

• The sigmoid colon is used to create the vagina, allowing greater depth than is possible with SRS using a scrotal skin graft. It is best suited to people with less scrotal skin or those who prefer a lubricated vagina, like that of a biological woman. This is by far the most expensive technique.
• Surgery: 6 hours
• Hospitalisation: 7 nights
• Recovery time in the local area: 3 to 4 weeks
• The open technique, with an incision scar of ~8-10 cm in the bikini line; approximately 12500 euros
• Laparoscopic technique; 4 small incisions in the abdomen; approx. 16,000 euros

Post-operative follow-up

Recovery from surgery will be a long and painful process. It will also require several follow-up procedures and constant monitoring, so you will need to stay in hospital for a little longer until you are fully ready to leave.

In general, plan to stay in Thailand or your chosen region for at least 3 weeks after your operation. Most people are able to return to work within 4 to 6 weeks after a sex reassignment operation.

In addition, you can return to work and strenuous exercise in around 6 to 8 weeks. It is essential that you follow all medication instructions carefully during your recovery period.

Post-operative care

Social support is very important before and after the operation, particularly the support that comes from your family and close friends. You need to be socially and emotionally stable before the operation.

This is why it is necessary for you to have adequate psychological assistance to help you with your emotional well-being. You need to prepare yourself mentally, before, during and after the transition, as it can be very trying and stressful.

It is also important that you have regular check-ups with your local doctor to monitor the progress of your recovery and avoid any complications.

Success rate

The success rate for sex reassignment surgery in Thailand is very high, given their technological advances. Male-to-female sex reassignment surgery has a higher success rate than female-to-male, which is why more male transsexuals opt for sex reassignment in Thailand.

However, given the nature and complexity of this type of surgery, you should also be aware of its complications:

• Possible risk of infection
• Intense pain
• Bleeding
• Blood clotting and scarring

Possible side effects may also include

• Decreased sexual sensation and ability to reach orgasm
• Fistula (opening between the rectum and vagina)
• Narrowing of the vagina and growth of vaginal hair from the grafted tissue
• Partial death of the tissue used to create the new vagina

Quality of treatment

The low cost of healthcare in Thailand is not synonymous with poor quality treatment. In fact, Thailand is extremely popular with medical tourists as the country is known for its high quality healthcare. Many medical centres in Thailand are accredited by prestigious international organisations, such as the Joint Commission International (JCI).

The country has come a long way since its first sex reassignment operation in 1975. Many surgeons have been specialising in sex reassignment for years, some with over 20 years’ experience. With their skills and experience, surgeons and clinics can give patients the appropriate care they need and ensure the best possible outcome.

As there are many medical centres in the country offering male-to-female SRS, it’s understandable that some do it better than others. To avoid disappointment, do your research, read reviews, find out about the clinic’s accreditation and ask for your surgeon’s certifications. Or put your trust in us 🙂