To most people, gender reassignment surgery is a life changing process. This helps them to align their physical body with their gender identity. The emotional and psychological impact from this journey can differ person to person. Financial factor of this surgery plays an important role in choosing where to have the surgery done. In recent times, Turkey has become one of the most preferred locations to have gender reassignment surgery. The gender reassignment surgery cost in Turkey is lower in comparison to countries like the USA, UK, or Australia, without reducing medical standards. In this blog, we will talk about the gender reassignment surgery alongside its types, costs and factors that affect cost.
What is Gender Reassignment Surgery?
This refers to as gender confirmation surgery. In this, there are a lot of surgical procedures that changes the physical appearance of the patient. This physical change helps the individual to reflect on their gender identity better. Surgical procedures such as Male to Female (MTF) and Female to Male (FTM) are done in gender reassignment surgery. These surgeries are only performed under the supervision of a specialised surgeon. The surgeon allows for the surgery if the patient has gone psychological and hormonal evaluation.
Types of Gender Reassignment Surgery
There are multiple procedures of gender reassignment surgery, depending on the patient’s transformation goal. Some major ones are mentioned below.
Male to Female (MTF) Surgery
Male to Female surgery or Feminizing Procedures, this increases the feminine features and creates female genitalia. Within this, there are various types of procedures.
Vaginoplasty
It is a surgical procedure that helps in the construction of the vagina. Penile, scrotal, or colonic tissues are used for the creation of the vagina. Techniques like penile inversion, peritoneal pull-through or rectosigmoid are used in this surgery.
Orchiectomy
This surgery removes the testicles, which are the primary sources of testosterone in the body. This also helps to reduce the gender dysphoria which helps in easing the discomfort related to male characteristics.
Breast Augmentation
In this, the breast size increases either by using implants or by fat grafting. This is a highly effective procedure to improve the gender dysphoria in the chest. This gives the body a more feminine look and confidence to the individual.
Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS)
The procedure is carried out in order to make one’s face more feminine. Facial feminization surgery includes procedures such as forehead lift, nose reconstruction, chin contouring, and lowering the Adam’s apple.
Female to Male (FTM) Surgery
Female to Male surgery, also referred to as Masculinizing Procedure, this surgery makes the chest broader and creates male genitalia. There are many different procedures needed to do this surgery, some of them are mentioned below:
Mastectomy
It is a procedure in which the breast tissues are removed to make the chest flatter and more masculine. Methods like keyhole or double incision help in doing this surgery. This increases the confidence of the individuals.
Hysterectomy
It is a surgical procedure that helps in the removal of the uterus and sometimes with the ovaries. This stops menstruation cycle. This also removes the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Phalloplasty
It is a complex procedure that helps in the making of the penis with the help of a skin graft taken from other parts of the body. This procedure also aims to provide tactile and erogenous sensitivity.
Scrotoplasty
This procedure helps in creating the scrotum, which usually comes with testicular implants.
Average Cost of Gender Reassignment Surgery in Turkey
There can be several reasons for the variations in gender reassignment surgery price in Turkey. However, the average price of this surgery lies between TRY 360,000-905,000 (USD 8000-20000). The cost here is much lower in comparison to Western countries without degrading any facility.
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Cost in TRY (approx.) | Cost in USD (approx.) |
| Male to Female (MTF) Surgery | 450,000 to 810,000 | 10,000 to 18,000 |
| Female to Male (FTM) Surgery | 270,000 to 540,000 | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| Vaginoplasty (MTF) | 54,000 to 199,000 | 1,200 to 4,400 |
| Phalloplasty (FTM) | 542,000 to 905,000 | 12,000 to 20,000 |
| Mastectomy (FTM) | 113,000 to 226,000 | 2,500 to 5000 |
| Breast Augmentation (MTF) | 113,000 to 249,000 | 2,500 to 5,500 |
| Facial Feminization Surgery (MTF) | 180,000 to 678,000 | 4,000 to 15,000 |
| Voice Surgery | 113,000 to 271,000 | 2,500 to 6,000 |
| Tracheal Shave | 90,500 to 226,000 | 2,000 to 5,000 |
Factors Affecting Cost for Gender Reassignment Surgery in Turkey
The cost of gender reassignment surgery can change due to many factors. You can find some of the factors below.
- Type and Complexity: The cost for the surgery is highly dependent on the type of surgery.
- Surgeons Experience: More experienced surgeons have higher fees in comparison to surgeons with less experience.
- Hospital: Hospitals with international accreditations are more costly than some private clinics or small hospitals
- Location within Turkey: Generally, the surgery costs are higher in the major cities or states of the country.
- Hospital Stay: The longer you stay in the hospital the higher the total cost will be.
- Test and Evaluation: The tests and evaluations that have been done before the surgery are included in the package
Gender Reassignment Surgery Cost Comparison With Other Countries
Other than Turkey, there are many other countries that perform gender reassignment surgery. Let’s see the cost of the surgery in those countries. Below is the cost comparison of 5 countries that perform gender reassignment surgery.
| Countries | Cost in their currency (approx.) | Cost in USD (approx.) |
| India | INR 6,60,000 to 15,00,000 | 7,000 to 15,000 |
| USA | – | 25,000 – 75,000 |
| UK | GBP 18,000 – 40,000 | 20,000 – 50,000 |
| Singapore | SGD 20,000 – 40,000 | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| Thailand | THB 360,000 to 900,000 | 11,000 to 27,500 |
How to Choose the Right Hospital in Turkey for Gender Reassignment Surgery?
There are various clinics offering gender-affirming surgeries in Turkey. Picking up the right clinic is essential. Some suggestions for selecting a clinic are provided below.
- Find the hospital or clinic with accreditation like JCI or the Turkish Ministry of Health.
- Do proper research on the surgeon regarding their qualification, training and their specialisations.
- Look for reviews of patients on independent sites, as there is no bias.
- Trustworthy clinics will give you transparent itemized quotations with no costlier than any other item.
- Good clinics will offer in-person or online counselling to let you know what to expect.
Conclusion
Turkey has truly acquired its status as a leading destination for gender reassignment surgery. They provide high-quality surgeons and hospitals at a lower cost. Gender reassignment surgery costs in Turkey are around 50-70 % less than it does in Western countries. Though their price range is low, but they don’t compromise on the quality of medical care provided.
Note: This is an informational blog. The cost mentioned above can change due to many reasons. You must seek professional help for your queries.
