Phalloplasty refers to the (re-)construction of a penis or, sometimes, to artificial modification of the penis by surgery, often for cosmetic purposes. It is also often used to refer to penis enlargement.
Complete (re-)construction
A complete (re-)construction of a penis is done on both cisgendered men who have lost their penis through either illness or accidents, and trans men, that is, female-to-male transgendered or transsexual people.
The basic procedures are the same, although surgery on cisgendered men is usually a lot simpler, since the urethra still ends in the front of the genital area, whereas the urethra of transmen ends near the vaginal opening and has to be lengthened considerably. The lengthening of the urethra is the most difficult part of phalloplasty, and also the one where most complications occur.
With all types of phalloplasty in transmen, the labia are united to form a scrotum, where prosthetic testicles can be inserted.
An erectile prosthesis can be inserted into the neo-phallus to replace the erectile tissue and enable sexual penetration. This is usually done in separate surgery for healing reasons. There are several types of erectile protheses, ranging from simple rods that have a hinge so that the neo-penis can either stand up or hang down, to elaborate pumping systems.
Basically, there are three different techniques for phalloplasty:
Using a free graft from the arm or leg
This technique involves using a free graft of tissue, usually from the inner side of the forearm, sometimes from the upper arm or the leg. This tissue is removed from its original place, rolled up, with a part of it forming the new urethra, and grafted to its new place between the thighs.
For transmen, the urethra up to this point is formed from the inner labia. Often, this is done in a separate procedure, sometimes a full-scale metoidioplasty is done a few months before the actual phalloplasty to prevent complications or make intervention easier when they occur.
Sensation is retained through the clitoris which is at the base of the neo-phallus; also, often a large nerve in the graft is connected to nerves either from the clitoris or other nearby nerves. Also, nerves from the graft and the tissue it has been attached to usually connect after a while, thereby allowing additional sensation.
This is by far the most common surgical technique for phalloplasty today, and also the one which produces the best results in both functioning and esthetics.
Using a muscle from the belly
Using fatty tissue from the belly
Another option for transmen is metoidioplasty, where a small penis is created from the clitoris that has been enlarged by hormone replacement therapy.
Modifying an existing penis
See also
- Sex reassignment surgery female-to-male
- List of transgender-related topics
References
- “Straight Talk About Surgical Penis Enlargement” by Gary M. Griffin, ISBN 187996712X.
- “Penis Enlargement Methods: Fact and Phallusy”, Gary M. Griffin, ISBN 1879967014.
- “From peniplastica totalis to reassignment surgery of the external genitalia in female-to-male transsexuals” by J. Joris Hage.
Discussion groups
- Dr. Bowers Support (Yahoo Group) – for prospective, present, and past patients of Dr. Marci Bowers
- Dr. Meltzer Support (Yahoo Group) – for prospective, present, and past patients of Dr. Toby Meltzer
- FTM Phalloplasty Info (Yahoo Group) – Peer to peer discussion group on FTM phalloplasty procedures
- FTM Surgery Info (Yahoo Group) – For photos and personal experiences of various FTM surgeries
- FTM Surgery Support (Yahoo Group) – Companion group to the FTM Surgery Info group offering open discussion of emotional, physical, psychological and financial issues
- Lower Surgery (LiveJournal) – LJ community for transsexual men to discuss medical, financial, physical, and psychological aspects of reconstructive genital surgeries
- POC Transition (Google Group) – Discussion group for FTMs of color, including surgery procedures and outcomes
- The Deciding Line (Yahoo Group) – Support and discussion group for all FTM lower surgeries
External links
- FemaletoMale.org | Phalloplasty– Information about phalloplasty and erectile implants. Browse surgery before and after pictures or find a surgeon (New 2012)
- A Guide to Lower Surgery for Trans Men (PDF) – By GIRES, provides info about the various options for FTM lower surgeries. UK-focused, but much of the content is universal.
- Care of the Patient Undergoing Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) (PDF) – By Cameron Bowman MD and Joshua Goldberg. British Columbia focused, but much of the content is universal.
- Dr. E. Douglas Whitehead’s page – Penis lengthening surgery, penis widening surgery in the flaccid and erect state and glanular enhancement.
- Information for F to M Transsexuals: Removal of the Uterus and the Ovaries (PDF) by Kate O’Hanlan, MD
- Jim Collins Foundation – An organization that gives surgical scholarships to those who need assistance with surgery
- Laser Phalloplasty – Dr. Stephen Giunta specializes in Minimally Invasive Laser Phalloplasty. Site includes lots of information on penis enlargement with before and after photo gallery.
- Medical Therapy & Health Maintenance For Transgender Men: A Guide for Healthcare Providers – by Nick Gorton MD, Jamie Buth MD, and Dean Spade Esq. Excellent resource. US-focused, but much of the content is universal.
- Phallic Construction 2002: Current Concepts and Future Directions (PDF) by Gerald H. Jordan MD and Daniel I. Rosenstein MD – Growth Genetics & Hormones (GGH Journal) Vol. 18 No. 3 – Sept. 2002
- TransBucket – Database of surgery results (MTF and FTM) with photos and reviews of various surgeons
- Video: “Moving Past the Phallo/Meta Split” (Youtube) – Part 1, Part 2 Discusses some of the common ground and diversity between phalloplasty and metoidioplasty procedures, and how sharing stories between people who are getting or have gotten either surgery could benefit everyone interested in FTM lower surgery. Also provides a list of many considerations often discussed while researching surgery.
Latest comments