Surgical Care | FAQs
In this section you will find information about general surgical care. For information about gender-affirming surgery, read FAQs on the Transition Care page.
Q | Why does my surgical team need to know my transition history and my sex assigned at birth?​
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Your surgical team may need to know details about your transition and past surgeries to provide care that is safe and meets your body’s needs. For example:
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The equipment needed in certain procedures, like insertion of a urinary catheter (a thin tube used to drain urine from the bladder), will depend on whether or not you’ve had gender-affirming surgery.
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In procedures like heart surgery or colonoscopy, in which your top or bottom are exposed, you may end up being outed if you haven’t shared your transition history ahead of time.
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The risk of blood clots increases after a surgery, so the surgical team should know about hormones you are taking that could put you at higher risk for blood clots.
Example. A trans man is scheduled for heart surgery. During the procedure, the surgical team will insert a urinary catheter. He shares that he has not had bottom surgery so that the surgical team knows to use a catheter of the right size for his body (people assigned female at birth without bottom surgery will need a shorter and narrower catheter).
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Q |​ What should I know about my care BEFORE a surgery?
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Before a surgery, your doctor and other members of the surgical team should explain what will be done during the surgery and give you time to ask questions. You will also sign a consent form for the procedure. The pre-op appointment is an opportunity for you to share relevant details about your medications and past surgeries, including any gender-affirming medical or surgical care you have received.
Q |​ What should I know about my care DURING a surgery or procedure?​
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During a surgery or related procedure, parts of your body that are normally private may be visible to the surgical team. For example, the chest area will be exposed during heart or lung surgery, and genitalia will be visible during a colonoscopy or reproductive procedure. Sharing details about your gender transition ahead of the procedure helps prepare your surgical team to give you care that is safe and affirming.
​Q |​ What does care AFTER my surgery look like? What would I need?
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After a surgery, you will have a recovery period, in which your healing will be monitored by a doctor. Depending on the procedure, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Home visits from a nurse may also be needed to support your recovery. When meeting these new providers after your surgery, keep your safety and comfort level in mind when deciding which details about your gender identity are most relevant to share.
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​Q |​ My housing situation is unstable. How would that impact my care after surgery?
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Being in a clean, safe environment is crucial for healing after a surgery. Without access to clean and safe housing, you may develop surgical wound infections and end up back in the hospital. Or your wounds may not heal properly. One housing option for people experiencing housing insecurity after surgery is medical respite care, a short-term place to rest and heal. Talking with your healthcare team BEFORE your surgery about your housing concerns can help them get other team members, like social workers, involved early on to arrange stable housing for your recovery period.
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General housing resources and support are available through your state’s social service agency→ or your local community services provider.